Cate Clay- Assignment 22

From a young age I have had interactions with people far different than me. For as long as I can remember, I have volunteered with my family for various organizations to help underprivileged families. For example, I have served meals to homeless people, helped families shop from donated groceries at God’s Pantry and helped parents choose gifts for children at a church charity Christmas store. Through these experiences, I have learned how difficult life can be for families with limited resources. I hold the utmost respect for my fellow classmates who must manage schoolwork while their families constantly battle financial hardships. I am also, however, exposed to more affluent students every day in my school. Through these students, I have learned that every family faces challenges. These varied interactions have taught me that people are more alike than they are different and everyone has something to contribute to society, no matter their background.

In addition, I have a large extended family made up of people of diverse backgrounds. One of my grandmothers is from Boston. Another is from Pikeville. I have cousins of Mexican descent and cousins raised by a single mother. My close relationships with each of these relatives has showed me the impact that a person’s upbringing has on his or her views. I am thankful to have grown up with exposure to people with various experiences and contrasting opinions because it allowed me to learn to collaborate and communicate with people who have different lives than me. These are lessons that I will take with me no matter where I go to college and I'm excited to put them to work in whatever new environment I decide to spend those four years.