When Passion Breeds Passion by Elise

When Passion Breeds Passion by Elise - October 2016 Scholarship Essay

It was a crisp autumn morning; the first signs of the changing season rose with the pale sunlight while students raced to win the nearest parking spot. My breath puffed in the air before me as I dodged daring college drivers on my walk to building G. Today, the first of many critical essays was due to be turned in to Doctor David Wickham. Several weeks before, I enrolled in the World Literature class only because it was a required prerequisite to transfer to a four year university where I planned to study Physical Therapy. Yet, as the days shortened and class periods passed, I found myself falling head over heels for a subject matter of which I had little prior knowledge.
Doctor Wickham changed everything. The passion and elation he portrayed, when discussing topics in his chosen field, brought to life the characters and stories that were hence locked between never ending lines on the pages before me. The metaphorical implications and heroic struggles of heroes and heroines began to stand out in my mind’s eye like never before. Book reports and short essays went from being a tumultuous to enjoyable, classic literature became my vice, and I found myself hungry for more with each class discussion.
Although it would take time for me to embrace it, by the end of the semester I found myself rethinking my career path. Doctor Wickham showed me what a life full of passion could be; he showed me what I did not know I needed to see and most importantly, he taught me how to think for myself. If I were ever to teach an academic, it would be English Literature because it is my passion. I have witnessed first-hand the effect an individual’s passion can have on another, and if my passion can positively influence young learners someday, my soul would rest easy. People are not happy if they cannot invest their passion in something. Whether it is liberal arts or sciences, I would do everything in my power to see their passions brought to life in a way that made them feel truly alive. That is why I would teach English Literature.