29 Aug 2016
My educational goals are focused on doing my best. It is
important for me to stay focused. This has been difficult since my
injury. Each day, I try to push myself even more than the day before.
Life is about putting God first, people, and then
yourself. When I look back on my life, I was taught this by my
parents. They have exemplified Godly characteristics in our family
and they brought me up in church. If I always remember to live my
life based on God’s example and follow His will then I will find
success. My life changed drastically when I was involved in a golf
cart accident. It took me a long time to get back to normal. It
was a normal Friday and I went to a friend’s house after school. We
were loading up his golf cart to go fishing and then all I remember is
waking up in the hospital.
I was told that when we rounded the curve that my hat blew off and I
reached for it and was ejected. The neurosurgeon told me and my
family that most cases like mine were fatal. I was airlifted and put
in a medical induced coma for my brain to heal.
This accident taught me a lot about life. I had taken a
lot for granted. My frontal lobe took the impact from the accident
and it altered my life. I have had to learn to live with very short
term memory. It is difficult for me to retain information. Also, I
don’t always act the same. I tend to get upset and mad more quickly
than normal.
The most significant thing that learned from the accident
was that I took a lot for granted. Who would have knew that one day
your entire life could change? For a teenager, that’s hard to believe
until it smacks you in the face. The accident has had its
challenges, but I know that I am meant to here and God has a great
plan for me. It has been hard to meet death in the face, but it has
also taught me how to live. I am thankful that I was given a second
chance at life. I truly believe that I have a testimony and through
God’s strength I will accomplish my dreams. This challenge has taught
me how to work and never give up on anything, and because of that I am
blessed.
I have not made excuses because of my head injury, but I
have pushed myself harder in all avenues. Currently, I am attending
Gardner Webb University. It is focused on biblical principles and
helping each student reach their potential. It is a family-oriented
school and I love that! However, it is a private University and it
costs a lot of money; therefore, I am trying to help my parents out by
applying for scholarships. I don’t want to let the price of a college
determine my future. Therefore, I am going to work hard to acquire
financial opportunities to fulfill my dreams.
I believe that I am an exceptional candidate for this
scholarship, because of my leadership abilities. I do not take life
for granted and I see the blessing of having another opportunity.
Therefore, I plan on making the college I attend a better place
because I was there. I hope that my optimistic and confident
personality will help make a difference in the University and the
community.
When I graduate college, I am hoping to acquire a teaching
job in my hometown. I feel that it is important to give back to who
helped you along the way. I would like to teach and coach at my old
high school. I think it would be neat to help younger students reach
their goals.
My future is in my hands. I hope and pray that I make the
right decisions on my path; however, if I stumble along the way then I
will fall forward. I will continue to keep God first while
remembering, “I can accomplish all things through Christ who gives me
strength.”
When I die, I would want someone to say, “Daniel was a
person who lived his life based on God’s example and followed His
will.” I feel that the following quote by Henry Brooks Adams sums
up the true definition of my purpose. “A teacher affects eternity; he
can never tell where his influence stops.” This key that we, as
leaders, hold can be used to help others unlock doors that will help
them unleash their maximum potential.