From Struggles to Success by Addison

From Struggles to Success by Addison - August 2024 Scholarship Essay

My next big educational goal is to graduate high school. For some, that may seem like a given, but for me, it's a significant achievement.

About a decade ago, a psychiatrist suggested I might have bipolar disorder, a diagnosis that made sense given my family history. However, at the age of 7, it felt overwhelming. During my early teens, I spent time in inpatient psychiatric units before my bipolar disorder was officially recognized. Bipolar disorder can lead to long periods of depression, and at times, I felt like graduating high school was an impossible dream. There were moments when I didn't think I'd even make it to the later years of high school.

However, with the support of medicine and therapy, I've come a long way. I've managed to stay involved in extracurricular activities and maintain a good GPA. In addition, I've become an advocate for mental health services for students. I understand firsthand how crucial these services are, and I am passionate about ensuring that others have access to the support they need to succeed. Reaching this point in my high school career feels like a major victory, and I'm proud of the progress I've made despite the challenges. I cannot wait to see what the future holds for me!