Personalized Success by Janna

Personalized Success by Janna - February 2021 Scholarship Essay

As a freshman in High school, I immediately attached the word “success” to receiving straight A’s. Success showed itself only on my grade report, tacked onto the refrigerator, making me smile as I went for some orange juice. I looked at grades as a measurement of dedication to academic excellence, and proof of hard work. But I quickly realized that receiving an “A” was not always a symbol of honest achievement, and receiving a “B” was not always evidence that I lacked devotion to my studies. I was confused. I wanted to be proud of the B’s that I had fought and studied hard for, but felt conflicted, knowing that I did not get the highest marks. During my four high school years, through a process riddled with humility, the meaning of success became much more personalized. Success occurs when you put your best foot forward and dedicate your whole self to the project. Although you may not achieve your immediate goal or get top marks, you have still succeeded and developed yourself throughout the process. Additionally, success describes the ability to pinpoint progress, and use all your valuable resources in a creative manner to expand upon this positive change, bettering yourself and/or others.

This high school experience with my personal definition of success has set me on the path to use the resources afforded to me not only to prepare for my future but to also improve the college experience for others. Although I know I will still be dedicated to my studies and receiving good grades, my ideals of success will be encompassed by how much I devote myself to the content I am learning and how engaged I push myself to be. This may look like developing relationships with classmates and teachers, joining academic organizations, taking advantage of tutoring and office hours, and in general, expanding the time I spend learning. But these resources will allow me not only to succeed in the academic sector but also to help change the campus for the better. As a high school student advocate, I have been dedicated to increased access to higher education for all students. My work introducing middle and high school age students to many different state schools, tutoring programs, and empowerment sessions has given kids around the county increased financial access to college and the necessary skills and mentorship to apply to college with confidence. This includes students who are already in college. I know that I will put my all into continuing this initiative in college, working with organizations such as the Black Student Union and mentoring for the National Society for Black Engineers. For me, success will not be achieved unless I do my best to take advantage of the resources (people, monetary funds, lab experience, clubs) offered by the college I choose to attend and transform them into a plan to better the community.

As I plan for success in college, I know that I would be able to use this scholarship as a means to not only attend college with a smaller financial burden but to also continue this initiative towards community improvement and access to education to help others do the same. This may look like continuing my mentorship with the National Society for Black Engineers. As a Black, female student, pursuing an engineering degree, I know I can use my platform to help others believe that they can also succeed. It is important for children with dreams to see scholars who look like them pursuing similar dreams and achieving success. Although representation of higher education success stories for many children in disadvantaged communities is limited, with the help of this scholarship I can make a difference. With the help of this scholarship, I know that I can continue and teach personalized success. I am grateful to have the opportunity to consider this scholarship possibility. I know that given the chance I would use this scholarship to not only help my academic journey but to inspire the journey of others.