The Power of Motivation by Kayla

The Power of Motivation by Kayla - January 2026 Scholarship Essay

As of only a few months ago, I discovered a new part of myself. It has always been there, quietly working in the background, but as I took several more steps towards the steep mountains of my high school career, I’ve managed to unveil what’s been silently working in the back of my mind.

I’ve always loved music. When I was in grade school, I tried out for the advanced choir. I sang every day from the moment I knew that it was an option. I would practice with my tiny plastic recorder at home so I could sound better at school the next day.

Halfway through my freshman year, I was invited to be a part of my school's gig quartet. The four of us would play at several school events and related occasions. When I started playing at events like they were a requirement and not an achievement, I realized I had a true passion for what I do. It felt like a job, in a good way– one I actually wanted. At that moment, I saw my future in music.

For my first gig, the quartet was invited to play at an award ceremony to celebrate all of my school’s outstanding students. It was a really big moment for me; it was my first time playing at something like this. However, I wasn't just proud that I could make it there, rather, I was proud that I could be there, in the moment, and offer people the result of several dedicated hours of practice. Even though I wasn’t one of the students receiving the award, I knew that playing for all the people that were attending would give me greater gratification than any award ever could.

It was only recently that I realized that when I have a passion for something, I have a drive to pursue it, like a positive addiction. The moment I truly feel dedicated to something, it’s almost like an instinct to put all my time toward it. Throughout my life, I’ve had to watch music education programs be constantly underfunded and underrepresented by not only my school, but by society. Even though the overwhelming majority of the people in the United States listen to music, it’s been brushed off as a hobby rather than being seen as an actual occupation.

But this unfortunate reality has exposed my strength. When I’m motivated by things I love, like music, it makes the impossible possible. Why would I let myself be limited by an invisible wall of opinions when I can do what I’ve always wanted to and still be successful?

The only thing that’s been holding me back from achieving my version of success is how long it took me to discover my strength. Now when I know that I want to do something for the rest of my life, I’ll start the rest of my life when I want to.