Dancer Helping Dancers by Delaney

Dancer Helping Dancers by Delaney - May 2023 Scholarship Essay

It seems that every adult’s favorite question to ask young kids is “What do you want to be when you grow up?”. For a long time, I struggled to answer this question, but one fact has always been simple: No matter what I do in the future, I want to give back to my community and make a positive impact on people’s lives. With that as my goal, I have chosen to major in Biomedical Science, hoping to enter the field of injury prevention and physical rehabilitation. While I cannot pinpoint the exact moment I reached this decision, I firmly believe that it aligns with my early goals of supporting my community.

I have danced since I was 3 years old, which has exposed me to the dangers of injury and the huge impact it can make on a career. I have witnessed not only dancers, but countless other athletes manage serious injuries and illnesses, sometimes unsure if the outcome would be the end of their careers. I hope to find a way to relieve that fear and offer others the chance return to their passions. I have also always had a unique enthusiasm towards the mechanics of the human body, branching outside the physiology of just muscles and bones, but also the makeup and inner workings of each organ and cell. This passion has further encouraged me to pursue a career within a medical profession. While I know I will not dance forever, I hope that I can have a lasting impact on young dancers, athletes, and other individuals through medical rehabilitation. In doing so, I could give back to the community that means the world to me and achieve the goals of my youth.

I am equally excited for the journey I take as a student while I work towards my career goals. One of my many ambitions before beginning my professional career is to seek out and explore various research opportunities throughout my community. Not only would this give me the chance to gain beneficial and essential experience, but I would also have the opportunity to learn hands on about the fields in which I am interested, an experience unlike any other.

I understand that the path towards my goals will not be easy and will likely be riddled with hardships alongside any opportunity I may gain. However, I am confident that my past has well prepared me to work through the inevitable obstacles in my future. One of the most impactful experiences of my high school career has been my time as the head officer of the varsity dance team for 2 years. Through this honored yet difficult position, I have learned to change the way I approach troublesome situations. While I used to limit myself out of fear of not living up to the expectations of others, I now know that I am capable of pushing my own boundaries and achieving more than I used to think imaginable. I have learned more about myself through this experience than I ever thought possible, and I am endlessly grateful for the unique opportunity to challenge my own limits and discover the vastness of my capabilities. While I can never be sure of what my future holds, I am excited to work towards my goals and learn more about myself in the process.