Scholarship Essay by Audrey From Rock Canyon High School

April 16, 2018

This essay, by Audrey from Rock Canyon High School, is one of the top five finalists for our scholarship. Be sure to share your thoughts in the comment section below this post!

Scholarship Drawing by Audrey

There is a town on the outskirts of a large city. Populated by its citizens, their pets, their lives, and the occasional deer. It is a town of little perfections. The town is not too small or large; it’s part of a community, but allows for privacy and freedom. This town provides safety and security for all its people. This is a town where once you arrive, you seem to never want to leave. Endless opportunities await here, and the chance to succeed is provided to everyone. This town, Highlands Ranch, is a great place to live and is ever-growing and changing with the people that live here and the world surrounding it.

When thinking about Highlands Ranch, I am reminded of a story I heard many times growing up in my predominantly Polish family. It tells of a little girl that lived with her grandmother in a small town surrounded by meadows and gardens alike. One day, this little girl was running away from an oncoming storm, when she happened upon a garden. Stopping to admire the flowers, and pick some for her grandmother, she saw a small rose. It looked weak and sickly, and the little girl knew the rose would not survive the storm. So, gently, she dug around the roots of the rose and carried it home. Once she was home, she found a pale, dull pot, and planted the flower. She took care of the rose, making sure it got enough sunlight and water. For months, the little girl slaved away making sure the rose would be healthy enough to go back into the garden. When, one day, the little girl came down to water the plant, the plant had grown three times over night, and was the color of the deepest, most brilliant red the little girl had ever seen. Ecstatic, the little girl ran to the garden outside and planted the flower, hoping it would survive. The little girl checked on the flower everyday, and found that the flower would not stop thriving and growing. It soon made the little girl famous for finding what would be named the everlasting flower.

This story taught me that you get back what you give. The little girl gave all she had to the flower, and the flower gave back to her. I believe that Highlands Ranch is much like the flower. Only twenty or so years ago, Highlands Ranch was more of an area of land than a community. However, as more people came and provided more to Highlands Ranch, it began to flourish. Highlands Ranch has built a strong community, that portrays trust and sympathy to everyone. Highlands Ranch is a good place to live not only because of everything that it provides and the community, but also because of its history and how it is ever-growing like the rose.

Read the Other Entires

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95 thoughts on “Scholarship Essay by Audrey From Rock Canyon High School

  1. Ryan Bailey says:

    This essay is beautifully written with a thoughtful metaphor of the flower to the city of Highlands Ranch. Very well done!

  2. Haley says:

    Great essay! Really enjoyed reading it.

  3. Leah Doogan says:

    What a creative, emotional, honest essay. The anecdote was not only a perfect way to describe Highlands Ranch, but also found a way to incorporate familial values that are shown to be extremely important to the applicant. Very very well done

  4. Sonya says:

    Wonderful job Audrey! Your community is definitely what YOU make it to be! Love your message!

  5. Kristin Frasier says:

    Great story!

  6. Becky Mudd says:

    “you get back what you give”– Thanks Audrey for reminding us that it takes US to be the community we want to live in!

  7. Rosemary Downs says:

    I love this comparison!

  8. Karen Rose says:

    Excellent!

  9. Elsa says:

    🌹 Beautiful story 🌹 love the heart and soul put into this wonderful piece

  10. Brent Rice says:

    Sweet story, Audrey: thanks for sharing!

  11. Nikki Fitch says:

    Nice:)

  12. Megan harper says:

    I love this. Very endearing and beautiful.

  13. Scott Jackson says:

    This is great!!! I loved this. Very talented!

  14. Rhonda Duren says:

    Beautiful description of a lovely town indeed!! I didn’t have my residence there, but enjoyed the various opportunities the other Rancher’s enjoyed! The dining, the Live Theater, churches and recreation centers! I always felt “almost home” when returning from the mountains or Denver (city, to see the interstate loop that led me to my destination. On the freeway, the schools and soccer fields beckon one to stop a while and take time to play!
    Thank you Ashley! Beautifully written story bringing HOPE to a future! Best to your future!!

