Even a child while watching Sesame Street I was taught that a person should not take too much while never giving back. It was rude to take my friend’s cookie without offering up my pack of Pringles or at the very least a very generous and hearty ‘thank you”. Scholarships work the same way. Except that a pack of Pringles is not enough anymore. I believe that honored recipients of full-ride scholarships must give back to the community. This does not mean money; otherwise it would be called a loan instead of a scholarship. I mean they should use the scholarship to their full advantage by getting the best education possible so that they can become active and prosperous members of the community. To serve people, to revolutionize, and to ensure a better future for coming generations. By doing these things that person would be returning the favor that was once presented to them. It is for these reasons that scholarship donors should invest in me. I am passionate, determined, and ready to give back to the community.
The opportunities a person is presented depend greatly on how assertive they are. I am living proof that a person can go from nothing to having every opportunity at their feet. Having the passion to achieve something is key to actually performing it. Coming to the United States at the age of 5 when I knew absolutely no English, I was forced to learn, and to learn fast. During elementary school my grades reflected my fervor to be on the same footing as my peers. I knew my lack of language put me at a disadvantage. However, I also knew I could do just as well as them, maybe even better. I threw myself at learning everything I could. I read during all my free time, even dictionaries. Today I am ranked number 1 in my class, and have set a goal to graduate as valedictorian. I have never had a B in my life. Even though the first couple of years in a new country were hard, they taught me a life lesson. Nothing comes easy, and they come even harder without the burning fire to strive for more.
Determination is a characteristic that goes hand in hand with passion. Although it is easy to interchange them, they represent different things. Determination is the strength, endurance, and willpower of a person. This means that in order for a person to be determined, they must goal oriented. Joining the Papillion-LaVista cross country team had taught me the true value of determination. Every chapter in life has its own finish line. I know I will not succeed without putting in the hours and miles during practice. It would have been easy to push the snooze button during the 6:30 a.m. practices, but that would not have paid off. In the end, after 3 long years, I qualified for state cross country. In retrospect, running a race is like running towards goal in life. The goal will not be reached without the determination to finish it through. Life is an endurance race, and only those who have the strength to finish will succeed.
Many people are surprised when I tell them that none of my goals include making a lot of money. Money is a very superficial way to define success. My definition of success includes doing good things for others, making a difference, and giving back in order to complete the cycle of taking and giving. Something I want to do during my college years, and possibly even after, is travel abroad to places that need my presence the most. Whether it is to listen to their stories, to help them build a home, to help them feed themselves, I want people to know that others care and are willing to help. It is in this sense that I want to return the opportunity that was once graciously presented to me. Success is finding a way to improve the life of another or the community as a whole.
Even though money does not define a person, it is still an essential part of surviving. Unfortunately, it is a factor that can deter people in doing what they are really capable of doing. Receiving a full-ride scholarship is receiving more than just money. It is a door to many once-in-a-lifetime opportunities that become available to those with a praise-worthy education. I have worked hard from square one to prove that no boundaries can hold me back from excelling. I have propelled myself forward towards any goal, always finishing my race. I have constituted my life around improving myself first in order to help others. I truly believe I am a commendable candidate for a full-ride scholarship.
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