June-July 1999 The Sabbath Sentinel

BSA Scholarship First Place Winner

by Kristin Ann Johnston

After graduation, I plan to attend a University known for educating teachers. There, I will major in Secondary Education while enhancing my leadership qualities. During college, I hope to maintain high standards in academics, leadership, service, and the most importantly I want to maintain my standards in my religion.

Attending college will give me the opportunity to become educated to a higher extent while allowing me to prepare to be an effective adult. It will also train me for my future career. Teaching has always been my desired career choice. Throughout high school, I have shadowed teachers and discovered that the teaching profession is where I want to spend my working years. To me, today's school need more teachers that really love their job and the students which they are working. Being able to work in the classroom will give me the opportunity to touch the lives of youth. There is nothing more rewarding than helping someone else achieve a goal or dream, and that is why I want to teach. Students need someone to encourage them, someone to listen to them, someone to understand them, and someone to help them reach their highest potential. Fortunately, I have been blessed with many exceptional teachers myself. It is my hope that by becoming a teacher that I can make the word better-one student at a time.

Throughout high school, I have maintained my personal standards in my religion and plan to continue doing so in college. I have never really felt that my faith has caused me to give up a lot. Instead, I found that not participating in some activities provided me with opportunities that proved more beneficial. In high school, football games are the highlight of most teenager's Friday evenings. However, I have spent those evenings having Bible studies with my youth group and spending quality time with my family. The Sabbath gives me a chance to recuperate from the stressful environment that our fast-paced society creates. In college, I will not change my outlook or standpoint on the Biblical Sabbath; my faith and relationship with God is more important to me than pleasing my peers. Going to college will be a different from anything I have ever experienced, and the only way anyone can maintain their belief and practice of the Sabbath is to stand firm in what they have been taught. My entire life, my parents have raised me to observe the Sabbath and attending college will not change that aspect of my life.

In conclusion, attending college will give me the opportunity to pursue my dream of becoming a teacher while allowing me to grow stronger in my faith as I stand up for what I believe is right and share my faith with others.

TSS

June - July 1999 The Sabbath Sentinel