Rich in Blood by Jesse

Rich in Blood by Jesse - June 2019 Scholarship Essay

I went to a middle school in a very impoverished part of Salt Lake City. I always felt self conscious about my socio-economic standing and it showed. Usually I wore only jeans and a hoodie, I always ate breakfast at school and I always walked home. I didn't have a lot to show to other people to prove my worth. However, what I did have was my ambition. I auditioned for the Dance Company at my school as well as for the theatre department; both of which I was accepted into. When I had my first class of dance we were assigned to bring a duffel bag, so that we could have something to hold our dance clothes in. To my dismay we did not already have a duffel bag in my house, so that meant we would have to buy one. Unfortunately, my only-parent mom had already used her paycheck for other necessities, so that meant that I would have to go without. I was so ashamed to admit that I was too poor to afford a duffel bag that I would of rather taken the zero on the assignment. Later that class period my dance teacher (Mrs. Francis) noticed that I was crying, because the F on that assignment meant that I would get a B in the class. She asked me what was wrong and I finally told her that I couldn't afford a duffel bag. She told me something that I still remember to this day, "I would rather entrust the most impoverished soul with all of my belongings than the greediest rich person on this planet." It taught me about the value of one's character instead of the material appearance they have to offer. The way this has benefited my education is that I realized that I didn't need new shoes, or many friends to do well in school. All I needed was my own willpower. Today, I am in a much better financial situation, but I will always remember what Mrs. Francis said to me years ago. It is so liberating to understand the value of one's own intrinsic value. It has helped me overcome many hurdles of feelings of inferiority and pessimism. For that I am always thankful and realize that it does not take money to be rich in blood.