My aspirations and motivation for senior year. by Torri

My aspirations and motivation for senior year. by Torri - August 2025 Scholarship Essay

Senior year. It's supposed to be the best year of high school, and I’m betting on that because I have big aspirations, both in school and in sports. But before anything else, I want to take the time to go back and thank my teachers. I don’t think I would have been as successful academically without their support and guidance, so personally thanking each one is something I’m really looking forward to.

Probably the biggest goal for me this year is qualifying for state in powerlifting. Last year, I finished top 12 in the region, but that wasn’t enough to make it. I’ve spent the summer putting in the work, and I believe that by the time February comes around, I’ll have the strength and numbers to finally reach state. Hitting that milestone would not only prove to myself that I can achieve anything I put my mind to but it would also be a way of leaving my mark on the school I’ve been part of for the past four years.

Another goal I’m excited about is helping my baseball team go even farther in the playoffs. Last season, we made it three rounds deep and forced a Game 3, but came up short. Even so, it was school history because we had never made it that far before. This year I know we will shatter that record. As a senior and one of the older players, I want to help lead the team and finish strong. I’ve been playing baseball for most of my life, and I want all that work to pay off in my final season. Unlike my brother, whose team didn’t even make the playoffs his senior year, I want to go out strong and help the program reach new heights. That’s another way I hope to leave my mark.

Academically, I’m aiming to finish in the top 20 of my class and earn more 4s and 5s on my AP exams in May. Coming from a background where I qualify for free/reduced lunch, I know I’ve already beaten a lot of the odds. Getting my letterman jacket recently was a proud moment for me because it made me feel like all those late nights and early mornings really meant something. Every patch and award on that jacket is a reminder of the work I’ve put in.

In short, my motivation comes from wanting to leave a legacy at my school. I want to show my teachers that their efforts mattered, and at the same time, push myself to succeed in powerlifting, baseball, and academics. It’s like seeing the light at the end of the tunnel and now all I have to do is make it to the other side.