Yohannes Academic Scholarship

One of the obstacles I have overcome was the adversity of growing up as a black girl in predominantly white schools. I faced an obstacle of learning to love myself in an environment that didn’t always reflect or value my identity. Majority of my childhood, I struggled with self-acceptance, feeling disconnected from both my peers and even from myself at times. My journey to self-love was long and often difficult, but it has shaped who I am today and continues to influence how I navigate the world. From a young age, I was aware of the fact that I didn’t look like the majority of the children around me. Most of my classmates had fair skin, straight hair, blue eyes and features that aligned with the "beauty standards" For me I had thick 4c hair, darker skin, and fuller features. I often heard comments about my hair, the way I talk, or my skin color. I heard well-meaning but misguided remarks like, “Your hair is so big,” or “You’re so pretty for a Black girl,” which left me feeling like my identity was something that needed to be measured against a standard that was never mine to begin with. The turning point came during high school when I started to meet other young Black girls who embraced their natural beauty and their culture. They taught me to value my hair, my skin, and my background. Soon, I started to work through those thoughts of self-doubt and began to embrace who I was, as my authentic self. I started wearing my natural hair, stopped feeling ashamed of my slang, the way I talk, and began to see the beauty in my blackness. The journey of finding self love didn’t happen overnight. It took time but as I learned to love myself, I also learned how to stand up for myself. I stopped brushing off things like racism and microaggressions and started calling them out. I became more confident in who I am and learned to speak up for why representation and inclusivity are so important Looking ahead, I will apply the lessons of self-love to my future endeavors. I've realized that my worth isn’t about how other people see me, but how I see myself. This has given me the confidence to face challenges without worrying about being judged or rejected. I’ve learned that being Black is something to be proud of, not something that holds me back. I want to inspire others—especially young Black girls—to love and embrace who they are, regardless of societal pressures or stereotypes. Overall, the obstacle of learning self-love as a Black girl in a predominantly white environment taught me the importance of authenticity, self-worth, and resilience. By embracing my identity and recognizing its power, I’ve gained the strength to face any challenge that comes my way and to encourage others to do the same.

The shots rang out. To many it was just another conflict in Sudan, but to my family it was the end of the world. My family fled on foot walking for days after having most of the people in their village murdered. I could vividly smell the stench of dead bodies when my mother described it to me. It was hell on Earth and my family lived it. When my family lived in refugee camps, they saw hundreds of people lying on their deathbed from malaria. But the illnesses did not just affect people around them, they slowly crept into our family. Which is the reality my family faced before coming to the U.S. from South Sudan. A reality that affected me growing up in America. At a very young age, I realized what it took for my family to be here today. They came to the U.S. with nothing but the clothes they wore on their backs. The transition to America was not kind, and how could it have been for two parents, 7 kids, many who were not their own. The culture of the U.S. did not suit my parents. Because of the difficulty of learning all of the little things at once from how to get a driver's license. To having experienced the stressors associated with being a minority. Which exacerbated the situation of these newly arrived Americans. Then soon after my parents were separated and my single mother worked 2 jobs. My mother needed my help. So, at a young age, I decided that I would become a man that could support his family. I help take care of and discipline my siblings. Since none of my other siblings would. I read mail for my dad because he doesn’t understand English. I work so I can get school supplies, and take care of my paralyzed brother & his children. But the trials and tribulations don't end there. Drug addiction is slowly taking away my family members. When my brother was shot in the head and paralyzed from the waist down it instilled unnecessary fear in me. I’m here today, shaped by countless blessings and adversity. I’ve lived in poverty most of my life. But, I still move forward because my mother has instilled in me the importance of striving for excellence in education. Since a lack of a formal education and obstacles is what limited my mother’s potential. Without an education, countless doors that were in her reach remained closed. My mother sacrificed a lot to get me where I am today and her hard work can only secure us so much. So it is my duty to open all the doors that were closed to her. The American dream is the belief that anyone, regardless of what they face, can attain their own version of success. So, I know it is not born in wealth or handed to you. I would like to imagine the American dream is in me. A boy who has lived in poverty most of his life and raised in a household of ten by a single mother. That is using education to become an engineer for many reasons, some greedy, but coming from nothing, I can afford to be a little greedy. Although I’m a sapling I believe I will grow to be a great tree, but that vision can’t be achieved if I don't plant my roots in a diverse and nurturing environment. So, the torch that has been carried by my mother, Victoria Angelo, is now in my hands and with it I shall achieve greatness.