Motivation by Sarah

Motivation by Sarah - July 2016 Scholarship Essay

I have been a straight-A student since I was five years old. In both elementary and middle school, there was no question of what motivated me. I wanted to do my best in school, and often exceeded in everything I put my mind to. I never settled for less, either. My ambition drove me through the end of middle school. But things changed when I was accepted into an academic-focused and college readiness high school.

I dreamed of attending the Judson Early College Academy ever since my sister was first accepted five years earlier. Getting accepted was the easy part, but in the first few weeks realized what I had gotten myself into. No matter how hard I tried, there was always something else to do and someone else to beat. The steep competition shocked the determination out of me. I felt my best was not good enough anymore, and both my academic drive and scholarly attitude fell. School assignments bored me and the drama that most high schools are accustomed to seemed to double in such a small school. Neither helped me enjoy my high school experience. Instead, I wanted to go straight to college. I wanted to study anthropology and history rather than be stuck learning the state curriculum. I began to not care about school, so I did not care about my education.

Halfway throughout my freshman year, my class received a new college preparation teacher. Mrs. Martin was unlike any teacher I had ever had. While her lessons on college readiness followed the outlined curriculum, Mrs. Martin added an emphasis on following our dreams and achieving our life goals. She decorated her room with color and inspirational quotes. She even hung up some of her own artwork on the classroom walls. Harry Potter was also her favorite book series, so she divided the freshman class into the Harry Potter houses. Her refreshing personality breathed life back into the school.

The one thing she does teach-and continues to tell us to this day-is that we need to take an active part in our education. No one is going to grant our wishes if we don’t go and chase after what we want in life. After hearing this, my attitude and motivation about school began to change. I opened my eyes to the big picture, and understood how high school fit into my dreams and life goals. Shortly after Mrs. Martin began working there, I took an active role both academically and socially at the Judson Early College Academy. I no longer wanted to sit back and watch life pass me by. So I studied and took control of my education. In fact, I became such an active student that I am now a regular peer tutor. Ever since taking Mrs. Martin’s College Prep class, I have made a name for myself as a leader. I successfully started a petition to protest the school budget plan. I participated in and guided many extracurricular activities.

The most important thing that Mrs. Martin has taught me is that we can get what we want out of life as long as we are putting as much into it. Before meeting her, I knew where I wanted to go, but did not understand the process I needed to take to get there. I would have never found so much joy in helping others and taking control of my education had it not been for her. While an early college high school can be tedious sometimes, I have learned how to find inspiration in not only my dreams for the future, but also in the joy I have in the present.