Conquered by Jewel

Conquered by Jewel - June 2016 Scholarship Essay

My proudest academic accomplishment is one you cannot find in my permanent records. My proudest academic accomplishment is that I found my weak point in school and I continuously strengthened it until it was no longer a problem. That weak point is mathematics. I think in pictures and words rather than numbers and equations. It was difficult for me to keep up with all of the new types of maths I was introduced to, as well as keep all of the ways to solve problems organized in my mind.

In Elementary school, my problem was multiplication tables. So, I studied them day after day until my brain felt fried. Now I can multiply numbers without breaking a sweat. During muddle school, I developed a habit of practicing math for twenty minutes every day. My average FCAT score was a four. But I really didn’t notice the effect it had until eighth grade. I had earned myself and Algebra 1 Honors course. And, with a harder course, I studied harder. There were times when I was sad that I had to do something else instead of studying my math. But it all paid off. I passed the EOC, and my Algebra teacher pushed me to go into Geometry Honors my high school freshman year.

After a month or two of Geometry Honors, I realized that I didn't need to study anymore. I was understanding the information, remembering it, and completing difficult problems in a very short period of time. My teacher recognized me as one of her best students. I found myself helping other students more often, as I was able to keep up with all of the work. I switched to online school during my sophomore year. Algebra 2 Honors was a breeze compared to the difficulties I used to have. I was required to take the Algebra 2 FSA, and my results revealed my 92 percentile rank. The next year I conquered FSCJ's Intermediate Algebra as an 11th grade Dual Enrollment student. I had an 88% state rank on the ACT.

Now, having finished my junior year in high school, I am blown away. I used to be a fifth grader that cried after too many multiplication questions. To see such an improvement in my skills is shocking. But I know now that I can truly do anything I want to do. It doesn't matter if my idea is difficult: I proved to myself that I can conquer even the most head-splitting issues I may have. And that's all I need to know.