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Life’s Cadenza

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It’s difficult for me to relay in only a few words who I am and why I do the things that I do. Friedrich Nietzsche once wrote, “the struggle of maturity is to recover the seriousness of a child at play.” That’s exactly what I plan to do in the next coming months. Forgetting all of the expectations and stresses of our current education model, I am breaking the chains and reinventing my child-like spirit through Global Citizen Year. Not child-like in the traditional sense, I am returning to my curious and adventurous spirit that I have too often lost touch with over the years.

I’ve taken a lot of things for granted: my access to education, my loving family, my friends, and even my own talents. Concerned more about impressing others and fitting a mold of success, I forgot the truly important things in life. Rigid with my own life plan and rushed into thinking that college was the immediate step after high school, I thought that I was ready. However, upon deeper self-examination, I realized my original intentions toward academia were misplaced. I still have a lot to learn about who I am. I’m not taking this gap year seeking the approval of others or trying to distinguish myself in a résumé but rather to further develop, broaden perspective, and see the world outside of myself.

Like a musician performing a musical piece lacking emotion in the notes and only striving for perfection, I have become detached from my work. I have lacked the emotional connection between who I am and what I do.  This next year in my life, however, will be like a cadenza to express myself and really bridge the gap between who I am and why I do what I do.

Barker Carlock

About Barker Carlock


Barker attended Highland Park High School where he was an AP Scholar with Distinction, a member of the National Society of High School Scholars, and recipient of the Outstanding Advanced Placement English Award. He participated as a starting Varsity football player and was named to 2nd Team All-District as an Offensive Lineman and tight end. He served as Executive Officer of Student Council and Vice President of Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He served as an officer of Children's Medical Center Junior Leadership Board and would like to pursue international medicine.

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