In it for Glenn by Emily

In it for Glenn by Emily - November 2022 Scholarship Essay

What has been my most surprising source of inspiration so far this school year? The answer: Glenn. G - L - E - double N. It’s Glenn. Who is Glenn? My best friend's dad.
When I looked at this question, I thought to myself maybe it was the food drives I attended, maybe it was the blood I had donated, maybe it was all the clubs I had joined, and maybe it was the hard classes I had taken. Soon, I came to the realization, none of this would have been possible without Glenn.
Everyday I go to visit my friend, I am delighted to have a very long conversation with her parents. Especially Glenn; he's a very talkative man. He loves to tell stories and talk about his life; talk about all of the funny and unfortunate things that occur on his daily basis. He's a very friendly man, he's sociable, and he can talk all day. He has friends calling non stop and can strike up a conversation with just about anyone. He makes life seem so easy.
Despite his outgoing personality, Glenn fails to talk about his childhood. He doesn't talk about his high school days or how he grew up. One thing Glenn never failed to remind me was “to get involved”. He never let me forget those three words. I can vividly remember going to my friend's house over the summer, spending hours in their family living room, listening to Glenn talk about his life and all of his regrets. He said, when he was in high school he went to school, came home, and laid on his couch; every single day. He said that, for four years straight, all he ever did was go to school, come home, and lay on his couch. He had no social aspect. He barely had any friends. He had a slim experience for 4 years straight. After that conversation with Glenn, I came to the realization; I want to live with zero regrets. After that conversation, I vowed to myself, I will live with no regrets.
I am currently in my senior year of high school. I'm living in a time, where if you would have told me 3 years ago as a freshman, I would have been a senior, I would have thought you were crazy. Being in 12th grade seemed like a lifetime away. But now that I'm here it is my duty to make sure my last year of high school, my last year with the people who I have known my whole life, is the most memorable. I can't say I'm filled with joy when my alarm clock rings at 6 a.m. to wake me up for another first period class. I can say that once I'm there I don't take a second for granted. I can confidently say that I have not forgotten Glenn's 3 words. I can confidently say that I have become extremely involved. I can confidently say my senior year memories are going to stick with me for the rest of my life.
Yesterday I donated blood. Is it because I like needles? Absolutely not. Is it because I like the feeling of passing out? Not in the slightest bit. Maybe it's just because I wanted to help save 3 lives from one pint of my blood. Maybe it’s because I wanted to feel a part of something; I wanted to live a foreign experience. Maybe it’s all because I keep Glenn’s conversation stored in the back of my head.
Inspired would be an understatement regarding the impact Glenn has had on my school year so far. Since Glenn's conversation with me, I have gotten a new job, I have joined 3 new clubs, and I have participated in experiences that were completely new to me. I will continue to live through Glenn's Legacy. I will continue to be involved. I will always remember the conversation Glenn gave to me, and how it inspired me. Glenn and I have a very close relationship; he even jokes that he will have to walk me down the aisle regardless of my own dad. However, I would have never imagined that my best friend's dad is the one who would be inspiring me to live my senior year to the fullest, but here I am. Despite the giant bruise and fatigue, I have not a single regret for donating my blood. As I laid in the cot, I laughed and joked with my friends; a memory I will never forget. I will never live a life of no regret thanks to Glenn. I will even do crazy things like donating my blood again- in a heartbeat. I could only hope that everyone in this world will be lucky enough to meet such an inspiring human like Glenn.