Defying the Odds by Katia

Defying the Odds by Katia - April 2016 Scholarship Essay

Through participation in band during my time in the public school system, I discovered the love and talent I have for playing and teaching music. Music has influenced me in such a positive way, I have decided to pursue music as my career, and will be attending The University of Texas at Austin in the fall, where I plan to earn my Bachelor’s in Music Performance/Education, with a minor in Mathematics, immediately followed by graduate school, to pursue my Master’s in Music. I want to acquire all of the knowledge possible to become a successful performer and great teacher, and influence other lives in a positive light, just as my music teachers have influenced mine. Historically, it has been difficult for Latinos with big dreams such as mine, to turn their dreams into reality, mainly due to the financial difficulties we endure as immigrants struggling to pave a way and make it in this “Land of Opportunity”, just as many other immigrants have done in the past, including my parents.

I am a first generation child, both of my parents were born in Honduras. With the majority of my family still living in Honduras, from both my mother and father’s side, there has only been one person who has successfully been able to make it out of the difficult unsupported, poverty-filled, and broken childhood they lived in; my father. With no support from his own family, he went out on his own and managed to pull himself out of the difficult living situation he lived in, and worked hard to pursue and earn a college education. Unfortunately, since he was not being supported, he was only able to afford enough school to earn a Bachelor’s degree, and even then spent twelve years paying all his student loans. There are many siblings and cousins in my family, but there are only a few, such as I, who are privileged enough to be provided the opportunity to be born and raised in the United States and hopefully make a future for ourselves, and make my parents and my country proud. So far, none have been successful; however, I am determined to break the negative family pattern of no college education, or no professional career, if I can afford it.

Life is extremely unpredictable, especially financially. With family sick and nobody with the financial stability to help pay for medication, tests, and surgeries for my remaining grandparents and dying aunt in Honduras, my parents are left with the responsibility of helping with the medical treatment they need to survive, even though my parent’s do not even make a lot for the way the paycheck is being spread out. With all of the unexpected deaths (my paternal grandfather passed away 3 years ago after battling cancer, and my paternal grandmother passed away 1 year ago (after a 36 year battle with lupus), medical emergencies and accidents that have tragically occurred in the past four years, my chances of receiving a little financial assistance from my parents for college went from slim to none. However, I refuse to give up or settle for less than a college education. I have not been blessed with the financial comfort of being able to pay for college on my own, but it is no excuse to not attend college. All throughout grade school, my parents have worked incredibly hard to let me focus on my studies in hopes that my excellent grades and musical abilities would pay for my college through financial aid and scholarships since they won’t be able to help much financially. I already know that putting myself through college will require great sacrifice, work, and funding assistance, including a side job, or college work study.

Aside from financial challenges already presented to our family, affording college is not the only thing I am having to worry about paying for. A normal incoming freshman will enter college penniless, and accumulate debt as they go through school, and in my eyes, they are beyond blessed. I, however, will be entering college with a debt of $25,000, because of my musical instrument (bassoon). This makes the thought of affording college and collecting student debt even more frightening than it already is. As a musician, especially one
pursuing a degree in performance, it is nothing less than necessary that we have an instrument to call our own, so as painful as it may be financially, it is an investment I have to make.

Determined to make a future for myself, receiving a Varsity Tutors scholarship would truly mean the world to me. This is a nation of immigrants built by immigrants. A nation of great people, hardworking pioneers, and great humanitarians. A country where the established generations have helped the new immigrants get settled, integrate, and become part of this great American fabric of fraternity, unity, and progress. As a Latina, I work hard and take pride in everything I do, knowing that I am not only representing my family and myself, but also my culture, and I strive to bring nothing less than honor and pride to our heritage. It would be a great honor, and humbling experience, for me to receive a helping hand in defying the odds and shaping my career and future from Varsity Tutors. Thank you for your consideration.