This essay was submitted in response to the March 2018 Your Turn prompt.
Everyone comes upon a moment of inspiration at least once in their lifetime. After all, we make our everyday choices and decisions based on the inspiration we receive from something/someone, and we tend to never forget those special inspiring moments.
I remember, a few years ago, my teacher gave us a project on important people throughout history. My wonderful teacher had assigned me the famous civil rights activist, author, and poet, Maya Angelou. At first I had no clue who she was, and was disappointed, as my classmates got “cool” people, like Elon Musk, Babe Ruth, and more. My favorite teacher had just turned into my least favorite, but today, I realize that she purposely gave me Ms. Angelou, and that there was all a meaning behind it.
Our teacher gave us some sacred class time to research about the person you were assigned. Being bored and gloomy, I decided to continue anyways and see how boring Angelou really was, but that was where I was completely wrong. First, I just jumped to a silly and ignorant conclusion, and second, there was so much I had to learn from her. Once I started researching her, it was as if something in my head turned. I learned so much about Maya Angelou, her strives for success, her beliefs, her struggles to fight for what she believed in, and her beautiful writing. After learning so much about such a wonderful person, I felt a great wave of inspiration to learn from her. To this day, I enjoy writing (especially poetry), and I’ve learned to stand up for what I believe in. I believe having an inspiration is good, because it allows you to learn, and grow as your own individual.
When I was in fifth grade, my teacher told us about the school spelling bee. I knew what it was and what the process was like because I had done it the year before, and ended up being second place. That year, I participated in the school spelling bee again. I decided to participate in it anyways, because it was a fun experience for me. My teacher first put a class test to see who would be representing her homeroom. I was nervous, because only two people were chosen. She gave us a mini-spelling test, and later that day, revealed who was going. And, to my astonishment, the first name was mine! I was shocked, but also grateful that I would be able to take part in the competition again.
My teacher gave us both huge study packets, filled with words from grades K–8. On the day of the bee, I went on the stage, and I could feel the stares of more than half of the school. It was nerve racking, especially with the fear of coming so close, and then failing like last time. I focused really hard, and extracted the spellings of the words asked to me from my brain. Competition continued, and it was just down to me, and one other person. My opponent spelled his word wrong, and in order for me to win, all I had to do was spell the next word right. I came up to the front, and my word was laceration. I spelled the word correctly, and next thing you know, I was bringing home a huge trophy for my small hands with the biggest smile on my face. I never thought I’d be able to do something like that, and in my 5th grader eyes, it was as if I had a huge victory take place.
Ever since those days, I’ve been inspired, and really persevere towards my goals, because I’ve learned that everyone has the ability to do anything.
Nandana Surendan is an eighth grader from Texas.
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