Papa

When one influences another in a positive way by having good, strong character, one is known as being a hero.  In comic books, a heros is someone that protects the people from bad guys.  I believe a hero is someone who looks out for you in every way possible and who cares for you as well.  The hero in my life would have to be my father, Jim Cuevas or as I call him "papa".  He is my hero because he is an amazing person with a huge heart.  My papa has a strong character, which has helped to make him who he is today. 

My papa is the youngest of eight children and was the only to be born in the United States, not Mexico.  Being the youngest of eight one would think that my father would be spoiled, but this is not true.  My papa grew up knowing that life would be tough because my grandfather worked  several jobs during his childhood. By the age of twelve or thirteen most of his older siblings had moved out and got married.  It was now time for my father to grow up and help his parents with the home expenses.  Working at a young age probably took away from his childhood experiences.  However, I am sure that working at a young age has helped in his recent success.  My papa finished high school and attended college at Cal Poly Pomona.  Where he graduated, and received his degree in architecture.  

After graduating, he worked for Bank of America as a project manager.  He worked for the company for about six years and eventually decided to leave and start his own company.  His company manages projects, the same thing he did while working for Bank of America.  It has taken my papa eleven years to build his company to what it is today.  When it first started he had more employees, but like most businesses, one must let people go in order to succeed.  In my papa's case, business died down, so he made a sacrifice by not allowing his company to grow in size.  He has worked very hard at everything he has ever done in life.  

All my papa's qualities have lead him to his success over the years; qualities such as, courage, leadership, confidence, integrity, and character.  His most important quality is that he believes in the Man up above----God.  My papa thanks God for everything that has ever happened to him.  He dedicates all his time to work because he strives to give his family a better life and he helps the community around him in hopes of a better world.  

My papa is my hero because he has taught me many valuable lessons.  He is always teaching me something new in everything I see or hear.  He is an amazing person to me and there is not a day that has gone by that I did not yearn to learn something new from him.  The love he shares with family and friends is extreme because he puts in the effort to gain as well as to give back.  The main reason I believe he is amazing in every aspect is because he has the title of "Dad" or "Papa of Courtney."