Scholarship Essay: Nordstrom
For part of my honors project I spent some time looking into scholarship opportunities. One day, while online shopping for shoes at Nordstrom, I came across an advertisement that read, “Are you a high school junior and plan on attending a four year college? Apply here for a chance at a $10,000 scholarship!” The application process included my resume, a personal statement and the following responsive essay. I am thankful that I found this scholarship and am hopeful that I will be one of the 80 students who are awarded the scholarship money.
How do you define success?
Fancy cars, massive mansions and glittering diamonds is often how the world defines success. A man has truly made it when he has no financial worries and is highly regarded within his field. In fact, Webster's defines success as "the fact of getting or achieving wealth, respect or fame". Michael Jordan, arguably the best basketball player of all time, has achieved success by this definition. He has many of the things that others desire and has countless fans. However, there is a component to his accomplishments that is often overlooked. "I've missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed". He succeeded because of his pure inability to give up on becoming a better player.
Another individual that has not given up is my younger sister, Madison. After years of frustration and tears she was finally diagnosed with a learning disorder while in the third grade. Yet school didn't come any easier by just knowing her challenges and rarely has her efforts resulted in what is typically considered good grades. Her perseverance in the face of difficulty is inspiring and motivating. Winston Churchill states, "Success is going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm". I see this character trait in her and would argue that success is evident in her "C" just as much, if not more, than in my "A". There is no measurable value that can be placed on one's desire to continue in the face of adversity.
I believe Webster's is incomplete in their description of success. It is so much more than status and wealth. There should be character over substance, a characteristic that transcends merely what is visible on the outside. For me, overcoming obstacles is the key to true success as it shows the determination of an individual to persevere without immediate reward. Society often looks at the outward measures to determine success but is a person who earns a modest salary less successful than one who makes millions? I feel it is time that we begin to look at the accomplishments of the whole person and not simply the rewards of their labor to determine the ultimate model of achievement.
Explain a character defining moment.
"In every community, there is work to be done. In every nation, there are wounds to heal. In every heart is the power to do it". (Marianne Williamson) Although school is my main focus and priority I am often reminded to look outside of myself. To enjoy the sunrise, hug my family and don't sweat the small stuff too much. In 2010, Chelsea King, a high school senior in my community, went missing while out for a run. My mom and I went to join the efforts to search for her. So many members of our community showed up that we were turned away. To see everyone step up to help was overwhelming. I wanted to find a way that I could make an impact. Shortly after, Chelsea was found murdered. A local radio station, along with her parents, set up an event called "Finish Chelsea's Run". I ran the first run and was so moved by the life of Chelsea King that the following year I became a Student Ambassador for the Chelsea's Light Foundation. Even this small effort can make a big difference. I have become a changemaker, raising awareness and advocating for laws that protect children, getting the word out about the annual run and raising funds for the cause. In doing this, I have been able to meet the King family and see the strength and power of their determination. Chelsea loved sunflowers and it has become the symbol for the foundation. All of this has inspired me to look at the bigger picture and see that in every sunflower there are many seeds. I am just one seed, planted from adversity, that is growing tall and strong to make this world a better place for others, especially children. One little seed can make a difference.
How do you define success?
Fancy cars, massive mansions and glittering diamonds is often how the world defines success. A man has truly made it when he has no financial worries and is highly regarded within his field. In fact, Webster's defines success as "the fact of getting or achieving wealth, respect or fame". Michael Jordan, arguably the best basketball player of all time, has achieved success by this definition. He has many of the things that others desire and has countless fans. However, there is a component to his accomplishments that is often overlooked. "I've missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed". He succeeded because of his pure inability to give up on becoming a better player.
Another individual that has not given up is my younger sister, Madison. After years of frustration and tears she was finally diagnosed with a learning disorder while in the third grade. Yet school didn't come any easier by just knowing her challenges and rarely has her efforts resulted in what is typically considered good grades. Her perseverance in the face of difficulty is inspiring and motivating. Winston Churchill states, "Success is going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm". I see this character trait in her and would argue that success is evident in her "C" just as much, if not more, than in my "A". There is no measurable value that can be placed on one's desire to continue in the face of adversity.
I believe Webster's is incomplete in their description of success. It is so much more than status and wealth. There should be character over substance, a characteristic that transcends merely what is visible on the outside. For me, overcoming obstacles is the key to true success as it shows the determination of an individual to persevere without immediate reward. Society often looks at the outward measures to determine success but is a person who earns a modest salary less successful than one who makes millions? I feel it is time that we begin to look at the accomplishments of the whole person and not simply the rewards of their labor to determine the ultimate model of achievement.
Explain a character defining moment.
"In every community, there is work to be done. In every nation, there are wounds to heal. In every heart is the power to do it". (Marianne Williamson) Although school is my main focus and priority I am often reminded to look outside of myself. To enjoy the sunrise, hug my family and don't sweat the small stuff too much. In 2010, Chelsea King, a high school senior in my community, went missing while out for a run. My mom and I went to join the efforts to search for her. So many members of our community showed up that we were turned away. To see everyone step up to help was overwhelming. I wanted to find a way that I could make an impact. Shortly after, Chelsea was found murdered. A local radio station, along with her parents, set up an event called "Finish Chelsea's Run". I ran the first run and was so moved by the life of Chelsea King that the following year I became a Student Ambassador for the Chelsea's Light Foundation. Even this small effort can make a big difference. I have become a changemaker, raising awareness and advocating for laws that protect children, getting the word out about the annual run and raising funds for the cause. In doing this, I have been able to meet the King family and see the strength and power of their determination. Chelsea loved sunflowers and it has become the symbol for the foundation. All of this has inspired me to look at the bigger picture and see that in every sunflower there are many seeds. I am just one seed, planted from adversity, that is growing tall and strong to make this world a better place for others, especially children. One little seed can make a difference.