DailyGood

For the last 27 years, DailyGood newsletters have offered a daily email that inspires you to respond to life with creativity and kindness. To join a community of 148,192 subscribers, subscribe here.

Jun 21, 2010

"I do not think there is any other quality so essential to success of any kind as the quality of of perseverance. It overcomes almost everything, even nature." --John D. Rockefeller

Anything is Possible

Jessica Herrera's parents lost their jobs at the beginning of her senior year in high school. Evicted from the homes they rented, the family split up: her father left town to look for work, her mother and sister moved in with relatives, and Jessica took refuge in a homeless shelter. But that didn't stop the 18-year-old from graduating high school. "There were times I came home and there was no food. I wanted to get a part-time job or something, but my mom told me to focus on school only." Following her parents' advice, Herrera graduated from her high school's International Baccalaureate program with a 5.5 GPA and received a full scholarship to attend Florida International University next fall. Despite all the obstacles, Herrera remains positive: "I don't feel sorry for myself. I do feel it has made me stronger." she reflects. "Anything is possible as long as you work hard enough for it."