maninwhite
Nov 28, 2011
Undergraduate / UC PROMPT 2 -- Performing "My Way" [3]
All feedback is appreciated, be harsh if you need to.
I have probably a few grammar mistakes so if you find any i would like to know about them!
"Tell us about a personal quality, talent, accomplishment, contribution, or experience that is important to you. What about this quality or accomplishment makes you proud and how does it relate to the person you are?"
I am not an expert musician myself, but I have found that, no matter the situation, there is always a song out there that, if played, would make it better. This belief was put to the test when, in the spring of junior year, my English teacher designed an event she called "American Poetry Idol". Essentially, students would walk up to a makeshift "stage" and recite personal poems. I had been chosen as the Master of Ceremonies, and my duties were to entertain the class and introduce people to the stage. Normally, this would have meant telling jokes and smiling as I called people up, but that seemed too simple and boring. I decided that I would do something people would remember for a long time, something better. I had been thinking about singing in public for a long time, but I had never actually been brave enough to do it.
Naturally, the song choice was very important, and, although I had a few options, I easily picked out Frank Sinatra's "My Way". To me, this song was more than just melody and lyrics. It was a statement of confidence, one which would allow me to be myself in front of all my classmates-not just those who knew me well. As I was walked up to the stage, I knew this would be a memorable moment; after all, I had a deep voice not unlike Sinatra's, and I had garnered enough confidence to pull it off. About one-third of the people in the classroom were recording me, and though it made me nervous initially, once I remembered what I was doing and why I was doing it, I was able to sing well and without forgetting any words. The applause that followed was a relief unlike any other I had experienced. Later that day, other people and teachers asked me to sing for them as well, and I realized I had finally found something I could do that other people enjoyed while still being myself.
On that day, I let go of my shyness, and welcomed my newfound tenacity with open arms. I believe that it was a turning point in my life, as ever since that moment I became comfortable speaking and presenting to large crowds, especially on the topics I consider myself knowledgeable about. I have even been told that I might go on to become a public speaker or politician one day, something that although I find improbable, is still encouraging to hear. All I know is that, like Frank said, I should never be afraid to face it all, stand tall, and just do it my way.
All feedback is appreciated, be harsh if you need to.
I have probably a few grammar mistakes so if you find any i would like to know about them!
"Tell us about a personal quality, talent, accomplishment, contribution, or experience that is important to you. What about this quality or accomplishment makes you proud and how does it relate to the person you are?"
I am not an expert musician myself, but I have found that, no matter the situation, there is always a song out there that, if played, would make it better. This belief was put to the test when, in the spring of junior year, my English teacher designed an event she called "American Poetry Idol". Essentially, students would walk up to a makeshift "stage" and recite personal poems. I had been chosen as the Master of Ceremonies, and my duties were to entertain the class and introduce people to the stage. Normally, this would have meant telling jokes and smiling as I called people up, but that seemed too simple and boring. I decided that I would do something people would remember for a long time, something better. I had been thinking about singing in public for a long time, but I had never actually been brave enough to do it.
Naturally, the song choice was very important, and, although I had a few options, I easily picked out Frank Sinatra's "My Way". To me, this song was more than just melody and lyrics. It was a statement of confidence, one which would allow me to be myself in front of all my classmates-not just those who knew me well. As I was walked up to the stage, I knew this would be a memorable moment; after all, I had a deep voice not unlike Sinatra's, and I had garnered enough confidence to pull it off. About one-third of the people in the classroom were recording me, and though it made me nervous initially, once I remembered what I was doing and why I was doing it, I was able to sing well and without forgetting any words. The applause that followed was a relief unlike any other I had experienced. Later that day, other people and teachers asked me to sing for them as well, and I realized I had finally found something I could do that other people enjoyed while still being myself.
On that day, I let go of my shyness, and welcomed my newfound tenacity with open arms. I believe that it was a turning point in my life, as ever since that moment I became comfortable speaking and presenting to large crowds, especially on the topics I consider myself knowledgeable about. I have even been told that I might go on to become a public speaker or politician one day, something that although I find improbable, is still encouraging to hear. All I know is that, like Frank said, I should never be afraid to face it all, stand tall, and just do it my way.
