Another Life by Laney

Another Life by Laney - February 2024 Scholarship Essay

“We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give.” -- Winston Churchill
Since I was little, walking by my brother's car seat and prompting laughter to when I was older, hearing a child’s cry in the nursery and comforting the baby, I have had a tenderness toward children.
Jackson, a child I babysit multiple times a week, was a cancer patient before his first birthday. Similarly, the doctors diagnosed my mom with a form of cancer - Acute Myeloid Leukemia with a poor prognosis of living. Last summer, Jackson, my younger sister, and I took a trip to the zoo. When we boarded the train, it began to move. Jackson held his breath in anticipation. Likewise, in 2021, Jackson’s parents and I were holding our breaths, waiting for the outcome of both loved ones.
As we passed people on the sidewalks at the zoo, Jackson waved and smiled. His joy was reflected the year earlier when news came that he and Mom were both in remission. When I received the text from Jackson’s mom that he was cancer-free, I was so excited and thankful. After my mom underwent a successful stem cell transplant, a group of us -- my cousins, their family, my siblings, and I all staying at their house -- celebrated her new life by eating chocolate chip brownies and Facetiming Mom and Dad in the hospital. After long months of waiting, we were eager to celebrate.
On the train, Jackson’s contagious excitement and curiosity spread to me, as I viewed the world through his wide eyes. In the same way, I experienced wonder towards my community, who poured into our family tremendously. They provided over 100 meals, welcomed my three younger siblings and me into their family for many weeks, and sat for hours teaching me science and editing my papers. Also, they drove us to church where I served (and continue to do so) each Sunday in the nursery, and I met Jackson and his family.
Because of my love for children and gratitude for my community, I desire to be generous with my life, especially through my career. I plan to pursue an educational degree at Troy University for children from kindergarten through sixth grade. However, I have a strong conviction to further my education debt-free. For example, my first major purchase was buying a car. To achieve this goal, I began babysitting at age twelve, working as a fourteen-year-old at Chick-fil-A for eight months, and nannying Jackson since age fifteen. This hard work paid off when I drove my car off the lot this past September.
Another example is college preparation, I took the ACT for the first time and received a 20. However, after hours of an ACT prep class, tutoring, homework, and two other ACTs, my work paid off, resulting in a 27. This scholarship will be very beneficial to achieve my goal of becoming an educator. Just as many have given their time and love to me, I desire to give back and pour into another life.