Famu Personal Statement

â€Å"You don't have to be a â€Å"person of influence† to be influential. In fact, the most influential people in my life are probably not even aware of the things they've taught me. † – Scott Adams. I believe that the one person that has the most influence in shaping my life is my grandmother. She has taught me how to be independent and courageous. Many people say that I am a lot like my grandmother because she and I both have very similar personalities and characteristics.By spending majority of my time with my grandmother, I have realized that she is very influential to my life. Mrs. Rubena Rose-Anderson was born in Palmers Cross, Clarendon, Jamaica to a poverty-stricken family. Because she was one of 11 children, my grandmother was forced to grow up at an early age. At the age of 16, her father became ill with cancer and her mother passed away a year later. She then was seen as the mother figure of her younger siblings. After she married my grandfather, Silb urn Anderson, in 1967 they then had 3 children.In 1979, she made an incredible decision by leaving her three children and husband behind in order to receive better opportunities here in America. Once she had a steady job and enough money, she was reunited with her husband and children in 1981. I admire my grandmother greatly and she has influenced  me making me a very determined person. This sacrifice taught me that sometimes in life we as people have to make very challenging choices in order to receive the best long term results.Growing up, she always reminded me to think for the future and not just in the now. She has also taught me to become independent. By being forced to be a mother figure at the young age of 17, she had to learn how to everything on her own, raise 10 children, and take care of her ill father. This is the reason why I always try my hardest to get the best out of life. I feel that I should always take advantage of every great opportunity. If my grandmother cou ld accomplish so much throughout her life then I should be able to do the same if not more.