This essay, by Grace from Littleton 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!
What do you think of when you hear the word “live?” Do you think of survival, or a place where you eat and sleep? Do you think of a physical place? When I think of what it means to live, I think of the Cambridge Dictionary definition, “to have an exciting and fulfilling life.” That is why, though my physical home is in Denver, I live in Littleton, Colorado. It is where I have had the chance to live an exciting and fulfilling life. I am the person I am today as a result of this beautiful community.
I love Littleton, Colorado and think it is a great place to live for many reasons. My family intentionally open enrolled in Littleton Public Schools for the many opportunities it offers. Having the ability to attend school in this community has given me the chance to meet many amazing people. The extensive number of clubs, sports and activities that my High School provides has allowed me to have numerous growing experiences. By participating in the Littleton community, I have grown into the best version of myself.
Littleton, Colorado is a friendly and welcoming community. When I first open-enrolled to Newton Middle School, I was more than a little nervous. I was taking my first steps into a bigger world, and I hardly knew anyone around me. I remember looking around, and feeling like everyone already had friends. Right away a girl came up and introduced herself to me, and from that moment on I knew friends were plentiful in the Littleton community. When I think of why l have loved being a part of Littleton’s Public School District, the people I have met and the friends I have made definitely come to mind. The community in Littleton, specifically Littleton High School, is unique in that it is a place where anyone feels welcome. As one of a few Denver kids open-enrolled to the district, the atmosphere of the Littleton schools has felt friendly and welcoming. Throughout my time at Newton Middle School and Littleton High School, I have had the wonderful opportunity to meet many different types of people! This community has provided me with many exciting experiences and has taught me a lot about life, love, and myself. Most importantly, though, the Littleton community has taught me what it feels like to be home, even if I am away from my physical home. It is with the many friends I have made over the seven years I have “lived” in Littleton that I have learned the meaning of family beyond blood; a lesson I can take with me as I journey on.
An advantage in going to a smaller school like Littleton High School is that it is easy to be involved athletics and clubs. As I reflect on my time at Littleton High School, I appreciate the variety of experiences I have had because of the many activities offered. The clubs and sports that I have participated in with Littleton High School have taught me a lot about the real world. Such experiences have made my time with the Littleton community both exciting and fulfilling. This busy and exciting time in my life has taught me much and has helped to prepare me for the future. Being in Littleton’s Technology Student Association (TSA) chapter introduced me to the creative world of technology, as well as the world of conferences and the Parliamentary Procedure. Thanks to TSA and the process of preparing for yearly conferences, I now know a lot more about perseverance and how to manage my time.
The ability to participate in the athletic programs offered at Littleton High School has also taught me a lot about myself. Though I swam for five years prior to High School, it was with Littleton High Schools Girls Swim Team that I truly matured as a swimmer. Over the course of the four years that I swam with LHS, I had the amazing experience of being a member of both the Junior Varsity and Varsity teams. Being on the Varsity team especially motivated me to be the best athlete I could possibly be. High School swimming taught me how to be a leader and a positive influence to younger swimmers. As a Team Captain during my final season I was deeply inspired by my coaches. Littleton High School swim coaches were by far the most encouraging and positive coaches I have ever had. By the end of my senior season, they were not only coaches, but were also friends and mentors. The experiences that Littleton High School has allowed has made my high school career exciting and one that I will build on for the rest of my life. Part of “living” somewhere is filling one’s life with experiences that are not only fun and enriching, but also give one insight about themselves. Being in the Littleton community has done this for me.
One of the most important things about living in a community is what you learn about yourself as person. The definition of live that I like to use when it comes to Littleton, Colorado includes the ability “to have an exciting and fulfilling life.” My life in Littleton, Colorado has been fulfilling because of the amazing people I have befriended. My life at Littleton High School has been exciting because of all the wonderful experiences in the Littleton community that I can build upon in the future. I can say that I “live” in Littleton because my time spent in this wonderful community has been “exciting and fulfilling.” It has shown me who I am as a person: I am imaginative and optimistic and motivated. It has shown me who I strive to be each and every day: kind and selfless and understanding. I love “living” in Littleton because it has shaped me into the best version of myself that I could possibly hope to be.
Good job, Grace. You have my vote.
