Slaying the Dragons by Danay

Slaying the Dragons by Danay - May 2026 Scholarship Essay

Growing up I knew I was different from other kids but not knowing why hindered me from figuring out who I was. My parents divorce while I was in the second grade disrupted my sense of stability and family, which impacted me academically and emotionally. By the eighth grade, I was facing hidden depression and unhealthy coping habits, leading to therapy, multiple mental health hospitalizations, and later becoming a suicide survivor. Depression led me to isolation from healthy friendships, suffering in silence and introduced me to something that would lead me down a darker path. That path included self-harm, unhealthy relationships, and strained family relations. High school continued to bring new challenges, such as falling behind my peers, being further influenced by these unhealthy relationships, and continuing to suffer academically. This detrimental behavior led to me being forced to transfer schools. Starting at a new school was an adjustment as the new school lacked the diversity I was used to, which made it difficult for me to fit in. I had to forge my own path and figure a healthy way to adapt and foster new relationships with my peers and teachers. Due to my negative encounters, by the time I started my senior year, my overall GPA was 1.75. I knew at that time that I had to make a change. My educational journey would end soon, and I had big dreams for myself. With hard work and determination, I was able to raise my semester GPA to 3.7 which boost my overall GPA to 2.05. The traumatic event of finding my father deceased in his home in November 2025 became the driving the force I needed to not only push me academically but also mentally to reach my goals. Learning to manage my depression was the hardest part for me. In addition to medication and weekly therapy sessions, I also had to do some self-reflection and self-discovery. What I learned from my self-reflection is that I am worthy and able to attain my dreams to pursue higher education. As of present day, I am thriving and doing much better. My current semester GPA is 3.25, which will increase my overall GPA more. I broke out of the isolation I fell into. College is something that I am greatly looking forward to and will allow me to start a new chapter in my life and get ready for my future. With the love and support from my family and friends, I can face each challenge and overcome, as I take it one day at a time slaying all demons.