2008 Woodie Awards
Find what makes you tick, run with it
No matter what the obstacle, nothing got in her way
Shatesha Scales
Issue date: 4/8/08 Section: Opinion
Freshman year of high school I had it all planned out: I would go to technical school get a degree in some obscure field, such as cosmetology, work awhile and maybe open my own shop after I advanced. Eventually, I would retire and die a happy person.
College was never really an option and never once crossed my mind. I just assumed that I would never go. My parents couldn't afford it, I didn't believe I was smart enough and I didn't have anything I was passionate about.
Then something happened.
I took a journalism course.
I know. No big deal right? I mean, how can one insignificant course change your life?
Well, at the time, I didn't even realize the significance, and to tell you the truth, I don't really recall what actually went on in that class. What I do remember, is that at some point we were asked to write a column for the school paper, and the class picked mine to be published.
I remembered being filled with so much pride and pleasure because their decision proved that I was actually good at something. So when the opportunity came for me to attend a South Carolina Society of Professional Journalist summer camp, I thought, what the heck, I might as well see what this journalism thing is all about.
During the camp I made new friends, cried far more than I'll like to admit and produced yet another column for the paper.
The next school year I worked on the paper, but it wasn't anything thing special or life-altering. In fact, I despised the teacher and most of the staff to the point that I refused to take the class again the following year.
But, suddenly, something began to change.
My grades started to improve and for the first time I considered attending a four-year university. I didn't know what I wanted to be (the cosmetology career was a distant memory by then), but I knew that I wanted to go to college. When I first told my parents about my decision to pursue a higher education, they just snorted and humored me as though it was just one of my many phases.
College was never really an option and never once crossed my mind. I just assumed that I would never go. My parents couldn't afford it, I didn't believe I was smart enough and I didn't have anything I was passionate about.
Then something happened.
I took a journalism course.
I know. No big deal right? I mean, how can one insignificant course change your life?
Well, at the time, I didn't even realize the significance, and to tell you the truth, I don't really recall what actually went on in that class. What I do remember, is that at some point we were asked to write a column for the school paper, and the class picked mine to be published.
I remembered being filled with so much pride and pleasure because their decision proved that I was actually good at something. So when the opportunity came for me to attend a South Carolina Society of Professional Journalist summer camp, I thought, what the heck, I might as well see what this journalism thing is all about.
During the camp I made new friends, cried far more than I'll like to admit and produced yet another column for the paper.
The next school year I worked on the paper, but it wasn't anything thing special or life-altering. In fact, I despised the teacher and most of the staff to the point that I refused to take the class again the following year.
But, suddenly, something began to change.
My grades started to improve and for the first time I considered attending a four-year university. I didn't know what I wanted to be (the cosmetology career was a distant memory by then), but I knew that I wanted to go to college. When I first told my parents about my decision to pursue a higher education, they just snorted and humored me as though it was just one of my many phases.
Be the first to comment on this story