My Shot by Jill

My Shot by Jill - June 2019 Scholarship Essay

Dear Ms. Abear,
Eighth grade was a difficult year for me. I was struggling to find myself amongst a group of kids that weren’t always the most empathetic. Then, I stepped into your classroom. Even now, I have vivid memories of the stories you told us to make history come to life before our very eyes. Aside from the stories you told, there is one other distinctive memory that comes to my mind when I think of your classroom. You were reading my class’ grades on a project and the name you read after mine received a 4/4, you told them that you were proud. Someone questioned why you didn’t say the same for me, and you responded that you were always proud of me. It makes me smile just thinking about it because that was the kind of teacher that you were. You made me want to take ownership of all of the grades I was getting. You were the type of person that I wanted to make proud. I tried so hard in your class despite the challenges I was facing because I wanted you to be proud of me. I can confidently say that your history class was more challenging than my history class Freshman year: Early World History.
I would venture to say that over a span of two years you have remained the most influential teacher I have ever had the pleasure of learning from. I recently came across the card you gave me at the end of eighth grade as well as the speech you wrote to give me my award for history. In the speech that you wrote for me, you took three lines from My Shot and noted that I embodied them. You wrote that “I’m a diamond in the rough, shiny piece of coal tryin’ to reach my goal.” I think in eighth grade I never really considered anything beyond getting to my Freshman year at Brewster, but your class helped me change that view. I can now say that I am thriving in this environment. I had made many new friends from all over the world and my new goal is to become a surgeon. I get that it’s a big jump for me to go from being in high school to thinking about becoming a surgeon but that’s what I want to do. I want to be able to help people, the way that I know how to, just like you helped me.
Another quote that you used was that “I’m young scrappy and hungry.” At the time that you delivered this speech, I didn’t quite understand why you used this line. However, it only took me two years to understand. I am a small fish, a tiny, insignificant speck on this Earth. But I have a desire to change that. I am looking to flourish in ways that are far beyond this small town. I was the only student in the entirety of my Freshman grade that earned Summa Cum Laude all three trimesters. You saw that in me. You were able to recognize that fire deep down inside of me and you were able to bring it to light. I am passionate, driven, feisty, and sometimes even a bit sassy or sarcastic. I don’t know how you saw all of that in me, but you did and I am so thankful.
I think my favorite line that you used was saying that “I am not throwing away my shot.” Coming to Brewster was the best decision I have ever made, and you helped me get here. You wrote my recommendation and helped me learn the necessary core skills to improve the quality of my work. Since coming to Brewster I have worked harder than ever before. There are so many community service opportunities and adventures that I never would have experienced before. I actually just came back from a school trip to Italy. There were seventeen kids, four adults and not a care in the world. All we had to do was experience life. We got to go to an Italian cooking class and go to the Coliseum. The fact that I go to a school that understands the value of experience above memorization means a lot to me. I also wanted to let you know that this year I am taking AP US History. It’s usually reserved for Juniors but I am taking it early. It is the most challenging course I have taken in my entire life. With timed writing assignments, two quizzes a week, and pages upon pages of reading. I refuse to throw away my shot though. I want you to know the impact that you have had on my life, and the impact you continue to have in spite of the fact that I haven’t seen you in two years. I know that I’m only one student. You’ve taught so many students, but I’ve only had so many teachers. I hope you are doing well, and that you’re enjoying retirement! Thank you for teaching that one last year so that I had the opportunity to learn from you. Thank you, not only for instilling an intense work ethic into me but also for your attitude that gave me a greater appreciation for life.

My Kindest Regards,
Jill Pollini