Academic Goals
During high school, I had a biology teacher who opened my eyes to the sciences. Soon I started something I seldom did before: studying, not for a test, but out of a sheer passion for science. I began to spout information to my friends at lunch about the discovery I had made the night before. I’m sure spending time with amazing A&M science department professors, talking about the lives of ungulates or in the field with geese will inspire me further.
Despite how hard it is, single parenthood is the norm for a lot of families. My sister and I were born and raised by a single mother, who’s foreign to the United States, so I understand how it feels for single parents. Even though she can get overwhelmed with the amount of work she need to do to keep us afloat, she never let the pressure get to her. She always made sure my sister and I were educated, well-fed, and most importantly, happy. She was always making sure that Sarah and I were always, healthy, involved in athletic activities, and well acquainted with our community. No one has ever been prouder of my sister and me than her. Any time we beat a personal record in a swim competition or get a good score on an important test, she never looks more thrilled. Growing up, I didn’t realize how much my mom had to do to support our family, but when I was diagnosed with Leukemia, I started to understand.
There’s no doubt in my mind that my mother should have been devastated by this, and I’m sure she was in secret. But when she was in front of me in the hospital bed, she was always bearing a brilliant smile. Having my mother with me the whole time wasn’t much at the time, but it was comforting to know she was always there. My victory over cancer led me to believe all her struggles would eventually be over. That couldn’t be further from the truth. My outpatient treatment was tough on her too. Keeping afloat meant working harder than ever. In addition to these struggles, my mom also had to help cover my sister’s tuition. Despite these pressures, she never gave up. It didn’t matter how expensive or difficult the challenge was she kept a smile on her face. Even though there’s somewhat of a language barrier in this country, she continues to work hard and clear the bills with merit alone. When I find myself facing a challenge I can’t overcome, I just think of her and pick myself up to keep going.
My mom has been single since I was one, and despite how much it should be, I understand that single parenthood isn’t uncommon. However, since I’ve been diagnosed with Leukemia in 2016, my mom has been struggling month to month to keep up with hospital bills while also keeping my sister, Sarah Szklaruk Traipe, in A&M. It’s hard knowing that my mom is struggling because of something I couldn’t control, but I keep working to make her proud, and it’s my dream too.
~~~David Szklaruk Traipe