My Award by Jessica

My Award by Jessica - March 2014 Scholarship Essay

One of my greatest academic achievements in my life was when I received the Excellence Award in Emergency Medical Science from Catawba Valley Community College. This award was granted to one Paramedic student in their second year of college who is an all-around great Paramedic. I didn’t think that I deserved the award because my grades were not the best in my class. I was a hands-on learner and loved to do clinical field work instead of book work in a classroom. The students that were in the top five of my class were very discouraging and told me that I did not deserve the award because I wasn’t smart enough. A couple friendships were lost because I earned this award but this award changed my life.

I have been a Paramedic for almost eight years in NC. I work in a very rural area where advance medicine is a must because of the long transport times to hospitals, and rugged terrain. I have become certified in swift water rescue, confined space rescue, advance diver and have started training for search and rescue missions. I became the first female training Sergeant for my EMS Service five years into my career. Again, I lost respect and friendships over my new position because they didn’t believe a female was capable of being an Officer.

My whole life I have been discouraged by others that did not believe in my abilities. Their discouraging words are motivating quotes in my life. They motivate me because I want to prove them wrong and show them that I CAN do it and I WILL do it 10 time better than the ever could. When people ask me what I do for a living it makes me very proud of myself after so many years of being put down. I understand that I will have to face this at any job that I work at but at least now I am confident, proud and i believe that I deserve what I have earned.