The Blessing of Teachers by Patrick

The Blessing of Teachers by Patrick - November 2015 Scholarship Essay

Stuck inside the bleak hotel room with an ice pack on my hip and a blood-flow massager on both
calves, I feel like throwing my SAT book at the TV. It's the second day post-arthroscopic hip
surgery in Vail, Colorado, and I am struggling with forced inactivity. Usually, exercise takes up
at least two hours of my day. My body/mind/spirit balance cannot stabilize properly without the
body portion in full gear. When I play tennis and lift weights, I feel energized and am able to think clearly. Without exercise, my mind doesn't focus as well and I feel sluggish. During that time after my surgery, my body/mind/spirit triangle felt imbalanced, causing me unhappiness.

I am very fortunate to have an incredible teaching staff that understands my body/mind/spirit
balance at my high school. Whether my teachers are asking about how my tennis is going or
asking if I need any help studying for an upcoming test, they are there to support me. Without
them, my high school experience wouldn’t be as remarkable as it has been so far. For example,
one of my teachers, the Director of Campus Ministry at my school, Mr. Don Clarke, has
supported me throughout my life, before and after my surgery.

Mr. Clarke ministers to my body, mind and spirit, whether he's yelling at me to go bring the
cross over to the gym without hurting Jesus or responding to my email requesting a quick
meeting with him during lunch break with the encouraging response, "Five minutes of Patrick
Quinn is better than 50 minutes of most students." I know I can count on him. I go into his office
and talk with him daily about Jesuit and my own life. He encourages me to lead retreats and get
involved in everything related to campus ministry. Even through tough times like my postsurgical frustration, he is a light that is constantly there.

As well as spiritually guiding me, Mr. Clarke encourages me to use my physical and intellectual
gifts. Sometimes, he gives me time to work on challenging academic assignments during
Sacristan class. He has been a constant presence in the stands, rooting for me at my tennis
matches. Last spring, I was down on the court on crutches, and I heard a booming voice yell out,
"Let's gooooooo Patrick!" I quickly spun around, nearly falling over in the process, and saw Mr.
Clarke, with both hands in the air, yelling my name. I laughed and hobbled off the court to say
hi. Even though I wasn't playing, Mr. Clarke had still come to cheer me on.

Recently, when the Pope came to the United States, Mr. Clarke went to Philadelphia to attend
one of his masses. Mr. Clarke and I both love how the Pope takes scientific issues like climate
change, and sociological issues homelessness and hunger and works to educate people through
his homilies and talks. Although I wasn't able to accompany Mr. Clarke to Philadelphia, I am
impressed that he demonstrated the importance of action and took the once-in-a-lifetime
opportunity to be present with the Pope and receive the blessings that entails.

Teachers like Mr. Clarke have helped me understand that I am called to use my gifts to positively
affect the world. They have inspired me to put myself out there and connect with others on a
deeper level. Because of them, I better understand what it means to be support others and
become a significant presence in others’ lives.

Mr. Clarke is just one example of how truly appreciative I am for the sacrifice, dedication and
overall concern for my well-being and body/mind/spirit balance that all of my teachers have
shared with me over the years.