Umar’s Reflection Letter

Dear Summer Search,

Growing up I felt like I didn't’t have a lot of people besides my mom to encourage me. My dad was not there and this always made me feel like I was on pause. My mom did her best to support and take care of me but there was only so much my mom could teach me by herself. There were not many successful people around me and I questioned what chance I had of making it.

I wanted to be successful, to go to college, get a good job and be able to support a family but I was scared. I saw my family struggling and thought that if they were unable to make it how could I do it? I wanted to do something with my life but I also needed a coach to help guide me.

When Summer Search presented to the students at Marriana Bracetti Academy I sat in the front row. It felt like the presenter was talking directly to me. I felt like the kids in the video had a history that was similar to mine and it made me realize I could do it too. My teachers gave me encouragement so I took action and wrote an essay for my Summer Search interview.

I had never talked about my dad or my deep feelings to anyone before my Summer Search interview. It felt like I hit the play button to the new me after that interview.

Summer Search has been like a trainer for me and showed me—instead of just telling—that I could make a change. I have thought a lot about my dad and realized that he was not a positive father figure. He had chance after chance to make better choices but he never did. I have realized that without my dad being in my life I have actually turned out to be stronger. Now, I know I will be the first person on my dad’s side to graduate from high school.

Every conversation with my mentors also prepared me for my trip. Leaving this summer was my first time taking a plane. I went to Seattle, Washington, with Longacre Expeditions for 22 days. I biked, sea kayaked, white water rafted, sailed, and hiked. There was nonstop action!
I most enjoyed the challenge of rock climbing. While climbing I was shaking but I knew I had to keep moving up the wall because if I stopped I would have never made it. I was forced to trust the person holding the rope in order to succeed. Looking back now, I relate climbing up the wall to climbing through life. Just like the wall, if I stop and shake in fear I will never succeed.

I changed in 22 days. The people around me saw the change and comment on it but they don’t understand how it happened. I progressed and even I see that my confidence has grown. I share my thoughts and opinions in class and see that teachers and students value them. On course I led by example and I continue to use this skill in Philadelphia. Before meeting Summer Search I went through life by the saying “The sky is the limit”. But now I know the sky is not the limit, I can go beyond that.

I would like to thank EVERYONE who is involved with Summer Search. Summer Search is not the only one who has been behind me: I would like to say one very special thank you to my mom who allowed me to participate in this life-changing program and has single-handedly supported me my whole life. I showed that I was not afraid to step away from the starting line and get in the race this summer on my trip. I did not let my fears block me from pursuing my dreams!

Yours sincerely,
Umar