Breaking Barriers, Embracing Hope by David

Breaking Barriers, Embracing Hope by David - April 2024 Scholarship Essay

In my life's journey so far, I have found myself standing on the battleside of economic hardship, societal prejudices, and personal tragedies. As David Carrillo, a Hispanic man born into a humble family and on the path of becoming a first-generation college student, I hold on to a profound personal aspiration and an immense responsibility. Ray Bradbury once said, "You've got to jump off cliffs all the time and build your wings on the way down." The truth of this statement has been the consistent motivator in my pursuit of education and my career in Computer Science.

Growing up in an economically challenged family, I learned firsthand the setbacks of poverty. But instead of accepting these limitations, those circumstances incited in me an aspiration for a future where financial instability isn't a perpetual companion. As I watched my parents toil every day to offer us the basics, I decided I would not merely accept our circumstances - I would use them as my motivator and my cause. Then came the hard blow when my older brothers, who were victims of the same deprivation, succumbed to drugs, leaving my aging parents in increased distress. This unfortunate event served to steel my resolve to be the "next chance" for recession in their tormented life.

Attending college is not just about pursuing higher-level education in my chosen field but about altering the legacy of my family for generations to come. It has not been an easy path. Even during the dire circumstances at home, I maintained a high school GPA of 3.5, which is a testament to my inherent academic potential and tenacity. The lessons I have learned from my life experiences and my family's circumstances have fostered within me a long-lasting determination and focus.

The technological era we are living in has convinced me of the transformative potential of Computer Science. My goal is not just to graduate with a degree in Computer Science, but to leverage the knowledge and skills I gain to develop innovative solutions that can make a difference in the community, particularly for those facing circumstances similar to my own. Besides this, it is the hope of providing a comfortable life for my parents in their later years that keeps my motivation burning brightly.

Keeping focused is a challenge in the midst of distractions and adversity. However, my circumstances have been a constant reminder of why I must remain committed to my goals. Moreover, my passion for computer programming, coupled with the cognizance that each passing day at the university brings me closer to achieving my goals, helps me stay on course. Recognizing the responsibilities I carry, I rely on discipline, resilience, and ambition to stay targeted on my eventual success.

Through this scholarship opportunity, I hope to break beyond the barriers that have defined my family condition, to embrace hope and opportunities, and to ultimately give back to society. My academic journey is a reflection of defiance against societal structures. It is my way of saying, we, too, can rise, regardless of our race, our poverty, or our familial history. Thus, my journey is not just for me but for each soul in my family and every young person in circumstances comparable to mine.

I am David Carrillo - a hardworking Hispanic man, an excited freshman at the Chapman University, and hopefully, your scholarship recipient. I am not a product of my circumstances. I am a product of my decisions. And my decision is to learn, to grow, and to transform lives, including mine. I believe in the power of education and the potential within me, catalyzed by this scholarship, will make it happen.