The Choices We Make by Chloe

The Choices We Make by Chloe - October 2025 Scholarship Essay

Some books teach you lessons you will forget once you get to the back cover, but To Kill a Mockingbird isn't one of them. Atticus Finch has stayed in the back of my mind since I first picked up the book in eighth grade because of his calm strength and powerful belief in doing what's right. He proves that real courage isn't loud or dramatic; it is quiet, patient, and built on morals.

When Atticus chooses to defend Tom Robinson, a Black man wrongly accused in a deeply prejudiced town, he knows the battle will be tough. The easy choice would have been to step aside and protect his reputation. Nevertheless, He chooses to stand up for justice even when the odds are stacked against him. His story helped reinforce my morals that true bravery means choosing what is right over what is comfortable.

Atticus also teaches that empathy is one of the most powerful tools we have. His advice to "climb into someone's skin and walk around in it" is such a powerful statement, as it reminds us that understanding others takes effort and compassion, not judgment. I realized that it is easy to make assumptions about people without knowing their struggles or experiences. By taking the time to try to see life from someone else's perspective, we can treat others with more human dignity and patience.

Reading about Atticus made me reflect on examples in my day-to-day life where it might have been easier to stay quiet and follow the crowd. His story showed me that actions that seem very small to you can mean the world to someone else. It doesn't have to be a court case for you to be able to stand up for someone who's being treated unfairly.

Through Atticus Finch, I learned that integrity isn't about perfection or recognition. It's about staying true to your values even when it isn't what everyone else is doing. His courage taught me that the choices we make (even the small ones) can inspire others and create meaningful change