Jadlowiec 1

Austin Jadlowiec

Comp 1

Mrs. Cramer

8/18/2016

A Person Significant to Me

Who we are today is defined by the opportunities given to us, and decisions we have

made. To me, the most significant experience I have had was of my discovery of my love for

mathematics. As a child, I always had a talent for painting. I originally wanted to become a

painter, much like my favorite artist, Vincent Van Gogh. I spent many nights while my parents

slept, attempting to replicate Starry Night with nothing more than a box of Crayola Crayons.

Despite my efforts, I was never able to come close to mimicking such a work of art. I continued

my obsession throughout my first few years of grade school, until my parents divorced.

After they split, I lost most, if not all devotion to my love of art. I spent my nights

mindlessly watching TV, without a hint of creativity in my life. The hole I had dug myself

captured me and would not let me out. That is, until I discovered my new purpose in life. While

my family drove to Indianapolis for Thanksgiving, I sat in the back seat bickering with my

brother as was common. After hearing enough of this, my mother handed my brother a stack of

trivia cards to entertain us for as long as possible. Upon receiving the trivia cards, he began

quizzing me ruthlessly on the mathematics section of the cards. To me and my brother`s surprise,

I was able to answer most questions quickly without breaking a sweat. Over the next few

months, every time we rode in the car he would quiz me on my math skills, teaching me along

the way. I would ask my mom to take us places, just to be able to let him teach me more. This
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allowed me to perform remarkably well at school, resulting in my placement in advanced

mathematics classes, even to this day.

Looking back now, I realize that without my brother and my newfound passion in life, I

would be a different person today. I would be a lonely soul with little to no purpose or

excitement for my future. Now, I have creativity through my early artistic years, and my

systematic problem solving of mathematics. Even though he may not realize it, my brother has

made a vital impact on my life, just by teaching my how to multiply and divide. My life

experiences should show that education is a small thing that can completely change a person`s

life.