Overcoming Obstacles by TENISHA

Overcoming Obstacles by TENISHA - May 2026 Scholarship Essay

When people think of obstacles, they often imagine everyday inconveniences—a flat tire, not having enough money for a favorite drink, or receiving a disappointing grade in a class. But obstacles are far more than minor frustrations. An obstacle is any person, circumstance, or event that blocks progress or disrupts one’s path. By that definition, every person encounters obstacles at some point in life. The real question is not whether obstacles appear, but how they shape us. Do they define us? Do they stop us? Do they build character? In my life, the answer to all three has been yes. My obstacles have stopped me, defined me, and ultimately built the character I carry today.

I grew up in a single‑parent household where my only parent struggled with substance addiction. My childhood included experiences that no child should endure, leaving me angry, confused, and without a model for stability or emotional safety. By the time I reached high school, I was eager to escape the environment I had known. I married my high‑school sweetheart immediately after graduation and moved out of state, hoping to build a different life. Because I had never witnessed healthy parenting, I never imagined myself becoming a mother. I took every precaution to avoid it. But life—and God—had other plans. I became a mother of five.

Motherhood changed everything. My priorities shifted from survival to protection, from anger to purpose. I became determined to give my children the love, stability, and guidance I never received. For a while, life felt manageable. Then, beginning in 2019, a series of tragedies reshaped our world. A house fire left us homeless for two months. The COVID‑19 pandemic followed, bringing uncertainty and fear. In 2021, my marriage ended, and my youngest daughter began struggling severely with her mental health. She attempted suicide twice. Those moments were some of the darkest of my life. Through hospital stays, therapy, and prayer, she slowly began to heal. But the emotional toll on our family was immense.

With one income, five children, and eventually two grandchildren, we were forced to move again. Despite the instability, I stayed connected to my children and committed to being present for them. I continued working, creating memories, and doing everything I could to keep us grounded. Then, in 2024, grief struck again. My best friend passed away suddenly, and within two years, we lost seven family members and close friends. The weight of so much loss pushed my mental health to its limits. I finally made the decision to begin therapy, and it became a turning point. Therapy helped me process my pain, understand my patterns, and rebuild my sense of self.

Today, I am still on that journey—becoming a better mother, a better woman, and a stronger advocate in my community. I have returned to college after more than twenty years, determined to pursue the education I once believed was out of reach. Every obstacle I have faced has forced me to pause, regroup, and rise again. They have shaped my resilience, deepened my empathy, and strengthened my purpose.

Overcoming obstacles has not been easy, but it has built the character I carry with me into every new chapter. My story is not one of defeat, but of endurance. I am still becoming, still learning, and still rising—one obstacle at a time.