Facing Adversity and Optimism Towards The Future by Jake

Facing Adversity and Optimism Towards The Future by Jake - October 2019 Scholarship Essay

I’ve been fortunate to grow up in a household where it was expected of me to get my work done in the classroom and exceed in my grades. However, like every other kid, finding motivation throughout a long and exhausting school year was difficult. I come from a football team that holds diversity and kids from all different backgrounds that were not as fortunate as me to be guided in the right direction. My motivation is my team that constantly faces adversity on and off the field. Just as I challenge them I have to turn the card and challenge myself to be at my best for them.

A big part of my time throughout the year is dedicated to the weight room. I believe it is a strong metaphor for life because one gets out as much as they put in. One can decide how hard or how little they want to work. Every rep symbolizes a step forward or stride one takes in life to better themselves and grow stronger. It also represents academics for you will also only get out as much as you put in. Every rep is like a study session for you will only get stronger and learn if you are dedicated to you own goal. If you study hard and listen and do your work then you will be successful; however, if you make excuses and procrastinate then one is setting themselves up for a bad path in the future. One will never regret working hard; therefore, in the classroom and on the field I give everything I have and lead by example to better myself and others around me.

I have experienced two completely different coaching staffs and new faces every year due to people retreating to a winning program. However, instead of retreating to a situation where I am handed success, I saw this as an opportunity to leave an impact. Unfortunately, I was faced with more adversity with a season ending injury. Again, being mentally exhausted, I considered the easy route of isolating myself from the obvious issues. Even though I could no longer lead by example, I strived to make the same impact with my knowledge. A freshman, Jackson, had lacked coaching and had never played before; however he would listen and was hungry to make an impact. Everything I learned from releases off the line, simple eye deceiving, and attacking the defenders cushion was dumped in his pocket. Immediately he gave in and was standing out and making plays. That same week he started receiver. It just shows that a little knowledge could help fuel an empty tank that is eager to drive.

During my three year varsity career, we have won only 4 out of 27 games, going 0-9 my senior year and never seeing a post season. Although high school has been a roller coaster and very disappointing, I had come to understand my situation and realized that I was capable of making an impact instead of giving up and becoming a part of the negativity the whole town was infected with. Being a leader and leading by example was a role I took on with an attempt to change the culture of our program. By holding people accountable and testing my teammate’s character, a bond was created. However I have also seen kids turn into men. My Quarterback Chris who had a season ending injury took it upon himself to give a freshman on our team, who had lost his dad recently and couldn’t afford cleats, his old cleats. Chris had bought into the new culture, and even when he was in a rough spot, he impacted a damaged kid. I am proud to have been
a part of changing culture, which is more important than a win.

During a coaching presentation, I was challenged with the question on which word described my experience throughout the years. My word is adversity, a word that I feel is very important. Everybody experiences adversity, from losing a football game to losing a loved one. But if you don’t know how to face tough times and instead fall apart then life will eat you up. I absorb my rough situation and realize the mental strength that I and my other teammates have come to build. When emotions are high, we tend to be oblivious to the lessons, but in reality they are blessings in disguise. When we sit back and reflect on how we personally have made strides within our character, we appreciate the struggles in life.
My team, my position as a leader, the people who look up to me, and adversity are all factors that have inspired me academically. In a rough situation, when the odds are against you, nothing is to be lost but only gained so why not give everything you have to better yourself and the lives that you are effecting unknowingly. God has a plan, endure the failures and lows, and be optimistic of the future.