Do The Thing by Braden

Do The Thing by Braden - July 2025 Scholarship Essay

Something that I faced going into sophomore year choir class is the fact that I felt less talented compared to other peers in the music field. I always got in my head about not having the same vocal talent as my other friends and was very self conscious about my vocal ability. I was a late bloomer in the world of all things choir/drama and performing because I was more focused on being an athlete. You see, I was a varsity swimmer my freshman year and state qualifier and was nationally ranked in the junior male division.

However, during my junior year, I walked away from swimming to focus full time on all things choir and drama. I would tell myself “You are good enough to be with everyone else.” But as I stood next to my peers who had been doing this since elementary school, I questioned myself. I was shy about trying out for contests at the local, city and state level. Then, at the end of sophomore year, I entered my school district’s all-city solo contest and at the end of the day, I walked away with a second place trophy, beating out many talented students. The congratulations and comments of “I didn’t know you could sing like that” still echo in my head.

At the end of the junior year, I auditioned for city choir (was selected), state choir (selected as an alternate) and a prestigious arts camp where 2000 singers auditioned and I was one of 170 selected. Through these experiences, realization set in that I am the person that holds myself back the most. So as for advice, do the thing, do the thing that scares you, do the thing that makes you feel uncomfortable, put yourself out there because you never really know what could happen.

For me, that camp I attended after only two years in choir, showed me I am just as good as my peers, especially when I was selected as a featured soloist for the final concert. Afterwards, when a Grammy award winner, Broadway performer and a choreographer, and nationally recognized conductor from all across the nation told me how beautiful my voice is and my singing gave them chills, I realized I did the thing and greatness happened.