There have been a large number of lives that have touched mine. Many different people have shared a piece of their soul in my training. However, it is my mother who is the most important and influential person in my life. My mother raised me alone since the day I was born. My father was abusive and she left to create a better life for both of us. She worked up to four jobs at a time. My mother wants to make sure that my brothers and I have a better life than her. It wasn't always easy for her to take care of us on her own, trying to pay our bills and make sure we had everything we needed. My mother always got us involved in sports from a very young age. We were always doing something or involved in something growing up. We took summer classes throughout elementary school because she wanted us to get a head start. I remember when we were little she enrolled us in a manners class and more and I remember when we went out to eat people would compliment us on our good behavior. The standards my mother set for us are just as important. taught us that if you set high goals, it gives you something to strive for. She also believes that you can do anything you want. We never went to our district schools because my mother wanted to improve our education. She would say that just because you don't have money doesn't mean you shouldn't have an education as good as that of wealthy people. She sent us to Catholic school for a few years until the expenses became too high, then transferred us to a good school in Chandler. We are not allowed to get a grade lower than a C. If we do, we lose something that is important to us, until we bring our grade to the middle of the paper...which they need. She volunteered at homeless shelters and worked with people with intellectual disabilities. She donates any clothes or items we no longer need to the orphanage in Mexico. She always puts others first and I am proud to say that my mother has worked very hard and come a long way. She doesn't know the words "give up." If there is anything she has in abundance, it is perseverance; more importantly, she is able to see my potential and gives me the courage to do the things I hesitate to do. In addition, she has always been a good friend to me and I will never stop thanking my mother for what she represents in my life. Additionally, I'm glad my mother is my role model because without her there, I don't know for sure if the person I followed would be as good as her at accomplishing this task. A good role model is what everyone should have