Lucky Number Seven by Nazmun

Nazmunof Jamaica's entry into Varsity Tutor's October 2017 scholarship contest

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Nazmun of Jamaica, NY
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Lucky Number Seven by Nazmun - October 2017 Scholarship Essay

They say that the number seven is a lucky number; well, our nation’s seventh president lead a life that was filled with luck and adventure. Andrew Jackson is coined as many things: a war soldier, a leader, maybe even a hero or a legend—but my favorite term that has been used to describe Jackson, is as a “roaring, rollicking fellow.” If I were to have dinner with one of our previous presidents of the United States, it would without a doubt have to be with him.
When I say that Andrew Jackson’s legacy was one that was filled with luck, I really do mean it. Jackson was elected into presidency with little to no political or electoral experience. He won over the people through his war stories, his charisma, and his charm. He told stories and jokes that locked you in the second he began to speak; his tales were filled with brushes upon death itself, and humor that would leave your eyes damp with laughter. I could only imagine all of the laughs President Jackson and I would be able to share over a meal.
Of all the stories that can be said about Andrew Jackson, there is one in particular that I would love to hear from him personally. Jackson’s reckless demeanor often got him into a bit of trouble, and he was known to get into gun fights with people around town. One of the most noteworthy duels, was the one he had with Charles Dickinson. There are theories as to why their feud began, but it is popularly believed that they were rivals in accordance to horse breeding and plantation owning—what pushed Dickinson over the edge, was the fact that Jackson had allegedly insulted his wife. In this duel, Jackson was first shot in the chest, and when it was his turn to shoot his shot, he misfired. This should have ended the duel in Jackson’s defeat, but in a plead for his honor, Jackson cocked his gun again, and hit Dickinson with a fatal gun-wound. Andrew Jackson left this fight with a not-so victorious victory, and a chronic injury that would pester him for the remainder of his life. There are several things that are ambiguous about this accord, and maybe after a full belly at the dinner table, I could have gotten the true story out of him myself.
One of the things I find most fascinating about Jackson’s character, is how he was able to win over the hearts of the majority of a country (that was able to vote), just by being himself. He was able to show everyone that even a common man would be able to take charge and lead a rising nation. Andrew Jackson was unconventional, devoted, and unlike any other president we have had in the past. He may have not been of the purest intentions in terms of character, but the way he carried himself throughout his election, and the way that others recorded and spoke of him, make me that much more intrigued. If I were able to have just one dinner with him, perhaps I would be able to form my own opinion of who he is/was, and decide for myself whether he would have been able to gain my popular vote for him as president or not.

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