Character Representation by Kimberly

Character Representation by Kimberly - August 2014 Scholarship Essay

Sometimes we make bad decisions but those decisions are not representative of who we are, instead what is truly indicative of our character, is how we chose to act in the face of those consequences. I learned this junior year of high school, after my French teacher assigned a partner project to make a formal business letter. My partner and I prioritized another assignment over this one, which was a bad decision on our part. Our teacher showed our assignment to the class to show us how shameful the work we turned in was and the embarrassment from this incident resulted in me being more diligent. Two weeks later there was a French test to advertise one of the francophone countries we learned about. My instructor commented on the improvement in my work and even said it was one of the best pieces of French writing she had seen. I knew that the difference in my academic capabilities was the result of my determination and effort to succeed. It was with this test that I proved to, not only my teacher and peers, but also to myself that my failures did not define me, ore my academic capabilities. Instead what defined me was how I choose to view my failure, as a catalyst for change.

There is no certainty that I will always make progress, but it is always worth the effort to try to improve myself. Not for anyone else, but for myself, so I can be proud of my own work and satisfied in all I accomplish. Regardless of any uncertainties, all I can do is use my resources, time, and energy, as a means to create opportunities from my failures. In order to make sure I do not resent myself in the future I work hard, so that I can be proud of my work and abilities. Even though I cannot claim I am the best, I can be confident in my work, because I invested my time and energy into changing my failure into an opportunity to learn.