The journey is the goal by Sarai

The journey is the goal by Sarai - May 2026 Scholarship Essay

Sprinting through life can seem like the easiest and fastest way to achieve one’s goal, but I’ve learned that lessons are deeply rooted in the journey and that’s the real goal.

At seven years old I ran my first race in track and field and it was the hardest thing my young self had ever done. For years to come, running would get harder, competition was stronger and often times better than me. I found myself discouraged and overwhelmed by the age of 12, and despite my accomplishments I walked away from the sport. Over the next several years I ventured into other activities but nothing ever seemed like it was the right fit for me. Finally in tenth grade, I decided to lace up my spikes and get back on the track. It was scary running with high school students and my mind immediately went back to the overwhelmed me back in middle school. Thankfully since that time, I grew to manage my anxiety, think positive and remind myself of the journey I’ve taken. I became better at understanding my strengths, working through my opportunities and appreciating the lessons learned along the way. I am a proud student athlete who is stronger mentally and ready to face every journey, with the mindset of achieving my goals.