- 2023 Highlights
Personal Statement
The loud music fills my surroundings as the full chords leave my hands onto the organ. At the ripe age of 12 my feet dangled off the edge of the organ bench barely able to reach the pedals, and with my petite frame my thighs stung from pressing down my foot while trying to reach the pedals. I didn’t mind the sting of the uncomfortable seat though because the longer I played the more I felt my anxiety and boredom and hurt disappear.
All of the musicians in my family are male and although I played for my love of music, growing up I always wanted their approval. As I improved my craft over the years I looked for accolades from my uncle who I used to think was the best organist ever. Imagine the amount of heartbreak I felt when After hearing me play he told me ¨you play so well for a girl¨. I repeated the words in my head over and over again wondering why I was so offended. He said I played well so what was the problem? Then I realized that he made me feel as if I could never play as well as a man. I was dejected and about to quit. My father noticed me and said, "Don't ever compare yourself to someone else, you are your greatest competition." When my father told me that, I took it to heart and recognized that no one but myself can tell me what I am destined to be.
As time passed I continued to practice every day. This time not for my uncle's approbation, but because I believed I had the potential to be a wonderful musician. I made a lot of mistakes while practicing, but I didn't allow the challenge of learning something new get to me. Instead, I saw it as a motivator to keep going. Things that were once challenging for me are now second nature and I'm always eager for the next obstacle to overcome.
Today, I am much more than just a musician. Throughout my life, I recall this experience as a young child, and it has given me the desire to overcome the problems I've encountered and a sense of self-worth. Every time I step onto a soccer field or a basketball court, I try to do better than I did before. I now understand that there is always space for improvement in whatever I do. The self confidence I was given from this experience helped me a lot over the years as I grew in sports. It showed me that no matter my mistake or my accomplishment, only I can give myself a reason to keep going.
As I stand on the threshold of my next I acknowledge that I am in line with other students. I am truly competing with myself to be the greatest version of myself that I can be. As I write this I am in the transition from my childhood to my adulthood and I have many thoughts that race through my head. I have hopes of great success as well as fear of potential failure but I know that whatever is next for me, it is a part of life and does not depict my future. My next is preeminent. Standing on this threshold I recognize that next is possible and it all starts with me.
