Reaching the top by Amira

Reaching the top by Amira - November 2018 Scholarship Essay

If I were to choose a senior yearbook quote it would be keep climbing the wall, there is candy at the top. What I mean by this is that people go through a lot of things, but we can’t let those things keep us from reaching our other goals. So, the wall represents the setbacks that you are trying to overcome and the candy represents the goal you are trying to achieve. This quote connects to my life in so many ways. I'm that type of girl to put on this "strong" act so that nobody and I mean NOBODY knows how my life is like outside of those schools walls. Yes, I am a hard working student. I am a high honor roll student. I participated in sports. I take on a leadership role in so many clubs I join, but that is just Amira at school.
I grew up as the oldest of 9. Therefore, I always carry around on my shoulder that I need to be a role model for these kids. Coming from an 11 people household comes with its challenges. The most heartbreaking thing that I had to go through was when I found out my father and mother were separating. Nobody told me to step up as the oldest. Nobody told me that I now needed to be that second parent. It was a natural instinct. I took it upon myself to get a job. I gave every last cent to my mom. I supported my siblings with their schoolwork. I needed them to succeed. I never allowed my mom to go do groceries. I always knew what the house needed at all times. Don't forget while all of this was happening, I was still a student. Not once did I allow this situation to let my grades fall. I never expected anything less than an A. I could have let this situation at home hold me back but that wasn't going to help me with anything. My mom needed me to go to college, get a good job, and improve our economic struggle. I was diagnosed with a spine condition called scoliosis a year ago. It was a condition that stopped me from doing certain activities because of the back pains I would get.
These experiences have shaped me because I feel like I grew up by stepping up and not letting these hold me back from my goals in life. Yes, it has been a challenge to overcome them, but in the end, it has taught me so much. This senior quote says a lot about me because no matter how much rocks were thrown from the top of the wall, I took the hits and kept going. I haven’t gotten the candy yet, but I am almost there.