Leaving a Mark by Melody

Leaving a Mark by Melody - August 2022 Scholarship Essay

Senior year: The year of "Senioritis," a plague that every Senior receives at least once during their final year in high school. With most of the school work done, what else is there to do? That is the normality for many Seniors around the world. Some may even find themselves so burned out of school that they simply quit. Not me. I don't like to quit.
When I first entered the private school in Oakdale with people all around me, I was scared. I had been homeschooled for 7 years. That's right, 7. Where most of my friends had plenty of public speaking experience, I had come from a place where the only knowledge of speech came from my two younger siblings. Not a good start. That was eighth grade, and I am currently a Senior in high school with vastly improved speaking techniques.
Throughout high school, even throughout the rest of primary, I wanted to be someone big. Clearly, I had the wrong idea of big being in a private school with a maximum of fifty kids. I wanted to leave a mark that others would remember.
In eighth grade, I was doing high school math. Classic school nerd. In sophomore year I was balancing a full year of high school along with dual enrollment. Another point to the classic school nerd. Now as a Senior with almost all of my high school done and 24 credits in college, I have no idea what to do. When this prompt says to describe an academic goal for this year, I actually have to think. Most of my academic goals have been completed in the past years.
After staring at the screen for quite some time, I realized I still had more to give. Who said it would stop with just my academics? Why not improve the entire high school? Looking back, I wonder how a balanced all the work while maintaining good relations with my friends and teacher. What is the key ingredient?
I had someone to lean on. In fact, I had multiple people to lean on. My family, my friends, and even people who didn't know what went on in the crazy mind of mine. Writing this, I realize that many people in my school do not have people to lean on. They are simply at high school to try and find meaning in life.
Believe me, I've felt the same way sometimes, but I think after years of saying the same thing over and over again, "what is the meaning," I finally can say that my purpose is to lift others up. Life should not be lived alone, and with many kids in my high school who think they are alone in this fight, I am there to be their shield. I am there to give them hope in a hopeless situation.
While this all may be a little sappy for an academic goal that I want to reach, supporting others when there is no one else to support can completely change people's perspective of life. I once was helped in life by all the people surrounding me. Now, it is my turn to help these high schoolers.
It is my turn to leave my mark.