When the last shall be first by balecia

When the last shall be first by balecia - January 2026 Scholarship Essay

Seven years ago my life changed in a way I could never have imagined. My mother was hospitalized for 97 days, unresponsive and in a coma. During that time, there was no certainty about when or if I would hear her voice again. That moment reshaped my family dynamic and forced me to discover a strength within myself that I did not know existed.
As the youngest of my siblings, I unexpectedly stepped into responsibilities far beyond my years. I became the point of contact for extended family members who could help support us. I researched the companies through which our household bills were paid to ensure everything remained current. I monitored my mother’s emails, phone calls, and social media accounts, managing tasks she could no longer handle.
At the same time, I was a junior in high school determined to maintain my honor roll status. Despite the emotional weight of visiting my mother in the hospital every day, I completed my homework at her bedside. I knew that my mother would want me to continue to prosper academically, and I refused to allow our circumstances to distract me from my future. I remained focused on my grades, understanding that my education was something I could still control at the time.
Throughout this period, I did not inform my school of the challenges my family was facing. As car riders, I made sure that my twin and I were able to get to school and return home each day. I learned how to balance personal hardship with responsibility, showing resilience even when stability felt uncertain.
After my mother was finally discharged, our journey was far from over. Six months later, she underwent multiple limb amputations. During her recovery, I became her advocate communicating on her behalf when she could not and later, her ghostwriter. I assisted her in writing her fourth book, which detailed her entire experience. Helping her share her story allowed me to further develop skills in communication, and negotiation.
Through this experience, I learned how to lead during uncertainty, communicate effectively under pressure, and remain committed to my goals despite adversity. These strengths have shaped my personal growth and continue to influence how I approach challenges today whether in my academics or personal life. What began as a moment of fear ultimately became the foundation of my resilience and determination.