Breaking Barriers by Xitllali

Breaking Barriers by Xitllali - May 2026 Scholarship Essay

For most of my life, growing up, I was raised as an only child. If there’s one thing that comes with being alone in your household is learning how to be an adult before you even reach that age. As soon as I was able to care for myself, my father instilled in me independence. This was for many reasons, one being for my own benefit, but mainly because he wouldn’t be by my side forever, like any parent. The cycle of life is designed to be that way: first the parents, then the children, then the grandchildren, so on and so forth. However, for me, my dad could be taken from me sooner than I'd desire. He’s been ill since he was my age, but recently he was diagnosed with a severe organ failure that concerned us all. Like any head of the house, we really depend on him for all our needs. This weighed heavily on me, physically and mentally. I feared what life would be like without my support. Despite this sudden life-changing news, I had to keep my head up. Even though it’s not the easiest thing to do, it's what my father has always prepared me for. This journey we call life isn’t always smooth sailing, but as long as you remain looking forward, the waters clear up with time. Instead of using this time for my family as a setback, I took it as a new beginning, A new, different chapter in our lives. Sometimes worry still stumbles in, but no feeling is greater than persistence and drive. I push myself more than ever and stay focused on my studies because a bright future awaits. My father will get through this, and I will break barriers for myself, my success, and my dad.