Following in your footsteps by Julia

Following in your footsteps by Julia - February 2024 Scholarship Essay

"'Business?' Mom's question hung in the air, hinted with curiosity."

She, the strongest person I know, instilled family values, hard work, and perseverance in my siblings and me for as long as I can remember. Witnessing her grit, a first-gen American, a product of an elementary-educated widower, became the first in her family to graduate college. My mother never let the hardships of life defeat her spirit. Her journey to overcome poverty and adversity was my guiding light and fueled my ambition.

But my own path wasn't paved with ease. Early on, learning came hard; my grades plummeted, struggles with reading and speech cast me into inclusion programs and special services. Labels clung, whispering of limitations. Refusing to be defined, I poured my heart into learning. Challenging efforts, long hours, and a desire to succeed led the way for me to excel, now taking Advanced Placement classes in high school.

Mom's legacy isn't just a college degree; it's a belief in building something impactful. She always told us that to become a success, you must believe you ARE a success. It's not the size of our paychecks that defines us, but the size of the burdens we lighten and the lives we touch. It's about waking up each morning and choosing to be the best version of ourselves.

This, Mom, is why business. It's carrying your torch forward, building a legacy of my own, brick by brick, and proving that even a stuttering kid can write her own success story.