Never Give Up by Renee

Never Give Up by Renee - May 2014 Scholarship Essay

My writing professor at Dean College was an endless inspiration to me. She was the type of person that truly had belonged within her field, and it had shown through both her wisdom and compassion. I started interning in the school writing center in 2013 as a writing tutor, and then became an official paid tutor in the fall of 2014. I would help so many students with their essays, and even had become a kind of part-time peer therapist as well. The students would tell me of their difficulties that they were having with their peers, school work, as well as home life. Somehow I’d always find a solution towards most of their problems; but the funny thing was, I couldn’t find a solution to my own. I helped countless students with their transfer essays, and online applications. The greatest feeling was when a student had approached me and simply said, “Thank-you so much, you helped me get into my dream school.” It had made me learn that one of the greatest gifts you can give to yourself is helping others. Being able to do so through something you love, is just a bonus. However, I myself had never experienced that feeling of getting into your dream school. I didn’t apply myself in high school, and didn’t do very well. I ended up going to a small community college at first. I had liked it, however, my education got disrupted over person problems, and I was forced out into the real world for a few years. I worked long hard hours in retail jobs that didn't showcase my true talents.

I really didn’t like it, and wanted to get back into the things I had loved doing. So when the timing was finally right and I was able; I had applied to my dream school, “Emerson College”. I really had believed I would get in. I even personalized my own hoodie, and told people that I was headed there. When the rejection letter came in, I was devastated. I did some research, and eventually found Dean College. I decided to give it a shot, and give up on the Emerson dream. This is when I met Dawn Mendoza. Dawn is the associate English professor at Dean College. I ended up taking a Dramatic Literature class with Dawn, and had done exceptionally well. Dawn had took special note of my writing abilities, and asked if I'd like to become a writing tutor. I was flattered, and felt this was a great opportunity, and had accepted the offer.

The middle of the semester was fast approaching, and students were piling into the Learn Center for help with their transfer papers. The irony of this is that I was helping all these students with their papers, and giving out advice about the future; but personally I still had no idea what I was doing with my own. I was set to graduate Dean College with my associate degree this May, and had no idea what to do next. One day on a sunny Tuesday afternoon, Dawn sat next to me in the Learning Center, and asked me what my plans were after graduation. I looked at her kind of saddened and said, “To be honest, I’m lost.” Dawn then looked at me and told me that I had too much potential to give up now, and that I really need to pursue my writing further. She also had said we were all lost from time to time, and that its okay.

I had then opened up to her, and told her about my past rejection from Emerson. Dawn told me to try again, and to not give up on my dreams. It sounds so simple, but when you’re lost, sometimes all you need is a little push to get to where you need to be. I applied to Emerson College again, and this time got accepted! Now I have much better plans for the future, and it’s all thanks to the encouragement of a wonderful teacher. I hope to someday make the same impact on people, and I live my life trying to encourage others. There’s just one problem, and that is, the cost of Emerson College. I am determined to go there in the fall of 2014; but I need help getting there. This scholarship would mean a lot to me, and I hope that this essay will inspire others to simply, “never give up’. My ten year high school reunion has already come and gone, and after all these years, I’ve finally made a dream that I’ve had since I was child come true. It’s never too late, and I’ve only just begun.