The one who guided me by Laniyah

The one who guided me by Laniyah - January 2025 Scholarship Essay

One person that has made a big impact on my education is my high school counselor, Ms. Queen. In my four years of high school she was not just a counselor, she was a mentor, an advocate and a cheerleader.

No one was as devoted to her students as Ms. Queen. The amount of extra support she gave me during this time made sure that I had all the tools of success and the extra push I needed as a student. Whenever I was having hard times — either academic or personal — she was always there to listen to me and provide me with good advice. She believed that I could do it even when, at times, I doubted myself, and pushed me to reach for opportunities that I thought were beyond my grasp.

This was especially true during my college application process. Whether it was helping me develop and refine my personal statements or connecting me with scholarship opportunities, she made sure I was ready to present my best self. Thanks to her mentorship, I received more than $1 million dollars in scholarships, paving the way to doors I had only envisioned before.

Beyond academics, Ms. Queen educated me on the importance of resilience and self-advocacy. She showed me the importance of my own voice and how I can be a change maker, both in my life and in my community. In providing for me, she has taught me lessons that I still apply in my own life as I pursue my education every day. The impact Ms. Queen left on me is one I will always treasure — and as I carry on what I hope to be her legacy, I hope I can inspire others just as she inspired me.