‘This I Believe’ Third-place winning essay “Take a Chance”

For the past several years, Stockbridge High School and the Stockbridge Friends of the Library have collaborated to offer an essay-writing contest in order to engage Stockbridge High School students in an exploration of the core beliefs that guide their daily lives. Held twice a year, the contest is based on NPR’s four-year-running and now daefunct “This I Believe” program. 

Winners of the semiannual “This I Believe” contest are in. Tje third-place winner would like to remain anonymous, but we are happy to still be able to publish their essay. The second-place winner is Emma Collins and the first-place winner is Lily Sager.

SCN is pleased to publish the third-place winner’s essay below as SCN’s monthly student-written column. Be sure to check out September’s issue for the second-place winning essay, and October’s issue for the first-place winning essay.

Take a Chance

Kevin, my step dad, took me outside the hotel and quietly shut the door. I was trying to think about what I did wrong and what consequences I was going to receive. I looked up to him and he was nervously biting his lip and avoiding my eyes. My heart stopped, whatever I did was really bad. My step dad bent down and looked up to me. With every second that passed I got more and more nervous. After a few moments of silence he finally asked the question.

“Can I marry your mom?” he spoke the words hesitantly. When he asked the question I was happy and confused all at once. He was almost in tears and I looked past him at the palm trees that swayed slightly from the wind and the orange and red sunset that burned its bright golden colors into the city below. My heart was pounding. I watched a bird float through the sky barely dodging the power lines. Time seemed to stop. I took a deep breath trying to comprehend what he had just aked me. I listened to the distant seagull calling out like a trumpet. I listened to that seagull until I was brought back to reality. That’s when I realized the question he asked me.

It took me a few moments to repeat the question to myself. He had wanted to marry my mom. I could feel my smile almost touching my ears. I could see all of the worry leave his face. This was going to be the best thing to happen to my mom.

 That night he proposed to my mom on a small beach in florida. I learned that even if you want to protect the people you are close to you have to let them take chances. Not everyone is going to hurt that person. Not everyone has bad intentions. And sometimes you miss out on good things from being too cautious. My mom has always been there for me and always let me make choices that would make me happy. 

I know a lot of people dont want to take chances. What if they get hurt? What if something bad happens and it was your choice to let them go down the road they did? But in the end, you are making them more happy by letting them live the life they want. When someone asks you a big question that means they trust you and want your support. Always think about the options before answering a question, but you will make the right choice. 

My mom and step dad have been married for a few years now. I have five amazing siblings and a step dad who treats me like i’m his own child. I believe that people deserve a chance. Having major change in your life is difficult but sometimes its a good change. In life you struggle, in life you take chances, in life you get hurt. But, I feel that you should take a chance. Even though it could end bad its better than not taking a chance and missing out on something good that could happen.