discussion

The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

When I was 11 years old, my world changed in a way I never imagined. Before then, I believed my family was just like the ones I saw in movies and television shows—happy, loving, and complete. Even though my parents argued sometimes, I never thought those disagreements would lead to divorce. As a child, I believed those kinds of things happened to other families, not mine.

In 2020, everything changed. My parents told us they were getting divorced, and suddenly the life I had always known no longer existed. At 11 years old, I was still learning about the world around me, but I was forced to face a reality I wasn’t prepared for. The home I grew up in became two separate homes, family traditions changed, and I struggled to understand why everything was happening.

At first, I kept my emotions to myself. I buried myself in school, cheerleading, and spending time with friends because I thought pretending everything was okay would somehow make it easier. I smiled on the outside, but inside I was trying to make sense of a situation I couldn’t control. I questioned whether my family would ever feel whole again.

As the oldest sibling, I quickly realized that I couldn’t only think about myself. My little sister looked up to me, and I knew she was just as confused and hurt as I was. Even when I wanted someone to comfort me, I found myself being the one reassuring her that everything would be okay. I tried to stay positive because I didn’t want her to feel alone. Without realizing it, I was forced to grow up much faster than most kids my age. I learned how to put someone else’s needs before my own while still trying to process my own emotions.

Over time, I realized that families don’t have to look perfect to be filled with love. My parents’ marriage ended, but they never stopped being my parents. Watching them continue to support my sister and me despite everything taught me that strength isn’t pretending nothing is wrong—it’s choosing to keep moving forward even when life doesn’t go as planned.

Looking back, my parents’ divorce was one of the most difficult experiences of my childhood, but it also shaped the person I am today. It taught me resilience, adaptability, and responsibility. Most importantly, it taught me that I can’t control every obstacle life puts in front of me, but I can control how I respond. That experience made me stronger, more compassionate, and more mature than I ever expected to be at such a young age. Those lessons continue to guide me as I prepare for the next chapter of my life.