Combination of Passions by Katelyn

Combination of Passions by Katelyn - June 2019 Scholarship Essay

Teachers have made a significant impact on my education. Throughout my school years, I have valued learning inside and outside the classroom, but Jimmy Wiederhold showed me just how how amazing learning can be when you are passionate about it. Mr. Wiederhold taught me American Sign Language during my first semester of senior year. On the first day of class, he went around the room and asked each of us why we were taking the class. For some, they were just taking it for the credit, but for others, they wanted to know the language to be successful in their careers. For me personally, I wanted to advance my knowledge of American Sign Language for my career in Speech Language Pathology.
Mr. Wiederhold also teaches music, so one day, he brought us to the music room for a lesson. During the lesson, we watched a video where we learned about a hearing impaired musician who is able to play the bass by feeling the beat in her chest. Every show, she walks on stage barefoot and feels the beat in order to perform. He had us put in ear plugs and he had us play the bass and describe where we felt the beat. This was a life changing lesson, because it combined his two passions and it made me want combine my passions for my career. This class made me realize that Speech Language Pathology was my passion, and I am taking American Sign Language this school year. He taught me that there is a way to balance all your passions. He plays at Playhouse in the Park in Cincinnati as well as participates in musicals at the high school. I was able to talk to him outside of class and he was a great person to talk to. His class was one of the best parts of my senior year was this class. It made me become more confident in my career choice. He studied American Sign Language in college and encouraged me to do so as well. He has been an inspiration to me. I am so appreciative of the lessons he has taught me, not just American Sign Language, but in life in general. I can't wait to use the knowledge I have gained from his class for my career.