Personal Narrative: Dropping Out Of High School

My name is Eva Rojos; I just turned 17 years old and I decided to drop out of high school. I am defined by my struggles I face, my home life, and by the clothes I wear. My parents moved to America from Mexico shortly after they were married for more job opportunities and have been struggling ever since. I have never experienced a real childhood due to my broken family and the financial burden my parents have left me with. I may be a high school dropout, but I am fighting and persevering to become not just a stereotype, but someone who can succeed past the doubt and the hardships. (Question 1)
Ever since I dropped out of high school, I have been working several day jobs and taking care of my little sister. My father left my mother, leaving us with no source of income, and my mother has become an alcoholic ever since. On the day my father left, I decided to never return to school to help support my sister and mother as much as possible. I use food stamps to purchase food, and I wash our

very little amount of clothes in a tub outside. Our electric and water usage is limited because of how little I make at my jobs. So I have to make the best out of what I have when doing every day chores and repeat the whole process the next day. According to the Chicago Journals, it is very common for high school students to drop out based off of family life and the social pressures of getting a high school degree (Rumberger & Larson, 1998). And the family aspect is completely my situation—that my family life has become so unstable that I cannot continue my education, and am forced to work for my family’s living. (Question 2)
My current jobs include being a waitress at an iHop, being a custodian for a motel, and working at a local floral shop. At iHop I usually spend a good amount of time actually waiting the tables. I am always very friendly to make sure I get a tip from at least every table I serve. I spend most of the late afternoons and weekend at the motel. My duty is to strip the beds and wash the sheets and towels. Lifting heavy sheets and bending down constantly takes a toll on my back and my ability to be efficient when moving around a lot. Now for my job at the floral shop, all I do is take orders of bouquets and make sure every call is answered in the shop. (Question 3)
Besides work, I really love socializing and meeting new people either at work or at a local store. I think it is good to have social skills and learn about other people because are all different and we all have our struggles. I love experiencing new things and adapting to new cultures and people I interact with on a daily basis. I just enjoy simple the simple things outside of my home life and work. (Question 7)
During my time at work, a lot of kids who used to know me from school stare at me and whisper things to each other. They observe me as a nobody who was too stupid to finish school, which is completely unmindful of my feelings. They see me struggling, yet they have no idea my life at home has taken a toll on my education and my childhood. I feel like no one around me cares enough to even wonder if I am okay or if I need help. Like the other day I went grocery shopping in my filthy work clothes with very little money and a giant bag to hold everything in since I do not have a car. I was stared at and treated as if I wasn’t good enough to be around others who have more money than me or have better lives than I do. I was completely judged on my appearance and not who I really am as a person. They assume differences between them and myself, like I am just a bum on the street begging for help, rather than what I am doing—fighting for a better life. (Question 5)
It is extremely difficult as a 17-year old to work three jobs, and take care of what is left of my family.

I hardly get anything to eat, and I get very little sleep at night. Since I am constantly working, I hardly see the few friends that I do have and my little sister whom I am responsible for. I become depressed, but I realize I have to keep moving forward. If I quit my jobs like I quit high school, my sister and I probably will not have a future. The most difficult thing about my day is not seeing my father, and watching my mother drink her sorrows away. It is very painful to watch her waste her life and not be a good example for her daughters. I am challenged everyday knowing that more and more young Hispanics, like myself, are dropping out of school to work to support their families (Driscoll, 1999). Since I have been forced to grow up quickly, I have realized the struggles of not completing high school and the burdens I have placed on myself and my family. (Question

4)
Every now and then I take walks and run into old friends of mine from school. It never fails that every time I see someone I used to know, I am always asked, “How do you expect to go to college?” or even, “How do you expect to find a high-paying job?” Their questions constantly worry me, and I struggle to find motivation knowing that without a high school diploma, my opportunities are limited. I always tell them that I am working hard and I have a plan to succeeding for myself and my sister, but I am conflicted with the idea of whether or not I should finish my high school education. But there is always hope and there are always people and organizations willing to help those in need, like me, who are struggling to create a better life for themselves. (America’s Promise Alliance, 2014) I am more than just a dropout. (Question 6)
Even though I may look beat down and overworked, I am working towards finding opportunities for myself without a high school diploma. Right now, I am working on supporting my family, but sooner or later my motivation to be better will help me find resources I need to succeed. I want to defy the stereotypes such as becoming a homeless person, working for a restaurant my entire life, or just living a very difficult life. I hope this helps other realize that everyone is struggling with their own battles and just because someone has dropped out of high school, doesn’t make them any different than you.