Who I've Become by Faye

Who I've Become by Faye - December 2014 Scholarship Essay

Nearly eighteen years of my life have passed. I survived the removal of training wheels from my bike, my teeth are now straight thanks to countless trips to the orthodontist, and I am now able to drive myself to school versus those dreaded bus rides. So, what’s next? High school graduation. But then what? College. So how did I get to all of this? Well, it was not the fact that I can now ride a bike, my smile is now straight in school pictures, or I now have my driver’s license. Although these exciting events that happened along the way have in fact shaped who I have become, it was my opportunity to receive an education.

I believe that I have become the person I am today through the education I have received over the course of my lifetime. I have attended the same school since kindergarten. As I reflect on the last twelve years spent here, I realize now that they have all prepared me for the next events in my life, graduation and college. I have been inspired and motivated by a handful of teachers and mentors. Throughout these years of school, I was able to learn what I like versus what I do not like, how I learn best, and what I am most passionate about. I learned a lot about who I am, what I believe in, and what is important to me.

I believe that my education has impacted me to become a lifelong learner. Twelve years ago, I do not believe that I would have been able to say that I love going to school and learning. Today, I believe I am just the opposite. As school became customary and a routine, I grew to love school. I was excited for the next school year to start and I was eager for what I would learn. I discovered that I loved knowing more information and expanding on the information I had gained. Due to this, I know that I will continue to learn and receive education as I grow up and my first notion of that is college.

Not only have I received education in the classroom and while at school, but I have also had many learning experiences that have taken place outside of the classroom. Whether it was through the countless basketball camps I attended when I was younger, the different work environments and job positions I have held, or my youth leadership conferences I attended in Washington D.C. and New York City, I have been able to learn in more place and environments than just the typical classroom. I learned the importance of practice through the coaching I received from a unique individual as I started shooting baskets in my driveway regularly. I also was taught patience and customer service etiquette through my job as a hostess and a server in two different restaurants. What I believe the most unique, I learned about different cultures and was able to interact with peers across the world through a cultural exchange and conference.
Overall, the past eighteen years of my life have served a lasting impact on what the future years of my life will bring. Through my education opportunities in school, work, and extracurricular activities I have become who I am today. The life events such as school dances, birthdays, and even graduation are important however I would not be headed in the direction I am without the experiences that involve education.

Due to my passion for education, I have chosen to continue my education after graduation. I believe that I have a unique drive, motivation, and passion for learning. I also believe that I am more enthused about extra-curricular activities and learning opportunities outside of the classroom as a result of the education I have received. I know education will continue to shape me into the person I hope to become.