My cultural background has inspired me to be strong-minded, determined and to have the confidence to achieve my goals. My grandparents moved here from Puerto Rico with their families. My grandmother became a bookkeeper and then a stay at home mom and my grandfather worked at a book binding factory. They worked hard to have a better life for themselves and to ensure that their children would also have a better life. They worked, sacrificed and saved to ensure that their children had solid educations. In addition, they always maintained their cultural identity and ensured they passed on their traditions even though they moved to a predominantly European neighborhood. These traditions were evident in their family gatherings, traditional
