Personal Narratives
My name is Daisy Alcantar and I am proud to I come from a small community of hardworking people, Lindsay, CA. Lindsay is a small town located in the Central Valley, where our main cultivations revolve around olives and citrus fruits. Growing up in this small community shaped my views on life. Most of the Lindsay population make their money by working in the fields, and while I was fortunate enough to not experience this difficult work load, my parents, however, did experience this type of labor at a young age. From them telling me how it was, from listening to their stories, I knew I wanted to become something big, something most people in my city only dream of doing, a livestock veterinarian.
I grew up in a small ranch house on the outskirts of Lindsay. We had dogs, goats, chickens, lambs, and a pony. As a child I developed a passion for helping animals. I would constantly help my father care for our animals by medicating and caring for them. My parents’ lifestyle turned me into the person I am today; it is because of them that I believe in the power of agriculture, and strive to become a better person every day.
My grandfather played a major role in my life; he was my first role model. My grandfather always believed that one day I would become someone in life. While my grandfather was alive, he treated me with respect, thus making him my closest family member. One Wednesday my grandfather was rushed to the hospital, By that Saturday, he lost his fight against Valley Fever. This hurt me and still continues to do so, I am still hurting over the loss of my grandfather. After his death, I agonized every night about my loss and the dynamics of my family without him. After his death, my "family" began to treat me in a poorly manner. I was accused of horrible things. Slowly my “family” began to separate due to the accusations that were being condemned on me. Through my challenges and hardships in life I managed to get through it alone, I dealt with this hard time alone. I learned how to become an independent person and although I had the support of my parents and sister, it did not feel the same as being without my grandfather by my side. I wish to become something in life so that I can look back and know I did not let my grandfather down. It is because of my family influences that I wish to be a motivation for everyone in this small community where “no one makes it out”.
I grew up in a small ranch house on the outskirts of Lindsay. We had dogs, goats, chickens, lambs, and a pony. As a child I developed a passion for helping animals. I would constantly help my father care for our animals by medicating and caring for them. My parents’ lifestyle turned me into the person I am today; it is because of them that I believe in the power of agriculture, and strive to become a better person every day.
My grandfather played a major role in my life; he was my first role model. My grandfather always believed that one day I would become someone in life. While my grandfather was alive, he treated me with respect, thus making him my closest family member. One Wednesday my grandfather was rushed to the hospital, By that Saturday, he lost his fight against Valley Fever. This hurt me and still continues to do so, I am still hurting over the loss of my grandfather. After his death, I agonized every night about my loss and the dynamics of my family without him. After his death, my "family" began to treat me in a poorly manner. I was accused of horrible things. Slowly my “family” began to separate due to the accusations that were being condemned on me. Through my challenges and hardships in life I managed to get through it alone, I dealt with this hard time alone. I learned how to become an independent person and although I had the support of my parents and sister, it did not feel the same as being without my grandfather by my side. I wish to become something in life so that I can look back and know I did not let my grandfather down. It is because of my family influences that I wish to be a motivation for everyone in this small community where “no one makes it out”.
Looking back at my earliest childhood memories I remember running through the orchids racing to get home as the wind breezed through my hair. My one true passion has always been running. As a young child my main motivator has always been my grandfather. My grandfather had an immense role in my early life. My grandfather and I would constantly race and run together. Following his death I continued to run, running would alive me from all of the pain and anger built inside of me. The death of my grandfather left me feeling alone and betrayed since immediately after his death my “family” began to take their anger out on me. My so called “family” accused me of several things that in fact did not occur. Running became my stress reliever, I truly ran away from my problems. The same year my grandfather died I ran at the annual fun run in Lindsay, and placed first. I was awarded a trophy, and from this I knew that running was a part of me.
Immediately After entering High School I began to get information on a sport that caught my attention. I Joined cross country my freshmen year and continued all through my four years of high school. Cross country is a long distance sport in which you find out if you are strong or weak. During the time that I was involved in this sport I received several medals by placing top ten and plaques by being a dedicated runner. My senior year I was appointed team captain by my cross country coach I learned how to develop premier leadership skills and how helpful assisting my team members as well as my coach.
My sophomore year I joined the sport of track and although it was much different I learned how to move at a faster pace and made friendships I will never forget. After my sophomore year I realized how much I enjoyed track and joined my Junior and senior year. My senior year I ran for homecoming queen, I was nominated by running club and got to top five. Running has become a great part of me. Running has shaped me as a person; Since it demonstrated to me that I am not fragile but strong.
Immediately After entering High School I began to get information on a sport that caught my attention. I Joined cross country my freshmen year and continued all through my four years of high school. Cross country is a long distance sport in which you find out if you are strong or weak. During the time that I was involved in this sport I received several medals by placing top ten and plaques by being a dedicated runner. My senior year I was appointed team captain by my cross country coach I learned how to develop premier leadership skills and how helpful assisting my team members as well as my coach.
My sophomore year I joined the sport of track and although it was much different I learned how to move at a faster pace and made friendships I will never forget. After my sophomore year I realized how much I enjoyed track and joined my Junior and senior year. My senior year I ran for homecoming queen, I was nominated by running club and got to top five. Running has become a great part of me. Running has shaped me as a person; Since it demonstrated to me that I am not fragile but strong.