I Can Do All Things by Trevor

I Can Do All Things by Trevor - September 2017 Scholarship Essay

Basketball and chemistry are what I came to college for, not art. Yet, at my university, taking an art class is required in order for one to graduate. Obviously, I took the course called, "Drawing 101," thinking, how challenging could this be? Well, it was most challenging actually. It was not your average art class at all. I had so much homework right from the first week. I also realized I could not fly through the homework because all of it demanded time and patience (which I thought I did not have). I also needed to get at least an A- in the class in order for my parents to finally buy me a smart phone. Yes, I had no texting cell phone during my years in high school. My motivation was high for my first semester was sky-rocketed because of this offer from my amazing parents.

This class gave me a run for my money. It was by far the hardest class I have ever taken in my entire school career. I would turn in assignments that I thought I had put quality effort in, but my teacher would rarely ever give me an A. She pushed us students, especially me, to do better. She knew the potential I had and would not let off easy, even when I told her about why I needed an A so badly. The really nice thing about my teacher was that she would allow students to re-do any drawing assignments and turn them into her for a better grade. I always had known this, but after I already put in so much time into some drawings, why in the world would I want to do them all over again?!

Towards the ending of the semester, I realized that in order for me to achieve my goal of straight A's, I was going to have to do some of the old assignments again. I turned in many of these drawings and I actually felt proud of them when I turned them into her. I knew I had put in the hard work and effort that made up for my lack in art skills. I got A's on all of these assignments. However, there was the final project that I still needed to get an A on for me to get an A- in the class. I had to draw a self portrait of myself on a big piece of paper using a past picture of me and only a special art pencil. I have never put more hours into an assignment than I did for this one. When I finished, I was shocked with how good it actually looked. Honestly, I started to contemplate that she might accuse me of cheating by letting someone else do my drawing. I turned it into her and could not wait to look at her facial expression. She was incredulous with the portrait that I handed her. If it wasn't for this art course, I never would have had my teacher bring out my potential in art.

Now I know what true hard-work effort reaps. I know that intelligence and skill sets are not the keys to success. By never giving up in anything being done and by staying hopeful, amazing things can and will happen. Never did I think a "Drawing 101" course would impact me in such profound ways. After writing this essay, the verse in Philippians chapter three comes to mind, "I can all things through Christ, who gives me strength." The writer of this verse, Paul, never allowed himself to give up on sharing the Good News with others. It did not matter whether he was stoned, shipwrecked, beaten, or humiliated, he would keep hoping. By taking this art class and getting an A-, I realized how true and inspiring this verse really is. I am now excited to demonstrate my efforts in my work. It is thanks to the taking of an art class, that I, a future chemistry teacher and husband, have learned the importance of unlocking one's true potential in any subject area of learning, no matter how challenging.