Better by a Hare by Aaron

Better by a Hare by Aaron - February 2014 Scholarship Essay

It is not in a science lab, on a piece of canvas, or in the pews of a church where world changing events occur, but rather, it is in the imagination. A lot of my childhood was spent reading books, and in particular, the "Redwall" series by Brian Jacques. Once of the sayings in these books is, "A and B the C of D," which stands for above and beyond the call of duty. The hares especially took a liking to this phrase and as a kid, so did I. In reading about heroic acts, watching my favorite sports athletes on TV, and listening to my dad talk about what he did at work that week, I began to realize that it wasn't just some long eared rabbits who live by this phrase.

My imagination, I came to realize growing up, was more powerful than anything my body could do. It could go places I could never literally be, see things that I would never see in real life, and overall make life a lot less boring. Imagination was the key in discovering how to go "A and B the C of D.” As my teachers in school gave me homework and responsibility, I began, even from second grade on (when my nickname was, “the human calculator”), to try and outdo whatever was asked of me. In my education, athletics, and hobbies I tried to go "A and B the C of D.” As I went through middle school and high school I had my setbacks, such as not making the middle school basketball team and not achieving valedictorian as I had tried to do. These setbacks did not deter me in the least bit however.

I could imagine myself being capable of doing great things and going beyond what was expected of me, so I didn’t give up. In response to not making the basketball team, I decided to join the high school varsity hockey team my freshman year. I had never skated before in my life, but the coach was willing to work with me and by the time I was a senior, I was a team captain even though I still didn’t have the skills to be on the starting lineup. My coaches and teammates knew I tried hard to go "A and B the C of D.” In response to not making valedictorian, my efforts still allowed me to graduate 3rd in my class and granted me entrance into the honors program at the college I choose to attend out of high school, the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. There I studied hard as a biochemistry/molecular biology major for two years taking 2 or 3 difficult science courses every semester trying to accomplish this difficult major that many considered too rigorous.

As I got a small taste of living on my own in college and having to make decisions of what my career was going to be and what kind of person I would become, I found a higher calling. My faith was an area of my life where I was not trying to go "A and B the C of D.” I was a real minimalist when it came to following the ideals of the Faith I had grown up with. I am a Catholic and basically I went to mass on Sunday and followed the Ten Commandments. In college, however, I couldn’t let this part of my life slip by in such a state. I joined a Christian community at school, found a bible study and got involved in singing and helping the youth at my local parish. After a few semesters and a lot of effort put into my faith, I felt a call to join the Catholic priesthood.

This was not my cup of tea. The priesthood has a bad reputation and is a life that demands more out of a person than any job I could think of. Priests live celibate (no wives), they live alone, and they devote themselves to a life half the world thinks is pointless. I was appalled by this idea, but I imagined restoring respect and honor to the priesthood and I knew I had chosen to live a life that doesn’t run away from duty, but towards it, a life that doesn’t just accept duty, but takes it a gives it a new standard. So, in following my faith and living "A and B the C of D,” I transferred out of UW-Eau Claire and entered seminary where I now reside at the University of Saint Thomas.

Things are no different here, where I am given a rigorous seminary schedule to follow as well as be a full time student in college. I have a double major in Philosophy and Catholic Studies and I am still following my science background and am completing a chemistry minor. I have found that life is more fulfilling when one tries his or her hardest to go "A and B the C of D.” There is the standard given to you by the society surrounding you, and then there is a standard which you can conceive of in your imagination. Because of this quotation, I have chosen the latter and found peace and fulfillment.