Grace should definitely win!!!
Yes.. This young lady is the “Best Version of herself”.
Not many girls know about ‘Gratitude’ and appreciation
for those advantages she has had!
Grace Stouder is going places!
Well written essay. I vote for Grace!
Wonderful, thoughtful comments by an amazing young lady.
This speaks volumes! What a wise young lady. The future looks brighter because of her.
I agree it is important to be involved!! The world is a better place when we become involved and give back to our community.
Excellent essay. Thank you.
Great essay. Very well written and meaningful.
Nicely done Grace! You have truly embraced what it means to ‘live’ in Littleton!
Wow! I love the concept of “living” in Littleton while residing elsewhere! This made me think about where I have “lived” and been fulfilled throughout my own life! You gave me a beautiful perspective of the Littleton community!
Keep your eyes wide open Grace. Lots more to see and do in this beautiful world. Well said!
Littleton is a fantastic community and lucky to have you Grace!
Wonderful sentiment … well done!
Thoughful and insightful. You have a bright future ahead!
Such and exciting future ahead of you Grace! Great essay!
Very well said, Grace, and we live the same dream and inspiration you speak of! Yes, it is where you live, day in/out with school/academics/athletics/clubs, whether involved and/or supporting your friends and community — the second home! So important to be supported and encouraged where you live! Thanks for sharing your inspiring words!
Hello. This was my favorite submission. I hope that Grace is able to get the scholarship!
Thanks
Gregg Scott
Grace would be a great choice to get awarded for her hard work and dedication to everything she gets involved in.
What a beautiful essay Grace. Congratulations on all of your accomplishments and good luck on the scholarship opportunity. Such an exciting time for you.
Valuable words we should all live by.
Great essay, Grace!
Well said Grace! We need to all make sure that we’re “living.”
Grace’s definition and description of life and living say so much about the person she is striving to become as she graduates and embarks on her exciting new path.
Great job, Grace! Good luck!
Really great and very true! Grace is the winner.
What a great essay about being mindful of “living” in your community!
Great insight about the Littleton and what it means to be involved – keepup the good work – you have my vote!
Great Job! Grace you have my vote!!
Nice positive story about the City of Littleton and Littleton Public Schools. This one gets my vote for depth of story and overall positive tone.
Very proud of the young lady you are and excited for what’s next! Your essay was great incite to your experience – totally enjoyed reading it!
Grace, To me, this essay highlights several of your strengths! Your introspection into not only what you have learned along your journey, but how the lessons you’ve learned from those who’ve inspired you and mentored you along your path, have opened your heart to share both your challenges and insights with those around you in hopes of encouraging them as well. Inspiring!
Very inspiring. You have my vote!!
Grace, you have defined quality of life and living. You understand that engaging in and embracing your world is how you learn and grow. Well done young lady!
Well done Grace!!
Grace is a rock star! She embodies her name every single day! She is one of my all time favorite students. Well written essay.
Grace – Perfectly said! I hope you find college fun and enriching and go on to “live” great things! You have my vote
Grace – you have my vote! And you will no doubt have a fulfilling and exciting life and do good things in any community you are a part of.
What a great young lady! Well written Grace! You have my vote!
What a thoughtful and beautifully written piece. Students with your level of gratitude and care make the Littleton community what it is. You have my vote, Grace!
I live on the border of Littleton and Centennial, but Littleton is where I “live”! If I am travelling and people ask me where I live, I tell them “Littleton, CO”. It is where I shop, where my kids attended school, where my favorite park is (Sterne Park!), and the place where I am “home”, regardless of the physical location of my house. Thanks for letting me reflect upon this, Grace, and for having written such an eloquent essay. I vote for you!
Wonderful. Good Luck Grace.
Grace, you are an amazing young lady. LHS has been so lucky to have you here, as a great role model for younger students and as a motivator for your peers. I really appreciate your positive, “can do” attitude – THAT’s what this world needs. Thanks for all you’ve given to this community – we are much better because of you!
Great Job Grace – loved having you on the LHS swim team!
Great Job Grace – loved having you on the LHS swim team! Good luck at U of Wyoming next year.
Grace, your essay was so insightful and articulate. You get my vote.
Grace, your essay was articulate and insightful. Great job. You get my vote
Well written essay Grace, you have our vote!!
