A Change Will Come by Lauren

A Change Will Come by Lauren - January 2024 Scholarship Essay

My paternal grandfather and his siblings were abandoned by their parents to live in the woods for three years before he was fifteen. I remember hearing details of how he ate rock soup and often slept with an aching stomach. My grandfather wanted his kids to have a better life than him. My dad’s lack of financial education ultimately led to my parent’s divorce when I was six.

I often heard my parents say negative things about each other while pretending I didn’t hear it. Instinctively, I tried to suppress feelings of frustration and disappointment, but I couldn’t. This led me to find coping behaviors to medicate the pain such as binge eating. My mom found Ms.Pollard, a local therapist. She taught me how to express my feelings in a respectful way, discern why I do what I do, and overcome issues with my weight. After a few weeks of visiting her, my father became critical of my appearance.

He began projecting his insecurities of being obese onto me. I remember when he came to school, picked food off of my lunch tray while in line, and weighed me in front of the school nurse. I felt ashamed, and guilty for being almost 300 pounds. I thought he hated me. I began to hate myself. Food became my friend. But Ms.Pollard encouraged me to redefine what wholeness and success looked like for me. Every time I needed encouragement or a listening ear–she was there.

After being diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)–a hormonal (auto-immune) disorder I realized a symptom of PCOS is extreme weight gain. Immediately, I began to understand why it was hard for me to lose weight. My diagnosis empowered me to take control of my well-being by discovering what nutritious meals fueled me. I took more steps during the day by walking to class instead of taking the campus shuttle. Within two years, while at school in Nebraska, I lost almost 100 pounds. It’s been a journey, but I’m in a better place.

While in school, I became a volunteer in my local church’s kids' ministry and implemented a weekly curriculum for the spiritual development of an average of forty kids from birth to one year old.

I had the best time caring for the little ones at my church and truly learned what it means to serve others who can’t help themselves. After moving back home due to COVID-19, I continued this effort by volunteering at a food pantry, Minnie’s Food Pantry. I helped distribute over seventeen thousand meals to our hungry friends during Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Serving others has been a part of my life for the past several years. I have learned the importance of caring for others' needs instead of focusing on myself. I have seen the areas I have been a part of bear fruit when selfless individuals come together to help their area grow and flourish.

My grandpa had numerous internal struggles and addictions to cope with the stress and trauma he experienced. I didn’t want to continue down the same path he did and knew there had to be a better way. I want to research how the intersection of data and technology can aid families and communities to evolve into stronger versions of themselves.

This scholarship will not only enable me to go back to school for my master’s in data science, but without it, I won’t. I want to create innovative biomedical technology that can detect abnormalities within the human body for those with underlying illnesses.

Most individuals who pursue a college education, hope to use their degree to alter their family’s financial future. Many don’t see the benefit of modifying their family’s health habits. That’s who I am striving to be with this degree. This scholarship will impact me to get one step closer to changing my family’s health legacy.

My grandfather served in World War II and was the only one selected from his squad to serve in Germany. His squad went to Pearl Harbor and everyone died. If my grandfather would have stayed with his squad and served in Pearl Harbor. I would not be here today to have the unique opportunity to spark hope and spread change in numerous communities across the world.