Education and my mother reformation by Gerald

Education and my mother reformation by Gerald - December 2014 Scholarship Essay

Gerald Davis
12/15/2014

When I was young, my mother asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I remember telling her that I wanted to be a doctor who saved lives or an athlete showing off my skills. Typical childhood answer right? Anywho, I also remember my mom saying a quote that I have lived by ever since. It was by George Washington Carver: "Education is the key to unlock the golden door of freedom".

When I started elementary school, I had no definite answer for what I wanted to do with my future. The only thing that mattered was getting good grades. As my mother would say, "if it is not about education or improving yourself, then do not get involved". My mother taught me how to stay out of trouble and how to stay in school in order to develop my sense of competence and intellect necessary to succeed in the future. I remember when she taught me how to do mathematical equations before I even learned them at school. As a result, I felt that I was one step ahead of my former classmates.

My junior high school experience was the start of something great. I was motivated and excited to begin a new chapter of my life. My mother would lecture me about the benefits of having a solid education. As the saying goes, "mothers always know best". Whenever she said that, I knew I had to put in my best effort in school. It was vital for my success. As a result, I became a consistent honor roll student throughout junior high; my mother could not have been more proud of me. It felt good to have my hard work pay off and recognized. My mother had done everything in her power to place me in a good institution so I took advantage of the opportunity given to me.

High school was a rollercoaster ride for me. It had its ups and downs. I struggled with my academics from time to time. However, I knew that I would be okay with my mother by my side. She was my number one supporter and she always knew what to say to motivate me. She taught me the most valuable llesson until this day: never give up. Because of her, I understood the value of perserverance. She instilled in me the desire to go out and work for what I wanted. Her outlook on education inspired me to get back on the right foot. By the time senior year came around, it was the best year of my high school experience. I finished my secondary school academics with the goal of becoming an educated and successful man.

Now, here I am in 2014, and the only thing that has changed since my boyhood is the increased drive to pursue my education. As I continue to attend college classes, I understand why I am the person that I am today: education. With my mother as my backbone, I found that academics have played a substantial role in obtaining education, and I am very grateful. I have come to understand that education is not something that can be bought, but money is simply a means to acquiring education. Yet, without the desire to learn, one will not learn. By expanding my education, I am developing the tools I need to make a difference in my life and in the lives of those around me . Throughout all of this, I now realize what Nelson Mandela meant when he said, "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world."