8th Grade by Sydney

8th Grade by Sydney - July 2016 Scholarship Essay

As most other students I've had many teachers over the years, some good, some not so much. However, there have only been two teachers that I can look back on and be truly confident that they changed my life, and that I will never forget how hard they pushed me, and how they molded me into, not only the student, but the person I am today. For this essay I am only going to write about one of them. I met Mr. Henderson on my first day at public school in 8th grade. I had been home schooled for the following year, and the first half of 8th grade. So when I came in the year was already half over, friendships had already been formed, habits had been made, and classes ran like a well-oiled machine. I was prepared for a day of awkward introductions, and humiliating run downs of all the material I had missed. I was incredibly shy, never spoke out, and tried to avoid standing out as much as possible. My first period class was exactly as humiliating as I had anticipated, and when I left I was prepared for seven more classes of introductions. However I was even more horrified when I got to second period. I was greeted at the door by an old stern looking man. At the time I had never met someone as intimidating as this man, Mr. Henderson.
When the twelve other students in the class, and myself were settled in seats he walked around collecting a copy of Great Expectations, a book I thought was too advanced for a ragtag group of middle schoolers. He then passed out a copy of To Kill A Mockingbird, he asked if anyone had already read it, and I had. He quickly sent me to the front of the room, not for an introduction, but for an opinion. He was asking what I thought about the book I had read. He wanted a deep well thought out answer from the trembling, shy new girl. I didn't know how to respond so I gave a basic and dull answer of how I liked it. He let me sit down that day with my half-worked answer, but he also took on a challenge that day. He turned that scared little middle school girl into a confident and intelligent Senior.
I was continuously fortunate enough to be in his class for my first three, and this upcoming final year of high school. I never noticed how I was becoming more confident in what I said, and firm in my beliefs over the years. I suppose it should be considered a lesson, but thanks to this intimidating old man I have become confident. I think that is the most important lesson anyone can learn. In the world we live in today people must become firm in their beliefs and hold steadfast to them, or they can become swayed one way or another very easily. It may not seem like a lot, but for someone as passive, and agreeable as I am, it was very hard for a long time for me to disagree. Even if an idea completely went against what I believed I wouldn't say it. I owe a lot to Mr. Henderson, he has molded me into an opinionated young woman. I now have confidence that when I go out on my own I won't be swayed. I won't be tempted into making poor choices, because I learned to stand up for what I believe, I learned to disagree with people. Even people in my family I have learned to respectfully disagree with other people's opinions, because other people's ideas don't have to be mine. It took me a very long time to understand this, but now I do. I truly owe this life-defining lesson to the intimidating man I met in 8th grade.