Theresa Lord Future Leader Scholarship

A simple gold wedding ring sits on my finger, but within its presence lies a vitalizing, multifaceted narrative. The ring transports me to Ethiopia: Addis Ababa, 1999. My sweet mother smiles; her new ring shimmers as the beaming sun radiates upon her calm face. Becoming a Christian in an anti-Protestant society, she faced immense injustices as her father strived to kill her. Disowned by her family, she was left with a ring, a visa, and $500. While fleeing to the land of the free, fear gripped her mind as she pondered her circumstances: “Am I qualified to live in a new land?” Tears escaped from her eyes as she examined the dimming ring on her finger. However, as she took her first steps onto American soil, determination implanted within her heart. Though struggling to learn English, my mother became a US citizen and completed college. While raising two headstrong babies, she accomplished her dreams of becoming a nurse. She took the coal given to her and transformed it into a gleaming diamond. She had finally accomplished the American dream. Sixteen years after her transition, it is now 2014 in Aurora, Colorado. My mother sits me down inside of our brightly-lit home. My 10 year-old-eyes widened as she pulled off the wedding ring from her finger and slid it onto mine. She whispered, “This is why I came to America.” As I heard her story, my ears tingled with fascination. Gazing at my mother, I saw courage flicker beyond her brown eyes. Looking down at the stunning ring, I wondered: “Can I mirror the courageous tenacity my mother had formed?”Frightened by this confrontation, I resorted to isolation as my slight stutter and Ethiopian accent hindered my speaking abilities. Unknowingly, the seeds of curiosity germinated within my heart. As I continued to wear my ring, I allowed myself to explore my range of courage. When asked to lead worship and teach bible studies at my local church, I felt the roots of dauntlessness tug on my heart. I taught and led worship for three years and helped others experience the freedom of worship. As my mother’s bravery, endurance, and tenacity influenced my actions, I hoped to carry forward this impact into other children’s lives as I poured into service. Energized, I stepped into leadership roles within my community. I joined the Aurora Police Department’s Chief’s Youth Advisory Team, where I communicated with Chief Wilson and her team. I gained their perspective about police brutality and the efforts they take to decrease its presence. In an interview, I voiced my beliefs, reaching 6,000 people nationwide. I met with the Aurora mayor and discussed my viewpoints with the Arapahoe District Attorney. As I learned from my mother’s dependability, service, leadership, and patriotism, I allowed the roots of these qualities to sprout into a fruitful tree in me. Though the seeds of these qualities were small, they grew as I impacted my nation; I sought to give back to the nation that has given me so much. Throughout my life, I will continue to reflect upon the ring that writes my own narrative.