Education Connection by Trayvon

Education Connection by Trayvon - August 2018 Scholarship Essay

If I were to have my own educational podcast, I would want it to be about growing up and becoming an adult. The podcast would double as a journal to track my successes and failures, but also a guide for younger kids to use to help steer them in as good a direction as possible. I feel like there is power in choice. There is more knowledge gained when one chooses to listen to someone on their own time, instead of the impromptu lecture from your family or elders. If someone listened to my stories or my words, as they do music, it takes them on a different journey. I would want the podcast to be for them what every day is for me: a learning opportunity.

I have always tried to keep my head on straight; I know that as much as I am under the constant eye of guardians and family, the life I live is my own. No one else wakes up and sees my reflection in the mirror, so it is up to me to make what I feel are the best choices in life. It is often said that growing up is hard. The “real world” is a lot tougher than you know. I have not even begun to see what that world is fully like yet, but when I do, when I experience things through trial and error, I’d want there to be a young kid out there taking notes, listening to me and telling themselves “I can do better”. I am by no means perfect; I am only 18 with a lot more to learn and do in this world. I make mistakes, I have bad days, but these mistakes can be fixed with a little course correction.

The idea of children, teenagers, or adults getting a sense of reality and growth from someone who seems far away but close is an intriguing one. Far away in terms of location, but close because my voice could literally be in your ears, like I am right there with you. I have never had the option of choice. Whenever I do something wrong is normally the time when someone tells me about it and gives me wisdom or advice. I never sought out that advice from anyone, let alone a stranger. The podcast would be a way of opening up and having a real conversation about life as a growing person. When you are doing well, we can talk about it and if you are doing awful, we can talk about it too. Even if you are in-between, my podcast would be a good place to come and be able to relate to someone else. That by itself makes a world of a difference.The ability to connect with someone on any level exposes the good in our humanity. When someone sees good in the world, they can envision themselves as someone who can jump inside and keep the good going. The “real world” is tough, but if we can learn from each other and grow together, it’ll eventually work out for the best.