On the last day of school when I was in first grade, my teacher threw an end of year party for the class. She decided to give each student an individualized award for something that they were good at or accomplished over the course of the year. My award was "Cruise Director." At the time, I was the proudest little first grader you could find. Years later, however, my mom told me how upset she was that day because my teacher was actually giving me a backhanded compliment, saying that I was too strong-willed. Now, at 18 years old, I'm proud to be strong-willed.

I'm proud to be strong-willed because of how many things I have accomplished with the help of my ever-present determination. My middle school boyfriends all said I was too bossy, and I lost many friends because of my "big personality." However, without all of these traits, I would not be anywhere close to where I am today. My determination allowed me to go to a boarding high school when my parents had already told me no. My strong-will is the reason I am six hours away from home at college, when my parents wanted me within two hours.

When I set my sights on something, I generally don't stop until I get what I want. This, without a doubt, can be a bad thing sometimes as I can get tunnel vision. However, it can also be a very good thing. I'm proud to be stubborn because I don't give up when something doesn't go my way on the first try. I cannot think of a single person who achieved their dreams by being passive and not doing anything. My stubbornness is the reason I take chances when others might not and is also the reason I succeed a lot of the time. I am extremely determined, and I know exactly what I want. This can be hard for others around me to deal with and I know I can be a handful or two at times, but I wouldn't change the way I am for anything.

I know that my strong personality can be both a curse and a blessing depending on the situation I'm in. Despite this, I'd rather know exactly what I want and go for it than stand in the shadows and question everything. My life isn't full of doubt because of my determinedness. I guess you could even say I'm determined to make the most of my strong-will. Little did my first grade teacher know that her backhanded insult to me when I was little would actually be a huge compliment in my eyes as I got older.

This one is for all the little girls who have been told that they are too aggressive or bossy, I promise you these traits are not bad things and you will need them to succeed at some point. I wouldn't be where I am today without my strong-will, and I can't thank God enough for blessing me with my stubbornness.