Personal Development: A Positive Impact on One’s School by Alyssa

Personal Development: A Positive Impact on One’s School by Alyssa - November 2019 Scholarship Essay

In high school, you make a name for yourself and improve your school’s reputation either by your academic abilities, extracurricular activities, leadership roles, or philanthropic endeavors. At East Hartford High School, I was not one of the most popular students because I was in a small group of students who were very focused on achieving good grades. However, I still added value to my institution and made a positive impact through my personal development. Ghandi was quoted for saying, “If you change yourself, you will change your world. If you change how you think, then you will change how you feel and what actions you take. And so, the world around you will change.”

I excelled academically earning a 3.5 GPA, high honors, and passing several AP exams. I served as a member of the school’s Student Council and as President of the National Chinese Honor Society. I ran track and field, where I performed well in the 400m and managed the Cross-country team. I volunteered in school outreach programs and demonstrated at local rallies against gun violence. Beyond school activities, I acted, modeled, and co-authored a children’s book. I was in a student film entitled Coda, a musical called The Passion of the King, a community rendition of Winnie the Pooh, a background actor in TV shows: The Blacklist, Law and Order SVU, The Jim Gaffigan Show, and Seven Seconds, and music videos: Stereotypes by Black Violin, Polaridad by Alex Ferreira, and My daughter’s living room by Alge. I played violin in my high school’s String Orchestra, and had the opportunity to meet Black Violin again, as myself and three other students played with the musical duo on stage of Bushnell Theater. I have walked in over a dozen runway shows, some dedicated to charitable causes and other prominent shows such as Circle of Sisters and Harlem Fashion Week. I also started a publishing company with my sister called Lauren Simone Publishing House to create diverse children’s books written and illustrated by youth. Some of my achievements have been featured in Wild Child Magazine, Writer’s Life Magazine, and the Hartford Courant.

According to US News, East Hartford High School is ranked 7,424th in the nation, 122nd within Connecticut, and 49th in the Hartford, CT metro area. At East Hartford High School, all students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement coursework and exams, but only 36% of students do. The total minority enrollment is 86%, and 53% of students are economically disadvantaged. I have now graduated East Hartford High School in the top 10% of my graduating class and am currently a freshman at the University of Connecticut, Storrs.

In conclusion, the fact that I am an ethnic minority student, took AP classes, a well-rounded student, and graduated top of my class makes me feel like less of a statistic. I believe that my personal development has had an overall positive impact on the school and school body. Any and all achievements of mine reflects well on my school. As Nelson Mandela said, “Young people must take it upon themselves to ensure that they receive the highest education possible so that they can represent us well in future as future leaders.”