A Pair of Shoes and the Courage to Step Forward by Josue

A Pair of Shoes and the Courage to Step Forward by Josue - May 2026 Scholarship Essay

A challenge that once felt intimidating but now feels manageable is learning to speak up for myself and for others. I used to hold back my thoughts, worried they might come out unclear or I might be misunderstood. As a low‑income, Mexican‑American student who often translated for my family, I grew up speaking confidently on behalf of others but hesitating when it came to my own needs. I could advocate for my parents at appointments, explain documents, and help my dad through his decade‑long journey to U.S. citizenship, but in school I often stayed quiet even when I needed help or had something meaningful to contribute.

Part of that came from feeling like I lived between worlds. In Mexico, I was “the American.” In the United States, I was “the Mexican.” I learned to observe before I spoke, to blend in, to avoid mistakes. That instinct helped me navigate two cultures, but it also made me afraid to take up space in classrooms where I didn’t always see people who looked like me or shared my experiences.

What changed was discovering, through service, that using my voice could make someone else feel seen and that realization reshaped how I show up in every space. Volunteering at the Amphitheater Clothing Bank, mentoring freshmen, and coaching younger kids forced me to step outside myself. I realized that speaking up was about being present. The moment that shifted everything happened at the clothing bank. A young boy came in with his mother, clearly embarrassed to ask for help. His shoes were painfully tight, but he insisted he didn’t need anything. I recognized that pride immediately because I had felt it myself.

I switched to Spanish and asked him about soccer. His shoulders relaxed. He trusted me enough to let me help him find shoes that fit. When he tried them on, he took a few light steps, and a smile unfolded across his face that he couldn’t hide. His mother thanked me for speaking to him in Spanish because it made him feel seen. That moment taught me that using my voice could make someone else feel valued.

From then on, I started raising my hand more in class, asking questions when I needed clarity, and sharing ideas even when I wasn’t completely sure that they were fully formed. I also realized that my background was a strength that allowed me to connect with people who might otherwise feel overlooked.

This shift has helped shape my plans for college. As an Architectural Engineering major at the University of Arizona, I want to design schools, community centers, and public spaces that uplift the neighborhoods they serve. That requires collaboration, communication, and the willingness to speak up for communities whose needs are often ignored. The confidence I’ve gained helps me imagine myself in those rooms contributing ideas, asking questions, and advocating for designs that reflect dignity and belonging.

What once felt intimidating now feels like a responsibility I’m ready for. It’s about honoring the sacrifices of my family, my dad studying English and U.S. history after long days at the tailor shop, my mom supporting students in her school library, my grandparents opening their home so we could make ends meet. They taught me that progress comes from persistence, not perfection. Today, speaking up feels manageable because I understand why it matters. It allows me to learn, to lead, and to serve. It allows me to build the future I want to create where more people feel seen, supported, and at home in the spaces around them.