My uncle by Angelina

My uncle by Angelina - February 2024 Scholarship Essay

My name is Angelina Genzano. I’m the first US born member in my family going to college. My family is from Peru and let me tell you, growing up in a Hispanic family, to say we are close is an understatement. Vacations every 4th of July, travel overseas, births, the family is always there.
Aunts are like moms and uncles are always ready to protect me. One of my aunts, Ada, is very special and close to me. She and her husband Hugo struggled to have kids, and it was heartbreaking for them. However, I knew nothing bad was going to happen, so I wasn’t surprised when they announced they were going to have a baby. The joy and happiness filled everyone in the family. Then 2020, Covid hit and became a part of our norm.
By the beginning of 2021 baby number two was on the way; you can probably imagine the excitement. At this point most of my family, including me, had gotten Covid; it felt like a bad flu instead of a deadly disease. I thought, Covid could never destroy my family. But it did.
The days passed by and hit September, my birthday. My big sweet 16 party was coming up. My aunt couldn’t come because her family had covid, which was understandable. The rest of my family came, but I could tell the worry on their faces when my aunt texted. Me, I was having a good time but couldn’t understand why everyone was so scared. My uncle wasn’t feeling strong, so my Aunt Adad insisted he go to the hospital. The last I heard was that he was getting better.
Something changed... I woke up one day to yells and sobs. I was so scared and couldn’t realize what was wrong, so I ran to where the terrifying sounds were coming from. It was my mom, kneeling on the ground, repeating the word “no”. The words coming out of her mouth were unreal and didn’t register in my mind. “Hugo passed away”. Was I in a nightmare? I just sat on my bed in silence. It hit like a bowling ball in my chest. This was happening.
We left that same day to Florida. I was scared to see my aunt, the kids. The house was perfect, like I thought my family was. However, the insides were not so perfect. My aunt hugged me so tight, I never wanted to let go. My cousins, left without a dad, were playing happily; they didn’t understand the permanency of their dad’s death since they were so young.
I realized bad things can happen to anyone and you can’t control it. I write about this because it was a moment that changed my life and influenced my understanding of the world and how short life can be. I was shuffling through AP classes, a solo part in my choir, honors choir, club soccer, and school soccer. I should have been happy, but I wasn’t. I started crying more for no reason and even disconnected from my parents. I wouldn’t talk about my feelings because they were so unreal. I never believed in therapy, but my mom made me go. It really helped to talk to someone who didn’t know me.
What really helped me was to see how my aunt got back on her feet for her kids. I’m happy to say my aunt is wonder woman. Yes, the superhero. She thrives everyday with two toddlers. To see her get up from how heartbroken she was is incredible.
After doing some therapy and understanding my feelings, I understand that life can be short and cherishing every moment is important. I aspire to succeed and take advantage of the opportunity and make a difference in my family as the first natural born US citizen from my family to attend college. My family Has helped me realize that I want to be an accountant. Help widowed moms or any family in need that needs an extra hand. Many is the main product that causes stress and problems. People , like my aunt, have gone through so much. I want to help those in need. My uncle dying has allowed me to notice my passion for help others. Im also good and enjoy math. Putting my care and math together I have decided on accounting.