Ambition by Abigail

Ambition by Abigail - November 2013 Scholarship Essay

Life is directed by attributes, many of which are attained through personal experiences and chosen reactions. Talents and traits give us the potential to succeed and this potential gives us strength enough to take advantage of opportunity. Simply stated, many experiences are acquired by personal traits, just as many traits are acquired by personal experiences. For this reason, I am thankful for my high school experience, the challenges that were available to me, and the lessons I've learned. Overall, if my high school experience has taught me anything, that's that earnest commitment toward hard-work and education is of infinite worth.

As a freshman, my early experiences drew me toward any and every attempt to block out the negative effects of domestic battles involving police officers, Child Protective Services, and the Department of Child and Family Services. I became heedlessly involved in anything and everything that would get me out of the home. Unexpectedly, this careless attitude toward any sincere involvement lead me toward success and one of the best lessons of my life.

Though I initially overloaded my schedule with the intent of fleeing from everything I'd known, a teacher soon told me that my education would set me free. This concept changed my life's direction, and since that day I haven't stopped fighting for my freedom. Her wise words gave me purpose and instilled in me a more genuine commitment toward my education through not just academic means, but also community service, sports, and other extra-curricular activities.

Prior to my teacher’s compassionate words of advice, I was living without much dedication and strenuous labor. However, I was also not growing quickly as a person, and could not reap the rewards of a job well done. As wonderfully stated by Theodore Roosevelt, “Nothing worth having was ever achieved without effort.” Effort is the keystone of success; it provides the liberty necessary for further development of talents and knowledge. Additionally, passionate effort gives way to opportunity. Fortunately, I was compelled to grasp this concept early in my high school career.

Inspired by my teacher, I joined the swim team and learned that waking up before dawn to swim sometimes hard and long enough to puke, or inhale enough chlorine for a serious coughing fit is difficult. Soon after, I learned that balancing rigorous athletics with a challenging course load is even more difficult. However, by the time my team won the regional competition and later became state runner-up, it was worth it, and by the time I received that 29 ACT, it was worth it. Perhaps Roosevelt wasn't merely stating what defines success, but was also conveying how trials themselves are able to magnify the glory of success.

Life has been one struggle after the next, but I never gave up and that's blessed my life. Because of challenges and that teacher’s words, my greatest adversity has given me the most strength. Finally, I'm no longer living in the home I grew up in. Ambitious work-ethic has unlocked doors that will lead me to higher education, fulfillment in life, and freedom. However, I still have a long way to go before I'm ready to take on this world independently. Through the past few years I've gained personal insight and respect for hard-work. If my high school experience will leave me with anything, it's the ability to achieve personal goals through ambition and perseverance. In conclusion, the most valuable lesson I've learned in high school is that hard-work and education are of immeasurable value.