Shawn B. Beauchamps

Writing Sample

One of the most common ideals in American culture can be said to be well-roundedness.  Being a well-rounded individual embodies an array of aspects.  These aspects determine the full potential of that person as he or she interacts with society. In order to be a well-rounded individual you must first be exposed do different cultures, hobbies, clubs, sports, academics and most of all understanding that life is based off of different perspectives and ideas.  With that being said we can the fully approach the question; is high school as it is most commonly experiences the most effective structure in which to prepare young people for college, careers and adulthood?

            I cannot know exactly what the experiences for everyone in high school is so thus I do not know the most common experiences, but from my prospective and the lessons and experiences that I had in high school I can say that it did not fully prepare me for college or what I believe college to be. In my high school diversity was a key issue in whether I was to be prepared for college.  Not saying my high school was of one race but that it didn’t have nearly enough.  Diversity is such a key issue, because it gives one so many different views on life based off of how others that are different live their life. College seems to be a place where in any given day any random person can come across someone that is from a totally different country than that person and the question they must ask themselves is whether they can relate to that person. From my perspective I believe that if that person doesn’t know anything about the other person other stereotypes than the chances they will confront one another is not high.  Thus, the opportunity cost in this case is so drastic because that person could be missing out on an opportunity of a lifetime. This is the understanding someone of a different culture has on life and learning how that compares and contrasting to your understanding of life. That interaction is so important, because it opens our minds up to a broader picture on life.

            Another important element in being a well-rounded individual deals with extracurricular activities. The most important thing a high school needs to provide besides its level of academics is an enormous variety of different extracurricular programs.  People learn more and are more active in work, school even life if they can find that one thing that makes them happy.  Someone students look for this happiness in sports, others music, others games etc.  This is so important when it comes to being a well-rounded individual. The most important growing stages in our life as human beings next to our toddler years are our teenage years.  That’s when we start figuring out what we exactly like doing and don’t exactly like doing.  What we are exceptionally good at and what we aren’t so good at.  What really makes us happy when it comes to extracurricular activities and what we don’t really like doing.  If our options are limiting than how do we eliminate certain activities? The answer to this question is simply one cannot.  I believe that I would have focuses more in high school if I could have found something in high school that really sparked my interest.  I know that from talking to peers and even adults that a lot of things that people learn in high school they never remember or take with them when they go to college.  Therefore, the students should not only be exposed to an assortment of academics, but also to a range of hobbies.  This can be anything from arts and crafts, music, card games pool, table tennis etc.  Things that are not necessarily academic inclusive, but should still be implanted in high school to make more students well-rounded.

       Biography             References             Resume             Home