Francisco Jimenez

Francisco Jimenez was leaving home for the first time as this autobiographyopens. Francisco was the second-born son of his family, and he had several siblings. He was devoted to his family and they to him. When he left home to attend college, one of his younger siblings took on a job because the family could not make ends meet without that additional income. That was an important factor for Francisco later, when he considers dropping out of college. While he felt the need to go back home and help meet his family's immediate needs, a professor pointed out that others had sacrificed so that Francisco had the opportunity to earn a college degree. That helped him resolve to finish college in the hope of making a better life for his long-term future.

Francisco was ultimately dedicated to his family and to doing right. He had a...