VA by Tyce

VA by Tyce - October 2016 Scholarship Essay

Varsity Tutors Scholarship Essay

As far back as I can remember, I have always had a proficiency in history. To this day it stands as the only subject in which I have achieved a perfect score on the SOL. My letter grade has never dropped below a B in a history class either. Learning about historical events and figures just always seemed to come naturally to me. So for me teaching history would be a blessing. It is not everyday that you get to teach something that you actually love.
World history has always held a bigger spot in my heart than any United States or Virginia history. I like to be taught about the different cultures around the world. From World War superpowers such as Germany and Russia; to the division of Korea and Vietnam in each of those respective wars. Learning and teaching the struggles and triumphs of certain nations has always given me a greater appreciation for some of the United States history. Places like Poland were invaded by Germany. It is just humbling to see how, things could be much worse for the United States. When you go through history books ninety percent of the time we are the dominant country in wars, and experience the least struggles. It makes you thankful that you do not have to go through such tragedies like Japan after we dropped not one, but two atomic bombs on them. History teaches you to value what you have and appreciate it.
If I was given a chance to teach any type of history I wanted to. It would not even be any of the ones that are in the norm. I am Black. Teaching an African/African American studies class or a Black History class would be a tremendous learning experience. As it stands right now my knowledge of African/African American culture is nowhere near what I think it should be. So teaching students about this, while also somewhat learning alongside them would be fantastic. It just feels like the trials and tribulations of the whole African/African American culture goes untold or underappreciated. I would be honored to bring light into young minds about this certain culture. From famous slave rebellion leaders such as Nat Turner or Gabriel Prosser to our first African American president Barack Obama. Becoming more self aware of African American heritage is a goal of mine.
History allows people to reach into the past and relate it to the present. Which I can appreciate on another level. It is wonderful to look back and see how much we have evolved as a race of humans; and we are continuing to grow together. To be able to recall historical events and point out how they have affected us today. To debate on what could have been different or discuss certain correlations between the past and the present is magnificent. What we fail to realize sometimes is that, we are making history right now. One day there will be new books published. New articles written about our first female president. Perhaps even our first African American female president. Names carved into the walls of history forever. That’s the thing about history I love. Even though it is the past and has already happened. It never gets old.