To Pave the Road by Maddox

To Pave the Road by Maddox - August 2024 Scholarship Essay

As the eldest child in my family, I am burdened with setting the example. It is my responsibility to show my three younger siblings what they are capable of doing, what our parents have prepared them to do, and to make the world seem just a little bit friendlier to them. From preschool to high school, I like to believe I have done rather well thus far. I ended my time in middle school by joining the Junior National Honor Society, that is before COVID cut my time short, and eviscerated any idea of a normal freshman year. Even so, I successfully tested into mainly Honor’s courses, and kept high grades in all of them. I earned a spot on the Dean's list, and the next year was no different. By junior year I was able to acquire an AP level class, and the year after that I had four. Getting to this level, and doing well in the classes and on the tests as well, were my educational goals for the longest time. So far, I have simply set the example for middle school and high school, and as the world expands to me, my goal expands too.
Likely inherited from my mother, the creation of art has had a stronghold on me for as long as I can remember. When I was younger, my love for art manifested in the form of countless crafts and drawings that littered my house. As I grew, so did my practice, however I was too insecure to allow myself to do anything serious with my interest. Once high school offered me the opportunity to enroll in my first real art class, I seized that opportunity without question. This class served to nourish and let my passion grow into my sole focus. The reason this is relevant in the slightest is because this is where I am taking my academic future, by attending the School of the Art Institute of Chicago this fall.
The job of an artist is not one many people consider to be “successful,” or a “good idea.” Perhaps it really isn’t the best idea, to let one’s passion override practicality. Art however, has been my driving force for years, there is no chance that I would be here today without my passion for art. Consequently, my educational goal as it is now is simply succeeding in school. Succeeding so I can set that example for my siblings, to show them that doing what they truly love will guide you and help you make it in this world.