  15. Christine Bailey says:

    I love how you compared a Rose to Highlands Ranch! Great adjectives too!

  16. Nina Mehring says:

    Excellent essay! Beautiful story!

  17. Bob A says:

    Very good!

  18. Vera Shevchenko says:

    You have a lovely way of talking about community and what it takes to make it thrive. Well done Audrey!

  19. Camryn Kachel says:

    I loved this essay!!

  20. Lisa Wiencek says:

    What a beautifully written piece. I love the connection of getting back what you put in. What a wonderful lesson to learn and share with your community.

  21. Cindy says:

    Love the story!

  22. Shelly Russell says:

    You do truly get back what you give. Your piece reminds me of The Little Prince–when a fox tells him that the eyes are blind and we are responsible forever for what you tame, the Little Prince go back home to meet again with his Rose to get what he gives.

  23. S says:

    ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

  24. Aimee kennedy says:

    This is very sweet!

  25. Bernadette Margel says:

    Interesting viewpoint…

  26. Julie Kurland says:

    What a beautiful analogy!

  27. Michele Stewart says:

    Such a great essay. Well done!

  28. Yaron Starosta says:

    You have captured the spirit of Highlands Ranch beautifully! Good job!

  29. Shelly Kozmata says:

    Audrey is a kind ,smart and motivated young lady. We wish her the best of luck.

  30. Joy Meredith says:

    Well put, Audrey!

  31. NJ Eaves says:

    Great job, Audrey!!

  32. Gina Smith says:

    Beautiful!

  33. Ann Guerin says:

    This is wonderful!! And so true!!

  34. Kim Musselman says:

    I love this story and the message! What a beautiful “ short and sweet” essay that appears to have truth-love-and trust for her community!

  35. DELIGHTFUL AND THOUGHTFUL.
    BRINGS TO MIND:
    “WHATSOEVER A MAN SOWETH, THAT SHALL HE REAP”
    I SEE A YOUNG WOMAN WHO IS HOPEFUL FOR THE FUTURE OF MANKIND!

  36. Nina O'Connell says:

    This is such a beautiful observation how it up to us to make whats around us thrive with constant care and love.

  37. Heather Smith says:

    Amazing!

  38. Jana Briggs says:

    This is a wonderful, inspiring & creatively written essay!
    Well done!

  39. Gregg Spieker says:

    Good job Audrey….Great essay!

  40. Halina Siwolop says:

    Lovely essay, Audrey! It makes me want to experience your every-growing community!

  41. Shawndra Fordham says:

    Audrey,

    What a fabulous essay! It is so descriptive. I feel like I am right there. It has a great moral lesson as well.

    Way to go,
    Fordham

  42. Juan says:

    What a great story!
    Comparing a town to a flower is a great idea to show how to make it grow beautifully.
    And I love all the descriptors, they helped paint a very colorful picture of what was happening.

  43. Michelle says:

    Great essay, Audrey!

  44. Austin says:

    This is fantastic!!

  45. Danae Gruszczynski says:

    Great job Audrey! Good luck!

  46. Ian says:

    Awesome report

  47. Christine Harvey says:

    What a lovely story!

  48. bob adrian says:

    Great story Audrey. Love you and your parents!

  49. Frank Whalen says:

    Excellent work.

  50. Nancy Edwards says:

    Than you so much for letting me read Audrey’s beautiful essay. What an inspiration she is. Loved reading her story. I know she will go far.

  51. Debbie Buffington says:

    Short and sweet story straight to the point! Highlands Ranch sounds lovely.

  52. Christine says:

    Great work Audrey!

  53. GH says:

    What a nicety about a locality with generosity and hospitality.

  54. kelsey says:

    A love letter to her hometown- a town that cares deeply about giving back to one another and making the community better. Very sweet!

  55. Debbie Vargo says:

    Love it!

  56. Rose and Dan McKee says:

    Excellent essay, Audrey! All of the attributes that you have beautifully used to describe how enriched our lives have been in our community of Highlands Ranch, also describe what you have given and will continue to give in ever endeavor of your life! Congratulations on your essay Audrey!

