The "November Blues" Inspiration by Autumn
Autumnof Colorado Springs's entry into Varsity Tutor's July 2013 scholarship contest
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The "November Blues" Inspiration by Autumn - July 2013 Scholarship Essay
That is how it all started. With a simple question, my journey to becoming who I am, and will be, began.
During the summer following my 7th grade year, we were told we needed to write an essay on one of over 500 books. After reading through the book descriptions online, one in particular stood out: “November Blues” by Sharon Draper. This book was about a young girl, November, who’s boyfriend died in a stunt gone wrong. Soon after, she finds out she’s pregnant.
Not exactly the book a school would recommend on a normal basis. Maybe they left it on there by accident. Whatever the case, I was hooked. Pregnancy had always interested me and teenage pregnancy was almost a forbidden subject in my house. Somehow, I was able to get it home from the library and read it before my mom found out. What it contained was life-changing.
It discussed family, friends, and bullies, reactions to a teenage pregnancy. They support, or lack of in certain cases, was appalling to me. Who would be so mean to a girl who is already going through a tough enough time? Why aren’t they helping her? She made a mistake, sure, but that’s no reason to treat her like dirt. That’s when the thought started churning in my head. How many times does this happen in real life? How many girls have been rejected, even worse than November? What could I do to help them?
I finally confessed to Mom about the book and asked her advice. “There are several things you can do to help. You can become a doctor, an OBGYN or a midwife…”
“What’s a midwife?” I asked, confusion covering my face.
That is how it all started. With a simple question, and many hours of research, my journey to becoming who I am, and will be, began. This fall, I am starting my nursing classes to become a Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM). This book gave me the inspiration I need to become who I am today. This is why it is my favorite book and will be a favorite book for a long time.
