< Back
Matthew Colon
Grace Christian Academy
Eighth Grade
When I first came to Grace Christian Academy, I had no idea what to expect. As I walked into the classroom, my classmates didn’t discriminate or bully me because of my unique left hand and that I was adopted from China at three and a half years old. In fact, that intrigued them even more. I was soon crowded by my classmates who asked many questions about my hand and what China was like [Even though I barely remembered anything about China.] I was embraced by a loving “family” that cared for me and soon became my best friends. My teachers and classmates helped me foster my growth and become the young man I am now. This school treats everyone like family. If you come into the school, the students will embrace you like they’ve known you for a long time. This is what happened with me the first day I came to the school. Ever since that first day, I’ve been a part of the “Family”. Thanks to my school, I have become more disciplined. I have done better in my academics, my social life, and my sports life due to discipline. Discipline has helped me and my volleyball team, win both games we played so far against other schools. Being disciplined is extremely hard for some people, and might be easy for others. Discipline helped me to become a representative for my class among two, and for my school among eight people, in the North-Eastern regional Spelling Bee. I participated in this spelling bee on Friday, November 22, 2013. Discipline has also helped me to do well so far in my academics this year. There is another great aspect that my school teaches. And that is leadership. This year, our headmaster [principal] is focusing more on separating the leaders from the group, teaching them how to lead, and then putting them back into the group, so they can lead their friends and take charge in some difficult situations. A few years before, the teachers taught the entire student body how to become leaders. And thanks to their guidance, I became a patrol leader in my Royal Rangers patrol at my church. I used what knowledge I had on leadership to my advantage. With God, nothing is impossible. So with His help, and the help of my wonderful and loving teachers and friends, I can surpass my potential, and become the man God has called me to be. My God, teachers, and friends will do their best to help me work up to my full potential, no matter how hard the road is. Now that is perseverance.
Grace Christian Academy
Eighth Grade
When I first came to Grace Christian Academy, I had no idea what to expect. As I walked into the classroom, my classmates didn’t discriminate or bully me because of my unique left hand and that I was adopted from China at three and a half years old. In fact, that intrigued them even more. I was soon crowded by my classmates who asked many questions about my hand and what China was like [Even though I barely remembered anything about China.] I was embraced by a loving “family” that cared for me and soon became my best friends. My teachers and classmates helped me foster my growth and become the young man I am now. This school treats everyone like family. If you come into the school, the students will embrace you like they’ve known you for a long time. This is what happened with me the first day I came to the school. Ever since that first day, I’ve been a part of the “Family”. Thanks to my school, I have become more disciplined. I have done better in my academics, my social life, and my sports life due to discipline. Discipline has helped me and my volleyball team, win both games we played so far against other schools. Being disciplined is extremely hard for some people, and might be easy for others. Discipline helped me to become a representative for my class among two, and for my school among eight people, in the North-Eastern regional Spelling Bee. I participated in this spelling bee on Friday, November 22, 2013. Discipline has also helped me to do well so far in my academics this year. There is another great aspect that my school teaches. And that is leadership. This year, our headmaster [principal] is focusing more on separating the leaders from the group, teaching them how to lead, and then putting them back into the group, so they can lead their friends and take charge in some difficult situations. A few years before, the teachers taught the entire student body how to become leaders. And thanks to their guidance, I became a patrol leader in my Royal Rangers patrol at my church. I used what knowledge I had on leadership to my advantage. With God, nothing is impossible. So with His help, and the help of my wonderful and loving teachers and friends, I can surpass my potential, and become the man God has called me to be. My God, teachers, and friends will do their best to help me work up to my full potential, no matter how hard the road is. Now that is perseverance.
