Overcoming Obstacles by David

Overcoming Obstacles by David - November 2019 Scholarship Essay

I was born with a fine and gross motor skill disability. I knew what I wanted to do, but could not translate it from my brain to my hands or words. It caused serious anger issues and believing I was stupid, started giving up in school and struggled with depression. I had no self-esteem and felt hopeless. I began occupational therapy when I was four, and through the years combined that with neurofeedback and psychotherapy to cope with my issues.

I began baking at a young age. It helped me focus because there were more challenges. It takes precision and patience to master. Although I was struggling in school, I discovered that because baking is a slow process, I had no trouble following recipes.

I love sports and played baseball and football. After suffering a few serious injuries I was told I could no longer play. I became depressed again. I began having chest pains. After a series of tests, I was diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat. I was told that it was normal for boys and would likely outgrow it. Unfortunately, it became worse. My heart rate would suddenly plummet or race and I would collapse. I was rushed to the hospital on several occasions. I began to feel life was too much to handle and spent a lot of time in counseling as everyone was very concerned about my mental health. I endured many tests and the doctors are still trying to understand my condition. I have been told that it is a cardiac issue, although my heart is okay. I have begun to recognize the symptoms and am beginning to control the episodes, but still wear a heart monitor and continue to be tested. Although undiagnosed, I have continued focusing on my baking career to overcome the many obstacles my disability and health issues have caused.

I started to give back in junior high school and continued through my high school years by helping classmates struggling with emotional issues. It was easy for them to confide in me since I knew what they were going through. It is one thing to tell someone to seek counseling, but it is different when you personally experienced the same emotional struggles. I had many calls in the middle of the night from classmates or someone worried about another. I am happy and proud to be able to help others. It strengthens my confidence knowing I have helped someone else. I realized I had a profound impact when I watched four of my classmates walk across the stage at graduation. Each one had contemplated suicide but worked together and sought the help they needed.

As I look back I realize how far I have come. I struggled most of my life with physical and emotional issues. I barely passed most of my classes. In my junior and senior years of high school, I was accepted into the NY B.O.C.E.S. Career and Technical Institute program for culinary arts. I made the honor roll twice. Baking is my passion and has become a very important part of my life as it has helped me endure all of my health challenges and allowed me to help others in a similar situation.

I am currently studying at the prestigious Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park campus. My Bachelors will be in Culinary Science in Research and Development with a concentration in baking and pastry. My goal is to become a pastry chef and chocolatier. I have family and friends with dietary restrictions and allergies. In research and development, I will be looking to create recipes substituting ingredients prohibited because of allergies or restrictions, while still remaining natural and appealing.