Aspiring Athlete Dreams of Playing Basketball at UCLA
Hi my name is Brightllette Serrano. I’m 13 years old. I’m a student at the Preuss School UCSD. I’m the third youngest out of four kids. My siblings and I all play sports. Out of all four kids, three of us attend the Preuss School UCSD. I'm in an individualized education program since I struggle a lot in my classes in school. Being in an individualized education program gives me extra support but not as much I need. I also benefit from after school tutoring but my parents struggle to afford it. I want to go to UCLA for college because I see myself as a basketball player. It is also hard for my parents to afford the things I need for basketball, for example, a basketball, basketball shoes, basketball shorts, and basketball shirts. My family could not afford all the money needed to get this.
The story that my parents tell me is that when I was born things were really rough for them. My mother said that my brother wasn't even three months old and she was already pregnant with me. My brother Jaden and I are just one year apart. I do not want to even imagine how she went through this with three kids in diapers since my older sister was just three years old at that time. My parents have always struggled to try to give us the best. Life has not been easy at all. Four years ago I lost my uncle on Easter day. Then this past Christmas day my grandfather passed away. It has been really heartbreaking and hard on me. The fact that school is getting harder for me because I would always zone out in class just thinking about them. Losing my grandpa was really hard. It's only been two months. It is going to be really hard to celebrate holidays without him because we were always all together. My parents always tell me that my grandfather is watching over me and how he would always want me to succeed in life.
At our home, my siblings and I are very athletic. We are very competitive. When I go to college, I will definitely play basketball or soccer. There's no doubt about that! The hardest thing about sports is paying for the gear, the cleats, and the tournaments. My parents struggle financially and it is hard for them to pay for things I need for school and sports. but my parents make it happen. I’m grateful for what I have but I would like to have more. I have passions for my education and sports. College, sports, and my education are my priorities. If I was to get the scholarship I would be able to help my parents not to worry about how they are going to buy my cleats or how they are going to pay for our old computer if it breaks down. I will be successful. My name is Brightllette Serrano. I am 13 years old and this is my story.