2021: A Year of Learning and Persevering by Alexandra

2021: A Year of Learning and Persevering by Alexandra - January 2022 Scholarship Essay

2021: A Year of Learning and Persevering

In March 2020, COVID immediately altered my daily routine and continues to alter my life ways that I could never have imagined. Shifting to virtual school, virtual coaching and virtual team meetings was not ideal, but I have learned to have an alternative plan for my initial plans. I also learned that I can only control what I can control. As such, I have learned not to worry about environments and issues – like COVID – that I can’t control. I preserved through the many twists of COVID with an increased focus on my studies and extra-curricular activities. For school, I tried to increase my focus when I was in virtual school. I learned to ignore distractions in my house and instead focus solely on academics and my school assignments. I believe this increased focus will remain with me and that I have become a better student because of COVID. Although Many of my extra-curricular events were canceled, I continued to regularly train at home. My regular training was the key reason why I succeeded when I was able to compete during the summer of 2021 when COVID cases had decreased. COVID has been hard and I missed seeing my friends and teachers at school. But, through an increased focus on my academic studies, I had a successful 11th grade as I learned to be patient but keep a steady course and focus.

I also learned to be more compassionate during COVID and to help others who are struggling. During the summer of 2021, I volunteered at a local food bank that helps feed the homeless and the food insecure. Also during the summer of 2021, I volunteered at the Johns Hopkins Hospital Ronald McDonald House and assisted in the care of critically ill children. My compassion for others will also continue long after COVID wanes.

Finally, I believe I have preserved through COVID by becoming more self-reliant and finding new ways to live a resilient life. Because my parents were away most of the day when I was home in virtual school, I learned how to cook healthy meals for my family. I also learned to keep a strict fitness routine without the assistance of coaches and teammates. While COVID has been extremely difficult for my family, we have been extremely lucky as we have all stayed healthy. Throughout the pandemic, I have persevered through an increased focus on academics, compassion, and becoming more self-reliant.