Did I Fail or Did I Learn? by Kylie

Did I Fail or Did I Learn? by Kylie - November 2018 Scholarship Essay

As I come to the end of my senior year of high school, I ask myself, "What would my yearbook quote be? What would inspire the next generation and express me in the best way?" As a part of the "Gen Z" generation, there is not much my generation has not heard from prior generations and our peers. That makes it difficult to attempt a quote that will influence those who have become numb to inspirational words and those of the next age with a fortified immunity to encouragement. Perhaps a quote about my personal experience, such as, "Do not stop striving even when you have reached your destination--there is always something more." However, with a generation surrounded by athletic companies with inspirational quotes like "Just do it," how would that be unique?

For "Gen Z" and the generation that will succeed us, what determines the memorability of any such thing? Going viral. Virility is the basis of importance in the late 2010’s and will surely remain a standard of importance as we pass into 2019. Therefore, a quote's influence can be determined by the virility of the quote itself.

In this age, humor is the frontrunner of the majority of the viral posts, from bad puns to comic strips covering a reality many are disassociated from. So what quote could fit into the parameters defining what is viral?

After delving deeper into what I wanted to convey, I stumbled across the perfect quote to express myself and influence my fellow peers. Thomas Edison once stated, "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." While this quote may not be my own, Edison's enlightened mentality towards failure reflects the influence I wish to have on my peers. I wish to show my peers that there is no failure if you are willing to keep trying; there is no failure if your drive to succeed outweighs the devastating pressure to quit. With the humorous addition of, "I've just found 10,00 ways that won't work," the quote is destined to become popular among this, and the next, generation.

As humans we have all faced challenges. I came face to face with my most difficult challenge on the side of a mountain, 7,000 feet from ground level. “Just pedal! Don’t think about it, just pedal and hold on!” echoed my dad’s voice as I slammed on the brakes of my mountain bike once again. For what seemed like the hundredth time, I was so close to going over the mountain’s edge only to have my mind paralyze my body. The struggle between my physical ability and my mental acumen was at all-time high.

A few hours later, it was time for my downhill race on the very same mountain that intimidated me so intensely, I could not control my own body. Finally, after much coaching, reassurances, and bribing, I crested the edge and sped down the mountain finally making it to the finish line. The feeling of swiftly maneuvering through the trees and thrashing across the terrain was surreal. I was ecstatic to see the bottom; not the finish line but the bottom because I had made it!

In seconds, the race announcer spouted my results; 9 minutes and 32 seconds. “Wait, what? I am a nationally ranked BMX racer, there is no way my race time was that high,” I thought to myself. Well, the brutal reality captured on the screen of the timing system was not a lie; I had the longest time and ranked last in my division. On the verge of tears, I saw my dad out of the corner of my eye. He was running towards me with the biggest smile I had ever seen. The feeling of failure started to set in as I realized I was going to disappoint him when I told him I finished last. I started to open my mouth to tell him my results, but he interrupted me saying “You did it! I knew you could! This win is the start of your mountain biking expedition and you are going to be great!” I stated “Dad, I didn’t win. I am last. I had the longest time in my division. This whole race was a failure.” To which my dad replied, “You faced the challenge. You chose to face your fear. You did something outside of your comfort zone. That is the win I am talking about. That is a bigger win than the shortest race time or a podium trophy.”

At 4’11” and age sixteen, finding the courage to face challenges can be daunting. Whether it be sustaining a 4.0 GPA, finding time for extra-curricular activities, or descending 7,000 feet down the side of mountain as a competitive cyclist, the deluge of challenges can be crushing. However, conquering my demon on the mountain taught me challenges present an opportunity for two things; success or learning.

"I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work," is an excellent quote that enlightens brilliant minds, excites the drive within us, and allows humor into our lives when we feel ready to quit. Therefore, it is the perfect quote to have immortalized as my senior quote, the quote I and my peers can look to for guidance at any time.