Academic over Passion

Academic over passion. An athletic, dancer, aesthetic, inspired, positive boy turned into a
hardworking, philomathic, studious person, yes that’s me, Nicolai Fuentes, or Nics for short. I'm a Grade
9 student from Maryknoll High School of Asuncion, Prk 3 Cambanogoy, Asuncion, Davao del Norte. The
reason why I wanted to write this paragraph is to share my personal expedition in school. I’ve always
wanted to tell my story about my journey and why I chose academic over talent and flair.

I remember being a participative student in elementary school, being a dancer, joining the
cheerleading team when I was in Grade 3, winning a lot of awards in declamation, reaching regional in
dish garden making, being on the table tennis team, and also being on the SPG council. But all of a
sudden, I felt like a failure in my parents' eyes when I suddenly didn't belong in the top 5 ranking
anymore. On Grade 6 recollection day, I brought my dad, and I felt that day it wasn’t good to bring him.
I'm more comfortable than my mom because my dad's only up on stage when I’m in the top 5, but my
mom’s always there to support me and my decision and to support my life. So, we lit up the candle light
in the church, and there was something happening where you would go to your parents and say sorry
for all the bad things you did. So, I was on my way to say sorry to my dad because I’m only in the top 13
in rankings, but he insisted. He said that I failed him. He dictated my decision and said that I must work
hard when I go to high school. He also said that I must be in the top 3 rankings. All the preassure is on
me. I was not even a college student to preassure like that. I was just a child wanting to explore the
world of what I could do. I wanted to live freely, but again, he always influenced my decisions. And yet,
here I am, one of the top Grade 9 students who is always focused on his studies, has many life goals to
achieve, and aspires to higher grades.I just want to feel like they are proud of me. I'm just happy if they
are happy, but all my passion is gone, the moves that I have are gone, I don't know how to play like an
athlete, I feel like I lost one thing that is part of me, I feel like I'm no longer alive, this is not me.

All of the people out there who have passionate and ardent person, please I’m begging do not give up,
always follow your heart because that is what matter, there is no regret if you choose your happiness,
keep dancing, keep singing, keep painting, keep all those things that you’ve been attached to it, it’s not
easy to move on once if you give them up, you will always looking for them but you can’t find them
anymore, be who you are don’t be afraid to show who truly are you, don’t let them to stop you from
your happiness. (Listen to: The night is still young by Nicki Minaj)