Only Five by Eve

Only Five by Eve - January 2025 Scholarship Essay

Kindergarten is where the journey of education starts for most students; it started there for me as well.
My first teacher, Lisa Beard, was the person who showed me learning could be fun. In her class, songs and skittles were plenty. I started reading because of her, and to this day, I have not stopped. During several of our class field trips, I clung to her throughout the day and without fail, I would then fall asleep on her on the way home. She was my mom away from home.
Even after I left her classroom, she never left me. Every year she would stop by to wish me a happy birthday when it came around. She supported me at my field hockey games throughout middle school and high school, and she came to my high school graduation. No matter where I have been in my life, she has been supporting me.
Up until this year, I have been giving her updates on my college journey regularly. Sadly, she passed away on Halloween. She had been battling breast cancer as long as I have known her. It had spread to her brain and spine as of this year, and it was simply too much. She had battled long enough.
This writing is for her. She has always supported me in my endeavors, and she will continue to do so in her passing. I have her to thank for any accomplishments that I achieve.