The View Between Two Villages by Mattison

The View Between Two Villages by Mattison - August 2025 Scholarship Essay

The story of the underdog always seems to stir people into action. Growing up in small-town, rural Appalachia, I have learned that we are those underdogs. Although Appalachia spans seven states and encompasses 206,000 miles, the ingrained cultural traditions and society's view of Appalachians often create a preconceived notion about our culture. Through my involvement in various activities, academic achievements, and passion to excel, I am writing a new Appalachian narrative. In my narrative, though, women take a seat at the head of the table.
As a biracial, 1st generation college-bound Appalachian woman, I know I have hurdles to jump. Women throughout Appalachia continue to be stuck in the whirlwind of being the primary caretaker for their children and spouses, as this is expected of them. I do not want to settle; I want to seize the opportunity and become something greater than what is handed to me. I want to pursue my passion and expand the eight percent of women in business who hold a CEO position. I am ready to claim my seat at the head of the table; write my new narrative and stop the accusations of the underdogs. This new narrative has already started with my involvement in Business Professionals of America. Where I earned the position of secretary and led my team of small-town Appalachian women to the 2024 BPA national championship, exploring the big city of Chicago where BPA nationals took place implemented a feeling of realization that there is more outside of my small village of Jackson, OH; I will never forget the memories made and the experience of meeting others just like me. Glancing at the different men and women taking phone calls, walking to meetings, and conversing; I had never seen anything so alluring, yet so grounded in an authenticity that I am simply not accustomed to. Although I have always known the path I wanted to take as a businesswoman, I now foresee a new future for myself in my upbringing. Chicago sparked a dream in me that I strive to accomplish.
I am not ashamed of my roots, but more so, deprived of what defines my identity. My culture as a biracial female surrounded by others, not of my kind. I am alone in a shadow where I do not belong. I am a rare sight between these Appalachian hills, as there are 1.64% multiracials and 0.73% African Americans within my village. I often get questioned about my racial identity and I tend to feel sorrow for those who are unaware of the culture around them. I feel as if I am being picked apart for who I am. I am not Hispanic, I am not Persian, and I am not Italian. I am the view between two Villages: my mother; African-American, my father; Caucasian. I am divergent in the eyes of your stereotypical Appiliacian. I have discovered that the very culture - that seems so stifling at times - challenged me to become a stronger individual by facing social adversity and hypocrisy. Though I love who I am and where I am from, I have challenged myself to bring a different type of leadership among us, allowing my village to see that there are a myriad of paths for them as well. I am ready to embark on my new narrative; write a new story and leave a legacy.