The Arena: My Fight With Words by Gabrielle

The Arena: My Fight With Words by Gabrielle - January 2026 Scholarship Essay

Dyslexia whispers doubt, but I learned to shout back in defiance. I was diagnosed in the 3rd grade, and while it explained my delayed learning, it often felt like a battle between my ambitions and my challenges. Fashion became my outlet, turning frustration into creativity; my dyslexia no longer felt like a limitation but a lens that allowed me to see style, marketing, and storytelling in ways others might miss.
Adopting this mindset was a process. I remember the arena of the small classroom, facing a spelling test with red words that grew larger than life, trapping me in a vortex of letters. Over time, I learned that dyslexia enhances creative thinking, problem-solving, and spatial perception. Using these strengths, I began to thrive, channeling them into my passion for fashion marketing and creative direction.
Inspired by how fashion gave me confidence and self-expression, I founded The Closet Project. Through our mobile closet, we empower teens to embrace individuality, creativity, and self-assurance, giving them access to clothing, shoes, and accessories regardless of financial barriers. Just as I turned my challenges into opportunities for growth, I aim to help others do the same through fashion.
My dyslexia doesn't hold me back; it pushes me toward challenges I approach with innovation and resilience. As I prepare for my final year of high school, I am grateful for the barriers that shaped me. The 3rd grader who faced dyslexia with defiance now confronts the world with creativity, confidence, and a vision to empower others through both fashion and my nonprofit.