Narrative Essay On Determination And Dreams

If I were to write a book about my life story to date, I would call it “Determination and Dreams”. My dreams drive me to excel and I’ve learned that determination is one of the best characteristics I can use to pursue these dreams. I work hard in life and I push myself so my dreams can become a reality. My big dream is to receive an exceptional education and use it to change my community, locally and hopefully one day nationally or internationally, for the better. This dream has pushed me to achieve many goals. I have been academically successful, and fill my free time with volunteer work and extracurricular activities. I do all of these activities to achieve my greater goal, but also because I love them and they help me to expand my community …show more content…
I have been a competitive figure skater for seven years. I started skating at an older age than many of my competitors, so always had to put in more hours of practice in an effort to catch up. Part of my long term goal as a skater was to compete at Regionals as a Juvenile by the age of thirteen. The last year that I could do that, I sustained an injury that kept me off the ice for six months and when I got back, I had lost all of my double jumps and only had a few months to prepare for the competition. I spent the summer with internationally ranked coaches and skated eight hours a day. This effort made me a stronger skater then I had been before my injury. Volleyball has not come naturally to me, and when I first started I did not have coaches who were encouraging or supportive. I trained hard though and when I changed schools I tried out for the JV Volleyball team and made it on. That team was a great opportunity for me and I improved immensely and I am continuing to work on volleyball through Williamsburg Volleyball Club. Sports have always pushed me to excel and have tested my determination, but I have always pushed through and it has been worth it. My sports have strengthened me both mentally and physically and they are something I look forward to every …show more content…
I attended my first beach cleanup when I was two, and continued doing whatever volunteer work I could until I was old enough to join organized community service programs. When I was nine I signed up for two different volunteer opportunities that I still take part in today. One of them is 4-H Dream Catchers Therapeutic Riding Stables service group. This is an unique “all-abilities” group that helps support the therapeutic program by caring for the horses and grounds of the stables, as well as volunteering at horse shows and fundraising events. We also help teach special needs kids to ride horses to build up their strength and learn control in a fun, safe way. This opportunity has lead me to befriend and learn about so many nice and amazing people that I otherwise would not have been introduced too. My second volunteer opportunity has been with 4-H Pet Pals Therapy Dogs. When I was eight, I started training my Newfoundland dog to be a therapy dog and as soon as we passed the test, we started visiting assisted living homes, hospices and schools. Two to three times a month, we visit senior homes to help cheer up the patients, and we visit elementary schools to encourage children to practice reading by reading aloud to the dogs. Making peoples days by bringing in my dog has inspired me to continue helping in whatever way I can. My dog passed away this past summer, so we no longer go on visits, but I am still working as the