Teresa Vargas shares her motivation for school, and feelings about being a first gen to graduate high school. Being the oldest sibling is an honor for her, and gives motive to graduate. She uses her determination towards school to help her succeed. Vargas is an energetic 12th grader running for Miss Cardinal. She remains resilient and determined to end this year strong. 

“It is hard to be the first generation to graduate high school. I am the oldest sibling so I am the role model. My mom didn’t go to college, she did not graduate high school and it’s just- I have no support,” Vargas said. 

She doesn’t let her lack of support stop her from wanting to be the inspiration for her siblings, showing them nothing is impossible. Graduating is important. The moment you throw that graduation cap into the air, you say goodbye to an era of your life. Graduating high school is a milestone for everyone, as it is the unofficial start to adulthood, and it shows the hard work put in to make it happen. To Vargas, graduating high school is much more than that. 

“Graduating high school is important to me because it shows my accomplishments. My mom and her boyfriend didn’t graduate,” she said. “I’m the oldest and I want to be the role model for my siblings and show them they can do it.“

Her view on graduating is both wholesome and motivating. Staying motivated for school is valuable. Others’ motivation might be friends, being forced, or even getting a job that provides you with a load of money. Being motivated to do things is what helps you set goals for yourself, and provides a drive to do whatever you need to do to attain them. Motivation is what is needed to be successful in life. Vargas’ motivation is the chance to be able to finish high school, and break through the cycle of being in a family who didn’t graduate. 

“Being a first gen is a big motivator. I want to make my parents proud, knowing that I did it. I just want to show that just because your parents didn’t graduate does not mean that you can’t,” Vargas said. 

Motivation can also help us thrive to success. Success is what most want to achieve in life, because of the richness and value that comes with it. Everyone defines success in their own way. There are many differences in people’s views of success, there is no right or wrong answer. 

“Success to me means being happy in life, and doing things that I really want to do,” Vargas said. 

In life we often pick up role models along the way that help us visualize the meaning of success. Being a role model, you have to keep the standard of being a leader, which is hard when you’re a first-gen college student. Vargas doesn’t let that stop her from inspiring others.  

“I want to show them that they can do it. It’s not hard, and knowing that you can do it, and you should believe in yourself. And you should be proud,” she said, 

Being resilient is what Vargas is the most. Her determination towards graduating is both inspiring and encouraging. Her family’s history doesn’t define who she is, and she wants to let others know that. She breaks the cycle, as she looks forward to graduating next year, and showing others that they can do it.