2025 Saba Mekuria Layton HS

Pain Leads to Purpose

My drive to pursue education and enter the field of law comes from a deeply rooted desire to honor the sacrifices and dreams of my immigrant parents. They arrived here with almost nothing but managed to build a foundation, emphasizing the importance of education even though they couldn’t fully utilize it themselves. As time went on, my dad got in a life-threatening car accident. He broke almost all of his ribs, was in a coma for 9 days, and was as lucky to survive that day. I was 7 years old. After that, every day was a ongoing obstacle course that we had to cross. My mom began to work, as she would now become the main source of stable income for the rest of my life. My mom didn’t know how to drive and didn’t have a babysitter either. She started working with a family friend who let me and my sister come sit with my mom as she made our cultural bread, Injera. We would walk a couple miles to the bus stop, and then take the hour bus ride to her work. The commute was a challenge itself. My dad was working on and off after that, trying to avoid his permanent body aches mainly in his back. He worked long shifts, previously balancing 2-3 jobs at a time. Year after year, his pain got worse. I remember little me prepping my dads lunch so that my mom wouldn’t have to worry about it and she could rest for her long days at work. Beginning of 2020, my whole word fell apart. I freshly got covid, my dad got laid off his job, he became greatly ill, and my grandma back in Ethiopia got diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. With the spike of covid, and my mom only having her green card prevented her from going back to Ethiopia to see her. In the span of weeks, I became responsible for many tasks and had to face adulthood at a young age. These obstacles would change the way I viewed reality for the rest of my life. My grandma later passed away in March that year, and I had to become my mom and dads support system. I took time off school to support my dad. The countless E.R. trips, watching my own father suffer and live off an oxygen tube, while my moms world fell apart from losing her own mother. My sophomore year of high school I was balancing the impossible along with maintaining my 3.9 GPA. All this pressure left me mentally ill, but who had time to take care of me? I overlooked my own health, as I was putting all my time in taking care of my parents. My mom returned to work and my dad was at home all the time unless it was to go to the hospital. I struggled to keep myself healthy, and in late 2023, I was diagnosed with sever anxiety and depression. I was put on medications that would slowly bring myself back to being myself. This instilled in me a profound sense of responsibility and determination to complete what my parents have started. By becoming one of the first in my family to enter the field of law, I aim to break barriers and set a precedent for future generations. My journey is not just about personal achievement but about giving back to my community and using my skills to make a meaningful impact. I want to return home and help my people, ensuring that the opportunities my parents sought are accessible to others. In essence, my pursuit of a legal career is a testament to my parents’ resilience and a commitment to creating a legacy of empowerment and justice for my community. I envision a future where I can advocate for those who are often unheard and provide legal support to those in need. By doing so, I am not only fulfilling my parents’ dreams but also paving the way for a more just and equitable society. This mission fuels my passion and dedication, driving me to excel in my studies and future legal career. This is how I cope.