Jean Antoine Joas Scholarship

My friend group had been inseparable since elementary school. We all grew up together, experiencing the joys and struggles of adolescence side by side. We were all like family, and we were always there for each other. But everything changed when Gabriel committed suicide. I remember the day I found out. I was at home, trying to concentrate on my schoolwork, when I received a text from one of our friends. The message was simple but devastating: Gabriel was gone. I was in disbelief. I couldn't believe that one of our own had succumbed to such a terrible fate. The next few weeks were a blur. My group and I tried to return to our studies, but it was hard to focus. We were grieving, and it was taking a toll on us. It was during this time that I realized how important my friendships were to me. I had always known that I loved my friends, but Gabriel's death showed me just how much they meant to me. We leaned on each other for support, and we were there for each other through every moment of grief. As time passed, we began to heal. We talked about Gabriel, sharing memories and stories about our time with him. We talked about how we wished he was still with us, and how we would do anything to bring him back. But we also talked about how we could honor his memory, and how we could make the most of the time we have with the people we love. That experience taught me that life is fleeting. We never know how much time we have with the people we love, and we should cherish every moment. It also showed me the importance of fostering deep, meaningful connections with the people in our lives. These are the relationships that sustain us through life's hardest moments, and they are the ones that bring us the greatest joy. Further, overcoming this hardship has lit a fire inside of me to never let something like this happen again. As I prepare to enter the world of engineering, I know that I will face new challenges. I will have to work in groups, and I will have to build connections with my classmates and colleagues. But I am up for the challenge. I have a burning desire to fight for the kind of deep, lifelong relationships that I have with my friend group. I want to create a community where everyone feels seen and heard, where we can support each other through thick and thin, and where anybody that is going through difficult times or struggling with mental health can get the help they need. I will not let this happen again. I know that this won't be easy. Building meaningful relationships takes time and effort. It requires vulnerability, honesty, and a willingness to put yourself out there. But I am ready to do the work. I am ready to fight for the kind of community that I know is possible, one where we lift each other up and help each other grow. Gabriel's death taught me so much about life and what is truly important. It taught me the importance of cherishing the time we have with our loved ones and the importance of building deep, meaningful relationships. It has ignited an unextinguishable fire inside of me to never let something similar happen again. As I enter the engineering world, I am ready to fight for these kinds of relationships and to build a healthy community that will sustain each other through life's hardest moments.