Evaluate a significant experience or achievement that has special meaning to you. (Harvard)

Waking up the morning after my junior prom was a much different experience than most of my friends. As they woke up, reminiscing about the events of prom, I woke up looking forward to my weekend at West Point. I headed there with the sole purpose of completing one goal; to win the very first coveted Silver Saber for my troop, at the 50th annual West Point Camporee.

When I was thirteen, my Boy Scout troop attended the United States Military Academy’s camporee for the first time. Watching the cadets, in their prestigious gray dress uniforms, leading the different events, such as the commanders challenge and zodiac, I fell in love with West Point. I wanted to be in the cadets shoes one day and I wanted to lead the events. After a few years, it was finally my turn to lead the troop at the competition. I organized a plan to optimize my troops performance at each event by utilizing each member's unique skills. The plan was successful and we placed in five events, but, most importantly, we won the best troop overall award out of over 250 troops nationwide.

As the general handed me the saber, and I shook his hand, it finally hit me. The dream of winning had finally become a reality for both me and the troop. The image that sticks out the most in my mind from that day is seeing the faces of each and every member of my troop, when they finally got to hold the saber. When I saw this I knew I had truly accomplished something special.

This victory didn’t come easy. We didn’t just walk in expecting to win. My troop hiked 3.4 miles over “bull hill” (a trail with a 60 degree slope) with a well organized plan and weeks of preparation behind us. On the day of competition every member gave it their all. We used every ounce of passion in our brotherly blood to complete all 15 stations flawlessly. I personally gave every ounce of blood, sweat, and tears for my troop that day to achieve victory. After the stations closed, I finally had time to clean my wounds, to wipe the dirt from my face, and to realize what we had just accomplished. In my mind we had achieved greatness. We had worked as a unit, together, completing every task to the best of our abilities. This is the moment that made me the most proud. This is when I understood my leadership brought us together for something more than ourselves. I finally understood what the true meaning of victory was. It wasn’t the saber or the ribbons, it was the bonds built between each member of the troop that created this memorable weekend.

I will never forget that weekend. Not because it was the weekend of my prom but because I won a national competition. I fulfilled the aspirations of my troop, and at the same time brought our members closer together. I will never forget the bonds of brotherhood built that weekend. One day, I hope to watch scouts like myself make those unique bonds as a West Point Cadet.