Being In National Honor Society: What Makes Me A Good Candidate

When my parents placed a for sale sign in what used to be our front yard, I lost the sense of feeling at home. Our dining table was no longer used for sharing a warm, hot meal on ceramic, detailed plates. Instead, it was used as storage for packed boxes, rolls of heavy-duty scotch tape, and scattered piles of paperwork filled with houses on the market located in a small seaside town called Holden Beach.

The first few weeks of my junior year flew by and I began to get over the initial shock of moving and started to feel at home. My focus remained on academics, athletics, and opportunities that would ensure my success.

Taking countless AP and Honor classes requires the self-discipline to earn good grades, preparing me for college-level courses and eventually, a career. By forming good habits and routines to steadily earn good grades throughout school, I will arrive at college with an already established structure to tackle future challenges. Good grades have the power to create a more confident and take-charge student who is unafraid of a challenge. Being a member of the National Honor Society, I committed to many community service projects. Regular opportunities such as volunteering at the Cumberland County Animal Control and participating in beach sweeps built my leadership and communication skills. National Honor Society impacted me tremendously and not just in terms of academics but in terms of leadership, service, and character.

Being a four-year letter winner and a devoted member of the softball team, I learned endless valuable lessons. Softball allowed me to develop a well-rounded character. Learning skills based on teamwork and goal setting gave me the strength to persevere through hardships in order to achieve those goals. After endless practices, the satisfaction of improving skills and the achievement of goals helped to build confidence. Belonging to a team took precedence in my life and enabled me to be more resistant to social pressure. Lifelong friendships and bonds were formed on the field as our team learned to trust and rely on one another. Working with a variety of coaches, trainers, and teammates to achieve set goals was great practice for the real world as not all people see eye to eye on a proposed idea. The level of commitment that is required for playing varsity softball has most importantly taught me passion. I continue to practice and work hard for the game I love.

This summer, I landed my first job working at an ice cream shop, which set me up for further success. Pursuing a job opportunity and then failing to land the interview taught resilience, as this rejection encouraged me to seek out other opportunities. Once on the job, I interacted with people of various ages and backgrounds, enhancing my interpersonal skills. These skills are preparing me for a career that will be chosen in the future. I had to learn the importance of taking orders from different managers who all had different methods, even when disagreeable to me. Knowing how much of my time and effort was devoted, the appreciation for the value of money rose significantly after each paycheck. During those long hours, I came to realize that mistakes are inevitable in the learning process. Above all, I learned just how capable I really am, while developing a sense of responsibility as a young adult.

When I think about my experience, I remember the author Roy Bennett’s wise words, “Great things never came from comfort zones.” A fresh start in a new town, meeting new people, and creating a new life are all the exciting opportunities that have taught me a lot about myself. As I focus on academics, athletics, and opportunities that ensure my success, I made the most out of this new opportunity.