Keondre Story by Keondre

Keondre's entry into Varsity Tutor's December 2024 scholarship contest

  • Rank:
  • 0 Votes
Keondre
Vote for my essay with a tweet!
Embed

Keondre Story by Keondre - December 2024 Scholarship Essay

One of the most challenging academic experiences I faced was navigating my education while growing up with ADHD, frequent moves, and significant family responsibilities. When I was younger, my family moved often, every two years or less. By the time I graduated high school, I had attended 11 different schools. Missing most of second grade due to a cross-country move from California to North Carolina only added to the instability. At one point, we lived in low-income housing, and my mom, being a single parent, had to work long hours to provide for me and my younger siblings.

From a young age, I had to step up, watching and caring for my siblings since I was just 5 years old. With so much on my plate, there wasn’t anyone available to help me with my schoolwork. My mom wasn’t home much because of her demanding job, so I had to figure out how to succeed academically on my own. At the same time, I struggled with anger issues and the challenges that come with ADHD. I was placed on an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) early in my school years to help manage my learning differences.

Despite these challenges, I refused to let my circumstances define me. I worked hard to teach myself what I didn’t know, often staying up late to catch up on schoolwork or revisiting lessons that didn’t stick the first time. Over time, I began to learn how to control my emotions and find inner peace, focusing on what I could control instead of what I couldn’t. By the 10th grade, I had grown so much academically and emotionally that I no longer needed the IEP.

Even with all the odds stacked against me, frequent moves, family responsibilities, and a lack of academic support at home, I remained an honor roll student throughout my life. I knew the world was a tough place, but I’ve always believed in striving to be the best version of myself, no matter what obstacles come my way. That mindset, along with a lot of determination, allowed me to overcome challenges and build a path toward success, not just in school but in life.

Votes