Learn by Giving by Benton

Learn by Giving by Benton - April 2022 Scholarship Essay

Volunteer opportunities taught me patience above all else. Working with young children involves chasing butterflies, kicking dirt, and waving at mom in the stands in addition to teaching and learning basic skills. However, the joy the kids receive when they score or they make a great play is like nothing you can imagine. Patience has great rewards!
When I was twelve, my parents divorced. My mother sat us down and told an eight and four-year-old that their parents were getting a divorce. It felt like my brain had slammed against my skull, like falling through an endless void of dark blackness. I don't even remember going to school much of that week. It made me feel empty, a pitch-black settling over my thoughts. My mother moved us into a little three-bedroom rental house.
Taking care of my brother became my responsibility. Most days, I dragged my brother out of bed, skipped breakfast because we didn't have much left to eat, and headed to school. I walked him to his class every day. When school ended, I picked up my brother and we walked. When we got home I had to help him with his homework, do the dishes, do my homework, and clean the kitchen. It was horrid and extremely stressful, but I knew I had responsibilities for my family.
I continued my daily tasks of taking my brother to school, helping him with his work, cleaning, doing my work, and feeding me and my brother. This wasn't easy for an eight-year-old under these circumstances. Although we made it work because we had to. It made me mature and learn to act as more of a gentleman than most. I'll forever have a strong bond with them because of this.
My parent’s divorce was hard on me, really hard on me. Although having to do all of the extra work and helping with my brother has helped shape me into the young man I am today. It caused me to really grow up and help raise my little brother and caused us to have a strong bond. I almost became a brother and a father figure to him because of it.