The Silver Hammer Trails by Steven

The Silver Hammer Trails by Steven - November 2018 Scholarship Essay

My senior quote would be “I have not lost until I have conceded defeat.” It shows just what kind of person I am. I am a person who rebounds. Every major challenge I have had in my life I have been able to overcome. I know that if I work hard enough, every challenge can be vanquished.

In the summer of 2018, I was with a group of people designing boats out of nothing but duct tape and cardboard. Long after most had given up on their designs, I had built my boat. I named it The Silver Hammer. Many in my group had ridiculed me for my work claiming I was insane and my boat would not float. My boat was going to work. I knew it in my heart. I was ready for the challenge.

There was also another individual in my group who also managed to build their boat. There was to be a race between the two of us. His boat was named The Barge. We both agreed to settle this with a race. In the race known as The Barge v. The Silver Hammer, The Barge was too buoyant and its captain could not stay in his boat. My boat did not float either. Both boats failed to accomplish their goals.

The other individual did not make another boat, but I did. I built a boat bigger, stronger, and with better duct tape than before. I used a box of industrial cardboard for my next boat. I used three and a half rolls of duct tape as opposed to the two and a half that I had used on The Silver Hammer. I named it The Silver Hammer Mark II.

I moved The Silver Hammer Mark II to a secure location after I had construction. Again, people had teased me claiming that I had wasted my time. They said that they were doing terrible things to my boat when I was not around. I thought it was in a secure location, but they had drawn on it with marker and scratch marks were frequently added to the boat. I had to again hide my boat from being damaged again.

One day, I decided to launch The Silver Hammer Mark II. I was dressed up as a superhero in order to add novelty to the spectacle. I had launched my boat off of a dock. Though The vessel was unstable, I was able to keep balance. I sang a parody of the Spider-Man theme song across an entire pond. The Silver Hammer Mark II was a complete success. I had proven to the skeptics that I was right. From the docks and the shores, I had seen the same people who doubted me applauding me.

Despite all the challenges, I overcame them all and succeded. This story is one of my favorites because it represents the obstacles that we all face every day. I am not afraid to work on achieving my goals. I can overcome adversity. That is why I would choose “I have not lost until I have conceded defeat.” as my senior quote.