The Change by Armando

The Change by Armando - January 2022 Scholarship Essay

It was like my bat was invisible because I did not make contact with any balls they threw at me. That is when my coach told me, "I don't think you're cut out for this sport, son" those words hit me like a bus. I was disappointed because my dream was to be a professional baseball player. My one goal in life just shattered into a million pieces in the blink of an eye. Little did I know those words were going to be the best thing to ever happen to me.

I am the youngest one of a baseball-loving family. Growing up, I used to see my brothers play and think I would be as good as them. I'm not going to lie; it was not as easy as I thought it would be. My first challenge was the pitching machine. I was so scared of it; in my mind, the machine had it out for me, always aiming to hurt me. My coach wanted to see where we were on both sides of the diamond. I looked lifeless when the first pitch went through the machine. My eyes opened so wide they practically could've fallen out. That's when I knew this wasn't going to be an easy season. My self-esteem was now damaged. I got back home and did not dare to tell my parents how practice went.

I remember sitting in class one day, looking out the window and seeing some students play catch in our school's courtyard. I couldn't take it anymore. I became determined to wake up early and go to the park the very next day. The sun was non-existent, the sky was cloudy, and the tiny drops of water kept landing on me, but that still wasn't going to distract me from improving myself. Though my hands were soon fully covered with blisters, I persevered and tried a new batting stance. As I was adjusting my elbow, I realized the wind had stopped, and while the sky was still cloudy, the sun began to make its way forward. As if to validate all of my hard work, a ray of sun struck me right on the chest just as my barrel came in perfect contact with the ball for an amazing gap shot.

I believe that hard work beats talent and what I mean is that anyone can be good at something, but through hard work, you can become great at something. Hard work requires consistency. Talent is wasted when taken for granted. Thanks to this experience, I've become hard-working off the field as well. I learned to be consistent at home with my chores. I began to plan out the times I needed to get them all done so I could have time to practice and do my homework. I became efficient by having a system and sticking to it.

It finally felt like I was overcoming that pitching machine. Then the pandemic began, and I was faced with a much more significant obstacle. Through new responsibilities, adapting to virtual learning, as well as not being in the best mental state, I was still able to become the valedictorian of my class. I remembered those words my old coach told me and reminded myself that I could do it. They had seen no talent in me, but I knew what I was capable of. Hard work continued to show it pays off. Thanks to both of these experiences, I'm ready for the next challenge, college. I have no reference on this challenge because my older siblings did not attend college, but I am confident in my skills and strengths. I want to attend and graduate college and have my family cheer for me just as loud as they cheered when I stepped on that baseball field.