Once said by Anatole France, "To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe." Both the human mind and body are capable of overcoming difficult obstacles, yet without the determination of the heart and spirit, success would not have any value. Ranging from athletes, scientists, musicians, realists and idealists, dreams ignite ingenuity within all people. A dream is the beginning of any accomplishment and the motivation that fuels the flame of persistence. Throughout our lives, dreams range from bizarre to realistic, capturing our imaginations and creative spirits. Our dreams are a gateway to our subconscious inspirations and bring attention to hidden interests that can be shoved aside by our everyday lives.
Dreams have developed several inventions that have changed and even improved the way our society operates. Vehicles were once a foreign idea compared to horse and buggy and traveling on foot. Modern day airplanes, helicopters and space travel were once mere ideas, waiting to become the marvels they are today. Technology has surpassed predicted outcomes of its early development. Computers would not have had the opportunity to evolve, let alone exist without the groundbreaking motives of Bill Gates. Steve Jobs paved the way for today's cell phones with the widespread company of Apple. Starting out in a garage, Apple has become a common preference in personal technology.
Our nation has advanced and improved its conduct and has truly made citizenship equal for every race and gender, a dream that many individuals thought they would never witness. The ratification of the 19th amendment granted women the right to vote, which would not have became possible without rights activists such as Susan B. Anthony. Twenty years later, women would prove their worth in factories during the second World War, completing complicated tasks that many previously considered "men's work." These women would bring forth opportunities for future women to gain status in the workforce. For over a hundred years, the mistreatment of African Americans was prevalent in the United States. Even after slavery was abolished, segregation and mindless Jim Crow laws prohibited true equality in school systems and public establishments. A revolutionary uprising would be the only way to change such a corrupt system, and many peaceful protesters risked prison, threats and even death to set equality in place. Martin Luther King Jr. proclaimed his vision of an integrated nation in 1963 at the Lincoln Memorial by stating, "I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.'" After years of prejudice and violence, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson, legally ending discrimination regarding based on race, color, religion, or national origin. Our education system is an opportunity for all students to enrich their minds, due to the brave acts of individuals such as the Little Rock Nine.
With all these opportunities achieved by earnest dreamers, furthering my education would benefit myself and honor the perseverance of those who sculpted our nation with determination. My personal educational dream includes attending College of the Ozarks to obtain a bachelor's degree within the field of Music Education, then to further my career as a choir director at a public or private school system. The foundation for this dream began when I was 11 years old after my parents took me to College of the Ozarks for a visit. The idea of college wasn't in my immediate future, yet once I stepped foot on campus, I knew that I had to attend the school with the motto of "Hard Work U." Even at that age I felt pride, dedication and my heritage coursing through me as we toured the grounds. That memory from my childhood propels my decisions and actions today, giving me the motivation to work hard towards my educational goals and success within my career. After these past critical years that could have potentially changed the course of my collegiate decision, my dream has stood the test of time. Time has not only confirmed my dream, but it has also strengthened my ambition to succeed in life. Dreams not only give us a reason to hope for success in the future, but also help us to recall our humble beginnings after we finally reach our goals.
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Editor's note: Molly Sorrell, a senior at Pea Ridge High School, recently won the Optimist Club of Pea Ridge's essay contest based on a theme of "How Dreams Lead to Success" and was awarded a $500 scholarship.
Community on 04/09/2014