One 'a' at a Time by Keira

One 'a' at a Time by Keira - February 2025 Scholarship Essay

While sitting in my junior AP Lang class, my essay was returned with a note about the illegible 'a's in my essay. I found myself obsessing over how I wrote my 'a's, looking into different styles, and exploring ways to change my writing. I settled on the double-story style. Initially, I clung to the old habits of my original single story 'a' and felt like my brain was resisting change since the adjustment required a lot of thought. Single story was comfortable and required no extra effort to write. Eventually, both 'a's began to appear in my notes. Pages filled with single-story 'a's, transformed into a mix between the two, and eventually to only double-story 'a's. Replacing something familiar with something more complex taught me extremely valuable lessons about discipline and individual accountability, and that growth requires discomfort. There are similar examples highlighted in my everyday life where I challenged myself to encounter new and uncomfortable roles where I faced a challenge, struggled, and transformed.
As I consciously changed my writing, I also started to consider larger issues outside of myself. I became unsettled with the impact of current immigration laws and policies and their effect on the people in my community. Since I’m unable to vote and influence political change I wanted to find a way to help and make a tangible difference. I began volunteering at Project Libertad, where I tutored English as a Second Language (ESL) classes for immigrants in my community. Similar to how I felt when my handwriting reflected both single and double-story 'a's, I was initially nervous. My students were often a lot older than me and came from diverse cultural backgrounds that I was unfamiliar with. The language barrier itself felt daunting, and I wondered if I could genuinely be of help. Similar to the shift in my writing I found that my persistence paid off. I became more comfortable and found I was able to make a big difference. Eventually, just like my handwriting became more consistent, so did my teaching. I was able to gain the confidence I needed to teach effectively. I began to see my students succeed, gaining proficiency in English. I was proud that I was able to make a tangible difference. The struggle became my strength by forcing me to grow in new and unfamiliar roles.
These experiences taught me that growth often comes from struggle no matter if it's from changing my handwriting or tackling real-world challenges. From complacency and discomfort to conscious effort and confidence each change marks a step in my personal growth, reminding me that even the smallest decisions can lead to profound transformation. What began as uncertainty or awkwardness has evolved into confidence and a deeper understanding of myself and the world around me. The transition from single-story 'a's to double-story 'a's was not just an aesthetic choice; it symbolized my desire to move forward, learn, and change, no matter how small or large. I appreciate the struggle as a necessary part of growth, and I look forward to the changes still to come.