I can imagine now that the last class of the week on a Friday afternoon is not one for which teachers have any particular fondness, despite the promise of freedom that lies after the final bell. For my twelve-year-old self, the weekend was the light at the end of the very long tunnel that was double chemistry with Mr. Walters. The Friday I remember so vividly was in winter; the light was already fading and it would be dark before I got home. It always seemed that the best and brightest part of the day was wasted in school – until Mr. Walters introduced me to the alkali metals.
On the laboratory bench were three small jars, opaque, with tightly sealed lids. Taking a pair of tongs and opening the first, Mr. Walters took a small grey lump of metal and then cut it with a scalpel! To me, metal had always meant steel, or maybe aluminium or even gold - never something soft – and yet this small hunk of lithium was sliced so easily, and then began to tarnish the moment its shining, freshly cut surface was revealed. Mr. Walters, his eyes shielded behind a thick pair of safety goggles, dropped the metal into a beaker of water. Of course, it began fizzing and buzzing around the container before exploding with a small “pop”. I was enthralled, even more so when Mr. Walters demonstrated the effect with sodium and then potassium. That night I asked my father what might become of rubidium, caesium and even francium. I wanted to see more, to know more, to be a chemist.
Later, I had the chance to ask Mr. Walters why he had become a chemistry teacher, and he explained that he had begun as an industrial chemist, but became disillusioned and switched to teaching. It made me think about the purpose of education, about why we try to learn, or why some become teachers. I believe that education is all about equipping people to help themselves; to help their families; to help their communities; and perhaps to help their countries or the world. Mr. Walters had used his industrial career to support his family, but wanted to do something more for his community so turned to teaching. I believe that Jack Walker may have experienced similar emotions in setting up this scholarship to make his contribution to his community and country using the wealth he earned in the steel industry.
My own objective in applying for this scholarship is to equip myself with the means of accomplishing my goal of serving my family, my community and my country through determination and hard work. To date, my school grades in english teacher have been outstanding and I have received a number of local awards for my work in english fairs and academic projects. However, these do not represent the limit of my ability or ambition. My mentor, Mr. Walters, may not yet have fulfilled the ultimate academic goal of helping his country through his work and his achievements, yet if I can make that breakthrough as a result of his inspiration, the credit will go to him, to Jack Walker and to the University of Blackburn. The four reasons for education outlined earlier in this essay are merely purposes. Motivation is the final ingredient which can bring success, and I can assure the committee that I will do my utmost to use the education I am given to the best of my ability and to repay the trust placed in me by Mr. Walters and Mr. Walker, whom I believe have so much in common.