Life often resembles a work of art as its layers build up over time; some layers are vibrant, while others are dark and muted, yet they’re still part of me. Each obstacle left a mark on me, shaped me, and at times almost broke me. My parents are immigrants from Nigeria and raised me in a low-income family. We didn’t have a lot, but they worked tirelessly to support the family, often sacrificing their own dreams. Their principles drew a strong line for me, setting my intentions on paying it back to them and creating my own piece. I want to develop a life that is unapologetically mine, while remaining loyal to my background. Middle school was like a rough sketch. My confidence faded in the background, while self-doubt and isolation came into the foreground. After being bullied, the marks that dented me affected my self-concept. The more I hid about what I was going through, the greater the feelings of overwhelm were. My mental and physical health were at a vulnerable moment, and even then, I didn’t want to illustrate my life like this. I was determined to build myself back up and reclaim my voice. I found early on that art and self-expression were my guides that initiated my development. High school introduced bold colors to this canvas, and I began to define the identity I wanted to build. I pushed myself further with community service, club leadership, competitions, and dual enrollment courses. Each experience pushed me, helping me value the benefit of connecting with others and engaging in support. High school taught me how I could not only push limits but also refine those limitations into skills that define who I am. Then, everything I once had planned seemed to tear apart. Entering college in my first semester, a serious car accident presented challenges I did not anticipate financially, academically, and emotionally. I had to take a leave of absence from school while I worked through huge legal, medical, transportation, and academic bills. Adjusting to life in a new state with limited resources was difficult. Everything seemed gray, like the bold colors of my life had faded away. I was solely working when I could, eventually putting a down payment on a used car. Slowly, the torn pieces of life began to mend back together. Another defining layer of my journey has been experiencing my mother’s decline in mental health over the duration of my life, which has now prevented her from working. My mother faces episodes of psychosis, bipolar disorder, and dissociation, among others. Watching the person I grew up with drastically change has been taxing, but it has built patience, adaptability, and grit. Every time my family goes through another challenge, it becomes a defining part of my life. It pushes me to turn pain into purpose because I want to help my future and my family’s future. While I have not finished my story, every challenge has helped me turn limitations into strength. Today, I am full-time back in school. While I am busy, I persist and plan to continue. I want to finish my graphic design degree and hone my skills because I want to acknowledge my parents' work. So often it is the hardest layers that contribute to the whole composition, and this is definitely one worth sharing. With patience and persistence, I turned the unknown into a story known by most, and a story that can teach and inspire others. I’m ready to step out in the world, explore new opportunities, and continue along the journey where life leads me.