Someone once told me that the greatest people in life aren’t the ones who save world, but rather the ones who save you. I always took that in the most literal sense (lifeguard, a firefighter, or a doctor). Never, would I think that the person to save me would be none but a simple tutor, whom I deemed temporary at the time. 
I was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of six, trying to control it myself, I avoided any form of medication. The world around me was nothing but a distant thought, I lived inside my head, always thinking of something else. A mere five seconds would become 20 minutes before I had a chance to collect my thoughts. In 1st grade, I was tested, and accepted into the Gifted and Talented program, despite my constant struggle, I still felt smart. After that I went right from 1st grade to 3rd grade.

Skipping a grade was very hard on my life, but I don’t regret it for a moment.  I thought it would be easier to focus with tougher content, but it wasn’t. I was bullied for being smart, and I dumbed myself down to fit in with my peers. I breezed through elementary and middle school with no studying or work needed.
No one expects High School to be easy, in fact I had panic attacks all summer leading up to my freshman year. Having been in all advanced classes throughout middle school, I thought I’d do fine once I got to Arrowhead. I was wrong. The homework and study routine that was permanently instilled in every student’s brain was never necessary for me. I never did my homework in middle school and got away with it just fine. Thinking I could do the same for high school, I ended up spending my first two years at Arrowhead drowning in missing assignments and failed quizzes, and I never asked for help. Thankfully, my parents did. Freshman year, I got my second tutor. (My first was when I skipped a grade) And I hated her. We got nothing done, and she knew as little about the subject as I did. After two more failed tutors, I gave up on tutoring and refused help.

I was in a long, terrifying battle with depression since my cousin died in 2011. When my grandmother died in my sophomore year, I lost it. I was further behind than ever, and I was even suspended from extracurriculars due to my poor grades. I knew I needed help again. So I tried tutoring one more time.
Right from the start, Ashley kept me on track. Despite my manipulative efforts to avoid work, she wouldn’t fall for it. I’d never met anyone who could call me out on my manipulation.

Ashley was the only person in the world who could control me, and keep me centered. She did something for me that no one else could: she gave me faith. She gave me faith in myself, and faith that I could take charge of my life, and win against my inner demons. She was more than just a tutor--she was a friend. With her help, I brought my hopeless 2.1 up to a 3.0 in four weeks. A feat I never thought I could hope to accomplish.
Ashley is unlike anyone I’ve ever met. She is tolerant, yet stringent. She is fruitful, and endearing. And above all, she is caring. I can see it in her eyes, her posture, and her voice; she truly cares about my success. Unlike anyone else I have encountered, she wants to see me succeed; my little victories are moments of pride in her blue eyes. I push myself to do better everyday, because I know she’ll be proud of me. She really cares, and it isn’t just about the money; if I need help, I text or call her and she gladly takes the time out of her day to help me, free of charge, just because she cares.

Someone once told me that I was a failure, that I didn’t care, and that I never tried. Someone once told me my dreams were unreasonable, that I wouldn’t go to college, that I would fail the grade. But those people were wrong. Everyone who tore my confidence, who didn’t help, who didn’t care--they were also wrong. Because someone else told me I could do anything I set my mind to. Someone else told me I could get a 4.0. And someone else was Ashley, and she was right.