So my parents were nervous when I said I was joining City Year, to say the least. Certainly I sprung it on them out of the blue, and certainly, upon first hearing the term ‘gap year,’ decided that this was not to be in my metaphorical cards. Not only did I prove them wrong, but in the process of diligently defending my stance, I earned their respect and most of all, I earned their support. I talk to my parents every day, and they love to be regaled by my Philadelphia H.S. experiences. They want me to talk about the service we provide, they want to hear who I interact with. “Who did you help today and how did you reach them,” they inquisitively ask. They know I’m doing what’s best for myself by doing what’s best for the community, and my parents know that only I can make that decision for the future I crave.
But what my folks don’t exactly realize is how effectively this is going to prepare me for my future. I’m sure they see CY simply as a 10-month commitment, and just that. My father served in the Army during a war, and I can’t say that he enjoyed his time spent. The opposite applies to me. I enjoy being challenged, and I enjoy challenging others. Often, I would find myself disagreeing with one of my teachers or students in the H.S. I graduated from, just to see if they can accurately and effectively defend their perspectives, not unlike the Socratic tradition. Did I realize that this very nearly negative trait would be effective in engaging high school students? Hardly. In fact, I found that docility is something that students despise, and rightly so. For instance, prior to the presidential election, I ‘interviewed’ some students at Olney H.S., the school where I serve, about why they support a particular candidate over the other. As I pushed onward and upward, they seemed to fidget and squirm as I dissected theory upon theory. Did they roll over and concede? In the true Philadelphian spirit, they excelled.
But what does all that have to do with my future? Well, I personally am going to attend college next year in/around the Philly area. I’ve grown to appreciate and grasp the history and the culture of this place, and though Pittsburgh will always be my home, this city is a fine substitute. I realized how much I miss studying for a test or receiving the all-too little known feeling of pride in earning that A. Beyond that, I also can finally appreciate how fortunate I was to be a product of my high school. I know I didn’t take full advantage of my opportunities, usually in my study habits, etc. and I’m ready to start the next leg of my education. I’m ready to take my job as a student seriously, because, in this modern world, there are few things worth their value like a good education. Knowledge, forsooth, truly is power and I can’t wait to wield such a thing.
Since the time I was drooling in my crib to the day I crashed one of two cars to this present day, I’ve had one singular dream: to become a doctor. I know my future is intertwined with aiding and supporting others, I wish no greater thing. I want to be a doctor because I have an undying urge to help people. Alas, in the meantime, while I wait to get the chance to exercise my soon-to-be formidable intellect, I have chosen to take the path of CY. Not many people can readily see the similarities of practicing medicine and serving students, but I, for one, think it is quite apparent. In the case of my parents, they had trouble indubitably. I navigated them through my thought process (and through the minds of a great many in this year’s corps who have openly expressed their desire to aid through medicine as well).
Imagine a student is like rose bush. The need is great, the product is phenomenal and unparalleled in every way possible. No other flower is like a rose; its bud is envied and its petals are revered by all. But a rose needs water; it needs nitrogen-fixed soil; it needs one atom of carbon and two atoms of oxygen to breathe. A student is similar. Without instruction or some semblance of direction, the plant withers and recedes back to the dirt. Or if it does blossom, and it grows without guidance, usually sprouting stems in each and every direction. A patient, once more, is even similar still.
A patient needs a doctor’s advice and regulation; for without such a thing, the health is jeopardized and the future could be considered tumultuous and sporadic. A patient needs individual attention to grow healthy and strong, to grow to maturity without issue. I can say my dedication and commitment is what makes this process an easier one, and I know my students can’t disagree with this statement. Dedication is required to effectively leverage any type of aid and a commitment is necessary to maintain equal support and advocacy. I’m in City Year to make a positive difference in the community, and I plan on carrying this hard-fought belief with me on my path to practicing medicine. I will always keep in my mind the idea that nothing should be taken for granted; if I am given a month to read something on “Endocrinology and YOU!” and it happens to be several hundred pages long. I can guarantee you that the old Ryan would have just read it once a week before the examination and left my grade at that. I now can see that each exam has to be fought for, through repetition in analysis or through consistent note-taking, either way has to be actively gained in order to achieve the success that I now demand. I learned that taking ‘no’ for an answer doesn’t cut it; I expect better from my students and they expect better from me, and I only feel more energized, excited because of that. There will be many trials on my journey, as is the case for most Americans, but because of what I’m doing in City Year, I know I will be better prepared to enthusiastically and anxiously conquer each hurdle with the greatest force.
