A Bright Futue by Maryn

A Bright Futue by Maryn - October 2019 Scholarship Essay

I have had the opportunity to have access to amazing schools and education programs all throughout my life. What made these schools amazing wasn’t the location or amount of money put into them, it was the people. My peers and especially my educators made going to school every morning worth it. The people who have made the biggest impact in my life have always been my teachers. One particular teacher who has helped me achieve academic and worldly success is my choir teacher, Mrs. Bradbury. I had Mrs. Bradbury all throughout my Junior High experience.

Entering into Junior High from a small elementary school, I was very shy and insecure. Despite the usual awkwardness that comes with being a pre-teen, Mrs. Bradbury was very kind to me. In seventh grade, I had an interest in music and decided I would take the general music class she offered. None of my older siblings had ever had an interest in choir, but for some reason, I was drawn to it. From the first day I walked into her classroom, I instantly fell in love with singing. Mrs. Bradbury took the time to see each student’s potential and helped them recognize it for themselves. She gave us many opportunities that pushed us out of our comfort zone and stretched us. Not only did she teach us how to sing well and create beautiful sounds, she incorporated valuable life skills into each lesson. Many say that music programs don’t do anything for students academically, but I strongly disagree. Through her music programs, I learned the history behind each piece, gained counting skills I could use in my math classes, discovered the anatomy that comes with music, heard different languages, and so much more. As I got older, I advanced in her classes and gained more confidence in myself. I had even more opportunities to gain experience and learn. By the end of Junior High, I had the best friends anyone could ask for, a talent I could use to help others, and a love for my school and community. This was all because of a simple general music class.

Music is so personal yet unifying at the same time. In ninth grade, I had the opportunity to go caroling to hospitals during the Christmas season with my small combined choir. We got permission to enter the terminal illness facility and sing to the patients there. We were softly singing the song “Silent Night” as we watched tears roll down the cheeks of people from all different backgrounds. At that moment, nothing else mattered in the world except those sweet souls and the warmth our music provided them. I will never forget the genuine love I felt for those complete strangers. Music communicates in a way some words cannot.

Almost five years later, I now get to go into Mrs. Bradbury’s classroom every other day and intern for her. It all started with her time and trust. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized that many students find their classes uninspiring. By her example, I now know I want to pursue a career in music education. I know I want to give my future pupils the same opportunity Mrs. Bradbury gave me. Because of her and her influence, my future shines bright.