Finding Home by Lauryn

Finding Home by Lauryn - December 2019 Scholarship Essay

The strong smell of burning hot dogs and burgers snuck up and kissed my nose. I looked around and saw a pan of macaroni and cheese glistening as bright as the sun. The smoke from the grill came and hugged my clothes. Some of the members of Class Council laughed as they did the cha-cha slide, while the others bickered over who got to eat first. Surrounded by family, I knew I had found my new home.
Contrary to before I joined Class Council, during my first year, I often felt melancholic. I found my throat closing at random times as I continued to get hollow feelings in my stomach. Simultaneously, echoes of frantic aversive thoughts would resound through the back of my mind. I found myself sinking deeper and deeper into a depression; I refused to acknowledge existed. Little did I know, my feelings of sadness would influence my journey surrounding my advocacy for mental health and lead me to Class Council. Council has helped me to understand the dynamics of how mental health is viewed and discussed in cultural spaces. It has also allowed me to create a variety of different events catered to the awareness of mental health.
Class Council is an organization I joined my Sophomore year at Spelman College. I initially entered as the Co-Social Chair and moved my way up to President the next year. Entering into class council, I found myself opening up more and seeing the importance of reflection. I ran with a platform centered on transparency in mental health. In order for me to create innovative events for the class of 2021, I had to learn to sit in my emotions. I had to carefully consider what a younger me needed to know surrounding my mental health. Class Council gave meaning and value to my most sorrowful experiences. It allowed me to open up and speak about my journey as well as foster a sense of collectivism in my class. Through this organization, I gained my understanding of how I serve as a leader. I lead by allowing myself and my story to be seen in vulnerable ways. As a result, this helps to bring sensitivity and validation to my experiences, but to the campus as well.
With the help of Council, I have created events that have focused on positive coping mechanisms, self-sabotage, body image, self-esteem, and self-care. By creating these events, I have gotten the privilege of interacting with a variety of different students and members. Through this I have learned people’s stories, experiences, and truths. This has helped me to foster a deeper connection with the members of my council and my peers. This has reiterated what I believe my purpose is here on earth; I’m here to increase dialogue surrounding mental health and promote restorative healing in communities.