Follow Your Dreams by Elizabeth

Follow Your Dreams by Elizabeth - May 2014 Scholarship Essay

When I was in school, the best piece of advice I was given was to follow my heart. I was taking online classes to get ahead in school. By the time I was in my second year of high school, I was already taking senior English classes. As I was continuing my education, I came upon the realization that I would be able to graduate a full year early. At my high school, that has not happened once in its history. Every student that has gone has taken four years to complete school.

Though I received heavy opposition from the principal and school counselors, one of my teachers told me to follow my heart. I knew in my heart I wanted to graduate in three years, and I was determined to do it. With those words in mind, I argued and I tried to find ways to convince them why I shouldn’t be there all four years. I would have all my credits in three years, and the policy stated that a student stayed at the school until all the credit requirements were fulfilled; never once in the policy did it say a student had to stay four years.

After much persuasion, I was finally able to take my case to the school board. It was there I received the okay to graduate a year early. I was so happy when this happened. The high school principal and counselors were not happy in the slightest, but there was nothing they could do to stop me. I was so grateful to be able to go on. I followed my heart through it all, and it was because of this I was able to graduate a year early.