The Symphony of My Aspirations by BreAsia

The Symphony of My Aspirations by BreAsia - April 2024 Scholarship Essay

"Overcoming financial adversity and transforming it into a motivating force has been the crucible of my academic journey. Coming from a low-income family, I realized early on that education would provide a path towards a more promising and prosperous future. My name is BreAsia Prude, a rising sophomore at Columbia College Chicago, motivated by both the hardships of my past and the melodies of my future—a future which I aspire to fill with music, prosperity, and opportunities for myself and my family.

The predicaments of poverty, understood by only those who have been entangled in its grasp, fuel my academic ambitions. I have experienced firsthand that the cost of poverty is not merely financial—it also extracts a heavy toll on possibilities, dreams, and aspirations. I am motivated by the vision of breaking free from the cycle of poverty and giving my family a life unburdened by financial stress. I am immensely determined to uplift my current circumstances and ensure enhanced provisions for my future family as well, architecting for them a life woven with comfort, stability, and happiness.

My academic journey is deeply intertwined with my love for music—an enduring passion that not only motivates me but also helps me stay focused. Music, for me, is not just rhythm and melody, but a powerful mode of self-expression and an inescapable presence in my life. Majoring in Audio Arts at Columbia College Chicago, I am fortunate to combine my passion with my profession, and it this alignment that keeps me laser-focused on my goals.

Furthermore, as a Black woman, I am aware of the systematic barriers and biases that I must overcome, making me even more committed. I resolve to fulfill my goals not just for myself, but to inspire the upcoming generations, making them realize that poverty and systemic biases should never deter a person from achieving their dreams.

My time in Columbia College Chicago has been filled with learning, growing, and realizing that overcoming challenges is an intrinsic part of every success story. While my high school GPA of 2.5 to college GPA of 2.9 might not be eye-catching, it does demonstrate an ongoing upward trajectory—a testament to my growing resilience and adaptability.

In conclusion, the struggle of breaking away from poverty and the passion to transform my love for music into a successful career are the two primary factors motivating me to pursue my academic goals. I seek this scholarship to ease my financial burden and stay full-throttled towards my objectives of completing my education and launching a successful music career. I believe that with the right opportunities—like the Varsity Tutors College Scholarship—I can indeed orchestrate a life of harmony and success, not only for myself but also for my loved ones and community."