The High School Fair by Jasmine

The High School Fair by Jasmine - May 2021 Scholarship Essay

Two years ago, I recall walking into Barringer High School for a district-wide high school fair. This was no ordinary school fair. It would be the first time the new superintendent, Roger Leon, would be attending a high school fair. There were about 600 people there to visit the schools. I was there to support my school as a guest speaker. My job was to talk about my experiences as a student and answer questions. I was nervous but prepared because I knew my role as a student ambassador was to help others and serve as a role model for my school. My school, Bard High School, is not your traditional high school. It is an early college school where students can graduate with an associate’s degree and a high school diploma within four years of attending. So, as expected, it’s a lot of information to sell to the parents and our potential incoming freshmen. About a week before, I heard there weren’t enough students, so I volunteered. About two to three other student ambassadors offered to assist the school with the presentation.
When I walked into the classroom that Bard was assigned to, I was greeted by my principal, dean, and teachers. I received a badge stating, “student ambassador,” as well as a pamphlet revealing the times I was to present. As the few volunteers from my school rolled in, I was getting some heads-up and reassurance from the staff. I gave them smiles and did my best to show them that I could handle a presentation. I was the first of the student ambassadors to present. Not only that, but I tried my best to hold myself together for my peers and the others who would be hearing me out. As it was my turn to present, I gave myself a pep talk. I reminded myself of why I was there: to inform the incoming students and their parents about the school I loved and attended. I pulled myself together and looked into the audience. There were lots of people there, I mean to the point where some people had to stand against the wall. I remembered when I took it upon myself to present a group project and how I myself was scared. I even thought of when I volunteered to fill in as a new member of the drama club, in the Hamilton play, and how I executed as though I had been presenting for months. “I got this,” I thought to myself.
The first presentation was a success. I was proud of myself. I had four other presentations that day, ranging from about 50-60 people listening to each one. Not only did we inform many people about our school, but we also influenced many students who applied a month later. I even got to speak to the superintendent at a meeting attended by a majority of the students in the district. On our breaks, I walked around to find Roger Leon and got him to head by Bard’s presentation. As busy as he was, I managed to get him to support our presentation. He shared some words of encouragement and went about his day. That day was full of accomplishment and reminded me that I could do anything I put my mind to.