Different by Allison

Different by Allison - April 2025 Scholarship Essay

I am majoring in Children's and Family Ministry in college. As I grew up in the church and became a leader, I noticed many issues in regards to modesty, mainly young girls being unjustly targeted. Girls would wear modest outfits yet still be shamed for their clothing. This saddens me because it creates a hyperfocus on appearance, body image, and agenda, distracting these girls from the true purpose of church. It heightens insecurities and can make them anxious about attending, which is the opposite of what church should be. Moreover, many parts of the Bible are taken out of context by men to justify their actions toward women. This greatly upsets me because it isn’t the true meaning of Scripture. No man, in or out of the church, should use the Bible to excuse or sickeningly justify their own behavior. As I pursue this major in school and step into these issues more deeply, I want to be both a light and a voice for those who struggle to speak out. I plan to advocate for those facing these challenges, knowing firsthand how difficult it is to speak up when silence feels easier. Wherever I work in the future, I know I will find like-minded people who share my convictions about these issues. Even if I don’t, I will still stand up and speak my mind because I can’t let anyone else go through these issues alone.