Hope is the continued belief in the ability to achieve goals and dreams, even when one is faced with challenges. I’ve experienced this first hand. I love trying new things – it’s one of my values in life. And sometimes, it can be a little scary to try them. But I’ve learned that if I can persevere through the challenge, the reward is often better than I ever could have imagined.
Last fall, I joined my school’s ultimate frisbee team, even though prior to that, I didn’t even know that ultimate was a sport. At first, I struggled with throwing the frisbee while my friends picked it up quickly. For a long time, it felt like I wasn’t improving. But I didn’t give up on hope, practicing on my own time; with my friends during lunch, with my dad in our backyard. Now, I’ve gone from the player who rarely got the disc to one who is constantly relied upon. The sport that I didn’t know existed two years ago, is now a highlight of my days.
Compass Montessori is an incredible school that is adding to my education with traditional classes, along with practical skills like working on a farm, learning how to cook, and learning how to apply for jobs. Their philosophy encourages students to explore their passions. Last year, my English teacher, Metta King, taught AP Human Geography, which was my favorite class. Everything we learned was so interesting, and could be applied so easily to our everyday lives. One of the most incredible experiences I’ve had was our school trip to Costa Rica where we experienced things we had learned about in AP Human Geography happening all around us. This trip helped shape my love for travel.
This year I am taking US History, American Government, and Advanced Spanish, to pursue my interests in government and politics, and international affairs. I love to write, argue, see new places, and meet new people.
I still have a lot to learn, including changing tires, and cleaning out gutters. We don’t learn about finance in school, or basic first aid, or simple repairs, or about how the healthcare system works . Hope in my future drives my educational pursuits, and empowers me to find the life skills I need. My goal is to attend George Washington University, in D.C. to be close to our governmental systems and propel my dreams forward. I am my strongest advocate for my education, and I’m committed to taking charge of my learning, exploring my interests, and preparing for my next steps.
I hope to use my education to advocate for communities in need, especially those in poverty, and to work towards improving the welfare of children worldwide. I love meeting new people and hearing their stories. I hope to be involved in decision making that changes people’s lives. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunities I have and hope to inspire hope in others.
Natalia is a Junior at Compass Montessori High School.
