A New Family by Jacklyn

A New Family by Jacklyn - December 2019 Scholarship Essay

This year has been the toughest year I've had so far. I've suffered with eczema my entire life but just recently had the most significant flare of my life, my father unfortunately passed away at the end of January, and I realized I had manipulative friends throughout my teen years. This is no sob story to get pity, these are strictly crucial facts that shaped the personality I manifested within 2019. I was truly at my lowest.

However, at the end of my junior year, I decided I wanted to try new things instead of throwing myself a pity party. It occured to me that I have always wanted to join Student Government since 8th grade, so I decided to do just that. After weeks of planning and hoping, I was chosen as the treasurer for my senior class! I was ecstatic! There was just problem though, I doubted myself and believed no one would like me. It was always trapped in my mind because I've always had my toxic friends tell me some horrible statements. I thought no one would like me. This does seem like a normal high school stereotype, which it is, but it was ten times more intense for me because of my diagnosed anxiety. I fully believed I wouldn't be accepted.

Although with that mindset, I still went to the summer retreat my advisor held to allow us to understand each other better. Long story short, I was terrified, but I told myself to not run away. I spent three days with everyone in Student Government and I found that this was the community that would love me no matter what. I really did find a community that accepted me for me. Even when my severe eczema flared up that ceased me from participating in some activities, they still made sure I was okay and having a fun time. They impacted me more than any of my other 'friends' have ever had. Especially the other senior officers. The seniors constantly push me to strive for my best whether that is through constructive criticism or inside jokes. During the retreat, we played bonding games, planned for Homecoming Week (a friendly competition between classes before the Homecoming Football game), talked about our pasts and experiences for an entire night, and had a lot of fun. Everyone's experiences have taught me something new. These people, my family, have made me feel so grateful for everything and they will always have a place in my heart no matter what. Every single one of them has helped me some way, whether they know it or not. I will be forever thankful for everyone in Student Gov. and wish them the best for anything they hope to achieve.