What Box? by Abinibola

What Box? by Abinibola - October 2018 Scholarship Essay

Abinibola Onabolu
Scholarship Application Essay
27th September 2018
As a young girl, I was diagnosed with a severe form of asthma. My life depended on daring to increase the limit at which I breathe. Although my condition improved, I found myself still living this way, figuratively; I constantly dared to strive beyond my limits. This is what I characterize as thinking outside of the box- people who dare to question their status quo while enhancing new ways to fix the problems.
I moved to the United States from my country, Nigeria only two years ago, after there had been many kidnappings of girls at their high schools. This transition took a grave toll on my separated parents and sibling. My single dad had to deal with new financial obligations; my mother had to tackle separation anxiety; and my younger brother, like me, had to deal with adapting to this abrupt transcontinental change. What’s more, I often found it difficult to adjust to American culture and relate to my peers. While this transition was anything but easy, it’s effect on my mentality defined me today.
Although I was exposed to a high level of negligence and personal setbacks, it was more than crystal clear, that I was very fortunate to be here-in an area that overwhelmed it’s inhabitants with opportunities. With the opportunity of having organizations that I truly resonated with, I had the privilege to express my passions which are charity and education. Most importantly, it deepened my drive to be inquisitive about the world we live in, and question how I could impact it. I make it imperative to live a life where I give back, more than I have been given. Because of this shift in mentality, I invested in several community projects. This includes volunteering through the organization known as PAIR. During my work here, I was privileged to work with refugee students at Paul Revere Middle School, who struggled with adapting to the culture of their new environment, which included a language barrier. Similar to my work here, is my commitment to the National Honor Society, where members spearhead many different projects pertaining to community building and challenging the kicks of teen culture.
Despite my growing communal involvement, I realized that there was often a limit to what I could do and how I could impact the lives of the people I worked with. This is where my sense of inquisitivity came into play, and I questioned why. But the answers became more puzzling that the questions. Regardless, the money awarded to me if selected as the winner will change the game for me by giving me the resources to affect the people around me in a more impactful way. Without a doubt, the money awarded to me will secure my desire to further my education. But more importantly, the financial award will push my drive towards changing the system, through my passion for politics (and its need to adapt to the necessities of the people), without having to worry about the possibility of doing so. As any scholar would say, I have poured sweat and tears throughout my high school years. But unlike most scholars, I can proudly say that my sweat and tears will not dry up until I am given an opportunity, like this one, to boldly pursue my passions while having the courage to answer some of life’s cynical questions.
Growing up, my ostentatious mother always told me, “money does not change who you are, but only enhances your intentions by removing certain limits,” and if awarded this scholarship, I guarantee that this will be the reality of your investment in furthering my education. Receiving this scholarship will greatly impact my future because not only will it serve as a huge support system considering my financial situation, but will also walk me a step further in achieving my dreams and daring to revolutionize the world, which again is what innovation, and thinking outside of the box is to me.