Finding My Voice Through Hers by Hailey

Finding My Voice Through Hers by Hailey - April 2025 Scholarship Essay

Growing up, I was unaware of the complexities and hardships that come with adult life. My world was small—filled with childhood routines and innocent assumptions that everything would always be okay. That illusion was shattered when my parents went through a bitter divorce. I was thrust into a situation no child should have to navigate, caught between two people I loved, trying to protect someone I loved even more—my younger sister.
At just 12 years old, I suddenly found myself trying to be strong for her, trying to make sense of things I barely understood myself. I remember feeling invisible, like a bystander in my own life. Decisions were being made about us, for us, yet no one asked what we thought or how we felt. That changed the day a woman showed up—not with demands or judgments, but with compassion and a notepad. She introduced herself as a guardian ad litem.
I didn’t know what that meant at the time, but what I did know was that she cared. She listened without interrupting. She asked questions that made me feel seen. She wanted to hear my story. When we went to court, she stood up and spoke not just for me—but because of me. For the first time, I felt like my voice mattered. That experience lit a spark in me. It made me realize that representation isn’t just a concept—it’s a lifeline.
Because of her, I’ve chosen to major in Political Science. I want to understand how the legal and political systems work, and more importantly, how they can be improved to better serve those who are often overlooked—especially children. My goal is to become someone who not only knows the law but uses it to protect and empower others. Political Science gives me the foundation to explore law, advocacy, public policy, and social justice. It’s more than just a major—it’s the first step in becoming a voice for those still finding their own.
I carry the memory of that guardian ad litem with me every day. Her belief in me changed my life. I want to pay that forward—to be the kind of person who listens, who shows up, and who makes others feel heard when it matters most.