Life's Test by Bethany

Life's Test by Bethany - October 2013 Scholarship Essay

“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” As Thomas Edison observed, success only comes to those who are willing to do hard things and overcome obstacles. Every pit we invariably encounter along the path of life gives us the opportunity to grow based on our response. One particular source of growth for me was born on June 21, 1999. Scotty, my younger brother by two years, has Autism, is nonverbal, and has the mental capacity of a three year old. As the oldest of five children, I have always played a role as a second mother to my siblings. Through helping Scotty by taking him to various therapies and doctors, learning American Sign Language, and becoming a tutor trained in Applied Behavioral Analysis for children with special needs, I have learned to not take my functioning body for granted. Therefore, I have developed the determination to utilize my healthy mind by graduating from college with a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in accounting, and to take the necessary steps to achieve that goal, such as graduating from high school with an honors and advanced diploma, holding a 3.95 unweighted GPA while completing eleven honors and advanced placement courses, and scoring a 32 on the ACT.
Growing up with Scotty and growing as a person because of Scotty has also taught me to live my life to its fullest so that when the time comes for me to die, I will not find that I have not truly lived. This concept, originally expressed by Thoreau, has helped me to live a balanced life, living in the moment without losing my long-term perspective. Devoting time to sports like volleyball, basketball, and swimming, while also working three different jobs, have all served to balance my life and, in so doing, have brought me closer to becoming the person I want to be.
I have also learned that, since we cannot control the cards we are dealt in life, we only have the option of controlling our attitude. Therefore, as a result of wanting to find joy in the journey, I have discovered happiness in spending time outdoors with family and friends, whether it be hiking, earning my hunter’s license, or earning my boater’s license to learn how to slalom ski. However, I have found that by serving others, I feel a far purer joy than any hobby could ever create. As I attend a scripture study class before school every morning at 6:30 a.m. or participate in tying quilts, fleece blankets, and sewing scarves and baby beanie hats for Austin’s House, or help at youth activities that occur every Wednesday night as a member of a girl’s youth group presidency, or help Washoe County School District provide books for children who do not have them in their homes by sorting, stamping, and categorizing donated books in a district warehouse, I know that there are few things that can rival the sense of peace and happiness I gain from serving others.
I have discovered that the only way we can truly live is if we grow. Since the only way we can grow is if we change, and the only way we can change is if we learn, I would rather struggle through life’s lessons than go without them. This is the very essence of the Varsity Tutors’ Scholarship: to recognize that some of the most important lessons that can be learned are the ones that are taught through the test of life.