The nomination for the Rising Scholar Award lit a fire in me. But with recognition came pressure — expectations, attention, and responsibilities I never thought I'd have to carry.
Suddenly, I was speaking at workshops, helping first-year students, and even representing my department at events. Some people congratulated me; others watched in silence, wondering how someone like me had come this far.
But I knew the truth: I hadn't come this far alone.
Tope was always in the background, reminding me to breathe, to focus, to stay grounded. She never asked for credit, but she deserved all of it.
Then one afternoon, the school held a cultural day. Students from different countries performed, cooked, danced — it was beautiful. Tope stood up and delivered a spoken-word piece titled "From Shadows to Light." It was about growth, about pain, about resilience.
By the time she finished, there wasn't a dry eye in the room — not even mine.
That night, I told her, "You know, if anyone deserves an award, it's you."
She laughed. "I don't need an award. Seeing you like this… this is enough."
In that moment, I realized that true success isn't just about grades or praise — it's about breaking the barriers inside yourself, and then helping others break theirs too.