Hard Work and Determination by Clement

Hard Work and Determination by Clement - May 2022 Scholarship Essay

When I was in kindergarten, I was different from my peers. Unlike them, I had a hard time being able to express myself and I was really bashful about socializing with other students without them trying to start a conversation with me. Therefore, I was enrolled in a speech class under special education to improve my verbal communication skill. However, enrollment in the special speech class made me feel that I was not as good as others. I even doubted that I would be successful in school. I shared my feeling with my parents and teachers. Both my parents and teachers encouraged me to work on my verbal communication so that I would not need to take the speech class. Despite my effort, I was not able to pass my speech assessments to exit the program in my first three years in the speech class. I was disappointed and felt that I was not good enough.

However, my parents reminded me about the Father of the Nation of China, Dr. Sun Yat-Sen, and his quote “The key to success is action, and the essential in action is perseverance”. I did not give up and I tried my best to improve my communication skills. I began to actively communicate with others. I also started to learn another language, Mandarin Chinese to challenge myself.

After 11 years in a special education speech program, I finally overcame my insecurities to socialize and speech issues in my High School sophomore year and exited the program. I am forever grateful for the teachers who supported me in my journey and for what I learned from Dr. Sun’s quote. Now, I am comfortable communicating verbally in English, Cantonese Chinese, and Mandarin Chinese. I have taken leadership roles in my Boy Scout Troop. I even served as the Master of Ceremonies of my Troop’s first-ever virtual Court of Honor ceremony. In addition, I became an Eagle Scout in 2021.

No matter, there are nostalgic memories of the past. No matter, College is a huge step for me. I believe my hard work and determination can help me to overcome obstacles along the way in my future. I strive to the best of my ability to pursue a well-deserved opportunity to grow.