Managing Peer-Pressure in High School by Lily

Managing Peer-Pressure in High School by Lily - November 2019 Scholarship Essay

Throughout my time at Prairie High School I have been involved in many things, choir, varsity soccer, varsity volleyball, National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, student council, and a suicide prevention club. But the place that I feel I have made the most impact on my school and its community isn’t through any of these clubs. I think the most important impact I have left high school with, is the ability to stay away from the drugs and alcohol through high school and lead my friends to stay away as well.
Ever since my freshman year, there have been numerous times where my friends and I were offered an invite to a party, or been offered a drink or bit of drugs. And many times where it has been hard to say no. But, I can proudly say that I have never given in to negative peer pressure throughout all 4 of my years. Along with this, I think that I have left a positive impact on my student body, more specifically my friends, telling them that it is okay not to give in to the temptations, and not going to that party isn’t going to make you uncool. I have surrounded myself with a large group of people that have these same views as me, and work hard to keep as many people in our grade out of these types of situations. By doing this we can keep a large majority of our student body out of the temptations of peer pressure and keep our school safer.
The most important thing that staying away from drugs and alcohol can bring is safety. There have been instances where someone has passed away in the grades above and below me, due to drunk driving. I have seen first hand what a death like this does to a class and I vowed to do my best to keep my friends and I safe from this tragedy. I go to a school with about 400 people in a class, and though I do not know all of them closely, I would be heartbroken if something were to happen to anyone.
As I move onto college next year, it will be even harder to follow these beliefs as alcohol and drugs become more popular and more accessible. And I know that I can not control what everyone does, but I can make sure that I am doing my best to keep my friends and I in safe situations and making good choices.