Experiencing Life while Graduating with an Associate Degree by Allison

Experiencing Life while Graduating with an Associate Degree by Allison - December 2016 Scholarship Essay

This spring I will not only graduate from high school, but I will also graduate with my associate degree. I originally considered attending a charter high school dedicated to helping its students graduate with their associate degree. However, at the orientation, I was told I could not participate in any after-school sports/activities. After studying the requirements and meeting with college counselors, I planned a course of study allowing me to earn my associate degree while attending my local high school. This allowed me to participate in a number of extra-curricular activities including a swim team, mock-trial team, and several other activities.

I have always loved water and swimming, but it wasn’t until my 8th-grade year that tried out for a competitive year-round swim team. Many of the swimmers started preparing for the team when they were very young. At the swim tryouts, several swimmers swam better and faster than me. I didn’t make the team. The next team tryouts were three months away. I set a goal to practice and significantly improve my times. I reached out to the coach of a local high school swim team and asked if she would help me improve my stroke form and teach me to become faster. We met for lessons at least once a week and I regularly practiced on my own. When the time came to try out again I made the team! Through continued hard work, perseverance and education I made the swim club’s fastest team. I then qualified and placed at the state championship meets the next year and all of the years after.

When I was informed that in order to graduate with my associate degree I would be required to give up the time and effort I had put into this swim team I was torn. I then resolved to do both, even though it would be a challenge. I talked to my college and high school counselors and was able to figure out a way to make everything work. My swim team practices 2 hours in the morning and 2.5 hours in the afternoon and so I had to learn to manage my time well. The ability to graduate with my associate degree while also participating in this competitive swim team was a great accomplishment for me.

The booming judge, the heated practice, excitement for trial day, the thrill of making and countering objections, and anticipation of results are just a few things that I absolutely about Mock Trial. I began participating in Mock Trial during Jr. High. When I transitioned to high school, I wanted to continue my Mock Trial experience but found there was no school team. Even though I knew it would require herculean effort (in addition competitive swimming and AP and college coursework), I took the plunge and founded a Mock Trial club at school. As President of the Mock Trial Club, I needed to recruit a teacher sponsor, an attorney sponsor, and students to be part of the club. I ultimately recruited an entire Mock Trial team and then helped organize practices, coordinate the team schedules, registration, and travel. Because of my previous Mock Trial experience, I was happy to help mentor other club members and shape them into successful advocates.

Founding and participating in this club was one of the best experiences I have had, and I was able to do it while also graduating with my associate degree. I am proud that I was able to complete both of these endeavors and do my best in both. Each of these experiences allowed me to grow and hopefully allowed others to grow. If I had not attended my local high school, however, I would not have been able to do this. I regard graduating with my associate degree while also becoming president of the Mock Trial club one of my great achievements.

During my sophomore year, I missed school for three weeks while I traveled to China with my parents to pick up my newly adopted sister. Prior to going, I was thrilled for the opportunity but hesitant about missing three weeks of school with my difficult classes I was taking in order to graduate with my associate degree. However, I was determined to go on the trip and get all A’s that term. Due to my preparation and hard work (including many after-school and late-night study sessions), I was able to earn all A’s in my classes. Traveling to china while keeping my grades up and graduating with my associate degree was a major accomplishment for me. I am proud that I resolved to set a high goal for myself and have the determination to push myself and accomplish this goal.

Graduating with my associate degree in and of itself was a challenging task that greatly pushed me academically. However, my desire to participate in other activities also surfaced and I was able to participate in those as well. Accomplishing all of the activities that I was passionate about was a goal I set at the beginning of high school. Following through and achieving my goal was a challenging yet worthwhile task. Graduating with my associate degree, but also participating in a number of extra-curricular activities including a swim team, mock-trial team, and several other activities is the school accomplishment I am most proud of.