From Giving to Leading by Davis

From Giving to Leading by Davis - April 2025 Scholarship Essay

The Power of Service in Shaping My Future

One of my favorite quotes is by Mahatma Gandhi: “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others."

From birth, almost everyone enters the world inherently selfish. At the earliest opportunity, parents and educators work on teaching us to be considerate of others, share with classmates, and avoid taking what doesn’t belong to us. Being generous is not a natural inclination for young children. But at some point in the development of our brains, and perhaps our hearts, people discover the impact they can have on others, both positively and negatively. That realization was transformative for me, sparked by a simple, offhand comment that profoundly influenced my perspective and career aspirations.

“Your brother could slip into a coma.” As if Brooks didn’t already face enough challenges, that was the phone call I received from my dad in March of 2021, and it changed my life. Brooks hadn’t seemed himself for a few weeks, but no one suspected he would soon be diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes and fighting for his life at LA Children’s Hospital in a state of diabetic ketoacidosis. Brooks is OK now, thank goodness, and we have adapted to our new life with a Type 1 diabetic. With both of my parents working, I have taken on the responsibility of being his caregiver. I calculate and administer insulin doses, monitor his glucose values, and react to stubborn high and low blood sugars. I’m not just his brother anymore; I’m his keeper, providing interventions he cannot manage himself. There is something beautiful in that, a remarkable paradox: providing care to someone made me feel good.

I volunteer occasionally at Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF), an organization that helps families like mine impacted by Type 1 Diabetes. Often, my involvement is casual, I go bowling or play paintball with the kids. The idea is to bring children diagnosed with Type 1 together and let them forget about diabetes for a few hours. During one volunteer event, I overheard a mother talking about the sacrifices her family had to make to afford the insulin required to keep her child alive. Thankfully, my family has private health insurance that provides reasonably priced insulin for my
little brother. But that’s not the case for everyone. Many Americans lack access to quality medical care and the means to afford basic health essentials. Healthcare is a human right, after all, not a privilege reserved for those who can afford it. I decided to help.

When my brother was diagnosed with Type 1, I had a hobby, a way to make pocket cash and save for college. I sourced used clothing from consignment shops, marketed the inventory on social media, and sold each piece at a decent profit. I decided to donate a portion of my proceeds to help families cope with the cost of diabetes. I distinctly remember the first donation I made. Strangely enough, I felt embarrassed by how small the amount was. But a parent approached me, and said, “Davis, this is a month of insulin for someone. Thank you.” That comment made me understand a beautiful paradox of life: helping others made me feel good. What else could I do to help? I was hooked.

As I’ve grown and developed a love for current events, I’ve observed how the tone of our national discourse has become increasingly bitter and divisive. Politics today often feels like a battlefield, with opposing sides more interested in scoring points than understanding one another. We live in a world where political rhetoric focuses on what divides us rather than what unites us. It doesn’t have to be this way. I believe the pendulum has swung so far in one direction that it has nowhere to go but back, toward a time when Americans demanded decency and civility from their elected officials.

At college, I am eager to pursue a degree in political science, focusing on political theory and policymaking to serve others as envisioned by the framers of our Constitution. By studying the philosophies of our nation, I hope to understand how policies can foster justice and equity. I aspire to be a leader who values compassion over division and fosters a society where respect and empathy guide daily life. My goal as a future public servant is to implement and scale broad policies that touch the lives of deserving communities and level the playing field for those who feel relegated to the sidelines. Serving others is my calling, and it’s a mission to which I am ready to devote my career.

I am honored to be considered for this scholarship. It would allow me to focus on my education without the additional burden of financial stress. As a political science major, I hope to engage in internships and leadership opportunities that will help prepare me for my career in public service. I am truly grateful for this opportunity and the kindness of those who make scholarships like this possible.