Fall Down Seven Times, Stand Up Eight. by Jadyn

Fall Down Seven Times, Stand Up Eight. by Jadyn - December 2017 Scholarship Essay

The moment I decided I was going to get emancipated was also the first time talking to my dad in two years. My head was spinning with plans and possible outcomes; I felt exhausted. My body ached as I laid in a bed that wasn’t mine. I had not been in my own bed, in my own house, in three months. My cat and I moved in eight miles out of town with a close friend and her family. Having no car made it extremely difficult to run back and forth between the courthouse and home; my long term boyfriend at the time was chauffeuring me around town like he was getting paid to do so. Being so busy with legal documents, signatures, notaries, and clerk of court employees it took me around five weeks to get all of my paperwork done and have a scheduled court date. Meanwhile, I was moving back home with my mother due to a demand of Child Protective Services (CPS). I struggled with the move home; my mother was aware of my plans for emancipation and did everything in her power to try and prevent it from happening. Luckily, my father supported the idea and helped me throughout the process. The day finally arrived for the court hearing, and, I rushed to the courthouse after taking a full day of finals. Nervous, I sat in front of the judge fiddling with the laptop my friend was so kind to let me borrow. Rubbing shoulders with my mother-- who was sitting right next to me-- I felt confident, but terrified.
Most teenagers in high school dream of moving out of their parents’ house and facing the daunting outside world on their own. Freedom from parental guardians is what every young adult longs for, but it may not be what everyone needs. By the time I was seventeen, I was emancipated, living on my own, working, and being a full time student. I guess you could say I’m ahead of the game, if you consider the game as buying a car, a new bed, and paying my first month of rent three months into being seventeen. Although this was a measure that needed to happen to ensure my safety, it was also an eye-opening experience that has pushed me to levels of adulthood that I didn't think I would reach until my mid thirties.
I have always been head over heels with the idea of going into a criminology and or forensic based job; during my time with CPS and throughout my emancipation I met counselors, detectives, officers, and forensic nurses. I saw a glimpse of what these people’s professions were like and how they differ from how they’re portrayed on television. These people helped me fall even more in love with forensic and legal sciences. With that being said, I plan on graduating with a Master’s in Forensic Science and pursuing in a forensic career.
I have learned so much from this challenging experience, but I am learning more and more each day. Even being mature for my age, I still discover difficulties and struggle to stay afloat in the adult world in my day to day life. I’ll never regret getting emancipated; it has taught me so many things at an early age. The amazing people who helped me during that time are the reason I want to do forensic science. The idea of helping others and getting justice for the people who deserve it inspires me to do the same.