I WANT TO BE THE APPLE TO HER TREE by Paige

I WANT TO BE THE APPLE TO HER TREE by Paige - March 2023 Scholarship Essay

When asked who is the one person who had a positive impact on my education, there are many that I think of throughout all of my years obtaining my education. There have been many teachers and coaches that have influenced me throughout the years and I considered them role models in my life. I surrounded myself with friends who took school seriously, and I feel as if they too were instrumental in having a positive impact which assisted my outlook on my educational needs.

To answer the question of the one person, honestly I must say my mom. When my siblings and I were younger, my mom decided to go back to school. My mom was already a nurse with an Associates degree and she wanted more. My mother enrolled in online classes to obtain her bachelors degree. I watched her work taking one class a semester up to taking six classes one year from January to June. She finished her degree rather quickly considering raising four children and working full time.

My mother graduated with a high GPA and achieved Maxima Cum Laude status from LaSalle University for her undergraduate degree. I remember attending her graduation and being so proud of her. Although, this quest of hers did not end here. My mom quickly enrolled in school for her Masters Degree. I remember many friends and family telling her she was taking on too much and it was not doable, however she had a goal and she was going to reach it no matter what. For my moms’ Master Degree she had to do what they call “hybrid” classes. Some classes were online, and some classes were in person. I remember the stress she was under, not only for her school work, her full time job, but also her job as a mother. My mother did everything possible to find friends or family to help her out, and she did not like to do that, she also realized it was what she had to do.

My mother finished her Masters Degree with a 4.0 GPA and I also went to her graduation again. I beamed with pride watching her walk across that stage. She had a goal and she never let anything stop her and she was excellent at multitasking to provide for us and be a good mom.

My take away from the experience with my mom is that there is nothing that you can not accomplish if you have enough desire to achieve it. Nothing will come easy and I must work hard to accomplish my goals. Watching my mom made me realize that the time is now for me to go out and chase my dreams. I always remember her saying, “do it while you are young” and that has resonated with me throughout my education.

African civil rights leader Nelson Mandela said, "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." This quote provides me with a sense of gratitude that I live in a place and a time when I am allowed to attend higher education, and that a well laid plan can truly pay off. I plan to go as far as I can in school. I want to major in business and I look forward to the challenges ahead of me along with the ability to soak up all the information given to me. I credit my mom for instilling the value of education upon me.