Rockridge High School
Taylor Ridge, Illinois
12th grade
In a fast paced and chaotic society as America is today, we may ask ourselves:
have we abandoned excellence? When we examine the individual lives of
average Americans, we can become discouraged and question whether or not
America still values excellence. However, when viewing America as a whole, we
can still see that America lays a strong foundation for excellence and is a
leading example of it in the world today.
When looking for examples of excellence in our society, it is most important to keep an open mind and recognize that the principle of excellence is entirely relevant to perception. Although it may sometimes seem that America has abandoned excellence, it is clear that excellence, while modernized, is still alive in the hearts of Americans today.
When explaining the status of America’s striving for excellence, we must view two different groups: the individual American and the society as a whole. When looking at individuals in our society, one must consider what the principle of excellence is to each specific person. For example, one person may strive for occupational excellence where another pursues religious excellence. Although these two fields vary immensely, one is still able to achieve the same personal sense of excellence in either field. But which is more excellent? Opinions vary with personal preference. These varying thoughts show us that excellence is very subjective, and the only standards it demands are the guidelines one sets for oneself.
It also becomes more difficult to decipher excellence in individuals, because many see success as a form of excellence. Although success can be a result of excellence, they are not the same. For example, someone may not be considered successful, yet on a more metaphysical standpoint, he or she could reach excellence by the mere satisfaction of personal achievement. B. C. Forbes once said, “There is more credit and satisfaction in being a first-rate truck driver than a tenth-rate executive.” This further shows that as long as one puts forth his or her best effort in what is important to him or her, he or she is moving towards excellence. Although some may strive for excellence in more fields or with more determination, almost everyone is transcending in their lives even if they are unaware of it.
Although we do not necessarily measure individual excellence by success, when we examine a society as a whole, success plays an important role in discerning it. In determining societal excellence one can take the metaphysical side of excellence and attach it to success. Because of our pride and respect for our country’s many accomplishments, we are able to regard them as a form of excellence. For instance, if Americans feel great pride for a specific program in their country, their pride merits its success as an example of excellence.
When viewing specific examples of excellence in America, one can use modern examples like the Human Genome Project. Americans took charge in this project both scientifically and economically and mapped out the complete genetic code in only a little over a decade. This rigorous process advanced the field of genetics beyond comprehension and unleashed a vast amount of further research. In this project scientists strived for what seemed to be impossible and ended up breaking new grounds in areas such as molecular medicine, microbial genomics, and risk assessment.
One could also look at examples of excellence in our government. For almost a century America has been seen as a world leader. This is due to the way we handle our domestic affairs such as social security, medicare, medicaid, and welfare, and our willingness to share our prosperity to less fortunate countries. Because of our government’s willingness to constantly better itself and help others, other countries of the world have shown their admiration and respect. This support further drives America to excel as a nation.
As a proud American I strive for excellence on a daily basis in order to do my part in society. When completing tasks I believe in going above and beyond the standard so that I may have a sense of personal achievement. My self-philosophy is that by excelling in what is important to me, such as academics and music, I am able to find purpose and meaning in my life.
A relevant example of my personal striving for excellence is my willingness to educate myself to my best ability. For the last few years academics have become a very important part of my life, and I have done my best to keep transcending in this area of my life. After I became able to perform my best in my high school’s most difficult classes, I decided to expand my learning possibilities to our community college and take extra college-level classes in my spare time. By doing this, I am able not only preparing myself for my future but also fulfilling my desire to excel in academics.
Besides my desire to excel in academics, I also have a strong will to develop my musical ability. Since the first time I picked up my flute, I have strived to be an excellent musician. Through hours of practice and determination, I expanded my playing ability to the point where I have had the honor to hold the principal chair in my area’s youth symphony orchestra and wind ensemble. Although I have achieved a great amount of success in playing the flute, I continue to develop my ability so I may continue to work for excellence.
Although the idea of excellence can be often forgotten in society today, examples of our country’s excellence are all around us in areas such as government, science, industry, and religion as well as in the personal lives of individual Americans. It is clear that everyone’s philosophy of excellence is different and is applied to life in different ways. My personal willingness to transcend in the direction of excellence falls in line with that of America. I am proud to live in a country that is built upon the principle of excellence and that continues to strive for it indefinitely.
Q1- Am I really where I want to be?
A1- I am exactly where I want to be right now in this transitional stage of my life. I am doing everything I can to prepare myself for college and what lies beyond by keeping healthy and doing my best in school, work, and extracurricular activities. As a young woman in a very competitive society I believe it is my duty to keep myself on task and to set high goals for myself in order to insure a secure and independent life for my future.
Q2- Am I moving in the direction that will enable me to make the greatest contribution?
A2- At this point of my life I believe I am doing everything I can prepare myself for college where I will be studying bio-medical engineering. With this career I believe I can make many important contributions to society by conducting research and finding out more about body functions at the cellular level. The information found by this research could possibly lead to the development of new drugs and perhaps cures for diseases.
Q3- If I could achieve my highest goals, what would my accomplishments look like?
A3- If I could achieve my highest goals, my accomplishments would fall in line with my dream to be a bio-medical engineer. I would love to be able to find cures for fatal diseases and further explore the vast field of genetics and molecular biology. My ultimate accomplishment would be to make a profound effect on society by helping people.
Q4- Do I recognize excellence and search it out or do I find mediocre acceptable and am willing to settle?
A4- I believe that everything one does in life should be done to his or her best ability. When completing tasks I always try to do my best so that I am proud of my work and have no regrets. Having said this, I believe I do recognize and strive for excellence in my day-to-day life.
Q5- Do I seek out people, books, movies and other things that encourage me to be the best I can be?
