College Plus Scholarship Contest

Hello all blog readers!!

College Plus(a distance learning college) is having a contest. To enter, you have to write an essay that is 750-1000 words and that explains why you chose College Plus and what you would like to major in. I have entered the contest with this essay that is written below:

A Humbling Experience

My name is Miriam Cacciacarro. I am passionate about music. The only other thing that I am zealous about is ... living a life that gives glory and honor to Jesus, my Saviour; humbling myself so the HE would be glorified.

At the tender age of five, I first decided I wanted to play the violin (never imagining where it would bring me). Many family friends attempted to discourage my interest by telling my parents that the violin was one of the most difficult instruments to play and that I would never be able to play it adequately.  Why couldn’t I choose an instrument like the piano or guitar instead? Stubbornly, I insisted on the violin so, six months after my fifth birthday, I began my studies. By my fourteenth birthday, I had completed the RCM Grade 8 practical exam for violin (and later finished my Grade 2 Theory Rudiments). At this moment, I am working toward completing my Grade 10 exam in violin.

Through my music experience, I have always impacted people with my playing. From playing hymns at church on Sunday, to giving a concert at a local nursing home, I have always enjoyed using my musical gift to bless others. Nothing, though, was as touching as what happened one winter morning in the Hospital for Sick Children here in Toronto Canada. In December of 2010, my only brother (who was seven years old at the time) was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. After undergoing a serious seven hour brain surgery, he was no longer able to talk. He had not spoken since before the surgery so; I was brought in to the hospital room with my violin to play him his favorite song (Ashokan Farewell-a piece I had played by ear after hearing it on the radio and loving it). Upon finishing the piece, I looked up and to my surprise; he was crying...he remembered his favorite song and my music had touched him in a very special way.

Almost all the teachers and musicians I have come in contact with have said that I could easily play violin professionally if I applied myself. And to be honest, I have thought about it. Imagine performing in Roy Thompson Hall, Carnegie Hall, and have your name known all over the world. People would pay hundreds of dollars just to see you perform a few pieces. Your life becomes a whirlwind of travel. What is wrong with this picture? Selfishness, all to the fulfillment of our human wants: popularity, riches, and worldliness. That is not what we were created for!!  The Christian catechism states that we were created to “glorify God”. Would God be glorified if I were famous? Surely not!!   Matthew 23:12 says “And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. We as Christians should not want the world’s approval but God’s.

College Plus’ distance learning would greatly assist me in my vision in many different ways. First and foremost, I want to serve God and my family using the talents I have and be a worthy follower of Christ. Most students that attend a state university (and even most Christian ones), after graduating from college, drop their faith entirely! By enrolling in College Plus, I will be obtaining a superior education while not undermining my spiritual foundations.  Being a stay at home daughter or being “joyfully at home” is one of my hearts desires. While living at home, I plan on providing inexpensive lessons to single income families in my community. It is often been found that only people with high incomes can afford music lesson and therefore those who cannot afford expensive lessons never have the access to quality music instruction.  I could use my BA in music degree to provide high-quality lessons to my students. I will be capable of teaching them music theory, music history, along with private lessons and ensemble work. Moreover, I have a small clothing business for which I sew doll and girls clothing. I WOULD not be capable of operating my business if I were in a “bricks and mortar” university. Additionally, a friend, my sister, and I have started an ensemble and we are preparing to record a CD of hymns in the coming months. Finally, regarding my brother, since he was unable to complete his chemotherapy due to experiencing heart failure, we are living by faith not knowing if he will remain in remission. Every three months he has a MRI to see if his cancer has returned. If I enrolled in a “normal” university or college away from home, I wouldn’t be able to spend time with him, and cherish every moment knowing, that it is a gift from the Lord.

A scholarship would be beneficial to our entire family because not only are we living on one income, but there are six children in my family. Since we all love music, we require music lessons which cost large sums of money each year. It would really help my parents to know that my college costs are covered.

In closing, I would like you to walk away with this valuable bit of advice. Use your gifts and talents for HIS glory, and live your life for HIS glory. By doing so, you will go through the greatest and most humbling experience of your life!!

 

 

If you think that mine is your favorite out of the others on the scholarship website( http://scholarships.collegeplus.org/essays  ) then please vote for me! (You will see my essay on the website).

Thank you all!!!!

In Christ,

~M