I've worked so hard to overcome the obstacles of being a fourteen-year-old mother; by the age of seventeen, I had three children. Living on the modest income of my bartending tips, I managed to raise all of my children on my own as a single mother. Realizing the struggles associated with my lack of formal schooling, I made sure to instill into each of my children the value of a strong education. I would often tell them, "if you want to make me proud, go to college and get an education, don't throw your life away." From my tough life lessons, I had come to appreciate that the means of achieving a fulfilling life and career was through aspiring towards great ambitions and creating personal goals that would one day better yourself. Perhaps with a combination of my consistent counseling and a little bit of good fortune I am proud to say that it all paid off. Today my oldest son is in his last year of medical school, my second son is in college studying business, my oldest daughter is finishing up cosmetology training, and my two youngest daughters are eager to learn a little more each day in middle school and preschool respectively. Last year, with my family in a secure position I began to reflect upon my own life and career ambitions. My entire adult life had revolved around being a mother and providing a stable home for my family. Although I loved my life, it became evident that it was time to practice my own life’s preaching and advance my own education. With that goal in mind, I was determined to elevate myself to a higher level of educational achievement. Motivated by this new goal, I studied and passed the General Education Development (GED) exam securing the high school equivalency degree that had eluded me for over two decades. My goal of one day attending college and inspiring others with similar ambitions that dreams do come true was now one step closer to reality. Still determined to carve my own path, I ask my eldest son in medical school if he could set up an opportunity for me to observe a surgical procedure and shad