A5- In my life I do my best to surround myself with friends that have similar goals and the work ethic that I have. I read classic novels in order to keep myself cultured and open-minded, and the movies I watch, although mostly entertaining, allow me to explore the lives of others by showing me different lifestyles which may inspire me to adopt or reject values seen in order to better myself.
Q6- Do I recognize the best in others?
A6- I try as much as I can to see the best in others; however, sometimes it is very hard since everyone’s ideas of excellence are so subjective. When recognizing qualities in other people, I do my best to stay open-minded and try to see beyond my own conceptions of “good” qualities. Although personally I do not value attributes such as competitive athletics or a keen sense of fashion, I do my best to recognize that these qualities in other people and admire their ambition.
Q7- Do you agree with Morrow (paragraph seven) that: “Excellence demands standards. It does not usually flourish in the midst of rapid, hectic change. This century’s sheer velocity has subverted the principle of excellence; a culture must be able to catch its breath.”
A7- I disagree with Morrow’s statement, although I understand his viewpoint. I personally believe this “rapid, hectic changes” in society are the result of our nation’s striving for excellence. I also disagree with Morrow’s comment that the speed of our society has “subverted the principle of excellence.” What is the principle of excellence? Opinions would surely vary from person to person. It is important to realize that the contention of excellence has evolved with time, both in individuals as well as society. I personally believe that as long as our society is advancing in any field, it is still striving for excellence.
Q8- Interpret this quote from paragraph nine: “Woe to them that are at ease in Zion.”
A8- I believe that this quote in this context is telling the reader that it is a shame to remain reposed with mediocrity and that one should constantly be transcending towards excellence. By alluding to the biblical town of Zion, Morrow shows us that although one may believe they have succeeded far beyond others, like the people of the idealized community of Zion, he or she should still strive to improve their lives.
Q9- Argue pro and con Morrow’s contention that “Americans not yet successful (the struggling, the underclass) are apt to aim at ease, not excellence.”
A9- I understand Morrow’s statement that Americans with financial impairments strive merely to get by rather than to excel. This is understandable due to the fact that missing the basic necessities of life creates a fixation where it is hard for one to strive for anything more. According to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, one is not able to reach the levels of esteem or self-actualization until they have their physiological and security needs met. Therefore, it would seem nearly impossible for someone without their basic needs met to seek out excellence rather than ease. On the other hand, if one is trying to fulfill his or her basic needs, to that person excellence may be seen as simply doing his or her best by working as hard as possible in order to better his or her situation. In this case, the individual is still transcending in his or her life and working to excel.
Q10- Explain what Morrow means when he says (A) “the confusion contaminates character and disables ambition.” Do you agree?
A10- I believe Morrow is saying that there is a great confusion to what true excellence is. Many Americans could easily mistake excellence for success. Although someone may be viewed as successful, this does not determine whether they are truly excellent. Because of this confusion, “those Americans not yet successful” are unaware that they can still aim at excellence although they have not experienced the rewards of success in their lives. Morrow believes that this enigma makes one unable to transcend to excellence and discover what they can be become with effort.
Q11- Argue pro and con the effect of over stimulation as discussed in paragraph ten.
A11- Morrow argues that since America today is so over-stimulated, that it is nearly impossible to achieve excellence. It is possible that American society today is almost too busy to strive for excellence. More than being busy, society is often distracted by the media, which for the most part does not value excellence. Since society’s minds are so cluttered with these ideas, it is hard for one to ponder the idea of excellence and strive for it. However, I do believe that even in our rapid and sometimes hectic society, one is still able to focus on excellence with the right determination. I believe it is one’s individual responsibility to limit his/her intake of the media and balance it with the pursuit of excellence in today’s culture. On a larger scale I believe that the rapid pace of our country is the result of its success as a whole. Although an individual can easily choose not to value the pursuit of excellence, that does not determine the pursuit of excellence of America. Our country as a whole is built on a foundation of excellence and has been a model to the other countries of the world.
Q12- Contrast practical excellence with metaphysical excellence as used in Morrow’s last paragraph.
A12- Practical excellence is the result of one’s success in the form concrete objects or others’ perceptions, whereas metaphysical excellence is in the form of pride and a feeling of achievement. Although both are results of excellence, metaphysical excellence does not fade like practical excellence. I agree with Morrow’s statement that excellence is primarily metaphysical. Since the idea of excellence is very subjective, one’s feeling of personal achievement is a better determinant than material representations of it. For instance, in America one could look at government, infrastructure, armed forces, or our position as a world power as practical excellence. Although these successes are very impressive, they could easily be taken away. But the pride Americans have is a form of metaphysical excellence and is unable to perish.
Q13- Copy and interpret your two favorite quotes. Explain why you chose them.
A13-
1) “Our lives are only as good as we decide to make them. We should make short and long range plans and then follow them through, reviewing them as we go. It is our design and determination that decide our destiny, and this is our responsibility. When things are not right, we should blame nobody, for that only dodges the problems that lie within us and causes us to fail again next time. Examine your own actions and decide how things will be.”
This quote expresses the ability we have to use our free will for the better or worse. It explains that it is our responsibility to determine our future the importance to constantly better ourselves. I chose this quote because its inspiring message reflects my strong will and free spirit.
2) “We should make a special effort to be that which we want others to think we are. We must do our duties, complete our tasks, be kind and honest. It is not alone what we do, but also what we do not do, for which we are accountable." - Moliere (1622-1673)
This quote shows that what others think of us reflects the impression we give. It is our responsibility to give a positive impression. I chose this quote because I, like Moliere, believe that the best determinant of our character is the way others respond to us.