Accepted into PHC!

Today I found out that I've been accepted into PHC. I'm very relieved and happy! Now I need to worry about financial aid. I already submitted the financial aid application, but I'm wondering if I should write an essay on why I "deserve" a church leadership scholarship.

I probably could sufficiently demonstrate this. I'm exactly the kind of person toward whom this scholarship is directed. While I haven't been on any mission trips or served in any soup kitchens, I've maintained an active music ministry throughout all of high school. I play violin for congregational singing in Sunday morning and evening services. I often do offertories with the other church musicians, and I frequently play special music on violin or piano. I also accompany on the piano when the other accompanist is missing.

In addition to my music ministry at my church, I also use my talents in local nursing homes and hospitals. Just today my sister and I played our instruments at Kirkhaven, a nursing home about forty-five minutes from our house. We had prepared a twenty minute mini-concert of Christmas music, including violin-flute duets, a violin solo, and a flute solo. We supplemented our program with Christmas carols from the hymnal, when needed. My sister and I played on four different floors of Kirkhaven.

This was not my first trip to Kirkhaven; my sister and I played for the residents' spring party earlier this year. I've also ministered at other nursing homes, including Blossom Nursing Center, DeMay Living Center, Aaron Manor, and Hamilton Manor, and at Rochester General Hospital and Strong Memorial Hospital as well. Once a member of our church died of cancer only a few days after a friend and I had visited and shared our music with him at Strong Hospital. His widow requested that we also play at his funeral. We played "It Is Well with My Soul" as a violin duet.

While my ministry may not be what comes to mind when one hears the phrase "Christian leadership," my minstry actually requires much more diligence and dedication than do most short-term service projects. I practice my instruments for several hours every day, I take weekly private lessons, and I'm involved in two orchestras. I must remain committed and dedicated to my responsibilities as a musician - my responsibilities to myself, to my parents, to my teachers, to my church family, and most importantly, to God.

I am exactly the kind of person this scholarship is geared toward. Through my music minstry at my church and local nursing homes and hospitals, I have been able to excel as a Christian leader.

I guess this is the rough draft for my essay!