My Senior Year and Beyond by Dominic

My Senior Year and Beyond by Dominic - August 2025 Scholarship Essay

Senior year feels like a curtain call and a debut all at once—a time filled with both excitement and responsibility. For nearly four years, I’ve walked these hallways, growing academically, socially, and personally. Now, I want my final year to be my most intentional yet. My aspirations go far beyond simply graduating; I’m focused on deepening my passion for music while building the independence to navigate my learning differences with confidence, so I can carry these skills into a bright future.
Music has been one of my greatest joys and my most consistent teacher. I’ve sung French operatic classics, performed “My Petersburg” from Anastasia the Musical, and played Wayne Shorter compositions on the piano. Each note, lyric, and chord has taught me discipline, creativity, and the patience to refine my craft. This year, I want to push myself further; tackling technically demanding pieces, performing more often, and stepping on stage with greater confidence. I want to improvise more fluidly at the piano and infuse classical music with deeper emotional expression. By June, I hope my performances will not just showcase my skills, but reflect the journey I’ve taken as both a pianist and a vocalist. For me, music has always been a bridge; allowing me to connect with others and express what words alone can’t capture.
But there’s another set of goals I’m working toward, less visible but just as important: learning to manage my ADHD, dyslexia, dyscalculia, and nonverbal learning disorder more independently. I’ve been fortunate to have the support of teachers, peers, and family, but I know that in the years ahead, I’ll need to rely more on my own strategies. That means developing better systems to stay organized, breaking complex tasks into manageable steps, and advocating for myself when needed. For example, I color-code my calendar to keep track of assignments, deadlines, and extracurricular activities, which helps me prioritize tasks and stay on top of my responsibilities. It means building the confidence to solve problems on my own; even when they feel daunting.
Balancing these goals; artistic growth and academic independence; will take both discipline and self-awareness. But I believe they strengthen each other. Music teaches me focus, persistence, and attention to detail, all of which help me in the classroom. Likewise, improving how I manage my learning differences will give me more mental space and energy to pour into my art.
What drives me is both personal and practical. Personally, I want to finish senior year proud of not just my artistic achievements but my growth in independence and resilience. Practically, I know these habits will be essential for success in college and beyond. Whether I’m preparing for a performance, writing a paper, or leading a project, I want to be able to manage my learning process with confidence.
Senior year is my chance to fine-tune more than just my music; it’s a chance to fine-tune myself. I’m determined to make it a performance worth remembering.