I always did admire my mom on her accomplishments. A few years back we didn’t have a car or a place to sleep. Ever since we came to Glendale it’s been nothing but achieving, succeeding and getting ahead. Back then I didn’t really understand how one woman could do everything my mom has done. Then, I found out how.

Last year, when I was a freshman, I had to go through a program called OCS for ROTC. In OCS I had to do training to become an officer. It took a lot of dedication and responsibility. I only attended two days at the beginning of the training and had to quit because my mom couldn’t give me a ride anymore. I didn’t want my mom to lose her job. That day when I went to school I told the instructors I would abandon training. Another girl, who was already an officer, said she’d train me.

My training took place during lunch. The girl said it would last for as long as it took to help me become an officer. For weeks I practiced drill and color guard but I just couldn’t get it. I had passed the written part of the training. Drill and color guard were the only requirements I needed to complete training. It wouldn’t be easy.

Weeks had passed and I still didn’t meet the requirements. It was just hours before the awarding ceremony. At the awards ceremony the instructors would announce the new members of staff. I had worked so hard but they don’t award those who tried, they award those who passed. I was so disappointed in myself for not passing. Even though there’d be different types of awards, the most important part of the night was the announcing of the new staff. I wasn’t excited about being there and not being awarded, but I felt proud of the others who would be.

The night seemed to last forever. It was as if time had been put on pause. I sat on the plush red chairs of the auditorium and looked at the rank I had been given the week before. “At least passing the written test had a reward.” I thought bitterly. My rank shone with the little light that came from the stage. I felt so selfish to just think about not being awarded. I felt a sudden thirst. I grabbed my water bottle and drank some water. I began to pay attention to what Captain was saying instead of being bitter.