Challenges by Evalynn

Challenges by Evalynn - January 2025 Scholarship Essay

When I was younger, I felt different from other children; while they were reading books and spelling vocabulary words, I would be in the back of the class trying to figure out what all these different letters were. I felt weird not being able to do the things other kids my age could. It was even worse when my parents and teachers would go repeatedly on the same word and still, I did not understand. I despised reading and spelling so much I gave up on myself, until the fateful day we moved to Peaster ISD, where I met Ms. Hubbard and finally the word Dyslexia came into my life. She changed my life forever, from not being able to read or write to now, not being able to put a book down and writing just for fun. Reading and writing are a big part of my life, a passion of mine, and I will never forget about the school or teacher that changed my life.
When children think of school, they say it is a boring prison; however, for me school is one of my favorite places. When I hear my peers complain and say to one another, "who would ever enjoy going to school", I instantly think "I would!". School has gotten me so far in life, I have learned about so many different topics and learned new passions of mine, for instance my love of math, art, reading, writing, livestock showing, horse judging, animal science, and my newest, theater. Learning is amazing, your world grows bigger each time you learn something new.
Thanks to my school and my mother, I have overcome many of my struggles- Dyslexia, ADHD, Anxiety, Depression, social distancing, to the divorce of my parents.
At age six due to divorce, I moved from apartment to apartment. My social skills disappeared at a rapid pace. I had a challenging time talking to kids or making friends, my only friend being my imagination. I would imagine I was in a different world, with dragons and girl knights saving a fantasy kingdom. A world where people were friendly, parents were there for you, and you were the most confident person in the world. Still, after years of staying at the back of the playground in this world of imagination I was lonely, with no one really to talk to, fear of rejection haunted me, keeping me from making friends or trying out things in which I was interested. I had always loved the idea of plays and theater, pretending to be a different person, yet I never had the confidence to join, till my senior year when I fully bloomed out of my shell.
Freshman and sophomore year were times that I didn’t feel confident with myself; I was going to therapy weekly to deal with my anxiety and depression and I was starting to give up on myself once more, but my mother never gave up on me. She pushed me to be the best me I could be and did not let me give up. I did not fully understand what the best me could be till my mother gave me a study Bible. Ever since I opened my Bible and started reading; joy, love, and peace with God came over me. Knowing that the greatest being in the entire world loves me and is watching over me brought me great confidence in myself. I started speaking up for myself, coming up to new classmate with a smile, and trying new classes that the old me would’ve never had the confidence to do, like theater and UIL, as well as the joy of helping others can rushing into my life, with much thanks to NHS.
When I joined the National Honor Society (NHS), I was scared and anxious but over time, it became a joy of mine, and I started free tutoring for elementary through high schoolers. I have enjoyed NHS so much that I have stayed after school, and I get to school early each day.
I have learned when you shine bright the world becomes so much happier, and you are rewarded. Becoming student of the month, NHS member of the year my junior year, making A’s and B’s each year, and my 96.7 GPA are all rewards for my efforts to be a better me.
I would like to grow more and more in my knowledge, making the world a better place. The Varsity Tutors Scholarship would help me continue to build on my academic accomplishments and passions that started with Peaster ISD.