Yes, I can admit that I am one of those people who loves to see her name displayed in big lights. I am certainly not the one to be cocky about it, but at times it is good to know that your hard work is being recognized. About a couple weeks ago, I was writing my first personal statement and project proposal in the hopes to receive this grant that was being offered throughout my university. My personal hopes was a mix of high and low points, where the hopes of others stayed positive.

This opportunity of applying for this grant is only offered to students who are going into their junior or senior year. However, I started looking into what I had to do to receive this grant as early as my second semester of Freshmen year when it was first brought to my attention by some faculty members who have come to be some of my biggest mentors.

Of course, I spent the long week prior to the deadline drafting out my statement and project proposal. By writing until two o' clock in the morning in my campus commons one night and completing my final draft at home over Easter Break was all worth it in the end.

As you could already tell from my positive excitement as I write this piece, I received the award. I could not have achieved this if it were not for the help from my mentors and the support from my friends. What came about this, however, is an important lesson.

I have learned that displaying a trophy on a shelf or hanging a certificate up on the wall is not all that great since the display should be tailored to the implication that hard work had to be put in beforehand. Therefore, an award says a lot about an individual's work ethic and character.