Dooley Noted: 3/17/2014
As a high school senior, I had aspirations to be a theater major in college.
Always an overachiever, I did my best to excel at both arts and sciences. I loved advance placement chemistry as much as I adored English literature.
When I started applying for college scholarships, I was eager to win the
$25,000 scholarship offered by my father’s employer. I wanted to make him proud.
To this day, that scholarship interview is the one interview of my life I know I nailed. But when the results were posted, I was runner-up. I won $5,000, which is wonderful.
I lost the first place scholarship to a science major.
When I asked my dad if he knew why I lost, his employer divulged the truth:
“Dooley, your daughter was absolutely the best candidate. But we couldn’t give $25,000 to a theater major.”
I still majored in theater in college. I took as many science classes as I took theater classes. I had always loved both. And that wouldn’t be changed by college. I hadn’t figured out yet how to marry my two loves.
My theater studies focused on elements like confidence, memorization techniques, breath control, and public speaking.
This training in theater made me a natural teacher and doctor. I don’t just spout the science. I work to convey it in relatable ways, just as I used to attempt to engage an audience onstage.
I have no clue what the $25,000 scholarship winner is doing. I hope it’s something worthy of the money spent.
As for my education, my loan payments are the mortgage I pay for the career I was born to have.
The scholarship committee saw a theater major as unworthy of funding. But I vow this to my readers, students, patients and employers:
You have my loyalty and commitment for the length of my service. And every moment of my theater training helped me develop skills toward helping you.
Perhaps it’s not worth $25,000. But it’s my word. Take it for what it means to you.
As always, it’s your call.
– Dr. Kathy Dooley