Describe a time you learned a valuable life lesson outside of the classroom. by Teyana

Describe a time you learned a valuable life lesson outside of the classroom. by Teyana - October 2013 Scholarship Essay

Growing up I read a book about a courageous little girl named Ruby Bridges. It was a book about how the act of bravery can help lead anyone through the most difficult situations. Ruby was a young black girl who attended an all white school so that she could receive a better education that she deserved. One of the most common emotions is fear, and because of Ruby Bridges I overcame fear and now have confidence in everything I do. From this influential female, I have learned that there are two types of people in the world, the ones who will help me succeed and those who have doubt.
As a child I knew I wanted to be like Ruby because not many are like her. She was merely a youngling who understood and accepted society’s differences well; before school, each morning Ruby would say a prayer for all the whites who discouraged her from attending a white school. Like Ruby, I once encountered a racial situation during lunch in an educational summer program I attended. As students, we were allowed to go before the college’s students, so a few of us did and I overheard three collegiate males conversing, one asked, “Why are they cutting?” another responded, “Oh, it’s a Black thing.” In my head I thought “What to do?” so I turned around and asked, “Who said that?” When one of the males bravely raised his hand I furiously told him that he was stupid and that we were allowed to go ahead of the college students before one of our tutors pulled me away. Later that day I regretted what I said to him, because neither of us really knew what a ‘Black thing’ was. I thought what was this ‘Black thing’ he spoke of because our summer program was very diverse, so maybe he meant to say, “Oh, it’s a Black, Asian, Hispanic, and White thing’ because then, like Ruby, I would have understood and accepted that all ethnicity are equal and our society should treat each the same.
Ruby also taught me that standing up in the face of those who want me to back down is the only option. When I decided to run for student body president I dedicated most of my time into my campaign to prove to everyone that I could become the president of my class. I worked hard on my posters, speeches, and greetings so that my peers were aware of who I was and to become familiar with me as a person. Ruby Bridges helped me become a stronger person and I was able to campaign without knowing anyone from my academy and become president of my class. I now do everything in confidence with the hopes of succeeding, thanks to Ruby Bridges.
I can now overcome all the negativity around me and remind myself of what is important to me and my future. I will continue to try to understand and accept society for what it is. Because of Ruby Bridges I will vow not to be acquiescent to the wrongs of the world but to help fix and change them. Ruby Bridges’ actions are an influential aspect in my life and I will try my best to educate others with my actions, as she did, to teach the world that negative situations can be turned into something great.