My Life As a Book by Elizabeth

My Life As a Book by Elizabeth - December 2016 Scholarship Essay

My family's life can be written in a book; a long chapter book that teaches security, perseverance, responsibility, the right to dream, and the long hard journey to accomplishing one goal at a time. I often hear my mom and step dad talk about their dreams for their children and what it is that we have to do to get to where we need to be. They both are the first in their families to receive Masters Degrees. They both were refugees in Thailand, where they and their families ran from war torn Laos; where they were hunted by the Laotian Government day and night. They feel lucky to be in America where refugees have the same opportunities. They eventually became United States Citizens and took the proud Oath to protect and defend the Constitution just like native born Americans.

I hear them so often that sometimes, as a senior in high school, I get tired of it. But I know deep in my heart that what they say is true; that I need to understand their words and their dreams so that I can realize mine. They tell me to take life one step at a time: first, is elementary school; then, middle school; next, is high school; and finally, college.

I have to say that I have accomplished much in my life especially in high school. In my Junior and Senior year, I had the opportunity to volunteer at Appleton Spine Institute where I realized what I wanted to do with my career. From helping people manage their pain and work with practitioners who create plans with their patients to help them eliminate or reduce physical pain. I have learned from this experience that I want to continue to help people lead healthy and happy lives. I realize that when people come into the office, they leave happy and content believing that they can, one day, live pain free or reduce their pain. I work with elderly patients who come in telling me what good work I do and they hope that I continue to work in the field of community service because, as they say, I am good at what I do. I have watched little children come in to the clinic to get adjusted so they can move, run, and walk like they were meant to. I see middle aged people who come in after a hard days work to get therapy so they can relax and let go of stress for the time being. I love helping people. I love interacting with these people. I love how they, with their doctor, create a plan together to help them live better healthier lives. I realize that I, too, want to be a doctor that helps create a plan with her patients so they can live better healthier lives. I want to become a pharmacist working with patients together to live life to the fullest. This is an experience I will never forget. It's an experience I will continue to volunteer in as long as I can. I am very proud of this experience.