My green eyes have set me apart since the day I was adopted. My adopted mother, Alicia, told me that the distinct shade of green in my eyes is as vibrant as four leaf clover. She knew, instantly, that I was going to be hers. People have told me that we were lucky to have found each other. It’s true, she’s been my best friend ever since she adopted me when I was two and she has taught me so much, including my greatest passion, art.
I had been waiting for weeks for a letter from my dream college, Massachusetts College of Art and Design. I had applied for financial aid and about a month ago and the Dean contacted everyone who applied saying that the school would be holding a contest for an opportunity to win a scholarship. This was the exactly what I needed and once I got the letter with the details I could start working right away.
I waited by the mailbox until the mailman came. He handed me the envelope and I rushed back inside where my mom was making me my favorite breakfast, pancakes. I anxiously ripped open the envelope and began reading the letter. Most of the information looked familiar to what I received through e-mail except for one thing; the oral presentation of our art. Our piece had to symbolize something important in our life and explain to the judges why.
“Mom,” I panicked, “there’s an oral presentation that everyone is required to do.”
“Don’t worry Stephanie,” she said, “we can practice. Everyday you’ll read your presentation to me so it will be a piece of cake for you once you get up there.”
“Of course,” I shrugged, “my best opportunity has to include my worst fear.”
When I came home from school that day, my mom came running into the kitchen with her hands full of different art supplies. It reminded me of when I was younger when me and her would spend our afternoons painting in our own little studio.
“So,” my mom said, “what are you painting?”
“I still haven’t figured that out yet. It has to be something important to my life.” I said.
Without saying anything, my mom ran upstairs and came down with her arms full of scrapbooks.
“Here,” she said, handing the pile over to me “look to see if there are any memories that stand out to you.”
I flipped to the first page where there was a picture of me and her the day she adopted me. I smiled at looking how happy we both look in the picture. I flipped through some more pages to find some pictures of me in my early stages of becoming in artist. I had finger paintings of flowers and stick figures of me and my mom. Then, I finally had an idea.
I ran to the art studio, grabbing as many supplies as I could and drew two big eyes. I painted them with detail using different shades of green to give the eyes dimension. In both pupils I drew different scenes of my life. The left side I drew a picture of a young girl painting with her mother and in the right pupil I drew a girl getting her college degree. It would take some time before I finished, but I knew I would be proud of it when I was done.
After dinner I started to write my speech on flashcards. I practiced in front of my mom a couple of times and only stumbled on my words once or twice.
“See Stephanie,” my mom said, “you’ll do amazing. You may be quiet at times, but you have a personality that lights up the room.”
I smiled and said goodnight to her and headed up to bed. I knew that for the next two weeks I had to practice to gain confidence in public speaking.
Everyday leading up to the contest I practiced whenever I had the chance. I knew the speech well enough to say it in my sleep. When the day of the contest finally came, my mom and I headed to the train station to go to Boston. On the ride, I practiced a couple of times just to shake off any nerves I had.
When we arrived at Massachusetts College of Art and Design, we were greeted by many friendly faces. As we walked around campus, I started to picture myself attending college there and learning so much from all the amazing professors the school had to offer. We arrived in the auditorium where the Dean gave a brief speech about how the program was prestigious but he all wished us luck and knew that we would all please the judges. The order was alphabetical so luckily since my last name is Malloy, I was midway through. I watched as my competition presented and I learned from people’s mistakes and strengths.
When the judges called “Malloy”, I walked up to the stage confidently; until I turned to see the audience. It looked like a lot more people from the stage. But, I was able to spot my mom in audience and kept eye contact with her. I pretended like I was in the living room where we practiced and began my speech.
I introduced myself and began telling the meaning behind my painting. Two large green eyes, the same ones that caught my mother’s eyes the day she adopted me. In the left pupil, I recreated a picture taken of my mom teaching me how to finger paint symbolizing my past. On the right, I painted me receiving my college diploma from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design, my future (hopefully). I exited the stage and went back to the audience and set next to my mom.
My mom assured me I did great. But I couldn’t tell if that was just because she’s my mom and they’re supposed to comfort their children. After everyone was done presenting the Dean made an announcement saying that there would be letters sent out at the end of the week that had the results.
Friday afternoon, hopping off the bus I ran to meet my mom inside. She sat in the kitchen with a hot cup of coffee and next to her lied my future. An envelope from Massachusetts College of Art and Design was labeled with my name on it. I tore through the envelope as quickly as possible.
I couldn’t believe my eyes. The letter read, “The Massachusetts College of Art and Design would be lucky to call you a part of the class of 2015. We would like to offer you a full scholarship for your next four years of schooling.”
“Mom!” I exclaimed, “I won the contest, I’m getting a full scholarship.”
“I knew you’d get it sweetie!” she said, as she rushed over to give me the biggest hug. We went out to dinner that night to celebrate my accomplishment. I couldn’t wait until next fall to start college. I’ve always had a desire to learn and I looked forward to the next four years learning from some of the best of the best.
Now, a year out of college I have a well-paying job in Boston.  People from around the world come to me and ask me to create them masterpieces. Ever since I was little, I’ve wanted to inspire people with my art. It’s how I express myself. Now, I do that every day and I never get tired of seeing how happy people get because of my art. With hard work, dreams can come true. Keeping my eyes on the prize has helped me to achieve all of my dreams.