About Zuriana by Zuriana

About Zuriana by Zuriana - March 2026 Scholarship Essay

I was born with nystagmus, which is an incurable condition that causes involuntary eye movement and limits my vision to 20/200 uncorrected. Doctors told my parents that I would fall behind, struggle in school, and face challenges with coordination. However, my parents never shared those limits with me. They never used the word “disability.” Instead, they set high expectations for me.

I was always held to the same standard as my older siblings. That standard followed me into my academics, where I started school in a French immersion program. No one else in my family spoke French, so I had to navigate assignments and comprehension on my own. It was frustrating at times, but also empowering. I became an independent learner and started to advocate for myself.

Living with nystagmus means learning requires extra effort. Reading the board, taking notes, and taking exams all take more time and focus. I use large-print materials and extended testing time, but being pulled out of class often made me feel different. Over time, I realized that “different” isn’t bad, it’s the bridge from equality to equity. My accommodations aren’t weaknesses but are necessary for me to thrive on a level playing field. My visual challenges made me feel isolated. Some classmates treated me with pity and doubted my abilities, which caused insecurity. Instead of letting that define me, I decided to define myself. I researched my condition so I could explain it to others, and I endured two surgeries to improve my quality of life. I focused on what I could control and learned to see my condition not as a limitation but as part of what makes me strong.

That mindset has been applied to every area of my life. Academically, I’ve earned a 4.38 GPA, taken seven AP courses, and been recognized as an AP Scholar. I’m a member of the National Honor Society (where I serve as Marketing Manager), the National French Honor Society (where I serve as President), and the National English Honor Society. I also earned the National Seal of Biliteracy in French, a national honor recognizing students who achieve advanced proficiency in two languages. For me, it represents years of perseverance, independence, and a genuine love for cultures.

My leadership goes beyond the classroom. I have served as Student Government Treasurer. I am currently Co-Captain of the varsity cheerleading team and a mentor and tutor to underclassmen. I am also a Union Leader at school, where I lead spiritual retreats and help others grow in faith. I launched my own business, CasesbyZuri, where I design and sell custom phone cases across the state. I also manage social media marketing for Fortunately Sold.
Faith and service matter to me. I’ve volunteered at church, organized food drives, and participated in a mission trip that changed my perspective on compassion. Seeing people from different walks of life face their own challenges reminded me that everyone struggles with something, and mine just so happens to be visible. That realization deepened my desire to help others feel seen.

Through every challenge, I’ve gained clarity. I’ve succeeded because I saw beyond what others expected. I’ve never allowed nystagmus to define my capabilities. Being comfortable with myself and my condition helps others feel comfortable with themselves and their own challenges. I believe we can all be a source of strength for each other. My “vision” may be different, but it allows me to see clearly what truly matters: purpose, empathy, and possibility. I know that I will never have perfect 20/20 vision, and I am at peace with that because perfection is subjective, and my view of perfection happens to be 20/200.