  57. Vicki Gale says:

    Audrey, the story you used in your essay is a beautiful way of expressing the importance of community service and an understanding of how a simple act of nurturing something or someone can enhance that community, It was quite inspiring.

  58. Bobbi says:

    What a great correlation.. you get back the effort of what you put into it. The same as your home and community in Highlands Ranch. Nice essay, easy to read and understand and it is meaningful.

  59. Mark Tavani says:

    Awesome!!

  60. Mark T says:

    Awesome!

  61. Nancy Ewing says:

    Great job, Audrey!

  62. Tanya St. John says:

    Lovely story. Giving is rewarded with joy.

  63. Joel Nooney says:

    Audrey, great story!!

  64. Joel Nooney says:

    Audrey, great short story, nicely done!

  65. Fred says:

    Very Thoughtful and well written

  66. Steve St. John says:

    Great Essay. Wonderful writing skills.

  67. Bill says:

    Great essay! Had me hooked….wanted to keep reading to see what would happen to that small, sickly, rose. Good job! Love that Highlands Ranch.

  68. Cheri Sanchez says:

    What a great analogy between the old world and newer community – beautiful!

  69. Tara says:

    Awesome!

  70. Troy Gruszczynski says:

    What a great analogy and life lesson rolled into one. Very proud of this young lady! Well written and communicated.

  71. Dave & Jean Gruszczynski says:

    BRINGS A TEAR TO MY EYES. AUDREY YOU ARE SO TALENTED AND IT MAKES US SO PROUD OF YOU, KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.

    LOVE YOU GRANDMA & GRANDPA G.

  72. Troy Gruszczynski says:

    Excellent job Audrey, So proud of you!

  73. Maryam Klock says:

    What an insightful young woman! I am sure you will bring great things to your community as well!

  74. Chris Nooney says:

    Good job Audrey!!

  75. Drew Testerman says:

    Nice job!

  76. Marley Mehring says:

    Love this! So creative and well thought out!

  77. Troy Gruszczynski says:

    Great essay Audrey

  78. Scott & Sherri Gruszczynski says:

    Very creative comparison Audrey!

  79. Scott & Sherri Gruszczynski says:

    Very creative comparison to your great city!

  80. Hans zilkenat says:

    Nicely written, thoughtful and close to home.

  81. Aurora says:

    Great job Audrey! I loved the story the connection!

  82. Michael Beermann says:

    What an excellent message Audrey. Community is so important, today more than ever. Great job!

  83. Michael says:

    LOVE IT! BEST ESSAY! I LOVE HER VOICE AND THE HEART FOR OUR COLORADO TOWN.

  84. Carrie says:

    Well done, Audrey! I like the illustration with the story, and the way it fit with the overall message.

    1. Dana Delaney says:

      Beautiful story

  85. Kathy says:

    Lovely story…all communities should be like this.

  86. Brian Rorick says:

    Great job, Audrey! I enjoyed your reading your essay.

  87. Suzie Sparling says:

    Audrey, what a wonderful essay. You’re truly a talented young woman!

  88. Matt Videtich says:

    Audrey for mayor

  89. Linda Weinstein says:

    Audrey, I love the feeling of nature when I walk the neighborhoods and open space in Highlands Ranch. Trees blooming, flowers and animals and people all coming together as a community. Great essay!

  90. alan weinstein says:

    Lovely story written by a lovely young lady

  91. Taylor Schofield says:

    Beautiful story written by a beautiful young lady!

  92. Meg Johnson says:

    Audrey,
    Your story is sweet, innocent, full of goodness and hope. I love it. May you never lose these lovely heart eyes through which you see the world around you.

  93. Gary Van Doorn says:

    Audrey,

    I loved your essay but also your illustration of the rose. You, your family and our Highlands Ranch community all possess these wonderful attributes!

    Gary V.

  94. Dave and Danae Gruszczynski says:

    Great story with a better message!

Comments are closed.