The Pride from the Pen by Madi

The Pride from the Pen by Madi - December 2016 Scholarship Essay

Even from a young age, I always knew that I wanted to pursue higher education. While my father never truly completed his college education, my mother got her Bachelor’s degree, and both of them had, and still have, high expectations for me. Not going to college was never an option for me, not only because of my unusually high intelligence as a child, but also (mainly) because of my independence and passion to do something that mattered. Without the right preparation through a college education, how would I be able to accomplish something that could touch the lives of others while also helping me to feel fulfilled at the same time? I’ve always known that I had to do something that mattered, something bigger than myself, but I wasn’t exactly sure how to get there.
Fortunately, during my high school experience, I found a way to do just that. At the beginning of my sophomore year, I joined my school’s student-run newspaper, the Jefferson City High School Red and Black. Originally, I was only supposed to be on hand as an extra photographer - sophomores almost never got in, especially not ones with no prior experience in journalism. The only somewhat journalism-related class I’d ever taken was Intro to Digital Photography. All I knew was how to write somewhat well, and I had a vague knowledge of how to operate a camera.
However, in the span of just a month, I discovered a passion for journalism within me that pushed me to be better in everything I did. I taught myself how to use a professional camera, lay out pages in InDesign, edit in Photoshop, and write a story in journalistic style all at a rapid speed. By the end of the month, the girl who was only supposed to be a photographer had her name on a story in the Opinion section in the very first issue. Looking back on this, it's just a minor achievement in the overall timeline of my high school career, but it’s what helped me to discover my true goal and the path I want to take in life.
Maybe it's not a formal award, but this is what I've become most proud of over my high school career. From the inexperienced staff reporter grew a News section editor, and now the Editor in Chief of the 16-17 school year. With the platform I have, I can spread messages of truth and equality, and that pushes me closer and closer toward my goal of doing something that will touch the lives of other. It might not be a traditional thing to take pride in or consider an accomplishment, but I wouldn't do any of it differently.