The Gravity of the Routine: From Overwhelmed to Overcoming by Dereck

The Gravity of the Routine: From Overwhelmed to Overcoming by Dereck - May 2026 Scholarship Essay

Four years ago, the concept of "responsibility" was a heavy and disorganized weight that I carried. As a freshman, I had just jumped into the high-intensity world of the Raider team and had significant responsibilities towards my brother who has physical disabilities. At the age of fourteen, it was quite difficult to balance both the military and my home responsibilities. It was during my freshman year that I felt the "anxiety" of first-year students who strive to demonstrate their worth on the field, only to have to engage in a completely different kind of service upon arriving home. The idea of having professional jobs or internships in addition to my other commitments was physically impossible.

Responsibilities have always been a part of my life, but what has changed from my freshman year to my senior year in high school is that I have transitioned from simply receiving these responsibilities to being able to construct my own.

During one of the regional Raider competitions, the team’s leaders for that region succumbed to injuries. As a younger member of the Raider team, I found themselves with a series of manageable tasks that seemed overwhelming when faced with the collapse of the team leaders. Nevertheless, I stepped into the role of subbing into various events for the Raiders. Using the mindset that the Raiders have for success and teamwork, I applied those lessons to my life outside of the field. I realized that taking care of my brother was ultimately providing me with the patience skills that I would eventually require in the workforce and the legal field.

By my junior and senior years, many of the challenges that I faced were manageable. While maintaining good grades, I began working 40 hours a week between Regal and Fast Bagel, earned legislative internships with Assemblyman Danielsen and Congresswoman Watson Coleman, and became the Editor-in-Chief of the school newspaper.

What was once a challenge that left me feeling like I was drowning in the details has become manageable. I have learned that the intimidation that many people feel is simply a lack of perspective. Breaking down the seemingly insurmountable challenges into components that can be conquered, like a 5K obstacle course, a legislative project, or even the care of one’s sibling provides a grit and character to the individual who takes on these challenges. Thus, as a student who will be attending the University of Michigan, I feel that I have the character and abilities to succeed in any collegiate education that I may pursue.