What I'd Tell 9th Grade Me by Parker

What I'd Tell 9th Grade Me by Parker - July 2025 Scholarship Essay

If I could go back to 9th grade me, I’d tell myself to be involved more. I was in the 7th grade when we went into quarantine because of covid. Before covid, I was pretty social in middle school. I was in a couple of clubs and I went to school dances. Schools closed down in March of my 7th grade year. Schools didn’t begin reopening until around Thanksgiving in my 8th grade year. The covid numbers were high in my city. My parents didn’t let my little brother and me go back to school until the last 3 months of my 8th grade year.

When I got to 9th grade, it was still like everyone was keeping their distance. It was hard to make friends that year. So even though I went to school, it still seemed like it did when we were in quarantine. It wasn’t until my 11th grade year that I found my group of friends. I also started the Japanese language club at my school that year. During the quarantine, I started learning Japanese.

I graduated this May. I’m going to college this fall where I’ll be an International Business major, focusing on linguistics and finance. I plan to be involved in clubs and activities on campus. I’ve already found a few that I’ll be joining.

If I could go back to talk to 14-year-old me, I’d let him know that it’s okay to take a chance meeting new people. Everyone won’t be your friend. But you’ll make some really good friends. I’d also suggest joining clubs like Future Business Leaders of America. Because although 9th grade me was just a little interested in business, soon-to-be college freshman me knows that’s what I want to major in. I’d also suggest that I didn’t ignore the emails about completing my application to be in the Beta Club. My mom would’ve liked to have seen me with the Beta Club cord at graduation.

Even though I can’t go back and change any of those things, I’ve learned from those experiences. I’m looking forward to going to college this fall and studying in Japan in the near future.