My Best Life by Estrella

My Best Life by Estrella - November 2018 Scholarship Essay

"Who's Stopping You From Living Your Best Life?"

When one hears a Senior Quote like this, they might think "Wow this person must have had the best high school experiences" or they might think "Wow this is a mad tumblr quote that should've never left the internet." The truth is this is actually a quote that I live by. High school started out tough for me, I wasn't putting myself first and I was living my life to please everyone else. That is until my Sophomore year when a friend pushed me, the "Varsity Basketball Jock" to try out for my schools production of "Lord of the Flies" I had always loved performing but never pursued it because of all the uncertainty that came with it.I acted, danced, and sung in numerous productions and concerts as a kid but stopped doing as much in middle school, so by high school it was as if my passion had burned out. My friends advice before the audition was "Be brave, you're living your best life." She knew how much performing meant to me and wanted to help me grow and push myself. I got casted in the show as a lead and after that I was hooked. I'd loved basketball when I was younger but the sport I'd once loved was bringing me so much pain and sadness I knew I had to quit and theatre was my way to get out.

Freshman and most of Sophomore year were defined by my doing what everyone else wanted, my parents wanted me to get a basketball scholarship and my team wanted me to quit theatre to focus on basketball. Teachers wanted to see me out on the court Thursday nights but expected me to have essays upon essays done by the next morning. So I decided to retire from basketball. All the late nights doing homework or practicing lines for shows are worth it when my report cards come in or when my shows open, but basketball was bringing me an unnecessary stress and pressure I couldn't keep putting on myself.

I think this senior quote shows the type of life I try to live, and the mentality that I stand by. I believe with an optimistic outlook on life and the bravery to try new things anything is possible and one can truly be living their best life.