What Matters to Me and Why, Essay Example

Things come and things go throughout life; not just yours or mine, but everyone’s. Still, there are certain things that generally remain constant during those points of change within a person’s life, and those are values.

I personally have always held several character traits and values in high regard, but none with more esteem than teamwork. Without having a group of support and aid, regardless of whether it be in a classroom for a project, or a group of family and friends outside of a school environment, nothing ever gets done better than when a team is implemented.

A few years back I was a camp counselor at the FFA/ FCCLA Camp in Covington, Ga. It was one of the best experiences of my life and I made friendships that are still strong points in my life today; still, it was also one of the hardest times of my life and I learned a life lesson because of this.

There was always a long list of things to get done, and only so many hours in the day, plus the hours were long and we were all away from home for the first time, still it was summer and it was fun.

Still, we quickly learned that by working together and working as hard as we could, we got everything done in plenty of time, to the point where we were actually named the best summer staff to have ever been at the camp.

One memorable moment where teamwork was really essential was one night when a big group was having a pool party. As a lifeguard, it is essential that everything happens by the book, it could ultimately mean someone’s life if someone does not do what is expected in an emergency.

The party’s chaperone had set up lights around a food table, they were blinding in the otherwise dark night surrounding the pool. The music was blaring and there were so many kids in the pool it was at capacity.

Every spare counselor had been set out to watch the pool, just to be safe. But there was a kid who ended up in water too deep and he started to go under. I blew my whistle but no one could hear it to respond and I went in.

The child was panicked and kept pulling me under. I had been trained for it and kept swimming around but it was harder to get him out than it should have been. On top of that, even though I was in the water, few of the swimmers noticed and did not swiftly vacate the side of the pool for me to get him out.

I spotted a fellow counselor and yelled to get his attention to get him out. Without his help, who knows what would have happened.

Teamwork helped to save lives that night. Not just the child who got in too deep but everyone else’s. It was only by the combined efforts of all of the counselors that we were able to keep an eye on everyone that night. And after that, one of them brought me a towel.

I definitely learned that teams are stronger than an individual, and when people work together, events end up unfolding more smoothly.