The Power of Existentialism by Elizabeth

The Power of Existentialism by Elizabeth - February 2025 Scholarship Essay

When I first learned about existentialism, it immediately clicked with me. The idea that "existence precedes essence" showed me that meaning isn’t something you’re given but something you create yourself. As I read Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir, I found a way to explore the questions I’d always asked myself: Who do I want to be? What impact do I want to have?

This way of thinking gave me a new perspective on the work I had already put so much into. Take FoodFetch, the app I created to help address food insecurity in Baltimore. At first, it felt like a straightforward way to solve a problem. I looked at what people needed: better access to food banks, help with budgeting, and more affordable groceries, and built tools like a locator, a budget tracker, and a coupon generator. But as I thought more about it in the context existentialism, I realized it wasn’t just about solving problems. It was about finding and creating meaning for myself and the people this app could help.

Existentialism pushed me to think about why this work mattered. Sartre's idea of "radical freedom" made me focus on how the app could help users take control of their circumstances. Every choice I made, like simplifying the interface or adding features for specific Baltimore neighborhoods, became a way to create meaning. The app was not just about helping people; it was about building something that valued their freedom and dignity. The project became more than a technical solution. It was a reflection of my values and a way to show that every person facing challenges has worth.

Existentialism also changed how I approached mentoring and teaching. At the Baltimore Girls Who Code club, I taught younger girls Python and often helped them work through frustrations with coding errors. Before learning about existentialism, I focused on offering encouragement or fixing the problems for them. Afterward, I started to see errors as more than just obstacles. They became important steps in helping the girls see themselves as programmers. Inspired by the idea that meaning comes from struggle, I treated every debugging session as a chance for them to build confidence. Seeing a student light up when her code finally worked showed me how empowering this approach could be. It wasn’t just about teaching coding. It was about helping them see their own power to shape their paths, one step at a time.

Even my leadership roles started to feel different. Organizing a prom for seniors at a nursing home, for example, became more than just a feel-good service project. It turned into a way to intentionally create connection and joy. Sartre’s idea that freedom requires responsibility made me think more about the event’s impact. I paid closer attention to the details, like choosing the right music and decorations, to make sure the attendees felt a sense of belonging. The success of the event wasn’t just in the smiles it brought but in how it reflected my goal of creating spaces where people feel seen and valued.

This perspective continues to guide my work. Whether I’m building technology or organizing outreach programs, existentialism reminds me to approach everything with purpose. It’s not just about solving problems or meeting goals anymore. It’s about creating meaning for myself and the people I’m working to help. I often lose track of time when I’m deep in these projects because they let me live out the values I care about most: freedom, responsibility, and empowerment.

To keep growing, I turn to both philosophy and community for guidance. Thinkers like Sartre and de Beauvoir remind me to stay true to my values, while mentors and teachers encourage me to find new ways to put them into action. Every new experience feels like a blank page, ready to be shaped with purpose I choose to create.