Childhood Dreams and Academy by Erin

Childhood Dreams and Academy by Erin - April 2024 Scholarship Essay

I spent the beginnings of my life visualizing a vibrant, illustrious future. My mother quipped that I would be a good lawyer, with my smart mouth. She was a nurse, so I quickly wanted to become one too. Everything changed when I got a pamphlet for a vocational school, with one major sticking out: Fashion Design. As daunting as it was - I had absolutely no experience, and crippling anxiety - everything came into focus when I started dedicating to my craft. School is a tool not only for career, but to hone myself as a person.
Though I am asked to state what motivates me, I would like to briefly pause to acknowledge who motivates me first. My brother, for one, with his refreshingly rebellious take on life; he would have wanted me to chase what fulfills me creatively, and I know he is cheering me on from above. My mother and teachers played a huge role, too, with their oohs and ahhs over elementary designs, the way their conviction never wavered: in their eyes, I was going to become a star.
What motivates me is a collection of ideas, all with the same through line: I am no better than anyone else. I am creating a custom clothing business that factors both size and class in. Affordable, size inclusive, custom clothing, tailored to the individual’s style, color preferences, interests, and measurements. To see this through, I have to excel in my school’s Fashion Design program, a feat that I will achieve while working on the side. When I was younger, I was poor and overweight, and I struggled to find clothes that fit me and my style at a price I could manage. With my career, I can breathe new life into the Fashion Industry, increasing its accessibility across the board.
I stay focused through a variety of methods. My first and most powerful tool came with my neurodivergence: hyperfixation. When my brain latches onto a concept - in this case, fashion design - I will find any excuse to bring it up, research it, and fulfill myself creatively with it. School is vital to me, as it fuels my hyperfixation in a healthy, productive way. I also focus by picturing a younger version of myself, eyes twinkling as she window-shopped, greedily taking it all in. She wanted to be a fashion designer, and I want to make her proud - it is that simple. Every day, I make a checklist, always involving something to fuel my passion and studies. As long as I do something creative and productive every day, my goals will become increasingly within reach.
When I began fixating on fashion, I made it my mission to get through college and start my career. I am motivated not only by my vision, but the people who stood behind me, cheering me on. I focus by taking small, manageable steps daily. I know my effort will make my younger self proud, and ultimately, isn’t that always the goal?