Passion by Tadaeja

Passion by Tadaeja - November 2018 Scholarship Essay

Senior year is the most anticipated year of an adolescent’s life. The thought of everything you’ve worked hard for finally paying off. The curiosity as to what the next chapter entails. The joyous yet nervousness of officially becoming an adult. It is a time of adversity, realization, and becoming. You will learn many things during senior year, such as values, boundaries, talent, or whatever other lessons come about. Whatever the case may be, there is one quote you should live by from here on out. In the fine words of Steve Garvey, “You have to set goals that are almost out of reach. If you set a goal that is attainable without much work or thought, you are stuck with something below your true talent and potential” (Steve Garvey).
I have always had the “wildest,”as some may refer to them as, goals. Some of them, I’ve actually accomplished, others are still in the works right now. My most current one-- to become a surgeon. Referring back to Steve Garvey, this is no one and done goal, but a goal that requires countless hours of perseverance, sacrifice, and most importantly dedication. It’ll be everything but easy but that’s where the excitement in it comes from. Knowing I’m striving for something much greater in life than the average person, something “almost out of reach.” Not only is my goal to become a surgeon, but I plan to extend my services to under-served communities and eventually under-served countries. For me to accomplish these goals it will take approximately fifteen years of school, and an eternity of re-certification. But when you’re truly passionate about something you’re willing to do anything.
The quote by Steve Garvey captures me in my entirety. It shows my values and character. For those sole reasons, I would make it my senior yearbook quote. Your senior quote should not only represent you as a person but those core values that make you. In my case, passion.
All in all, I’ve seen too many times the consequences of settling below your true potential. The biggest one--regret. The only way to avoid it is to constantly strive for greatness and do all things through passion. Remember, “You have to set goals that are almost out of reach. If you set a goal that is attainable without much work or thought, you are stuck with something below your true talent and potential” (Steve Garvey).