Fostor Care
San Luis Obispo Scholarship Statement
I had everything a little girl could want. Endless toys, clothes, activities, and attention. I was involved in cheer, dance, gymnastics, cooking classes, swim, and had play dates with friends. But what I remember most was, at the end of every day, I was tucked in bed and was told “i love you” by my parents. I felt secure, happy, safe, and loved. But the dream of my picture perfect childhood ended abruptly. I'm seventeen years old, but even now I can remember everything from that year, down to the smallest detail. My name is Sarah Wick. This is my story; I promise to leave nothing out.
My family and I moved to Paso Robles from San Luis Obispo when I was in the middle of my 4th grade year. I attended a new school where I was bullied and didn't have any friends. My life at home wasn't much better because my parents had started drinking alcohol uncontrollably. As the alcohol intake increased, so did the verbal and physical abuse. As a 10 year old, I couldn't understand what happened for my family to change so much. I relived the past often in my mind, bringing it back to life, and realized when I did, I felt a strange combination of sadness and joy. Joyful that I got to experience such love, sadness because it just wasn't the same anymore. There are times that I wish I could take all the sadness and hardships away, but feel that if I did, the joy and strength I have gained from these hardships would be gone as well.
I tried so hard for so long to make my life go back to the way it used to be. But it seemed as if every year got more and more difficult. My happy childhood was long gone and replaced with overwhelming hurt and frustration I felt towards my parents. Despite all the conflict at home, I was very good at hiding my problems and staying busy by continuing to get good grades, participating in cheer, and holding a part-time job. Succeeding in school has always remained a priority to me because I knew that
I had everything a little girl could want. Endless toys, clothes, activities, and attention. I was involved in cheer, dance, gymnastics, cooking classes, swim, and had play dates with friends. But what I remember most was, at the end of every day, I was tucked in bed and was told “i love you” by my parents. I felt secure, happy, safe, and loved. But the dream of my picture perfect childhood ended abruptly. I'm seventeen years old, but even now I can remember everything from that year, down to the smallest detail. My name is Sarah Wick. This is my story; I promise to leave nothing out.
My family and I moved to Paso Robles from San Luis Obispo when I was in the middle of my 4th grade year. I attended a new school where I was bullied and didn't have any friends. My life at home wasn't much better because my parents had started drinking alcohol uncontrollably. As the alcohol intake increased, so did the verbal and physical abuse. As a 10 year old, I couldn't understand what happened for my family to change so much. I relived the past often in my mind, bringing it back to life, and realized when I did, I felt a strange combination of sadness and joy. Joyful that I got to experience such love, sadness because it just wasn't the same anymore. There are times that I wish I could take all the sadness and hardships away, but feel that if I did, the joy and strength I have gained from these hardships would be gone as well.
I tried so hard for so long to make my life go back to the way it used to be. But it seemed as if every year got more and more difficult. My happy childhood was long gone and replaced with overwhelming hurt and frustration I felt towards my parents. Despite all the conflict at home, I was very good at hiding my problems and staying busy by continuing to get good grades, participating in cheer, and holding a part-time job. Succeeding in school has always remained a priority to me because I knew that