My Story & Dream by Jahmari

My Story & Dream by Jahmari - December 2024 Scholarship Essay

For much of my early life, I just kind of drifted through my education life like it was a given. I was a kind of a passive observer, coasting by with minimal effort, and had little ambition. However, a pivotal moment towards the end of my sophomore year ignited a kind of spark in me, which propelled me on a transformative journey.

It began with a simple YouTube search. Initially, I was forced by my parents to begin my career search and find out what I wanted to do in life. I approached the task with quite the attitude, as I believed I would follow some “Get rich quick scheme” found all over the Internet. But as I delved deeper, I found something. I was captivated by the design process, problem-solving, and innovation. Engineering, the challenge of transforming abstract concepts into tangible realities ignited a passion within me. I realized that engineering was more than just a subject; it was a powerful tool to shape the world around me.

Everything has a concept of engineering in it.

This newfound passion fueled my academic pursuits. I immersed myself in challenging coursework, taking on advanced classes that I previously did not take in my previous years to start building my foundation. The initial struggles were hard, but the satisfaction of overcoming obstacles fueled me. I sought out mentors, researched about engineering, and participated in various things around my community that have a form of engineering, like the JEA tours. I was eager to learn from others and apply my knowledge to real-world problems.

One particularly transformative experience was seeing my school’s robotics team. That day I was making up a test after school, in our school’s robotics room. There, members of the team were building and programming robots. “Robots are cool,” said some random engineer. And I COMPLETELY agree with him.

This propelled me into the research of mechanical engineering. And then I learned mechanical engineering encompasses everything. From robots, to machines, to designing things, to building, it had it all.

That’s what I want to study.

Other than my passion I also love my community and I want to build it. Beyond engineering and academics, I sought opportunities to give back to my community. I tutored struggling peers, helping them develop the confidence and skills necessary to succeed. I joined an environmental club in order to help educate and restore our city. I also became an Ambassador for my school to help new and incoming families and students integrate into our school and also manage various events. These experiences reinforced my belief in my assistance to empower individuals and uplift communities.

The journey from a passive observer to a passionate pursuer has been both challenging and rewarding. I have learned the importance of embracing challenges, seeking out opportunities, and persevering in the face of difficulties. I am eager to continue my academic journey, to explore the art of engineering, utilize it and make a positive impact on the world through this scholarship opportunity. Thanks Varsity Tutors!!