The Flaw That Became a Strength by Aden

The Flaw That Became a Strength by Aden - January 2026 Scholarship Essay

A quality of mine that I learned is truly a strength: my loyalty to my work. Since I was young, I remember sitting in the classroom during lunch or break, revisiting problems I had trouble with earlier. I would often hyper-focus on my mistakes, wanting to perfect my craft in every class and sport. At first, I saw this trait as a flaw; it slowed my progress compared to my peers, who seemed able to move on quickly from setbacks in class. I spent numerous hours spiralling because of this; it felt like an unfair burden. This flaw persisted until my junior year of high school, when I participated in the Student Diversity Leadership Conference (SDLC). I had been chosen as a part of a small group of students to attend the conference in representation of the school. During this time, I spoke with multiple students from schools across the country and learned about issues in their communities that they have successfully addressed. These conversations about inequality, gender exclusion, and favoritism in sports led me to consider possible improvements within my own community. I started to think about representation within my school. Although there are clear efforts to highlight cultures in the community during their months, I thought there could be room for improvement, so I decided to make some. As an ambassador for the Office of Institutional Equity, Justice, and Belonging, I knew we could make a difference. A group of students and I collaborated with faculty in the office and other faculty on campus to create a day dedicated to celebrating all cultures. We worked for countless days perfecting every detail. The day's success showed me that my loyalty was never a flaw. This conference showed that what I once saw as a flaw has more benefits than I originally thought. Now that I understand that my loyalty was never a flaw, but simply a gift, it adds a new fire to my passion for learning. It reminded me that learning is not a race, and the frustration I was feeling is a sign of growth. I needed to give myself the grace necessary to grow and succeed. I now move in confidence, knowing that my commitment to my work will guide me in my growth and help me contribute to my communities. I look back to when I was younger and admire what I once hated. In middle school, my friend and I created a Marine Biology club after an interesting lesson about marine life in class. We began by researching the biggest threats to aquatic life. While the issues were extensive, we concluded that reducing plastic would be our primary focus. We created lessons for the younger grades on the importance of recycling and environmental consciousness. Then we found a way to implement a change in our campus, creating a plan to transfer the use of plastic utensils to bamboo materials. We presented this idea to the faculty, stating that the switch was not only better for the environment but also a low-cost alternative to the plastic utensils used previously. This was my first major win when it came to advocating for change; it fueled my drive to continue to find ways to improve my community. I recognize now that my hard work and persistent dedication are what led us to this win. It is what led me to my major as well; one thing necessary for both pre-law and business is passion. A passion to learn, to work, to grow, and to impact. Entering my future years, I am confident that this trait will lead me to success.