Stand Tall: A Letter to My Past Self by Marie

Stand Tall: A Letter to My Past Self by Marie - July 2025 Scholarship Essay

If I could somehow find myself in a position to sit across from my younger self, even just for a few minutes, I would reach across and hold her hand, look her in the eyes, and say softly, “Don’t be afraid to take up space. You belong in every room you walk into.”
Back then, I didn’t know that. I doubted myself, constantly questioning whether I was smart enough, confident enough, or even worthy enough to pursue the dreams quietly living in my heart. I often stayed silent, even when I had something to say. I second-guessed my ideas and worried that speaking up would make me seem out of place. I did not realize it at the time, but I was slowly teaching myself to shrink to make myself smaller so others could be comfortable.
I wish I could go back and hold that young woman who was trying so hard to be perfect, trying not to mess up, and trying to prove she belonged. I’d tell her, You already belong. You don’t need to prove your worth to anyone. Your story, your heart, and your lived experience matter.
Growing up in a Haitian home, I was surrounded by strength, tradition, and sacrifice. My parents worked hard and expected me to do the same. They believed in me before I ever believed in myself. However, as much as I was loved, there was so much that it took me to recover my confidence. I thought humility meant being invisible. I thought strength meant doing everything alone. But strength, I have learned, is standing tall even when your voice trembles. It is showing up, day after day, especially when no one’s clapping.
If I could go back, I would tell myself it is okay to ask questions. It is okay to speak with an accent. It is okay to be different. It is more than okay; it is powerful. The very things I thought made me “less than” are the things that now make me strong, empathetic, and capable of helping others.
Today, I work in a family emergency shelter where I support people who are rebuilding their lives. Every day, I sit with families going through incredibly difficult transitions. I help them find housing, access resources, and rediscover their voices. Many of them have stories like mine, stories filled with courage and quiet resilience. I also go home and pour my energy into earning a degree in business management so I can one day create a nonprofit that serves children and students from underserved communities. I dream of building a place where young people feel seen, supported, and safe enough to take up space unapologetically.
The path here has not been easy. I have juggled work, school, and the weight of expectations. I have had nights where I was too tired to keep going but knew I had to anyway. And yet, with every step forward, I have found a little more of the woman I once doubted I could become. I am proud of her. And I am proud of the girl I used to be, too, because she kept going, even when it was hard.
To conclude, if I could give my past self one piece of advice, it would be this: You don’t need permission to be who you are. Take up space. Use your voice. Believe in your right to be here, because one day, that voice will make a difference.