Personal Statement by Alayjah

Personal Statement by Alayjah - July 2026 Scholarship Essay

Growing up, life was not easy. My parents divorced when I was young, and for much of my childhood my mom carried the weight of raising four children almost on her own. When my dad left for Louisiana in 2015, our lives quickly unraveled. Money was scarce, cars were repossessed, and eventually my mom, siblings, and I found ourselves homeless. For months we lived in transitional housing, shelters, and hotels across downtown San Diego, relying on what little support we could get from family. It was a time of deep uncertainty, but it also taught me resilience and the importance of perseverance.
Even during that difficult time, my mom made sacrifices that still inspire me. I will never forget our first Christmas after moving into a new house through a housing program. She spent nearly everything she had just to give us gifts and a sense of normalcy. That memory reminds me of her strength and her belief that no matter how unstable life may feel, we can always create joy and stability through hard work and sacrifice. From then on, my family slowly rebuilt our lives. We gained stability, my mom remarried, and we were able to create new memories in safer and better circumstances.
Through all the moves and changes, school became my anchor. I attended Longfellow, a K-8 Spanish Immersion school, which gave me fluency in Spanish and the confidence to take on advanced coursework in high school. My educational journey took me across three schools: Kearny High, University City High, and now Lincoln High for my senior year. Each school shaped me in different ways. At Kearny, I experienced a block schedule that allowed me to progress quickly, placing me ahead of many of my peers when I transferred to University City. There, I challenged myself with advanced and college-level courses such as AP English, Pre-Calculus, Chicano Studies, and Music Studies. I currently maintain a 3.48 GPA, which reflects not only my academic dedication but also my ability to adapt and thrive in new environments.
Beyond academics, I sought ways to express myself and build community. At University City, I joined the Black Student Union (BSU), which gave me a voice and a sense of belonging. I also helped create the Centurionettes, a majorette dance team that introduced a new cultural tradition to the school. We performed at pep rallies and football games, building pride and representation on campus. I also competed in track and field, running sprints my sophomore year before transitioning to shot put and discus as a junior. When I transferred to Lincoln, I continued my passion for dance by earning a spot on the majorette team.
Outside of school, I am a member of the Pink Polish majorette dance team, where I have grown not only as a performer but also as a teammate. At the same time, I have dedicated myself to leadership and service through the Young and Prosperous Foundation. As a youth leader in their Scholarship Excellence program, I have gained mentorship, guidance in the college application process, and opportunities to apply for scholarships that will make higher education accessible.
Looking ahead, I want to be the first in my family to graduate from college. I plan to major in biology and pursue a master’s degree, with the ultimate goal of building a career in the sciences. I also plan to continue dancing as a majorette in college, combining my academic and creative passions.
My journey has been shaped by struggle, resilience, and growth. I know what it means to face instability and uncertainty, yet I also know the power of determination, community, and self-belief. I carry these lessons with me as I prepare for the next step in my journey, ready to learn, contribute, and thrive at the university level