Scholarship Essay Entry – Jessica P.

I once read an article in a magazine that said, "Courage does not always roar. Sometimes it is the quiet voice at the end of the day that says, 'I'll try again tomorrow'." Since reading that article in my early teens I have resolved to quietly and earnestly be the best person I can be each and every day, regardless of the outcome of the day before.

Since the age of seven I have bowled competitively and at fourteen began coaching to give back to a sport that has given me a lot of wonderful friends and experiences. It is important to me to be the coach that I would have wanted as a young athlete; to be a positive role model, encouraging and supportive, as well as knowledgeable and adaptable to different learning styles is my constant goal. Coaching introduced me to the world of teaching, and now I am planning to become a teacher so that I can teach future generations the same values of perseverance and optimism that I feel have brought me so much success and happiness. I endeavour to be the type of teacher who does not merely complain about the system, rather, the type of person in general who seeks to make positive change, even when there are roadblocks along the way. I chose to complete an undergraduate degree in psychology before tackling an education degree because I feel that the best teachers are those who understand how their students learn, understand, and relate to others. I also am continually updating my knowledge of coaching and sport theory to be a better coach and mentor. This year I am in the process of becoming a Learning Facilitator for 5 pin bowling coaching clinics, with the goal of helping other young coaches to approach their tasks with appropriate knowledge and goals in mind.

Although no pursuit in life is ever easy, I truly believe that it is the pursuit itself that is valuable and beneficial to those it touches. Teams I coach may not always become national champions, and students I teach may not always become ivy league graduates, but the time that I spend, day after day with those children makes a positive impact on their lives. It is my hope that I will be able to teach my athletes and students that the most important thing they take away from any experience is that they have the opportunity to persist, improve, and ultimately make a difference in whatever they do.