Cum Laude: Impact of a Lifetime by Sierra

Cum Laude: Impact of a Lifetime by Sierra - March 2014 Scholarship Essay

“Sierra Kane, our next Cum Laude recipient…” is an announcement I will never forget. On June 2, 2102, I was able to graduate from Waterford High School as one of the top seniors in my class with this great honor. Being among one of only five recipients out of a graduating class of sixty-five, this award in my school is the highest academic achievement that one can be awarded. Not only does it represent academic excellence in the classroom, but also honorable character in the community. Being able to say that I am a Cum Laude award winner is definitely my greatest academic achievement.

Now that my graduation has passed, however, I have been able to reflect more deeply on what this award truly means to me and how it has affected my perspective. Firstly, this award has made me realize the importance of recognition. Being distinguished for my academic excellence made all of those late night study sessions, AP classes, and tutor groups worth it. I was thankful that my professors acknowledged my hard work completed behind closed doors where nobody saw how much time I actually dedicated to my academic studies. I felt appreciated, valued, and respected. However, I have come to realize that all people need some form of recognition, not necessarily in the shape of a Cum Laude pin. Recognition in people’s lives is a necessary part to achieve any success because it recharges dampened spirits and motivates oneself to keep striving and reaching forward. I have tried to empower those around me by offering recognition as well, whether that is commenting on someone’s hard work, acknowledging a completed goal, or even something as simple as offering a complement. I now understand that as others are recognized, they too can reach for success in their own lives.

With my Cum Laude recognition in hand, it also sparked another positive force in my life. This award allowed me to gain courage to continue with my education after high school. Being publically awarded made me truly see how much I had accomplished in my academic career thus far and gave me desire and passion to continue my education in college. I am proud to say today that my high school academic excellence has transferred into my college studies as well. I am an Honors student, Delta Mu Delta member, Alpha Chi award winner, and a Who’s Who recipient, just to name a few. Nonetheless, I would not have been able to accomplish any of this had I not received that confidence boost in high school with my Cum Laude award.

Not only has my Cum Laude recognition offered me courage to continue my education, but it has also raised my academic standards in general. This award has made me realize that excellence in the classroom is contagious and once I tasted that success, I wanted more. Subsequently, I demand more of myself academically, whether that be putting in an extra study hour, or reading a few more additional pages than required. Whatever it may be though, my standards in my academic career have clearly been raised thanks to Cum Laude.

My standards for excellence have also risen outside of the classroom as well. I have come to the conclusion that one cannot be truly successful if that knowledge gained in an academic environment is just kept in a classroom, a notebook, or a textbook. Knowledge must be spread for others to gain success in their lives as well. For that reason, I have made a point to reach out into my community more frequently to help empower others. One way I have done this is through helping residents of South Salt Lake learn how to garden and farm their own fruits and vegetables through coordinating local farmers markets and food stands. This experience has also taught me that excellence comes in many forms, not just in an academic setting, and needs to be continually fostered and appreciated.

The final way this award has shaped my life lies in the fact that it has taught me that excellence is truly attainable. Sometimes setting a high goal can be intimidating and it becomes easy to doubt oneself. However, after being invited into the Cum Laude Society, I came to realize that I can continually achieve excellence, in my school life, my social life, and in my career. I only need to put in hard work, have a dedicated attitude, and believe in myself. This realization coupled with my continual habit of setting my goals high has empowered me to become a more confident and motivated individual.

In conclusion, becoming a recipient of the Cum Laude award has made me realize the importance of recognition (in myself and others), offered me the courage and vision to continue my academic career, and given me hope and pride in myself by teaching me that success is attainable in every aspect of my life. With these realizations, however, I have also been able to spread this same passion for excellence with those around me. That being said, I can honestly say that this academic award has changed my life for the better.