Limitless by Jennifer

Limitless by Jennifer - April 2016 Scholarship Essay

School is what a student makes of it, whether it’s intimidating or enjoyable, school is a path that is created by the actions that the student does to make it the most unforgettable time of their youth, or the most dreadful years of their life. The Center for Disease Control did a study on American students in high school and concluded that, “16 percent of students reported seriously considering suicide, 13 percent reported creating a plan, and 8 percent reported trying to take their own life in the 12 months preceding the survey.” In order to prevent younger students from harming themselves and spiraling into depression during their educational years, I advise students to get involved on their campus’ limitless options because getting involved on my campus was what shaped me into the hard-working, dedicated, responsible, and happy student I am today.
One simple way students can get involved on their campus is by joining a sports team. By joining a sport student athletes developed the “3 P’s” mindset in which they apply not only on the field, but also inside the classroom. The “3 P’s” are persistence, patience, and practice. I have been a 4 year varsity swimmer, and the “3 P’s” mindset is what has and will continue to push me to be a bigger and better athlete and student. Another strong reason for students to get involved on campus through joining a sport is the friendships that are created. For younger students, approaching a new grade level can be very daunting because they might not know anyone; however, by joining a sport, students begin to form bonds with other students from just having the common interest of the sport. I have experienced the friendship benefit of joining a sport because I came from a private Catholic middle school and didn’t know anyone on my team, but as the sport season began to unravel I opened myself up to other students, and connected with them by our love for the sport of swimming. Getting involved on a campus can be easily done through sports, I have been the Varsity Girls Team Captain the past two years, and I highly encourage younger students to do so because they can gain respect, positive thinking skills, and learn the concept of hard work.
My one piece of advice for younger students is to get involved on campus because it teaches them leadership and responsibility. One way younger students can get involved on their campus is by joining ASB, Link Crew, Class Senate, or Leadership classes. My junior year I joined Link Crew, which is a leadership class that mentors freshman throughout their first year of high school. Joining Link Crew was one of my most recognizable and memorable achievements of my high school career because it taught me skills that I can apply outside of the classroom. For example, I was the “Activities Commissioner,” which means that I needed to plan lunchtime events to involve underclassmen to help them feel comfortable in the high school setting. Through my position in Link Crew I learned how to communicate effectively with my peers, create and organize events, and how to take the initiative in any situation. I heavily advise younger students to get involved on their campus by joining a leadership class like Link Crew because it teaches students how to solve “real world problems,” how to take on a leadership role, and how to dedicate themselves solely to a project to receive a successful product. Also, my senior year I joined ASB, and received the position of “Community Relations.” Through my position I am able to create events, assemblies, and apparel to raise money for the charity of my choosing. Some of my achievements have been donating an IPad to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, donating over 2,500 cans of food to the Second Harvest Food Bank, and donating $2,000.00 to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. I recommend younger students to get involved on campus by joining a leadership class like ASB because it’s so rewarding, enjoyable, and unforgettable to make a difference not only on campus, but the community as well.
Lastly, I advise younger students to get involved on campus because it will make a positive and cherished impact on their educational experience. Students can receive a positive and cherished experience by attending any sports games like basketball or football. Some of my most treasured memories of high school have been in the middle of my school’s football student section “Black Pack,” and screaming at the top of my lungs the “I believe we will win” chant in my school’s basketball student section, “Blue Crew.” By attending any sports games, younger students can get involved on their campus by showing school spirit, leading cheers for the student section, and making new friends by doing face painting. I absolutely will never forget attending any sports games on campus, and strongly advise younger students to get involved on campus this way because it makes such a positive difference on the student’s experience.
Getting involved on campus is singlehandedly the most important piece of advice I can offer up to younger students because it powerfully impacts the student’s present-day experience, and their future. My involvement on my campus gave me limitless opportunities to better myself as a student, and I believe it will provide those same opportunities for younger students today.