The obsessed Artist. by Sofia

The obsessed Artist. by Sofia - January 2026 Scholarship Essay

Tendu, Plié, Releve, Rond de Jambe, Finish in fifth. Again. Engage your core, lift through your spine, chin up, roll through your entire foot when you pointe, elbows tucked, don't sit in your hip. Smile. Not good enough. Again. One more time. The only way I knew to be dedicated was to be obsessed. My goals echoed in my head, not allowing me to rest till they were achieved. I would not, could not stop till I was vindicated. I did Ballet for nine years, and I learned grit and to keep going when you have nothing left to give. Just to give a little bit more. To dance on bruised and blistered toes for hours and to look graceful and elegant. Whether you determine this as healthy is not the point. But this is my greatest strength. To push through exhaustion and my own doubts that I can't do it. When I retired and went off to college, while I was no longer dancing, my attitude and work ethic were the same for my schoolwork. In my Calculus class, I had the goal to get an A in this class. So I studied for hours every day, I retaught myself the material, and I would redo the problems over and over again till I couldn't get them wrong. Differentials and integration rules echoed in my head as I went to bed, as I went through my day, as I was working. I became absolutely consumed by Calculus; this is the only way I knew how to be dedicated. The night before my Final, it was almost midnight. My eyes were heavy and wet from tears because I couldn't understand the problem I was working on. What if I'm not smart enough? What if I put in all this work just to fail? I decided I just had to keep going. I couldn't hold myself back; I just had to do it. I was gonna get an A. After my test, I was a wreck waiting for my results to come out. I so badly wanted to succeed, and I did. I got an A, and I was elated. I don't think my obsessive tendencies are the only way to reach your goals. But I do believe I am who I am because of that. Years of getting every little step right on stage led to an aggressive attention to detail and determination I will always be grateful for.