Shad Valley Application

electricpearls · Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2007 2:18 pm Post subject: Shad Valley Application

I am applying to Shad Valley 2008.

I am working on my essay right now, and this is what I wrote. It fills about one page, which is what the application states - 1 page essay.

Opinions? Anything to make it better?

PART THREE: ESSAY
Pennies Can Change the World

I consider myself to be an overachiever in the sense that I spend much of my time outside of school involved in various extra-curricular activities. Right now, I am volunteering with Child and Youth Friendly Calgary, as a part of the Calgary Youth Foundation. Our goal is to award teens grants to aid in charity and other endeavors that aid the community.

My current goal is to create my own foundation or endorse a charity and fund-raise. With the help of the Calgary Youth Foundation, I would like to aid others who may not be as fortunate as I am. I cannot do so now considering the fact that I am a very busy person (athletics, volunteering, work, etc.). However, when I have more time on my hands, it will be my #1 priority.

Volunteering, in my opinion, is one of the most rewarding things an individual can do. There is a saying that states that volunteering can be more satisfying for the volunteer. I agree with that comment. Spending my free time helping others brings me a joy that I can’t even put into words. I feel like I carry a duty to those less fortunate to help, because I have been blessed with a wonderful life. There are other individuals all around the world, and even in our own towns and cities, that need a boost. With all the different charities and causes lately, anyone can volunteer. Putting even a meager hour a week is still benefitting someone, somewhere. The same can go with donating money. A dollar can make all the difference to someone who has no money at all.

Consider the fact that many people around the world don’t even make a dollar a day. In third-world and developing countries, one dollar can go to many things. Give a family a dollar, and they can eat for the day.

It is so easy to help these days. Whether it be donating money, or giving your time for a worthy cause, that time, effort and money is going into something valuable.

I think that is the basis on which I would like to create a foundation in the future. A foundation that supports even the smallest donation. Imagine each individual in this country donating a penny to a charity. That becomes around $300,000. We even take pennies for granted in this day and age. Anything and everything can make a difference. Every person in this great nation of ours carries the potential to change the world.

Even with a penny.

Okay, and here is my "Why Shad Valley?" part:

PART FIVE: WHY SHAD VALLEY?

Why? The answer, in my opinion, is simple. Shad Valley would provide me with the opportunity to meet new people from all around the country and world that share my similar interests. These people, from all walks of life, will give me the opportunity to see what it is like in different areas, and how it changes others’ mind sets and opinions. It will give me the chance to learn about things I take interest in, and to do so in a fun, yet educational setting. I personally don’t have the opportunity to travel around Canada much, and staying in a different place I’m not used to will give me the chance to expand my knowledge in various ways.

I feel that I have many different strengths that will contribute greatly to the learning environment at Shad Valley. I am an enthusiastic, team-oriented individual. I work well as a part of a team, and also consider myself to be a great leader. Time management is a very big deal to me; it is important to balance all the important aspects of life. It would be an amazing opportunity to meet others who are also balanced and involve themselves in their communities.

Shad Valley will also help me in future endeavors. I would like to attend university majoring in business, and I feel Shad Valley will aid me in entering my choice programs. Considering that Shad Valley considers entrepreneurship as one of its academic cornerstones, the program will give me greater skills that will help me in the business world in the future.

All in all, Shad Valley is a great opportunity for anyone and everyone. If I get the chance to attend the program, I know it would be the opportunity of a lifetime.
_________________

"buzzin' all over me."

The_Alphabet · Fashionista Joined: 15 Jan 2007 Posts: 68 Smiles: +10 51

That is a really good essay. I think you will get in for sure:)
My friend went to Shad Valley and she loved it. I bet you will love it too Happy

Noir · Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2007 4:18 pm Post subject:

It sounds really good! I would maybe include more specific places where you have volunteered, but I don't really know what you are supposed to include in the essay and you are probably putting in a resume anyway, right?
But good luck! My friend did it and she LOVED it. I am sure you will make it Happy

SunnyD · Newbie Joined: 01 Jan 2008 Posts: 3 Smiles: 0 6

haha i applied to that too.
Your essay sounds really good.

electricpearls · Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2008 6:33 pm Post subject:

^Oh cool.

I'm kind of having second thoughts about going.

Missing a month of summer might mean not seeing my friends, and not getting to work.

I need to save money for university and Shad itself costs $2500 so unless I get some serious bursary help I don't think I can afford it.

We shall see though!
_________________

"buzzin' all over me."

SunnyD · Newbie Joined: 01 Jan 2008 Posts: 3 Smiles: 0 6

yah, I know, I'm kind off worried about it completely cleaning out my wallet
But I have a friend who went there in 2006 and she ended up getting a $75,000.00 scholarship and she said going to Shad Valley really helped, cuz seven other people who got the same scholarship also went to shad valley. And they only picked 30 people from all across the country.
But I'm pretty sure you'll get a scholarship to go there, I like your essays better than mine. But idk it's just a matter of opinion.

SunnyD · Newbie Joined: 01 Jan 2008 Posts: 3 Smiles: 0 6

so did you get your letter from shad valley in the mail yet?