My Father's Support by Ivy

My Father's Support by Ivy - March 2023 Scholarship Essay

The one person who made the biggest impact on my education is my father. Throughout my high school years, out of everyone in my family and my life, he was the only person to have believed me in every step I took toward graduating high school early two years early, and even later on as I'm now preparing to attend college. To be completely honest, in high school, I suffered from severe anxiety, depression, and insecurity, which if left alone to deal with, I most likely would have not even attempted to accomplish half of what I have today. Having my dad right by my side to cheer me on and believe in me even when I didn't believe in myself, allowed me to find the courage and strength to change for the better, not only in my health, but in my education as well.

Before I entered high school, my dad stood up for me when I was being bullied in class, he pushed for me to enter one of the best schools in the district, and when I graduated high school, he thought of the idea of moving halfway across the U.S. from OK to NC to support me in my dream of becoming a forensic anthropologist. Seeing just how far he was willing to go in the name of me having better opportunities for my future, was a world changer for me because there were also so many people who were telling me that I wouldn't be able to achieve anything in my life, and in that group of people, I was right there with them.

Through this, I took the first step toward changing myself, for the better. I began eating more regularly, exercising, and sleeping on a healthier schedule. I began the journey toward my overall health slowly, at a snail's pace, but I knew that in order to be who I wanted to be, I knew that it had to be done through many days, weeks, and months of hard work and dedication toward myself. In the midst of this journey, I also began a new goal toward my education: graduating high school two years early. I didn't fully believe that I could do it, but I decided I would try; if not through my own confidence, then through my dad's confidence and belief in me.

Quickly, through endless numbers of days passing by where I pushed through my feelings of self-doubt, burnouts, and redefining what I thought I was capable of, I found myself at the end of the school year, graduating high school two years early as the top one percent of my class. And through every hurdle, struggle, and obstacle I faced, the belief that my dad had in me, was the constant in the back of my mind. And now, I'm going to college and finally pursuing my dream, with my dad cheering me on once more as my number one supporter. I will always be grateful for what my dad has done for me in my life and whenever I'm struggling or feel like giving up, I will remember that out of everyone, I will always have my dad to be there for me. Thanks to him, I was able to gain confidence in myself, which allowed me to push myself and to grow to better myself, not only in personal life, but in my education as well.