A Most Important Lesson by Rebekah

A Most Important Lesson by Rebekah - July 2016 Scholarship Essay

I learned many valuable lessons from my teachers in Ledyard, CT Public Schools. As I prepare to go to college to become a teacher myself, it is good to reflect on my school years. The most important lesson I learned from a teacher is to care about others before myself. My teacher Ms. Jennifer O’Brien emphasized this in her classes at Ledyard High School (LHS) and as the faculty advisor for the YUGA Club (Youth United for Global Action and Awareness). I participated in YUGA for three years.
I learned to care about other people at home, in church, and in Ms. O'Brien's history and anthropology classes. I learned about people in US history, how they made a difference in their time. Ms. O’Brien encouraged me to work with other students in study groups for the AP US History exam during my junior year. During my senior year in anthropology class, I learned about people in other cultures. I learned about different religions and customs. Though we are all different, we are all important. I learned about food in Iceland, tribes in South America, and poverty in several countries including India and Rwanda. I learned that many people in these countries do not have clean water, hygiene and sanitation, or enough food to eat. These concerns tie in with YUGA projects to raise awareness of the need for clean water, sanitation, birth registrations and gender equality. My YUGA Club did fundraisers and set up booths at lunch to highlight these issues.
The need to care for others is encouraged at home and at church. Ms. O’Brien and family have encouraged me to be active in helping others. I participate in short-term mission trips with Work Camp North East and do community volunteer work with the Ledyard Historical Society, 4-H Ladybugs Club, and with LHS Key Club. Our family sponsors two girls in Rwanda, Africa with World Vision. We support our home church and missionaries serving overseas.