The Scientist and the Singer by Bethany

The Scientist and the Singer by Bethany - September 2017 Scholarship Essay

All my life, I’ve known I wanted to be a nurse. I love science, and helping people is my passion. I think the human body is fascinating. The way it works in harmony within itself to allow people to grow, to reproduce, and stay healthy. I love lab work, where I can dissect and learn more about how our bodies function. Simply put, I don’t get grossed out by anything!

As a scientist, I love all things based in fact. For example, the heart pumps blood. I know this as a fact. I know that without a beating heart, the body cannot survive.

But what happens when a scientist’s heart is telling her something not based in fact. It’s telling her to sing… passionately…enthusiastically…and loudly!

The one elective I have taken that has impacted my education is Chorus. It is the one time in my day when I get to express myself creatively. My feelings about music run deep, and it doesn’t follow any logic at all. In some songs, the rhythms are simple and catchy, but it is so challenging for me to pick up. Other times, the lyrics are in a different language, but that song may speak to me like no other. It doesn’t make any sense to my science-driven brain! But that is what makes Chorus so remarkable. It doesn’t have to make sense. You would think a song about coffee doesn’t mean much, but that song about coffee was sometimes the best part of my day: “Coffee….waaaaa waaaaa/Coffee…..yeah yeah!” Yes, those are true lyrics to a song I’ve sung in Chorus class!

I’ve realized that my daily dose of music provides me with time to heal. When I am struggling to complete assignments for up to three science classes a day, Chorus allows my brain to recharge. It gives my brain time to relax and repair itself from the stress of the day. I am able to think clearer and be even more productive after engaging the creative center of my brain. I feel peaceful after Chorus class, and I am restored. I’ve realized that medicine isn’t the only way to heal a person. Allowing music into my soul has nursed me back to a healthy state of mind in an otherwise chaotic life.

To create a joyful noise with a group of like-minded singers is a feeling like no other. When you start learning a piece of music, you simply sound terrible! The cacophony created by wrong notes is awful, you can’t remember the words, and the director sounds frustrated beyond belief. Then slowly, it becomes a melody of magic, a symphony of sound, a musical masterpiece.

The moments during a song that speak to me remind me to be still and embrace what is different. Music doesn’t have to make sense. Singing doesn’t have to be logical. I can still love music and love medicine. I can achieve my goal of becoming a Nurse Practitioner while embracing my love of singing.

I want to work hard and further my education while creating a life filled with:
Solos: the belief that I can accomplish anything
Duets: meeting new friends and meeting my soul mate
Ensembles: working together with a medical team to help and heal
Encores: when I think I’m done, I can always do more

High school has been my Prelude, the time in my life before becoming a nurse. And I will forever be grateful that I took Chorus as my elective so I could take care of myself in order to provide the best care to others.