The Courage to Do What’s Right by Damarie

The Courage to Do What’s Right by Damarie - October 2025 Scholarship Essay

The most important lesson I learned from a fictional character was from Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird. Atticus taught me that true courage is not physical bravery or popularity; It’s doing the difficult right thing even if one are all alone. Atticus modeled this lesson of courage for me throughout the novel. Moreover, doing what’s right is often hard work, but that hard work is who builds a person’s character.
In and beyond the confines of the story, Atticus defended Tom Robinson, an innocent man falsely accused. He did so most especially when everyone around him was thinking otherwise. For instance, to take the case would ridicule him and put his family in jeopardy, but he felt strongly about fairness and justice. What struck me the most was that he didn’t choose that (the case) because it was the easiest choice or the most comfortable simply because that was right. That lesson stuck with me because it forced me to really think about who I want to be.
As a sixteen year-old, my struggles have nothing on Atticus’s, but the principle still applies to me daily. In high school, sometimes it’s easier to be quiet, especially when I see someone being left out or a fellow classmate being made fun of. I feel tempted sometimes to ignore it, but Atticus’s example, in those moments, gives me courage to speak up or offer help, even when taking that act of courage can get me in trouble or I might lose the favor of some. To me, that is a form of courage. It might not change the world right away, but it can change someone’s day, and that matters.
Atticus has also been used by many people to judge the meaning of “success”. Oftentimes, success isn’t based on “winning” at all. Sometimes, the measure of success is simply the courage to try. Certainly, I want to do well, but I have failed on plenty of occasions. For example, failing a test, failing in sports, or failing in friendships. Hence, Atticus reminds me not to judge my success by the end-state. Instead, I can judge myself based off of the effort I put forth or the integrity I lived with regardless of outcome. Ultimately, that changes my perspective on things. I feel more empowered when I try. I also know made results that stand sit when things do not turn out my way, even though the outcome was less than desirable.
The gift I learned from Atticus Finch is simple, but memorable; courage is doing the right thing, when it’s difficult, and I think if I capture that lesson no matter where I am, even now that I have to think about college soon, the decisions I make will follow the values that I carry; and that I want to be someone who picks fair-mindedness, kindness and courage even at the expense of my comfort and everyone else, much like Atticus Finch.