Losing a parent is an earth-shattering experience, but losing a parent to suicide adds layers of grief, confusion, and financial instability that few can truly understand. When my father took his own life, he not only left behind emotional scars but also a financial void that my twin brother and I were forced to navigate. He did not leave us any inheritance or financial security, and the sudden loss threw our college plans into uncertainty. Instead of focusing solely on our education and future aspirations, we had to worry about how to survive each day, how to afford tuition, and how to move forward without the safety net that many of our peers had. We had my mom sign high interest student loans.

My dads passing exposed the harsh reality of financial instability when there is no adequate life insurance coverage. He had no safety measures in place for us, which meant that my brother and I were left entirely on our own. Had he taken the steps to secure life insurance, we would have had a financial cushion to rely on during this difficult time. This coverage could have ensured that we stayed on track with our college plans, affording tuition without excessive loans or the constant stress of making ends meet. Instead, we were left scrambling, applying for scholarships, seeking part-time jobs, and trying to piece together a way to stay in school. If he had proper life insurance, my family’s situation would have been drastically different. We would have had the financial stability to grieve and heal without the overwhelming stress of survival. The loss of a loved one is difficult enough, but financial insecurity compounded the pain, forcing us to become independent far sooner than expected.

In response to these challenges, I have taken significant steps to provide for myself and my brother. The first and most immediate step was securing part-time work to help cover basic expenses. I have juggled multiple jobs while maintaining my college coursework, determined not to let financial hardship derail my education. Additionally, I have applied for every scholarship and grant available, ensuring that I leave no stone unturned in seeking financial aid. Being on the President’s List has also opened doors for merit-based opportunities, which has alleviated some financial strain.

Beyond just providing for myself, I have also supported my brother emotionally and financially whenever possible. We lean on each other because we understand our struggles in ways that no one else can. When one of us is feeling overwhelmed, the other steps up to offer encouragement and practical help. In many ways, losing our father forced us to become more than just siblings; we became each other’s strongest allies and sources of stability.

While the journey has been anything but easy, it has instilled in me resilience, determination, and an appreciation for financial planning. I now
understand the importance of preparing for the unexpected and ensuring that loved ones are not left to struggle unnecessarily. My experiences have shaped my future goals, motivating me to succeed despite the obstacles. Though my father’s absence has left a void that can never truly be filled, I am determined to build a life that honors my perseverance and strength.

Never would I have thought I’d be 20 years old without a father. On January 31, 2025, my world changed forever. The passing of my father—a kind, hardworking man who dedicated everything to providing for his family—left us with not only the emotional weight of his absence but with a financial reality we weren’t prepared for. I am the proud successor of my father. His love and sacrifices have shaped who I am today, however his absence has forced me to take on responsibilities that no child should have to bear so soon.

My father was born with a heart condition that made life insurance inaccessible, leaving my mother, my sister, and I without a financial safety net. My mother, a part-time preschool teacher, does not make a livable salary nor does she receive health insurance through her job. This is one of many pieces that has left our family struggling to navigate this new reality, while still deep in the ruins of grief. With my sister also in college and no financial aid available to us, the brunt of managing our household’s finances fell on me. I stepped into this role because my mother, despite her best efforts, was unfamiliar with handling such responsibilities. Balancing bills, tuition, and daily expenses became an unexpected but necessary part of my life.

Losing my father has deeply impacted my college plans. As a student-athlete pursuing a BS/MS in Molecular and Cellular Biology, I have committed myself to academic and athletic excellence. However, the financial strain has left me uncertain about how I will continue my education. The rigorous demands of Division I athletics significantly limit my ability to work traditional jobs, making financial independence even more challenging. Without my father’s support, I am faced with difficult decisions about affording tuition, housing, and other expenses while striving to complete my degree and pursue further education.

Had my father been eligible for adequate life insurance, my family’s situation would be vastly different. We would have had the financial stability to grieve without the immediate stress of how we would afford our futures. My mother wouldn’t have had to worry about how to support two college students on a part-time teacher’s salary. I wouldn’t have had to take on the overwhelming responsibility of managing our household’s finances while trying to succeed academically and athletically. Instead, we are learning to move forward with these hardships as best we can, finding strength in each other and with my father’s spirit in mind.

This scholarship represents more than just financial assistance—it is a lifeline that would allow me to continue pursuing my education without the constant fear of financial instability. It would give me the opportunity to excel in many avenues without the expense of other commitments, and carve out a future that my father would be proud of. Though his absence has reshaped my life in ways I never anticipated, continuing the life he set the stage for is honoring him the way I know how.

As a 17-year-old senior in high school, I have already lost both of my fathers. I lost my stepdad in eighth grade due to a motorcycle accident. I lost my Father just this summer, due to suicide. After he passed, I felt angry that I had a father taken each summer of the year I was going to be graduating. That each death made us more financially unstable because neither had life insurance. I felt very unmotivated to do anything for the next couple of weeks. All I could think about was my little brother who was only 15 at the time. Rex didn’t have life insurance and a mound of medical bills due to the accident so, I have had a job since I was 15 trying to help out my mom with my brother and bills. I went to the courthouse to get special approval for a work pass. Fortunately, I ranked first in my class. allowing them to sign off on my pass. I remember having extra money to use for myself on things I wanted or to go out and eat with friends.

Now, with both fathers gone, and no life insurance I had to work extra to keep up with the bills and prepare for upcoming college expenses. Extra spending money became non-existent, and I begged my mom to look into getting life insurance. I didn’t want this to happen to me for the third time. Currently, I have 4 jobs to help provide for my family. I babysit and umpire throughout the week and weekends, I have a full-time job working at Dollar Tree, and throughout summer, I work for a flower shop, and then an elderly lady in her garden. Unfortunately, I rarely have the freedom to hang out with friends or even a second to relax. While trying to maintain my work schedule, I also maintain my 4.0 grade point average. I found myself pulling all-nighters to get my homework done after getting home late due to work. I need to make sure I can receive the maximum amount for merit.

Through these trials and tribulations, I remember that everything happens for a reason. Although I now have to stay closer to home for college due to finances, I know my setbacks have helped me be a much stronger person. If I could advise anyone, but especially those with children, please get life insurance. I should be enjoying my senior year with friends, not grieving the loss of my father while panicking that I need to keep working so that I can afford to go to college to get my special education teaching license due to my parents not getting life insurance. I have a birth defect that makes getting insurance difficult but when I turn 18 on March 1st, I am finding a policy that works for me. I don’t want my family to have the pain of my loss and the burden of giving me my final resting place.