Scholarship Winning Letter

Local 2627 member's child receives the DC 37 2010 Memorial Scholarship. Read her letter below.
 

        Growing up in one of the world's most diverse cities, I have always been interested in other cultures. I believe that the most intimate way to learn about a culture is through its language, especially because it takes commitment and reflects genuine interest in the way people think and behave. Because of this, I have taken several language courses throughout my high school career. It was through these courses that I knew I wanted to do something that would blend cultures and cross borders. At my school, I am fortunate to have been allowed a flexible curriculum to explore my interests. I took advantage of this to establish what I really wanted (and did not want) to do. I have no regrets in taking any of the classes that I have, whether it is Latin or Hebrew, or Drama or Linguistics. It is only through trial and error that one realizes what fits right or not; I prefer trying things, not just thinking about them. During my senior year I was given the opportunity to take classes at Queens College; this was my chance to explore the one subject I had not yet been offered — economics. From my college class, I realized that business-minded people have different minds altogether; they have the ability to view the world analytically and to see opportunities where others do not. It is this second nature that I want to learn and to emulate — it is something I admire deeply.

        Every year students in my school recite the Ephebic Oath. Although few memorize the pledge for more than a year, there is always one promise that sticks; the promise that "I shall not leave my city any less but rather greater then I found it." This promise inspired me to spend over 500 hours volunteering at a local middle school, and will continue to fuel my ambitions as I head to college. Since the seventh grade, I have been volunteering at the Beacon program in M.S. 172. During the year it is a free afterschool program for kids in the school, and also neighboring elementary and middle schools. The program offers enrichment for students at no cost; they may partake in many different activities from basketball, to computers, to board games. When I was in the sixth grade I attended the program myself; I understood firsthand the importance of having such programs because for the working class, many parents struggle to balance work and time for their kids. That's why I chose to spend my time in "Homework Help" helping students with homework and tutoring in various subjects — I knew that most of the kids came from households that spoke little English, on top of hectic work schedules, which left the kids with virtually no help at home from their parents. However, I recognize that I will soon be leaving my community to join the rest of the world in the bigger "city" and hope to be able to open greater doors with the help that District Council 37 can provide.