Graduation Day by Zachary

Graduation Day by Zachary - March 2014 Scholarship Essay

Some may think it very common, but my highest and proudest academic moment was when I graduated from college.

I come from a small, country family who has primarily earned their living by farming. Now, farming isn’t an occupation to look down upon. It is the primary reason that my family has a strong work ethic and sense of responsibility. But, early on, I knew that farming wasn’t what I wanted to do with my life. I wanted to teach music.

Music has always inspired me. My mother is a wonderful singer, and did study voice for a couple years before her father became ill and she abandoned her dreams in order to care for him. But her love of music was infectious, and it was unavoidable that I would grow up with her same passion for this incredible art form.

I started learning percussion when I was in middle school. By the time I got to high school, I was good enough to start taking lessons with an area college professor, Dr. Brian West of Texas Christian University. I eventually attended Texas Christian University and studied with Dr. West for a total of 6 years. This man pushed me to my limits in order to achieve perfection. He was an incredible role model and father figure for me, as my father has never really been involved in my life.

So you can imagine how I felt on graduation day. I was about to earn a Bachelor’s Degree, something no one in my family had ever done before. I was going to receive my degree in Music Education, and pursue a career path that my mother had always dreamed of, but never had the chance to. So as they called my name, I walked across that stage and shook hands with the Chancellor of TCU. I heard cheers from my classmates, but I across an entire coliseum, I heard my mother shouting, “That’s my boy!” It was the proudest moment of my life.

After I graduated, I taught music for four years before deciding to pursue a Master’s degree in Percussion Performance. Since my graduation day, it’s always been a dream of mine to get a Master’s degree. Graduating was a huge moment for both my family and me - it inspired my sister to go to college as well. Walking across the stage and experiencing the culmination of all my undergraduate studies encouraged me to continue my education.

I have been accepted into New York University’s Graduate Percussion Performance program, and I am incredibly proud and humbled at the same time. I know that my high-quality education has made a better life for my family and me. Most importantly, I’m hopeful that through my example, my son will also realize that nothing is more valuable than a college education.