Who am I? I ask myself sometimes. I guess let’s find out together. My name is Grismarly Marmol I was born in Dominican Republic, Cotui. Cotui is known as one of the oldest cities in Dominican Republic, it is also the capital of the province Sanchez Ramirez in the cibao. I started school when I was two years old, which is a really young age to start school. My mom says I was wise kid, since my first words were when I was only two months old, and those  were “agua” and “coco”, which means water and coconut in spanish. When I was a kid people described as peaceful, joyful and respectful. 

 School has always been of my interest. In Dominican Republic I attended school until 7th grade, then I migrated to the United States to receive the rest of my education. When I came to the US school was a bit difficult for me. Coming to a completely different education system, culture and environment made it hard for me to adapt. I tried to find ways to do my work and have at least a decent grade. But sometimes I just needed someone to translate me that one word that was hard to find in the dictionary or that one term that is not part of my culture yet. I would ask for help and most of the time my classmates wouldn’t help me. Those series of events discouraged me, but my hunger to learn was greater than the discouragement and it would put me back on track, because even though it was difficult it wasn’t impossible. I started being really good at ELA. I was getting awarded by my teacher, which felt really good since I put a lot of effort into what I did. Earth science wasn’t my best subject, or I guess it wasn’t interesting enough for me. I had a hard time understanding the work sometimes, High school taught me a lot of things. It somewhat prepared me for college by teaching me how to be independent and focus. Overall, high school did help me a lot to go this next chapter of my life.

My mom whom name is Grisneidy Reyes was also born in cotui. She graduated from “Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo” with her bachelors degree in communications. She always tried to include me in her projects. She once had a TV show in our town cotui channel and she wanted me to have a little section in it.She’s not a religious person but she was born into Catholicism. Gertrudis Marmol, my dad. He was born in Bonao which is one of the many cities in DR. He graduated high school, to then go to a music school and become a professional bass player. After becoming a professional on playing  this instrument, my dad was given a big opportunity. He was asked to be the bass player in one of the back then famous bands “Quinito Mendez”. He took the opportunity and, he traveled all around the world with this band. My dad isn’t religious either but he was born in a family of Jehovah witness.

My family always taught me to be kind, humble and have a positive mindset in life.These values are always going to stick with me. My grandmother is one of the people I look up to from my family. She’s a nurse in a hospital located in Cotui. She’s like a second mom to me because she took care of me since I was a baby. My mom had to go away for college, my grandmother was holding it down while she was gone. My grandmother would make something out of nothing. Her salary was just  about enough to pay for bills and feed me, and even sometimes she would be short in money but she would make it work. She wouldn’t eat if it was necessary. She’s such a kind, caring and lovely woman that I admire so much. These and other more qualities are the reason why I see her as a role model.

There’s many reasons why I want to attend college. My dream is to be able to help my family financially. Especially my grandmother, she deserves it for being such a wonderful human being, but she’s also in need. It also just a goal I set for myself. I have a vision of what I want my life to turn and I only see it if I go to college. My family is really proud that I’m going to college with such a young age, and just the general thought of me continuing to pursue a higher education. I’m hoping that college is just one of the many good experiences I’m going to have in my life. That college teaches me how to get through tough situations because I know is going to be easy but I will try my best not to give up. 

After I hopefully graduation from CCNY I want to be remembered as a SEEK student  that also helped other incoming students. I want my name and pictures to be all around the campus because I did something that benefited others by helping them in any shape of form.