Texas by Kayleigh

Texas by Kayleigh - July 2016 Scholarship Essay

As a high school student, we all have the opportunity to meet and build a relationship with about eight teachers each year. For some, we pray there is a fire drill during their class or the lights go out during that teacher’s lectures. For others, if we could spend all day in that class, it would not be a problem at all. For me specifically, this teacher was Molly Fridley. I was privileged enough to have her as an instructor for my sophomore year as my AP World History teacher, and again the following year as my AP Psychology teacher. One summer, she was even a chaperone on a trip to europe with our school that I was able to attend. She excelled in both and has fabulous passing rated for her students because she teaches very well. She cares for her students and treats us all with love, care and plenty of sarcasm.

The main lesson I have learned from this woman does not necessarily have anything to do with school or education, but with real life. In this day, high school students are not taught very many life lessons, but thrust into the real world head first to find out how the world works and make mistakes on their own. Mrs. Fridley taught me that you never have to settle and you can always find joy in anything you do.

Molly Fridley is a graduate of both the University of Notre Dame and the University of Texas, where she earned her degree in law. She was a practicing lawyer for multiple years, then decided she was not a fan of being a lawyer, and became a teacher. As a teacher, she put her all into everything she taught us. There was never a day in class when that woman had no control over the class, but also never a day she didn’t smile. Her sarcasm and dry humor always had a smile on our faces. The short walk to her classroom where real learning happens and laughter was never a walk filled with dread, but excitement and joy. Her class was filled with lectures and pens swiftly moving with note taking, occasionally a small life lesson session about how to handle student loans or about her college experiences.

I am very thankful to have been able to experience two years of her sarcasm and love. She is an amazingly cultured woman and the most intelligent woman I have ever met. She has influenced me to follow my dreams no matter what and do whatever I feel I belong to do.