Discuss something important that has happened to you in your life (or you have earned), and discuss how that has impacted your outlook on life.
Being an Eagle Scout: Life Purpose and Ambitions
College Essay
Matthew Netardus
For me, the most important thing in my life that I have earned would be my Eagle Scout award. It took my 3 years of cub scouts, and another 6 of boy scouts to get to the point that I could even directly work on earning my Eagle Scout. Once I got there, the real work began; I spent many hours planning the dreaded Eagle Project, 20 to be precise. Once the planning for the project was complete, I had to go about collecting many hours of community service, 6 months of leadership roles, and countless merit badges. Once all this was complete however, I was rewarded with the chance to put my newly learned leadership skills to the test, running my project real time in a real world environment. The project had many obstacles, but I am proud to say that it was completed both on time, and to the right quality standards. The years and effort spent attaining this great achievement have both shaped my future goals, and my view of my purpose in life.
Being an Eagle Scout carries more responsibilities then simply showing up to the meetings, going on campouts, and earning merit badges. It carries with it a responsibility to spread the scout spirit not only by encouraging others to join scouts, but by using what you learn in the scouts to help the world around you. An Eagle Scout not only has to improve the troop he is in, he has a duty to improve the community, and nation that he is in. Not only have I been a scout for the past years, I have also been very active in my community. Apart from the volunteer work that I do with Scouts, I have been volunteering 2 hours twice a week at my high school teaching kids that can’t afford lessons how to play tennis. One of my life ambitions is to become not only a good tennis player, but a good teacher. I’ve found many opportunities to use good tennis teaching skills for the sole benefit of the community. Another one of my ambitions is to become an Army Ranger. This is where my personal ambition and my life purpose fuse together. Using both the skills and mindset I learned in attaining Eagle, and an internal drive to succeed no matter the cost, I hope to some day to make a name for myself, my family, and my nation by serving with commitment, honor, and courage on the battlefield. One of my main goals in the future, other then completing every mission to the absolute best of my ability, is to save another human life. For me, saving the life of another innocent human is the pinnacle of human achievement, and therefore something that I not only aspire to accomplish, but that I believe is one of the main life purposes of all human beings, but especially those who have attained Eagle Scout.
