Veni, Vidi, Vici by Krisstel

Veni, Vidi, Vici by Krisstel - November 2018 Scholarship Essay

Like many others, high school has made a notable impact in my life. It provided me many opportunities to grow and establish my presence in my community. As a child, my mother always stressed the importance of education and how knowledge would pave me a pathway to success. In middle school, I learned a quote Julius Caesar had written in a letter to the Roman Senate after winning a battle, "Veni, vidi, vici” meaning “I came, I saw, I conquered.” This quote came to follow me around in whatever I did: academics, sports and any hobbies I was interested in. I wanted to put my all in everything I did.

When high school came around, my mother became more demanding about grades and extracurriculars. I was always bright and intelligent when it came to academics but the pressure was crushing. I have stayed up an ungodly amount of hours studying and finishing assignments attempting to not only stay up to my mothers standards but my own.

In my sophomore year, I joined my high schools swim team. Not only did I develop a love for the sport but a passion to become better at it. Being only a beginner at the sport, I tried my best to further improve my speed and technique. I was stuck in lane one, in other words “the people who cannot swim” lane, but I didn’t mind. I was doing what I loved. The next swim season though, I became increasingly involved in swimming and as a result moved up three lanes. I was even eligible to go to Leagues! “Veni, vidi, vici” always seemed to follow me around as it was written in the back of our teams tee-shirts but instead it was written “Veni, natavi, vici.” I came, I swam, I conquered.

With a bit over a year left in my high school career I feel as though I have definitely experienced it with utmost satisfaction. I have academically been up to my standards and have athletically been up to par with what I want to do. With college being my next big step, I can most certainly say veni, vidi, vici.