Mentor Quote–Ilham L.

As graduation drew near, me and my friends were talking about our entire high school experiences in the library, how we turned out, and if we liked the person, we became leaving the school. My friend said this one statement I do not know where she got it from but regardless, she was the type of person who loved reading and writing. She also wrote a bunch of news articles and papers for our school, got me to even start reading, and is going to major in writing, said and I quote, “I feel like the best view comes after the hardest climb.” She was also the type to just say any random quotes from whatever book or article she read. It went up to the point that we started calling her a “philosopher,” because of the way she would quote and put her words together. But as I was reminiscing and thinking about everything, I went through in that school for 12 years, I pulled her to the side and asked her what she meant when she said, “The best view comes after the hardest climb”.

She said to think about everything I did that led me to where I am right now, to think about all those sleepless nights, the late-night calls to study, all the disappointments, failed tests, suspensions, write-ups and not believing in myself. Think about all those things that led you here, right now. To the point where you are graduating and receiving the high honors belt, do you not like the person you have become throughout all the hardships you have faced and what you have achieved? I realized that she was right. All the tests I’ve failed, the suspensions, the fights I’ve gotten into, the racism I’ve experienced, and my parents saying I’ll never graduate because I am not smart enough and I won’t get accepted into college with how bad my grades are, has all led me to where I am today. I have graduated. I have gotten into the college they said I could not.

I think that if I were to write an autobiography someday, I would mention her because she helped me develop a whole new perspective and view of life. Because of her, I now apply this to my everyday life and my education and everything because it shows that no matter how much you have been pushed down and all the hardships you faced and climbed, you will always come on top with the best view.