The Night that Changed My Life by Parker

The Night that Changed My Life by Parker - November 2022 Scholarship Essay

I was recently able to volunteer with Beaverhead Search and Rescue on a rescue mission in Beaverhead County. The organization needed additional help to bring a man out of the mountains, that had been rolled on by his horse. This was a life changing night for me.

My dad and I drove to the East Fork Blacktail campground. It was starting to snow, and I was excited about this opportunity. My dad and I started hiking in toward the man with limited supplies on our backs. We hiked 2.5 miles to the victim’s location. The man was laying on a steep side hill up against a tree and he was not in good shape. He was in a lot of pain.

At this point it was snowing very hard, it was cold and dark outside. The man was hypothermic, and my job was to keep a fire going throughout the night. I was extremely cold, and I was tired but knew I had to keep working if we were going to keep the man warm. My dad and I then held a foil blanket up to reflect heat on to the victim. We had to talk with the man for 3 hours to keep him from going to sleep, while we waited for other Search and Rescue members to arrive. As we waited it snowed another two feet. During this time, I had a lot of time to think. I could tell the man was tired and not doing well. This was a moment in my life that I realized how fast things can change. This man was hunting with his friends and seconds later he was fighting for his life.

It took us 5 hours to pack the man out of the mountains. This was extremely hard work. We were walking in deep snow, on difficult terrain. It was 5:00 AM when I got home. This experience impacted me in many ways. I realized how fast life can change. I also realized the power that volunteering in your community can have. This man may not have survived, had it not been for the volunteers from Beaverhead Search and Rescue that night.

I am so glad I was able to volunteer that night because it confirmed to me that I am a leader, and I can do hard things. It was a very long, hard, scary night, but I know that this helped to shape my character and set a solid foundation for my future. I had to be mentally tough that night. I had to be strong for myself and strong for the man that needed our help. I know life I going to be hard at times and knowing I are strong and mentally tough is going to help me be successful.