Sophomore Year

Alyssa Torres
Narrative Essay
First Draft As I entered my sophomore year at Archbishop McCarthy High School I overcame many endeavors, both positive and negative, which crafted me into the person I am today. I had everything any girl could ever ask for in life such as, a supportive family, a steady boyfriend, and a best friend that never left my side. Despite these luxuries, I was sick of the same routines so I decided that it was time for a change. To begin with, high school parties were becoming the place to be, and I wanted to be in the center of it all. Unfortunately, my parents thought otherwise. Coming from a Hispanic background, I was brought up in a strict household. Even the slightest task that came my way became troublesome because of my restrictions. Whenever I would ask to go anywhere without parental supervision I would keep getting the same bland remark, no. I was becoming a social outlier, and was forced to find a way to become one of the “popular” kids. Nevertheless, my grades were nothing short of mediocre. My priorities were completely out of order. I cared much more about the gossip, and rumors fluttering around campus than what should have been my main focus. Consequently, my parents would bring up my poor academics as a reason for my punishment. Also, my best friend since preschool was becoming a negative influence on me. I noticed how much fun she was having and I wanted to have that enjoyment as well. This led me to break up with my boyfriend whom I had been dating for a year and a half. All of these events simultaneously spiraling out of control turned me into the person that I never thought Id become. As winter break approached, I began doing everything I had sought out to do. Lying to my parents became a normal routine for myself. I had grown accustomed to lying about whom I was hanging out with and where I was. These lies eventually snowballed out of control. I had never felt so free in my lifetime. I could lie and get away with whatever I wanted and go wherever I pleased. For example, I met this boy who was 20 years old, 4 years older than myself at the time, and asked my parents for permission to date him. As I expected they were utterly against this idea. However, instead of obeying them as I had previously done in the past, I decided to take matters into my own hands. I would sneak out of the house to see him whenever the opportunity presented itself. The world was mine and I intended to live it up. I was going out every Friday and Saturday night and became accepted as one of the “popular” 10th graders at my school. Meanwhile, my best friend was by my side every step of the way. I had no intention of changing any part of my lifestyle. I was living the life that any teenager wanted and I was not going to give it up by any means. As sophomore year came to an end, my life started to take a turn for the best. I woke up on one summer day, and a flipped switched in my head that the rebellious lifestyle was not for me. I slowly started to realize that not only was this boy not for me but it wasn’t the right decision either. Later that week, I decided to abruptly end things with him. In addition, my friendship with Nicole was one of the biggest issues I had to tackle in becoming a better person. I had realized that she was only sucking me into all the negativity. I started to distance myself from her and make new friends who had their priorities straight. I had thought back to my previous boyfriend and realized that I had thrown something away because of my immaturity. I had someone that had treated and respected me like every girl should be and I threw it all the way. I knew that a second chance may not have been in the cards for me but I was willing to take a risk even if I wasn’t going to be happy with the outcome. Shockingly, it ended up being one of the best decisions I could have made. Unsurprisingly, my grades began to skyrocket. My life was returning back to the way it was and I now had a set of goals I aspired to achieve. The most significant realization that arose was the importance of family. I grew tiresome of lying to my parents about each and everywhere I was going. I enjoyed seeing a smile on their faces when I brought home my report card. In fact, even the smallest things such as sitting down and watching a movie with them made that much more of a difference. In summation, sophomore year taught me a very valuable lesson. I learned in life you have to be independent you cannot base lifetime decisions on temporary feelings and experiences. This year proved to be the most impactful because it transformed me into the person that I am today.