Cancer couldn't but we could by Naisya

Cancer couldn't but we could by Naisya - November 2019 Scholarship Essay

Hello, my name is Naisya Antoine. I am currently a class of 2020 senior. Throughout the years I have become vigorously involved with many clubs and activities provided by my high school. Through each club, I have been able to build a friendship with my peers and connect with them in different ways depending on the club and interests we may have in common. Being so involved has helped me develop the opportunity to spread my story and educate others with the knowledge they may have not known before. As many may know I am a childhood cancer survivor. My story began at age 9 with being misdiagnosed several times to finally being treated for the proper diagnosis of a very aggressive skeletal muscle tumor in the right side of my nose called Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma. After my diagnosis, I went through a series of scans to see if my cancer spread. Thankfully it didn’t spread which helped my chances of survival increase. After a year of chemotherapy, multiple surgeries, radiation, and fighting every day. The fight paid off in the end, now I can say I am cured of cancer. I suffered from bullying after losing such a physical feature, the bullies didn’t understand how much their words hurt. But, instead of letting them bring me down I used it as an opportunity to cheer people up. With the second chance I received, I used the opportunity to inspire and educate those around me at school. I spoke with many people that were also bullied or went through a similar situation as I did and brought us all together as a support system to spread positivity and awareness. From freshman year to now I believe my school has changed tremendously it is now filled with open-minded and understanding students and teachers. This environment has been needed for years to show others they have supporters all around them. With my educating I was able to leave many impacts on my school, which has changed myself, other students, and teachers who are cancer survivors or allies that support to spread awareness and positivity. Cancer couldn’t beat us so we beat cancer. Overall I believe I have accomplished my mission to inspire.