Share the Dream: My Life, My Focus, My Goal Share the Dream: My Life, My Focus, My Goal: Charron, Kenadi

Share the Dream essay by Kenadi Charron

My name is Kenadi Charron, and I am from Fall River Ma, I grew up in a quiet neighborhood with not many friends nor family. I was raised by my grandmother due to my mother passing away when I was 10. My Titi Brittany helped raise me when my grandmother fell ill and lost her leg. I am Azorean and French, but my household is very Americanized.

Growing up, I went to a quiet state-run charter school. I stayed there until I graduated, I left for 2 years to study dental Assisting at the city vocational school. It didn't work out which is why I went back to my sending school.

I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to go to the school, I did. I got my first job at 14 working at Chick-fil-A and I have worked ever since. I don't come from money or make a lot of money. I live in the middle class. My largest obstacle is my learning disability. I struggled all my way through school and almost failed my sophomore year, but instead I persevered. I graduated with a 2.3 GPA. Graduating was more than an accomplishment for me. It proved to me that no matter What comes in my way or pushes me down is that I can get back up and keep going.

Currently I do community service for Big brother Big sister or BBBS. I mentor 7-9 kids ages 9-13. I help them figure out the best version of themselves and how to manage anger, trauma, and or a Disability. Working with the kids has made a large impact on me and has taught me responsibility.
 
I have chosen to come to UMass Dartmouth due to my financial situation. UMass offered to go here for free, so I took the offer. I was offered money at other institutions, but it was truly not enough. My focus for the next 4 years is to make friends and find out who I really am and what makes me the way I am. UMass has already been a good experience thus far. I have met friends and have found a strong community, especially within college now.

College now has been my gateway to success these past few months. My counselor has cheered me on while guiding me through this wild ride. There is no program like this one. I am a 1st generation college student, which makes me feel like I have something to prove. I have worked diligently to become the first women to hold a bachelor's degree in my family. When I came to college, I was ready to party until I got here and realized that I don't have time nor energy. College is much more serious than I expected. The crowds of kids that do find time to party won't be the ones to make it to graduation. I could have done that, but I am driven for greatness. My major(s) are Criminal Justice Pre-Law and Human Resource Management.

After College I plan to become a Family court lawyer. I want to help make people's difficult situations stress free as possible. As a Family court lawyer, I will help settle divorces, child custody agreements, and child support among other things. One thing that really bothers me in today's society is homelessness. There are more homeless people each year. Currently there is an estimated 771,480 people is the us. I would love to see state lawmakers bring in more homes at lower costs.

An investor should invest in my education because I am dedicated and on the right track towards graduation in the coming years. Furthering my education will bring me a good job as well as money. I would love to pay off my grandmother's house that she has allowed me to live my whole life. I would love to buy my TITI Brittany a new car, so she doesn't have to worry about it not starting. This is my story, and I am proud of it.