What's that? by Olivia

What's that? by Olivia - November 2019 Scholarship Essay

“Say cheese!” The shutter clicks, and I eagerly await the arrival of my first official verification of becoming a middle school student. My mother suddenly approaches me from afar, dying to spill her good news to me: “The pre-business program is running low on students and you should join!” Me? In business? The thought has never crossed my mind. And we get our schedules today! Should I take a chance with such late notice or does a decision like this need more thought? There’s always next year right? Little did I know a modest, “Here goes nothing!” answer would change my life drastically.

Propping myself upon a seat in the cafeteria, I am handed a black and white sheet of paper which displays my new schedule for the incoming year. My newly added pre-business teacher, Mrs. George, is at the top of the list. I get to see her bright and early, every morning, for one hundred eight days. Curious about what I have already committed to, a petite, stern looking woman comes trudging down the middle aisle. She holds a sign that reads, “Pre-Business academy students.” Faking a smile, I hastily bustle to the back of the line, steadily searching around for any familiar faces. In just a matter of thirty minutes, I have pledged to three years. Yikes!

Throughout my middle school journey, my perception of Mrs. George has changed dramatically. She became a mentor, a friend, and a confidant. Through the academy, she introduced me to the program of Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA). It offered me the opportunity to prepare myself for business-oriented careers by means of academic competitions, educational workshops, and leadership development. Instantly, it became a part of me. Entering into an environment from which I felt welcomed, FBLA became my outlet for growth beyond what I knew I was capable of. With such devotion for the program and what it had to offer, I knew I couldn’t just stop there.

Soon enough, high school approaches at an alarming rate, and I knew something was missing as soon as I discovered that FBLA was not offered at Jupiter High. Immediately, I decided to launch FBLA into a brand new community. However, a history of being unable to find the right sponsor gave my dream a rocky start. Meetings with the principal piled with a chorus of despondent voices telling me to give up since a similar and more popular academy was already offered to students. High school was a different world where it seemed everyone was dedicated to their own personal interests. Despite the obstacles and occasional stumbles, listening to my heart’s conviction guided me along the right path in achieving my goal of offering a new outlook for students, who just like me, had no idea about FBLA.

My diligent efforts yielded huge dividends. Jupiter High FBLA has been recognized at state and local competitions since its inception. Trophies, certificates, and a rise in membership have stemmed from these many successes. Realizing the dream of FBLA was a chance to express my individuality and boost my self-confidence. I stepped out of my comfort zone and escaped the shadows of doubt, which sparked a drive to develop leadership qualities. I was able to adapt to a setting in which nothing is always as simple as it may seem. Grabbing hold of a challenge and persevering is something that I have grown accustomed and look forward to when taking that next step in life.
By allowing myself to take a leap of faith and bring about awareness of a program into a new high school, I knew FBLA deemed beneficial to students. Years progressed and Jupiter High has taken part in district and state competitions, recognized for its diligent efforts attained without the aid of an official advisor, proving how far one can go in the matter of a high school year. Just a couple of students who decided to join an afterschool club, not imagining to make much difference in this so called business program which they have never heard about, but whose efforts shockingly strived at accomplishments beyond imaginable.

As I look back to that day in the cafeteria, a lot has changed, but it all started when I took a shot at something that made me different.