My inspiration by Robert

My inspiration by Robert - October 2019 Scholarship Essay

Throughout my childhood, this kind, elderly man with graying hair would come to visit me. We would go to his house where he would play his violin to me, or show me his vast library of textbooks, encyclopedias, journals, and notes. Together we would look through different books about science or mathematics and he would show me all these beautiful pictures and explain them to me, I didn't understand much then, but I know much more about it now. Since then I have matured from the child that I once was, I have learned and become more aware of the world around me. He showed me the beauty of science and mathematics, and I kept that beauty in my heart.
Once I was a freshman he asked me "what do you want to learn?" I replied "Calculus". He set about it, going through that vast library of his to find a textbook that he thought was right for me, he presented to me Calculus Volume I, Apostle. It wasn't perfect, to say the least, I was taking precalculus and trigonometry at the time, but it got me further invested in mathematics. Since then I've learned all of Calculus I, II and Multivariable Calculus, throughout it all he has been a guiding figure, helping me when I am confused, offering advice, and helping me navigate the vast beauty and complexity that is mathematics.
Since then he has been helping me get into classes at North Carolina State University. My high school had effectively run out of math for me and nearly is running out of science now, and so to keep myself challenged I decided to try and take classes there. The application process for a junior to take classes was confusing, and though my school did its part, I always felt the help was lacking. He was there helping me work out what forms I needed to get signed from my High school, what online application I need to do to prove I am a resident of North Carolina. He was there guiding me like he always had.
Luckily for me, the application went through correctly. I was in. I was now both a high school junior and a college student.
Though it was confusing I still wanted to continue forward and become like him. For he actually used to teach at NCSU, for forty-two years. I always wanted to do what he did, he always seemed so wise and serene. He still does, but he is starting to reach the limits of what he in his age can do. He doesn't know everything, and he certainly never will, but to me, he always knew what was right for me.

That man was my grandfather. He is an emeritus professor at North Carolina State University where he taught. He is the guiding figure for who I want to be, and though he isn't perfect, he will always be perfect in the eyes of a confused teenage boy.