Winning the Race by Renee

Winning the Race by Renee - February 2014 Scholarship Essay

If there was one saying that has stuck with me and influenced the way I live, it would be a phrase I found in the lyrics to a song. I do not know if it counts as an actual "quote" but I have tried to live my high school life by its logic. "It's not the human walk, it's the human race," can be found in Nickelback's "This Afternoon" song. It has influenced not only what I do, but how I do it.

The way that the song impacted me most, was that it symbolizes getting ahead in life. If somebody does not try to achieve their greatest, they will be passed by someone else willing to do it and gain the reward. Life is not willing to wait for you either. If you want something then you are the only one who can get it and everything depends on how you go about getting it. There are plenty of slacking people in the world, but it is the overachievers who earn their goals.

Some of the ways the quote has affected myself personally, is by promoting me to do more. Being a high school Senior, I know that my opportunities to go on trips and be in clubs are coming to an end. College does offer numerous activities to students but I know that I will have to promote my time to a select few instead of the dozen or so I am in now. Every time I thought about not doing this contest or not applying for an office or not joining a club I reminded myself that the involved experience the things they need for the real world. I also took into consideration college applications and scholarships that I would apply for and thought, "what kind of person would I want to give my money or time away to."

Just joining an organization was not enough for me either. In over half of the clubs I was ever involved in, I took on a leadership role. I have been President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Reporter, and a Representative in my numerous clubs. By covering a variety of roles, I know when my leadership is needed and also when to step back and let the members make their decisions on how the club should be run. I am delighted I attended such a high school that allowed so many ways for their students to get involved.

After four years of running to keep ahead, I am sad to say that I am reaching the finish line of my high school race. My marathon running is not over, but rather I am starting a new one in the college life. I will walk onto that stage in May to receive my high school diploma with the knowledge and understanding that, in high school, I did win the race.