I have taken advantage of educational opportunities in preparing for college in the following ways. First, for the past three years I have enjoyed and worked hard as a member of a The Urban Entertainment Institute (UEI), a non-profit org. that train youth in the arts. This organization has received national recognition and provided many opportunities for me to perform with top musicians. UEI has required that I develop a greater sense of discipline, focus, commitment, and teamwork.

However, when I first entered into this organization I had low self-esteem. I felt unwanted, so in search for a place to belong I allowed the good in me to wither away and at that time in my life I had no intention of changing. I was trapped in a world that was not realistic; my life was structured around one system only, the "Church System". All I knew was sleep, eat, and go to church. Through my lack of self-respect I developed a mindset that would have eventually led me to a vast destruction. I had no direction or purpose in life whatsoever, my judgment and my choices were so bad that I let negative people influence me to smoke and drink. I thought that the world was my playground. I believed that I could continue to be negative, and there would be no consequences for it, therefore I lacked self-respect. I was a bitter person and I had no self-morals.

Thankfully, I was fortunate to have the director and founder of The Urban Entertainment Institute in my life, to help me realize that I needed to renovate and rearrange my outlook on life, in order to become a better person. Yet, before I could take any steps towards changing, my director helped me realize the importance of having a positive attitude towards others and having faith in my abilities. He showed me that promptness was vital and in the corporate world I would be unsuccessful if I continued to be irresponsible. He also showed me the importance of education, having perseverance, and being disciplined. My director taught me to trust in myself. He believed in me when I did not believe in myself. He challenged my mind by speaking to me in what seemed like riddles. This forced me to search my heart and discover my true purpose in life.

However, when I got into UEI, I did not know that I would learn all that I have learned. I have participated in many extra curricular activities, but what is so distinctive about this organization is that not only has it enhanced my musical talent, it has also taught me how to be equally balanced in both my spiritual and social life.

In addition, I have learned that there is a time and place for everything. Order and prioritizing is the most important factor when it comes to professionalism. This is why when I go to a rehearsal I leave all of my personal problems at the door and everything then becomes business. Prior to UEI I lived my life in a box, afraid to take chances and make mistakes. Therefore I limited my abilities to better myself.
"Without a goal, self-discipline is nothing more than self-punishment". UEI has instilled in me a strong belief in my abilities and what is possible through hard work, trusting my inner-voice, and having the courage to dream big by nurturing a long term view.

Through hard work with the school's music department, I have developed my talent and passion for music, which I plan to further pursue with like-minded peers at the University. Furthermore, I believe that I will be able to be supportive of other students who have traveled a similarly long path to get to college. Having overcome the low expectations of many people in my life, and having learned to believe in myself and persevere, I believe that it is critical that I give back to others as well as draw sustenance from them.

I believe that I will succeed at the University of California for these reasons. First, the love and support I received by people who had no family responsibilities have given me the confidence and courage to dream big. Second, through my work in "Kids Helping Kids" a program where students give free musical lessons to kids, I have learned that the strength I derived from helping others to succeed is crucial in my quest to go far in life. Finally, I feel blessed to have a hunger for learning and risk taking, and a joy in achieving. It is my joy in being part of a larger world that would take me further than a few years ago anyone thought possible.

There is powerful observation in the Disney movie Mulan; "The flower that blooms in adversity is the rarest and most beautiful of all." This understanding drives me. I too have bloomed out of adversity.
My family labeled me as the family dropout. One thing that has placed me back on track was observing the statistical behavior of my family. My family was stuck in a cycle of poverty and low-end work. My mother did not graduate from college. She had a child and was forced to drop out. Secondly, two of my sisters had children at the ages of 17 and 19.

Finally, my father left my life when I was young and this caused me hardship. In spite of his decision to leave my life, I let go of the anger because I have found something better. I now have people who care and value what I have to offer.Ý I used my adversity as a steppingstone. I had to press on in spite of life's obstacles. I will never forget my past, but I have learned to forgive.

I refuse to use my adversity as an excuse to fail. Without it, I would have never come out of my comfort zone and experienced the things that I've had the opportunity to experience. UEI has enabled me to experience many things that few of my peers have the opportunity to experience. Now I appreciate the things I have. I am determined to break the family cycle of poverty. I want more in my life, and I believe that with an education from the University, I will create a path for others to follow.

Loren Turner