Beyond the Grades – Motivational & Inspirational Lives of Scholars
By: Alyssa Pittman
The timeless saying “Don’t judge a book by its cover” proved accurate when it comes to listening to the GSP scholars share their story in This GSP Life: Scholars Edition. On this remarkable evening, 13 courageous scholars braved the stage and shared their stories, their personal “why”- driving forces that helped shape who they are today. From harrowing stories with gun violence, and silent battles against suicide and eating disorders, to the journey of seeing oneself as more than just a number, and so much more. These narratives resonated deeply, revealing immense strength and resilience within each individual. Every scholar was, without a doubt, inspirational.
The event flowed seamlessly under the guidance of MC Caden Dunn, who introduced all the scholars and gave glimpses into their upcoming stories. Caden timed comedic relief between speeches and lightened the atmosphere, and gave his heartfelt remarks regarding the inspirational stories shared that night.
Tears were shed by scholars alike, creating a sense of community and understanding for one another. Katie’s honesty as she discussed her battle against an eating disorder was particularly moving. Katie was truly inspirational, teaching us to love ourselves and that we can’t all be perfect, it’s an illusion, and that being imperfect is what makes us human. Maddison’s story was a true testament of her unwavering faith and the bonds with her family. Explaining how her name has taught her to keep fighting against POTS, still not knowing how she developed her illness she fought through the fear of the unknown. Another scholar discussed his witness to gun violence, and how he conquered his trauma and saw beauty in the world around him. Another story discussed how we are not merely numbers on a paper, not a score, we are not our extracurriculars. Being consumed by academics can be mentally draining and we should take time for ourselves.
Riley spoke about her experience with a beloved teacher committing suicide and how he impacted her life. Riley shared a letter she wrote to him talking about how she was accepted into GSP and how important he was to all of his students. Riley’s speech was a reminder that even people who are loved can be struggling with mental illness. Donavine expressed how racism has impacted his life and how people of color are discriminated against every day. Donavine wants to combat all of the negative and be a positive force for change in the colored community in his future.
These were so much more than just stories; they were a testament to the human experience of navigating adversity and coming out stronger. Each story powerfully demonstrates the challenges everyone has made to get to where they are right now. It was a powerful reminder to be grateful for all the blessings in our own lives, do not take for granted what we have. These scholars showed everyone that even through the toughest battles you can persevere. The standing ovation erupted after the final speech was astonishing, the overwhelming support the audience had for their peers was amazing.