The Sandwich by Colin

The Sandwich by Colin - December 2024 Scholarship Essay

I want to share with you how a simple lunch adventure with my dad transformed my perspective on life. A few years ago, we decided to make our own version of our favorite Jimmy John’s sandwich, The Vito using day-old bread. However, what should have been a quick trip to the store turned into a two-hour race to track down all the ingredients. The major component of the sandwich, the capocollo, was nowhere to be found. Despite the roadblocks and my endless hunger pains, I admired my dad’s determination to finish what we started. He taught me to step out of my comfort zone and sparked a fire in me to be more open to new experiences and opportunities.
Growing up, school was difficult for me. It felt like something I had to do not something I wanted to do. I dreaded the mundane early winter mornings trudging to the bus stop. The early years of high school were especially taxing. As an introvert, I struggled with adapting to a different environment, the increased workload and meeting new people. My grades were mediocre, I often missed assignments and only put in enough effort to pass. If I continued down this track my future would be bleak. My life was boring and unfulfilling; I craved structure and challenge. Confronted with these demands, Ichanged my approach and began seeing difficulties asopportunities for development and growth. I made a point to be more active in class by participating in classroom activities, committed to studying and completing assignments by writing notes and setting reminders on my phone and made a point to talk to at least one new person every day. After some time, school made sense and became more enjoyable.
While my academics improved, I still felt dissatisfied. There had to be more to my personal time besides chores and helping my mom around the house. During my childhood, my older sister and I spent countless days and nights practicing flips on our trampoline. This inspired me to join the men’sgymnastics team at my high school which also allowed me the opportunity to meet new people and be more active. Much to my dismay, gymnastics was more difficult than expected. I struggled to keep up with my teammates and was the weakest on the team.Feeling discouraged but not defeated, I rose to the challenge andbegan strength training to build muscle at a local gym.
My physical fitness journey presented its own set of tests. Icommitted going to the gym after school daily, training at least ten hours a week and enduring all the aches and pains that came along with it. Although exhausting, quickly each repetition became easier; I was increasing weight and getting stronger. My determination to succeed awarded me much more than physical strength. It provided me the confidence, focus, and stamina to stay on top of my homework and studying. I began excelling in my classes and my teachers recommended that I enroll in advanced placement courses my senior year. Although my high school discontinued the men's gymnastics program, my passion to grow stronger both physically and mentally continues today. 
This story goes beyond discussing sandwiches; we could have just purchased The Vito and been satisfied. Instead, my father’s persistence to gather all the ingredients to build the perfect sandwich showed me that hard work is critical to my achievements. I demonstrated the ability to transform from ashy, unmotivated student to a confident, self-disciplined, and ambitious individual. Realizing that much like a sandwich, life can be layered and complex, but my perseverance and dedication will pave the path to success. I look forward to college and welcoming new beginnings. I am eager to meet new people and excited to participate in various organizations and intramural sports. Most importantly, I envision a future filled with success and prosperity.