Ella W., Oakwood High School
The Foundations of My Life
Two years ago, my mom told me that she signed me up for a volleyball camp at my school. I protested because at that point I knew nothing about volleyball. I was scared of the uncertainty, but I was lucky enough to have support from my best friend. I had her sign up for the camp as well so I wouldn't be alone. The following week we marched into the volleyball camp confidently, but only because we were together. Since then, I have played for two years. I noticed that when I dedicated myself to sports, my skills advanced and I gained faith in myself. So, I decided to commit myself to my studies as well. Volleyball has not only helped me gain confidence in athletics, but academics too.
In the past, I was uninterested in school. But eventually, I began to apply myself. I decided that I wanted to create better study habits for myself in order to improve my grades, and ultimately, I started to enjoy school. Still, there were still some classes I struggled with. But I excelled in science. Especially chemistry. It wasn't only my drive for academic validation that helped me succeed in school, but it was also due to support from my teachers and my mom.
One teacher who made the biggest impact on my education was my physical science teacher. It was my first high school science class; I was placed in the class while I was in eighth grade while everyone else were freshmen. I was anxious my first day there, everyone was older than me and it made me feel out of place, but Mrs. Edwards was always welcoming. The more time I spent in her classroom, it became a place that I gained comfort from. Sometimes I struggled with certain assignments, but I spent countless hours studying and it paid off. I learned a lot in that class, not only about science but also about myself. I learned that doing hard things benefits you, and that school can be enjoyable if you put in effort.
Mrs. Edwards wasn't my only supporter, so was my mom. She has been my strongest support for building my foundation since the beginning. Throughout all the struggles I have faced, my mom has consistently been the first person I go to for either reassurance or advice. She has always been the biggest contributor to my success.
As of recently, I have been applying myself into my studies more than ever so I can lay the foundation for my life. I plan to study and take classes that will help me achieve the career I want, which is to be a chemical engineer. Volleyball, school, and my mom have helped me gain confidence and aided me down the right path in life. Having a strong foundation is essential to achieving your goals and living a successful life.
