Scholarship Essay Entry – Katrina M.
IT ONLY TAKES ONE
It only takes one person to make a difference. I discovered my love of working with youth through a Co-operative Youth Program, a summer camp for kids ages twelve to eighteen. I attended the CYP as a participant for four years and have been a volunteer for the past two years. Working at the camp enables me to assist kids to develop co-operative and communication skills, to improve interpersonal and intrapersonal techniques, and to build their self-esteem and self-confidence. This past summer while volunteering at the CYP, one of the participants told me that she wanted to model herself after me. Knowing I had a positive impact and made a difference in another person’s life is the greatest feeling in the world. This feeling has driven me to pursue a career in social work; as so, I am currently enrolled in the Social Work program at the Medicine Hat College.
In addition to the CYP, I have volunteered at a daycare centre and at a child crisis centre. Each provided me with the opportunity to work closely with children in typical and difficult circumstances. Those experiences, in addition to the struggles and difficulties of my own childhood and adolescence, have helped me to recognize and understand the needs of others.
After receiving my diploma I plan to work directly with youth to show them that they can do anything they put their minds to and that the possibilities are endless. I think it is essential that the youth have positive role models and that they believe in themselves and are comfortable with who they are.
Although my current focus is to work with the youth, I am also very interested in human rights initiatives, and international aid and development. I recently signed up for an International Social Work Practicum which takes place in Africa during May and June of each year. My past experiences have taught me that my life may not work out the way I plan. It is important to be open-minded, flexible, and adjust as new opportunities present themselves. Nothing is impossible; it only takes one person to make a difference. I am turning my dreams and ambitions from thoughts into actions to help make my community and world a better place.
