If you have a child in school you have probably given some thought to how you will pay for college when the time comes. This past week my son and I attended scholarship night for juniors at Brooks High School. The guidance counselor presented us with a booklet of information and a presentation detailing the ins and outs of obtaining a scholarship for the brilliant kids at BHS.
I was so pleased that the counselor took time to meet with parents and students and we did gain a valuable amount of information. I was not pleased to realize that my son is behind on information gathering necessary to be awarded a scholarship. It seems it is a good idea to begin compiling a resume in the 9th grade detailing leadership, community service, clubs, church activities, athletic participation and whatever else the student may have involved in during his/her high school years. I feel a panic attack coming on as I imagine what my sons resume might look like.
Hi, my name is Patrick Tate. My friends call me P Tate. I will be entering my senior year at BHS and would love to have a scholarship near my home because my mom still does my laundry and serves as my personal secretary. P.S. please contact her if you need to set up an interview as she schedules all my appointments.
Personal objective or work experience: Worked summers in the family business, Louise's Flowers. I really don't know what I want to do with my life but I do know it does not involve flowers or working with my mom and grandmother. For crying out loud, I'm only 17!!! Do I have to decide now?
Education: Brooks Elementary grades k-6 and Brooks High School grades 7-present.
Hobbies and interest: I play piano because my personal secretary aka my mom makes me. I also play bass guitar but what I really excel at is video games and hanging with my friends.
I assume anyone reading this (especially parents of juniors) understands my dilemma. What I don't understand is why we have to pressure our kids to do things for the wrong reasons. I think it is wonderful to volunteer to help others. There is nothing that compares to the wonderful warm feeling you get when you know you've done something really good for someone in need. I don't understand why we have to tell everyone what we've done.
I also think it's great to acknowledge a students achievements with awards during their time in high school especially if it stems from academic excellence or other personal achievements. Awards given because a couple of teachers get together and decide to pass out awards to each others children and their friends are ridiculously transparent to those who know the truth and while they may look good on paper will do little to help a student in the real world.
As parents we were presented with a question at the scholarship meeting, "What do you want you're kids to do?" My answer was not the same as our counselors who said, "You want them to work". Mine was "I want my son to be happy". It's pretty obvious that most of us must work to support ourselves as we go through life, I just don't see why work can't be something we love doing.
I admit I was poking fun at my youngest son with the resume thing. Truthfully, he is a great student and I expect him to do well at whatever he chooses. He has had his fair share of accomplishments and I am certain he will be able to pull off a resume that will be impressive as will all of the other students at BHS who desire to do so. I just hope when listing things they hope to accomplish in life that at the top of the list is the word "HAPPINESS".
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