The Impact of Literacy by Mary Elizabeth

The Impact of Literacy by Mary Elizabeth - November 2015 Scholarship Essay

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been fascinated by words. Words that have been written down on paper or typed out to make a story. Words that have been strung together to create a song or a poem. Words passed down through generations that tell the stories that make up a family’s past, their history. Words allow people to live on, even when they are no longer here. They have the ability to make us cry, or smile, or even laugh. Words have the ability to stir up every emotion known to humankind; compassion, anger, sadness, happiness, joy, frustration. Words can start wars and spark revolutions. There is more power in a single word than man could ever posses in his entire existence. Words can be big, or small. They can have multiple meanings. They can be difficult to comprehend. Words can be misinterpreted and misused. But the ability to use the right words, at the right time, could have the potential to change the world.
I don’t know what exactly sparked my fascination with words, but perhaps it started long ago, when my Mother would read me stories before bedtime. We read everything from Dr. Seuss, to Junie B Jones. Stories about mermaids, fairies, magical adventures, cats that wore hats, and first graders who got in lots of trouble. After that, reading took me on many adventures of my own. On a magical train ride to Hogwarts with Harry, a trip down the rabbit hole with Alice, and on a wild road trip with Q to find his mysterious friend Margo. My fascination with the stories told in books, eventually carried over to a fascination with the stories told through music. Stories about love, loss, and friendships. Stories about losing yourself and then finding yourself again. And an appreciation for those stories, the ones I read and the ones I listened to, carried over to a love and appreciation for those stories told to me. The ones that weren’t written down on paper. The ones that taught me about my past and my family’s past. Funny stories, sad stories, stories that make you appreciate what you have, and stories that make you long for the world to be like it used to be. A world without computers or phones that forced you to go outside and run barefoot through the woods. A world without as much crime that let you rest easy with your doors unlocked.
Through words, I’ve learned many lessons. I’ve learned about pain, loss, love, joy, and all the other things life can throw at us. Words can take you on adventures without you ever leaving the house. They allow you to step in someone else’s shoes, even if it’s just for a moment, and that can change our whole perspective on the world.