Ryan P., 19, corps member, David's Bridal Team at Olney High School
But what my folks don’t exactly realize is how effectively this is going to prepare me for my future. I’m sure they see CY simply as a 10-month commitment, and just that. My father served in the Army during a war, and I can’t say that he enjoyed his time spent. The opposite applies to me. I enjoy being challenged, and I enjoy challenging others. Often, I would find myself disagreeing with one of my teachers or students in the H.S. I graduated from, just to see if they can accurately and effectively defend their perspectives, not unlike the Socratic tradition. Did I realize that this very nearly negative trait would be effective in engaging high school students? Hardly. In fact, I found that docility is something that students despise, and rightly so. For instance, prior to the presidential election, I ‘interviewed’ some students at Olney H.S., the school where I serve, about why they support a particular candidate over the other. As I pushed onward and upward, they seemed to fidget and squirm as I dissected theory upon theory. Did they roll over and concede? In the true Philadelphian spirit, they excelled.
But what does all that have to do with my future? Well, I personally am going to attend college next year in/around the Philly area. I’ve grown to appreciate and grasp the history and the culture of this place, and though Pittsburgh will always be my home, this city is a fine substitute. I realized how much I miss studying for a test or receiving the all-too little known feeling of pride in earning that A. Beyond that, I also can finally appreciate how fortunate I was to be a product of my high school. I know I didn’t take full advantage of my opportunities, usually in my study habits, etc. and I’m ready to start the next leg of my education. I’m ready to take my job as a student seriously, because, in this modern world, there are few things worth their value like a good education. Knowledge, forsooth, truly is power and I can’t wait to wield such a thing.
Since the time I was drooling in my crib to the day I crashed one of two cars to this present day, I’ve had one singular dream: to become a doctor. I know my future is intertwined with aiding and supporting others, I wish no greater thing. I want to be a doctor because I have an undying urge to help people. Alas, in the meantime, while I wait to get the chance to exercise my soon-to-be formidable intellect, I have chosen to take the path of CY. Not many people can readily see the similarities of practicing medicine and serving students, but I, for one, think it is quite apparent. In the case of my parents, they had trouble indubitably. I navigated them through my thought process (and through the minds of a great many in this year’s corps who have openly expressed their desire to aid through medicine as well).
Imagine a student is like rose bush. The need is great, the product is phenomenal and unparalleled in every way possible. No other flower is like a rose; its bud is envied and its petals are revered by all. But a rose needs water; it needs nitrogen-fixed soil; it needs one atom of carbon and two atoms of oxygen to breathe. A student is similar. Without instruction or some semblance of direction, the plant withers and recedes back to the dirt. Or if it does blossom, and it grows without guidance, usually sprouting stems in each and every direction. A patient, once more, is even similar still.
A patient needs a doctor’s advice and regulation; for without such a thing, the health is jeopardized and the future could be considered tumultuous and sporadic. A patient needs individual attention to grow healthy and strong, to grow to maturity without issue. I can say my dedication and commitment is what makes this process an easier one, and I know my students can’t disagree with this statement. Dedication is required to effectively leverage any type of aid and a commitment is necessary to maintain equal support and advocacy. I’m in City Year to make a positive difference in the community, and I plan on carrying this hard-fought belief with me on my path to practicing medicine. I will always keep in my mind the idea that nothing should be taken for granted; if I am given a month to read something on “Endocrinology and YOU!” and it happens to be several hundred pages long. I can guarantee you that the old Ryan would have just read it once a week before the examination and left my grade at that. I now can see that each exam has to be fought for, through repetition in analysis or through consistent note-taking, either way has to be actively gained in order to achieve the success that I now demand. I learned that taking ‘no’ for an answer doesn’t cut it; I expect better from my students and they expect better from me, and I only feel more energized, excited because of that. There will be many trials on my journey, as is the case for most Americans, but because of what I’m doing in City Year, I know I will be better prepared to enthusiastically and anxiously conquer each hurdle with the greatest force.
Ryan P., 19, corps member, David's Bridal Team at Olney High School
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