Montana by Destiny

Montana by Destiny - December 2016 Scholarship Essay

The school accomplishment that I am most proud of is winning the only perfect attendance award in my entire high school. I am proud of this accomplishment because I live 15 miles from my high school and still made it to school on time and ready to learn every day. This award was not easy to earn. There were many challenges that I overcame. The weather and my peers were the biggest challenges.

The Montana winter weather, being as unpredictable as always, was an issue. I live at the bottom of Rodger’s Pass, and on the edge of the Bob Marshall Wilderness. Winters are harsh, and we get a substantial amount of snow. The highways are almost always snow-packed and icy, and freezing temperatures and blizzards cause extensive delays. Even though the school bus would come all the way out to pick me up, there were some days when the bus wouldn’t start. So I was on my own as far as travel was concerned. Most days, there was a foot, or more, of snow and every morning. My dad diligently plowed the snow so we could get to the highway. Both my mom and my dad were very determined to get me to school on time.

Peer pressure was the second challenge. Even though I didn’t have many close friends, our class was very tight-knit. We had been together since kindergarten, and when high school came around there were parties, skip days, and other days that my classmates would ditch. Since we liked to be together, it was hard not to go to these events with them. A few other students and I decided not to participate in such activities. I decided that it would be better for my school reputation and grades if I did not go with the rest of my classmates on these days.

Earning this award has taught me about punctuality and how to have a good work ethic. I have had a few jobs in the past and I was never late. I was always there every day, even in the winter. I am a punctual student as well. I am currently taking math and college prep classes at the Helena Adult Learning Center and I am always on time, only missing one day, due to the weather. Driving to Helena is much more difficult than driving to Lincoln in the winter, due to Flesher Pass.

Receiving the perfect attendance award has taught me to be a punctual worker and student. I always try my hardest to make it to every important event and all of my classes. I will apply this to my upcoming college life.