Do Better by Natalie

Do Better by Natalie - July 2018 Scholarship Essay

The sun was beginning to rise over the ivory painted buildings on campus. The air was sticky and I could feel the moisture on my skin, but there was a sense of hope in the atmosphere. Today was the day I’d go before the entire school and present the short speech I’ve been writing, rewriting and editing for the past 4 months. I was the last person to willingly stand in front of a crowd of 1,200 students, and this nervous energy I felt was almost overwhelming.

Last year, during the student body president nominee speeches, I vividly remember being inspired by the only girl in the running for student body president, Kayla. Her slogan was simple: Do better. Something so easy and straightforward as “do better” was what inspired me to run for student body president this year. Now, as a senior in high school, I’ve applied that slogan to every aspect of my life. I began volunteering at a local animal shelter, the same shelter where my family adopted our dog a year earlier. I began to truly enjoy my classes—yes, even the loads of homework that were given.

My sophomore and junior year English teacher, Mrs. Jackson, was the first to notice the change in my attitude. During my sophomore year, I was never one to study for hours before a quiz or test, but I usually managed to get B’s. Junior year was different. I began to participate in class, became more organized in my studies, and started to regularly get A’s on assignments. One day, after a group presentation, Mrs. Jackson pulled me aside and expressed to me how excited she was that I was beginning to enjoy her class. Wow! I knew I had a made a noticeable change to myself and to my family, but hearing praise from a respected teacher was special.

Instead of viewing school and homework as a chore, like I once did, I began to realize the power of my knowledge. My education was solely mine. No matter where I was to go in life, I would always have my education. This realization has made a such a profound change in my attitude towards school and home life alike. Today, I’ll be standing in front of the 1,200 students and share with them how their education is such a mighty force, and all theirs for the rest of their lives.

I sat in the first row of bleachers in the school’s antiquated gymnasium with those also running for student body president. Together there were six of us: Henry, Will, Jacquelyn, Preston, Kelly, and me. Although a junior, Kelly was my fiercest competition. She was exceptionally smart and was one of the most genuine people I’ve met. I fumbled with my note cards. Mrs. Jackson recommended that I write down my main talking points to reference, but to keep my focus on making eye contact with the crowd. Principal Hartford was at the podium. He didn’t disclose to us which candidate would be first to speak, but I hoped it wasn’t me. He began the opening announcements. “Today, we gather to hear the proposals from the candidates for student body president. The elected student will positively impact the school for this upcoming year, and years to come. First up...”

Oh, no, he just said my name. Okay, okay, I think I’m ready. Deep breaths.

I made my way up to the podium, my Birkenstocks squeaking along the wooden floor. I clicked my notecards against the podium, took one deep breath, and smiled. I thought about my favorite speech from last year. “Do better” rang loud and clear in my head.

“Hi everyone, my name is Zoe Richardson and I’m a senior here at Lincoln High. Last year, I remember sitting right where you all are and gazing off at the clock, wondering how long this assembly would last. Just when I began daydreaming about lunch, our past student body president, Kayla, interrupted my thoughts of cafeteria pizza. I suddenly began to listen to what she had to say. Kayla began talking about her mission to “do better” here at Lincoln High. Today, I stand before you all to show you the power and possibility your education brings you. We may sit in geometry class and wonder why we’re learning the quadratic formula. Think of your education this way: Challenging our brains makes us stronger people. As your student body president, I wish to influence each of you to think critically and to use your education as a weapon. I’ll close with the words of our last president Kayla: Let’s “do better.”