We’re rooting for you here in Virginia and we wish you all the best life has to offer! 🙂
Fantastic essay Grace! Made me pause and consider my surroundings again. You have always been very aware and outgoing and I have been so blessed to have had the opportunity to watch you develop into a bright and beautiful young lady! Your future will be equally bright and beautiful!
This contest should be yours…hands down!
Grace – I loved reading your essay. You clearly really thought about your experiences and did a great job of communicating your thoughts. You have my vote!
Love your story Grace! We’ve been so lucky to have you here at LHS and it has been a pleasure to watch you grow and strengthen our community! My vote is for you kiddo, you deserve it!
A wonderful essay by a bright young lady! Good job Grace!
Well said. You have such an amazing way with words!
Well said, Littleton is a special community and I think you nailed it in your essay!
I agree that the most important part of being in a community is what you learn about yourself while in it! Great job with highlighting how the opportunities offered to you while being in Littleton have shaped you for the better. You’ll do great and experience new opportunities to the fullest anywhere you go!
I wholeheartedly agree with your assessment of Littleton as a community! And Grace, you have been a big part of bringing that feeling to Littleton High School! We are so lucky to have had you and your family here to be the positive and welcoming people that you remember on your first day at Newton.
Grace does an excellent job of living each day with a smile on her face. She shows others what it means to live wherever you are!
Grace – this is very well written. It’s a great reminder for all of us to remember where we are from and how our communities helped to shape us. I am so excited to see what the future has in store for you!
Well done! Great story!
Wow!! So thoughtful and insightful. Love it.
Very insightful and detailed. Ya got my vote!
Great!
Such an amazing and thoughtful essay, great job Grace 🙂
Wow great essay Grace, very interesting! You have my vote
Great essay!
Amazing essay!
Great work!! Go grace go!
Great essay!
Wonderful essay very well thought out and written! Great job Grace!
What a wonderful reminder of all the things that we have in our own backyard! It’s so nice to have a young person express their enthusiasm and gratitude for their community. Well done Grace!
Grace FTW!!! 🔥🔥💰💃🏻💃🏻🎉🍸
Grace, you truly deserve this scholarship. Proud of you
This is an amazing essay! It is so important to be involved. It truly makes the community a better place
What a beautifully written essay Grace! You have my vote, wishing you all the best in your bright future!
I love your thoughts on “Family beyond blood”. A well written piece on the importance of creating and sharing community.
Grace, you have captured some of the most important elements of leading and enjoying a fulfilling life – awareness of what you have around you and opportunities that it provides; understanding that what you do is almost always more significant than what you have; and realizing that what you do with friends and others creates lasting memories. Congratulations as you take the next steps towards continuing to pursue your dreams and challenges. All the Best!!
Go Gracie! Get that (scholarship) dough! Love you hon!
Thoughtful essay!!
Grace nails the specific charm that makes LHS what it is! Grace recognizes that LHS gives its students chances and opportunities, and Grace is one of those tenacious scholars that courageously takes full advantage of these opportunities. Grace commented upon LHS’ friendly demeanor, but I wonder if she truly realizes how wonderful and welcoming and environmet she makes LHS each an every day. What a terrific, thoughtful essay that celebrates our special learning community! Grace isn’t just celebrating her home, she makes LHS a home for countless others.
Grace nails the specific charm that makes LHS what it is! Grace recognizes that LHS gives its students chances and opportunities, and Grace is one of those tenacious scholars that courageously takes full advantage of these opportunities. Grace commented upon LHS’ friendly demeanor, but I wonder if she truly realizes how wonderful and welcoming an environmet she makes LHS each an every day. What a terrific, thoughtful essay that celebrates our special learning community! Grace isn’t just celebrating her home, she makes LHS a home for countless others.
Good work, Grace!
Wonderful, well done
I believe Grace should receive the scholarship. She is a person who draws little attention to herself and focuses her heart on others as she “lives” in the Littleton community.
Well written, Grace! Your poise thoughtfulness and creativity is inspiring!
After reading all the essays, I vote for this one, written by Grace. I believe she fully captures the meaning of community and what makes Littleton a great community. Best of luck!
Wow, Grace, you must really love Littleton. Great job! You got this!