riel Bailey, 19, was recently baptized in front of the minister’s home in Honduras while her church group watched.
“I was baptized as a baby, but I knew I wanted to be baptized again. I wanted a
new life,
” said Ariel.
Today, Ariel is living her “new life.” While she might seem just like her college peers—smart, ambitious and having a good time—that’s where most of the similarities end. For more than a decade, Ariel’s life has been a “rags to riches” story; one that even for her seems surreal.
Ariel is a graduate of Dulles High School. She is also a recipient of the
Horatio Alger $20,000 national scholarship that rewards students who have
overcome adversity through unyielding perseverance. She is not afraid to talk
about her life up until this point.
Ariel describes the “rags” portion of her life beginning at age 7 when her dad died in a tragic traffic
accident. Her life spiraled downward from there. She talks about her excessive
sleeping during the day just to escape; the life of a young child who faced
years of depression and chronic absenteeism from school. She struggled with a
cycle of truancy and summer school make-up. During the times Ariel made it to
school she managed to do her work well, yet it wasn
’t enough to avoid repeating the seventh grade. Ariel said her family experienced
a cycle of evictions.
Although Ariel wasn’t the only one suffering from her dad’s death, she felt she didn’t get the family support she desperately needed.
Then, as a teen, Ariel confided in a school principal. She also began confiding
in her friends. Several parents offered help; some became a refuge and offered
their home as the foundation, both physically and emotionally, she felt was
lacking.
In an essay, Ariel wrote, I was fortunate enough to stay with many gracious families. They all brought me
into their lives, so that I could have a better one.
The “riches” part of her life began her junior year when she says her life turned around.
She realized the importance of school, education and the ability to believe in
herself.
At 17, Ariel had a part-time job, worked hard in school and lived at the home of
one of her best friends. Also at 17, Ariel was an adult in the eyes of the law
and she broke ties with her family. More importantly, Ariel joined a church
and, for the first time since she was a little girl, felt
hope.
“I feel closer to God. Even though bad things happened, it all worked out. I know
now that everything happens for a reason. I
’m doing things, good things that before I didn’t think could happen.” Ariel believes if she had not seen the good through all the darkness, her life
may not have been the same.
During her senior year, part of Ariel’s hope involved planning for college and her future. Ariel was wondering how she would
pay for school when her friend
’s mom steered her toward applying for a scholarship from the Horatio Alger
Association of Distinguished Americans, an organization honoring those who have
used honesty and determination to conquer all obstacles.
Ariel knew this was the plan for her and soon went to work to find a means to pay for college, as well as an opportunity to be heard. She filled out a
lengthy application, wrote three essays, one describing her life of overcoming
adversity through perseverance and asked Deborah Nordt, associate principal of
Dulles High School, to write a letter of
support.
“Ariel is an amazing young lady,” said Nordt. “She has had so many obstacles put in her way but she didn’t give up on her goals and stayed true to herself. Very few people know exactly
what she had to deal with in her young life.
“She knew what she wanted and made sure she found people who could help her
achieve it. She has a great sense of humor. She made me smile every day.
”
Out of 36,000 students who applied for the unique scholarship, Ariel was one of
108 nationwide winners. Last spring, the scholarship winners received an
all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C., to participate in the National
Scholars conference.
Horatio Alger is a well-known American who lived during the mid-1800s. He was a
minister, teacher and social worker, but was best known as a writer of more tha
n a hundred books all encompassing the same “rags to riches” theme: no matter who they were, poor, orphaned or powerless, that if they would
persevere, if they would do their best, if they would always try to do the
right thing, they would succeed. Through honesty, hard work and strong
determination, the American dream was available to anyone willing to make the
journey.
Last year, Ariel made a journey of another kind: a missionary trip to Honduras.
Along with her church group, they met with area ministers and delivered food to
some of the poorest children in the country.
It took Ariel seeing children in far worse shape to put things in its proper
perspective. The trip had a profound impact on her.
“After this trip I realized that the very hardest we have it here in America
doesn
’t even compare to this. We have so many opportunities. We should be grateful.”
If gratitude and attitude are the winning combination, then Ariel is a shoe-in
for success. Ariel now believes she
’s on the right path to life’s riches; a life that is filled with hope, hard work and a constant appreciation
of those who helped her see the good through the darkness.
For more information about
The Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans Inc. and
student scholarships, visit www.horatio-alger.org.
The organization’s famous members include baseball legend, Hank Aaron, astronaut Buzz Aldrin,
author and poet Maya Angelou and Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.
According to the organization
’s Web site:
Members of the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans are part of
a select group of Americans who have experienced a wide spectrum of what life
can offer. Similar to characters in stories by Horatio Alger Jr., Association
Members traditionally have started life in
“humble” or economically challenging circumstances.
Members represent all walks of American life and have made outstanding
contributions in the fields of science, medicine, business, entertainment,
athletics, law and jurisprudence, religion, education and the arts. While their
career paths are varied, Members have the honor of being part of a unique group
—they are individuals who have achieved the American dream.
