Sources of My Identity

       Throughout the past 17 years, I have come across many people, experiences, and opportunities that have shaped me as a person enabling me to grow in various ways. More specifically, my family, running, and service has affected my identity making me the person who I am today. The primary and most important influence on my life is family. For the first 13 years of my life I was a one of four children just looking forward to high school like any other teenage girl. However, one Saturday evening my mother called me up to her room and told me news that would change my life forever, she was going to have a baby. Although I was not in favor of this sudden change, I knew that my family would have to make adjustments to the house, our daily schedules, and our lives in general. My now four year old brother Ben, has been the sunshine on my rainy day and always brings life to our family. Without him, we would not be the five Robbins kids, we would have a huge piece of our family missing only making us four.
         Secondly, running is another source that has affected my life in a positive way due to my passion for the sport. My sophomore year of high school, I spontaneously decided to take up a sport and become more involved at the Mount. Track was never my specialty so I told myself that if I did not like it I could stop and try something else. The first race of the season I happen to qualify for the meet of champs which was my goal for the entire season. Ever since my first race I have fell in love with the sport. Running keeps me sane, healthy, and motivated. Although this is my last Track season at the Mount, I know at some point in college, I will join the Track team once again.
         Lastly, my dedication to service throughout the past four years of my life has had one of the biggest influences on my life. Two weeks ago I attended a service trip in Mississippi that opened my eyes to so many new views. I encountered so many new people who lived in horrendous poverty; therefore, serving them opened my eyes to realize how truly blessed I am to have what I have. In addition, I have been a CSC representative and officer for my grade. I attend LaSalle Academy weekly, which is where I have built many relationships with so many children of so many different ages. Due to my experience with children, I luckily realized about myself that I wish to pursue a career in workingwith children with special needs in the future.