“Today, you are going to start your Most Excellent Essay,” Mr. Johnson
reported. That was when I got to finally experience what he had been telling
us about since the beginning of the year, writing an essay about the Age of  Exploration. When we were all on our own after the group work, I began to
struggle with the Most Excellent Essay. I made a commitment to myself that I
would try everyday and finish this essay.
    On the first day of working on my Most Excellent Essay, Mr. Johnson assigned us into groups that would help us learn about the Age of Exploration. After working together for the whole period, everyone was on their own. I felt like I could not get any air into my stomach because of all the butterflies squished together inside. The Age of Exploration had to deal with many technological advances that helped explorers on their journeys, or the unforgettable
voyages, which discovered different routes or places, but more importantly,
the famous people, who created a time of adventure, courage, and accomplishment. Technological advances were keys to opening the door for the explorers. Important journeys were experiences that allowed people to discover a new world. Memorable individuals created a time that many people would  always remember.
    On my first try, I could not even get past the first sentence! At the
beginning, I struggled and had a lot of trouble just getting past the first
sentence, but loved the challenge of this Most Excellent Essay and I continued
trying. Everyday when I came to Mr. Johnson to get my essay checked, he would always find something wrong about it. My third paragraph was very hard to pass, and I soon felt like it would take me a year to pass it, but I was
still determined and kept checking my essay everyday. I knew that if I was
determined to finish this essay, I would finish it. By the time I got to my
fifteenth try, I decided to check my essay twice a day because I really wanted
to pass it, also knowing if I didn’t, it would drop my grade ten percent. The
last sentence then came along when I was about on my nineteenth or twentieth
try and on my twenty first try, Mr. Johnson told me that if I would just fix
the final error I would get past the last sentence, which got me jumpy.
    After school, I nervously walked up to Mr. Johnson to get my essay corrected.
As I stood there, I was so nervous, I felt like I was going to faint. I was a
nervous wreck. Mr. Johnson read my last sentence over and I was through with my last sentence, but I could not be so cocky because he had to do one last review over the whole essay. In my mind I began to remember the first time I got my essay checked, how much I tried everyday, and how much effort I put into doing this essay. Just standing there as still as the door, I waited and
watched his pen being used as a pointer. The next thing I know, Mr. Johnson
turns to me, while his hand moved toward me and he said aloud,
“Congratulations. this is a Most Excellent Essay.” Once those heavenly
words came out of his mouth, I was so happy and relieved, I felt like I had
accomplished the hardest task I have ever had in my life. My spear was finally sharp enough to slay the dragon.
    The challenge of writing a perfect essay on the Age of Exploration got me
excited. Although it was very hard, I never quit. As a result, I accomplished
my goal and was the first girl to finish. Passing the Most Excellent Essay was
an event that changed me greatly because I learned that determination leads to
accomplishment.