From Invisible to Heard by Venus

From Invisible to Heard by Venus - September 2025 Scholarship Essay

Over the next ten years, I hope education changes in a way that really fits every student. When I came to the U.S. from Cameroon, I didn’t feel like I belonged. At home, I knew my culture. In school, I often felt lost. I’m a visual learner. I remember things best when I can see them, draw them, or picture them. Other students might learn by listening, doing, or talking things through. For too long, schools have expected everyone to learn the same way. I don’t think that works.

  I hope classrooms start to recognize how different students learn. Lessons should be flexible. Teachers could use drawings, hands-on activities, group work, and technology to help students explore ideas in ways that make sense to them. Students should feel comfortable asking questions, making mistakes, and trying again. That’s how learning actually happens.

  I also want students to feel like their voices matter. When I tutored younger students, especially kids who were new to school, I realized how much a little encouragement helps. Explaining a problem in a different way, drawing a diagram, or just showing patience could make someone finally understand something they’d struggled with for weeks. Students should leave school feeling confident to speak up, share ideas, and take risks.

  I hope schools also focus on skills that really matter in life—problem-solving, critical thinking, creativity, and empathy. Learning should connect to real-life challenges, not just memorizing facts for tests. Students should be prepared to make decisions, help their communities, and try new things. Technology, mentors, and flexible lessons can all work together to make school more inspiring, fair, and useful.

  In the next ten years, I hope education becomes a place where every student is seen, understood, and empowered. Differences should be celebrated, learning should be active and engaging, and every student should have the tools to succeed in their own way. Education should be more than memorization—it should be a journey where curiosity, creativity, and confidence grow in every student.