Choosing Love: A Guide to Living Responsibly and Creatively

This piece has some personal information in it, including my name, the schools I attend and just some strong claims about myself in general. These are things I’m proud of, but still, I hesitate to make it public, even within the profound and loving community of this app. The writing itself is also based upon crafting a sense of self that appeals to those giving me a scholarship, which is against my better nature to let go of ego-related achievements and ideas - I suppose I’m asking: Which chapters of your book stay open to everyone, especially on the internet, and which do you reserve for the safer face-to-face interaction? The prompt is: which of our values resonates most with you, and please elaborate on why you chose this and how you would embody this value as a student? I choose love. My name is Jacob James Grigware, and I am alive. Too many overlook this admittedly weird condition as ordinary, as a right, as an assumption. But I look into the sky at night and feel that life is no guarantee, but in fact the greatest gift of all. To have life is to have responsibility. A responsibility to love, create, invent, restore, and make the most of this gift. And while money is a very silly thing, it is what the majority of our fellow humans have decided is the precursor to happiness, the ticket to education, and the point of it all. But I know that life is the point, that I only get one shot, one application, so why would I not apply my existential thoughts for the sake of silly money? I am a dreamer, one of the crazy ones. I will continue to love and laugh at the silly world until the day I die. A single scholarship or setback, hindrance, or hater is not going to make the difference. But another thing I know is that nobody makes it alone. I’ll take all the help, wisdom, and teachings that I can, along with all the free money as well. Not only have I lived in Grand Junction my whole life, but damn-near the same room! And despite this familiarity in a diverse world, I’m planning to stay here for another four years. I dream of drifting this beautiful planet, meeting people, and making memories. My friend Ziah, who moved here from out of state, revealed more to me and took me on far more adventures in this town in a year than I had gone on in the first seventeen years of my life. I was able to see this valley from his eyes, and I now believe there is still much to learn about myself and the world before setting sail. Besides, who’s telling me I can’t go on weekend or summer trips, perhaps even a study abroad program, diving in and tasting the vibrant flavours this world has to offer? I’m a performer, an artist, a writer. I’m a little brother with big sisters, a son with a mother. I’m a lover, but what good is that if I’m not willing to fight for my love? I’ve embodied these personalities at my high school, and I will do the same for you. I am a leader of the Meditation Club at GJHS, and I have connected this mindful group to that of brave but truly nervous thespians. I’ve led our theatre through two performances, with another one on the way. On the 27th and 28th of this February, and on the 6th and 7th of March, I invite you to watch our production of Hadestown, in which I’ll embody Orpheus, the poet who sings a song of love and brings spring to a cold and dark world. The world could use some love right now. We are in a volatile time, and I’m not the only one who’s scared. I choose love. I choose love.

Jacob James Grigware's scholarship essay passionately argues for 'love' as the most resonant value, defining it as a responsibility that stems from the gift of life itself. He contrasts this with societal focus on money, illustrating his commitment through personal narratives of staying in his hometown to learn and grow, his artistic endeavors as a performer and writer, and his leadership in school clubs, culminating in his embodiment of Orpheus in 'Hadestown' to bring love and hope to a 'volatile time.'

@al1v3 returning to live saves us. I love this write. Ty for sharing