Finding My Voice by Ti'Anna

Finding My Voice by Ti'Anna - January 2026 Scholarship Essay

When filling out my very first sports registration, the form told me to pick which race I was, but I was only able to pick one. All my life, I've been taught to check a box - not just on forms, but on who I am allowed to be. I define identity not as a birthplace, but as a balancing act. Being mixed-race was difficult for me; I struggled with my true identity. Since adolescence, I’ve dreamt of creating change. At the time, I wasn’t quite sure how. But at seventeen years old, I now realize my way of achieving my aspiration is through law and politics.
As I became more interested in history, I realized that my struggle was not unique to me, but others went through a similar battle. I specifically remember learning how the government coerced people to choose a single-race identity while also reading about activists who embraced their identity and challenged the false idea that you must only be one race. It led me to realize that my discomfort was rooted in the unknown. Humans have always been confused about what to do with individuals who live “in between.” I recognized that my differences could not only act as a barrier, but also a bridge. Politics became my path of empowerment, not purely something to study.
I decided that I would not let my differences determine my place in society. I now play an active role at my school by participating in various extracurricular activities, both academically and athletically, and engaging in volunteer work. I plan to major in political science, actively participating in various debates, mock trials, student government, etc. I wish to develop a deep understanding of the inner workings of law while strengthening my analytical skills for my later professional career. Majoring in this will prepare me for the high rigor that will be introduced in law school. After furthering my education, my ultimate goal is to become a lawyer so I can represent people who may lack resources to advocate for themselves.
Studying the law is not just about being knowledgeable of the government, but also about being a part of changing it so that individuals like me don’t grow up with the same confusion. My challenges were not limitations, but sources of strength. I am no longer the little girl confused with her identity, but now the young woman who can live confidently in both. I will be able to use my personal experience to shine light on others who feel the same as me. Law is my true passion; I plan to pursue my aspiration so I can prove that you do not have to conceal the one thing you should be proud to represent: yourself.