The Man Behind "A Rendezvous With Destiny" by Katherine

The Man Behind "A Rendezvous With Destiny" by Katherine - February 2016 Scholarship Essay

The beauty behind the success story of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt is that he was able to achieve greatness even when faced with immense adversity. Although many had a distaste for his political views, the bipartisanship of American politics aside, President Roosevelt was an amazing man who conquered unimaginable obstacles. If I could go back in time to dine with any historical figure, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and I would go out to dinner simply to discuss overcoming challenges even in the most dire of circumstances.
In my government class at school we’ve talked endlessly about the various presidents and what they have done for our country, but the thing I remember most clearly is FDR’s 1936 “A Rendezvous With Destiny” speech in front of the Democratic National Convention. In this speech FDR made a promise to the people of this country about how to attain a greater equality for the general population, and to stand firmly against all injustices in this country and abroad. The three main points I can quote with ease are the ones about faith, hope, and charity.
“We do not see faith, hope, and charity as unattainable ideals, but we use them as stout supports of a nation fighting for freedom in a modern civilization.”
President Roosevelt was a visionary into the future, and knew that because our freedom was hard fought, it would have to hard kept as well. As the world was falling apart around him, FDR stood resolute in his beliefs and vowed to guide this country back into prosperity. When dictators were robbing people of their freedoms in Asia and Europe, he promised to preserve freedom at home, and while at home the middle class was in agony because of the economic fallout, he reassured the people that it would all work out. After thirty plus years of Republican dominance in the Executive Branch, President Roosevelt was confident that he could change the lives of millions of people by holding true to his beliefs when the odds were stacked against him. While on stage before the Democratic National Convention before he delivered his influential speech, President Roosevelt fell flat on his face because the braces supporting his legs gave out. His handicap never got in the way of what he wanted to achieve. Perseverance and determination know no limitations.
I don’t expect to be having to overcome national crises anytime soon like FDR, but his achievements teach a valuable lesson I would want to hear first-person about personal strength and the rejection of failure. Being a three sport Varsity athlete with a vigorous workload, giving up is more often than not the easier option. It’s a whole lot easier to get a zero on a test than it is to get a perfect score. To be able to listen to President Roosevelt about his struggles and how he beat them would be the only motivation I would need for my entire lifetime. He proved that anything is possible, and that’s something I truly believe in. If FDR could beat the odds then I know I can. One dinner with President Franklin Roosevelt would change my life for years.