Education Is The Key by Yasmin

Education Is The Key by Yasmin - July 2014 Scholarship Essay

"Education Is The Key." We hear it at least a billion times from teachers, coaches and parents but what does it actually mean? What is it about education and its value that is so important? Why do we spend 9 months in school, for 12 years just to get a piece of paper? Why do we go back for 2 to 8 years more, for another piece of paper? These are the questions I asked myself every time I heard, education was so important.

We all have that teacher that preaches to you about life. One minute you're learning about atoms or WWII and the next minute you're hearing about how to pay for college and what are scams and not. My history teacher was just like that. She always had this lively attitude about her, her comments about War and what foods are hazards and to the most random, why you should buy black socks instead of white for college. She had assigned us to write an essay on the value of education. Now, as a sophomore, I didn't really see education as a big deal, let alone its value but as a usual high school student, I wrote my way through the paper. It was rough draft day, where she collected the papers and read them. That normal class period ended and she asked me to stay after class. "Your paper was quite interesting,” she said to me, "You write here, 'education isn't even a big deal, or as big of a deal people make it.’” An awkward silence passed between us and she handed me back my paper and a DVD, "Watch this and re write this paper and handed it in on Monday." I went home that Friday night, still amazed by that moment in the classroom. I looked at the DVD she handed me, "Waiting For Superman."

Later that night, I watched the documentary. Here I was in the end, tears on my check, questioning my life and choices. These parents and kids were fighting for a great education and here I was, taking advantage of my school system and a great suburban school system it was. I now understood the value of education. It's a way to escape poverty for many of us, to escape hardship and to make a difference to our communities and our own lives. It wasn't all about the paper but it was about the life lessons behind it and to be educated, it’s like being free because you have so many opportunities and doors to open just to achieve success.

Look at me now, a once doubtful student and now a future student at a great University, first person and female in my family. And here I am thanking that history teacher for opening my eyes to truly understanding the greatest gift we all take advantage of, our education.