Character by Brooklyn

Character by Brooklyn - May 2024 Scholarship Essay

In today’s world, where values often take a backseat to achievements, showing excellence in character is more important than ever. In this essay, I will talk about how I demonstrated through everyday actions. Whether they are big or small, these qualities make a difference in my life in the world around me.
As a middle school and high school student of color, one of the first things I look for when stepping into the classroom or joining a new club or sport is how many people I know and the second is how many people are black. The constant question I ask myself is: “Am I going to get looks of hatred? Am I the only black person again? And am I good enough?” This became my new normal and unorthodox way of thinking on June 6, 2016, the day I moved to this new city.
While living in Naperville, Illinois, I have concluded that every parent wants their child to receive the best education to be productive members of society. However, for black students, this goal comes with obstacles that other races may not have to face. Growing up as an African American female in a predominantly white school district and environment, I have had many feelings of isolation and exclusion from my peers and adults in the classroom. The educational and social ramifications have negatively affected my socio-emotional development and increased my feeling of seclusion.
After asking myself those questions when walking into the room my fears turned into reality. As expected, I would see that almost no one else looked like me. I attempted to carry myself in a way that made the majority feel comfortable by conforming to the norms of society. Those near-constant thoughts in my head have been mentally, socially, and emotionally draining throughout the years, and eventually, I became disconnected from myself. After dealing with these challenges for an extended period, one day, I realized the immense effect this had on me. I was constantly trying to appease others and find validation while diminishing my own self-esteem. I have decided to take steps to become more connected with my culture and help educate others. One of the things I did to satisfy my need to embrace my culture and educate those who

may want to know more about it was to join Black History-
based initiatives like the Black and Latino Association, the Black History Month Planning Committee, becoming a board member of the Diversity and Inclusion Counsel, becoming a Youth Leader at my church, and maintaining a leadership role as President of a community-based mentoring group for African American girls for the past 3 years.
Outside of Naperville Central, I took up golf. At first, I thought what if I don't fit in or if I'm not good enough? Surely enough those thoughts turned out to not be true, I was welcomed with open arms and a kind heart. Golf was more than just a sport to me, it was an outlet to forget all about the stresses in the world and to enjoy myself/. After repeatedly getting ready for golf every Saturday, I made a promise to myself that I would create these types of outlets for kids of color. This scholarship is really important for my future plans after college. It will help me a lot because it means I won't have to worry as much about paying for school. With less financial stress, I can concentrate better on my studies and join activities that will help me learn even more. Getting this scholarship also shows that people believe in me, which makes me even more determined to do well and make a positive impact in my career. If given the opportunity, I would use all my resources to succeed. I plan to earn my Bachelor's Degree in Legal Communications and immediately upon graduation attend Law School. I aspire to be a Sports Agent for the NFL & NBA. I would utilize the skills obtained from Hampton University effectively to manage clients in a legal setting while protecting their assets and negotiating future contracts. Lastly, I would like to develop a non-profit organization whose primary focus is to educate our youth on life skills needed to survive in the legal field. I would focus on things like attire, interviewing etiquette, test-taking tactics, job shadowing, and resume writing to name a few.
Even though this is a common challenge in many communities, I have learned how to adapt and make adjustments that ultimately benefit myself and/or the people around me. I have been able to reconnect with my culture and myself, which has allowed me to learn how to adapt in diverse environments. Embodying excellence in character isn't about grand gestures or flashy displays, but rather about the small, consistent choices we make every day. By prioritizing kindness, honesty, and integrity, we can make a meaningful impact

on those around us and contribute to a more positive and compassionate society. As I continue on my journey, I'm committed to upholding these values and striving to be the best version of myself, knowing that true success lies not only in what we achieve, but in how we conduct ourselves along the way.