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Naomi Winders

Colony High School


Naomi Winders The Next Bob Hope?
When my band teacher, Dr. Jamin L. Burton, called me into his office and told me that he
had an important opportunity for me, I was slightly confused on what exactly he meant.
Nevertheless, I went, because I am always up for new opportunities.
So, every year the Bob Hope Foundation asks each band teacher to nominate one
student to receive the Bob Hope Scholarship, he began. They ask that this student shows all of
Bob Hopes core values: leadership, strong commitment to community service, musical ability,
and a sense of humor I chose to nominate you, he told me. I was speechless! I was so
honored by the fact that my band teacher, whom I had looked up to and saw as a father figure for
so long, thought so highly of me. To be compared to Bob Hope, the most popular and the most
important entertainer of the 20th century, meant even more to me than he could imagine.
Do you think you can do this? Dr. Burton asked me. The mere fact that the Bob and
Dolores Hope Foundation provided such an amazing scholarship to not only band students but
also band programs was astounding to me. The fact that I was somehow given the chance to
receive this award gave me so much more Hope toward my goal of being able to somehow pay
my way through college. With all her wishing that she could help me out financially, my single,
hardworking mother of three has had to accept the reality that she is completely unable to do so.
Of course, I can do this! I told him, and I got to work.
It wasnt until my extensive research for this essay that I realized how much I had in
common with Bob Hope. I had always known of him, since he was my late and beloved
grandmothers favorite comedian. She would laugh so loud and wholeheartedly whenever she
would watch or hear anything of Mr. Hopes. Watching how happy he could make her made me
want to be someone just like that. I not only wanted to make people laugh, but I wanted to make
them happy, just like Bob Hope.
My grandmother continued to laugh throughout her whole life. Sadly, she passed away
on October 28th, 2015. Ill never forget the things she taught me, even when she wasnt trying
to. My grandma would always tell me how important it was to make people happy, and how
good I was at it. I could always make her laugh until her stomach hurt, and it always made me
feel good. (Making her laugh, of course, not the fact that that I made her stomach hurt.)
Often teachers and event organizers would come to me and ask me (sometimes literally
plead for me) to be their Master of Ceremonies. I was famous for being able to confidently
communicate to a crowd and they always enjoyed my comedic touch. I would emcee our
schools talent shows and pageants and would even write my own script for the events. I ended
up being asked to be the Master of Ceremonies for my class graduation and for our citys yearly
No More Matsu event sponsored by the Rotary Club which brought community awareness to
the issues of sexual assault and domestic violence.
Of course, this doesnt compare to hosting the Academy Awards nineteen times in ones
career, but someday I hope to host the Oscars just once.
My senior year I was voted Class Clown. I was always trying to make people laugh,
not because I wanted people to know I was funny, but because I wanted to brighten their day.
Bob Hope once said, A sense of humor is good for you. Have you ever heard of a laughing
hyena with heartburn?
I think there is nothing better than laughter. Actually, there is one thing better: creating
laughter, which Bob Hope did his whole life. Its so important to make others happy, no matter
where they come from, because if we make each other laugh, the world becomes a little better
place.
One of the things I admire most about Bob Hope was his strong commitment to
community service for which he won several Humanitarian awards. True humanitarians never
do it for the awards, and Mr. Hope certainly did not. He would spend weeks of his precious time
travelling around to hot, dusty, cold, remote and dangerously located military camps, even
putting his own life on the line, so he could lift the spirits of the soldiers who were putting their
lives on the line everyday during the war. Its amazing that he dedicated so much time, energy,
funds and love, just so he could create smiles and warm hearts. Bob Hopes dedication to this
country was truly inspiring and I wish more of our nation was as patriotic as he was, especially
in todays society.
Growing up in poverty with a single mom, I understand how important community
service is. My family has struggled with financial difficulties for as long as I remember, and
were often on the receiving end of this service. That is why this scholarship would mean so
much to me.
Knowing what it was like to live under difficult circumstances, as soon as I could, and as
often as I could, I would volunteer for community organizations in order to give back. Some of
the activities I participated in included the Recycling Center, the Public Library, the community
youth court, the animal shelter, sexual assault and domestic violence awareness, trash clean up,
the Salvation Army, and anything else I could do to help. I felt as though it was my
responsibility to help my community. Its so important for all of us to work together to better the
world, and Bob Hope understood and lived this.
Bob Hope was no stranger to the world of music, and all of America was no stranger to
Bob Hopes music. He got his start with vaudeville and transitioned to dancing and performing
on Broadway. His songs swept across the whole nation. One of my favorite quotes from his is,
I grew up with six brothers. That's how I learned to dance - waiting for the bathroom. Bob
Hope enlightened the nation with his musical ability and I can only hope to do the same.
Ever since I was a young girl, music has always been in my heart. I grew up singing,
dancing and wanting to perform. I would even write songs and dance routines of my own.
Looking back on them, I dont think the lyrics flowers are prettyoh yeah would have made it
to the Billboard Top 10, but to me, it was a lyrical masterpiece.
I participated in several school choirs. It brought me so much joy, not only to be singing
my heart out, but to be singing my heart out with fellow lovers of music.
In 3rd grade, I decided that I needed more music in life and started learning how to play
the viola. Sadly, not the saxophone as Mr. Hope did.
You mean violin? People would ask.
No, I mean viola, I would reply.
Oh whats a viola?
I would sigh and explain to them, Its like a violin but deeper. Some people still never
understood.
Viola continued to remain in my life all the way through school, as I played in our high
schools small but mighty orchestra. There werent many students in the class and the morale
wasnt very high, so I took it into my own hands to make people more excited about it. I made
friends with and talked to everyone in the orchestra to make sure that they were enjoying
themselves and enjoying the music. I became viola section leader and was voted the Orchestra
President my Junior and Senior years. I loved every moment of it.
In my Freshman year of high school, I picked up percussion, which was one of the best
decisions Ive ever made. By working hard and practicing as much as I could, within one
semester I was able to be accepted into Advanced Percussion from Beginning Percussion. I
know that I wouldnt have been able to do this without Dr. Burton. He truly cared about each
one of us and wanted all of us to succeed. I learned very quickly that he doesnt give up on
anybody, and it was with his help that I was able to progress so quickly.
Within a year, I had made some of the best friends Ive ever had. The power of music
does amazing things like that. It brings people together from all walks of life. I believe Bob
Hope knew that. Mr. Hopes famous songs, some of them including Its De-Lovely and
Thanks for the Memory, filled theaters, radio waves and hearts with the love of music. He was
so influential and inspired so many people with his talent.
My Sophomore year of high school, I joined our marching band, Thee Northern Sound. I
started in the pit, playing marimba and auxiliary percussion at the front of the field. Our section
would haul all our instruments to and from the football field, but I was willing to work that hard
to do something I loved so much. The next year, I was able to play the bass drum.
When I was a Junior, our marching band was practicing and preparing to head to
Indianapolis for the Grand National Marching Band competition. This event was one of the
hardest things Ive worked for. Every day we would run our sets over and over again trying to
get them just right. Our love for what we were doing, even though we were such a small band,
powered us through the long days and even longer practices, but we made it.
Performing in the Lucas Oil stadium was one of the most empowering and moving
moments Ive experienced in my life. Being surrounded by my band family and being watched
by thousands of people made me feel a confirmation that music was one of the most important
things in my life. Not only because of the way it made us all feel, but because of the places it
could take us.
Our small marching band ended up winning the Bands of America Al Castronovo Esprit
de Corp Award. I had never cheered so loudly or felt so much love in one moment. Thee
Northern Sounds performance led us to where we are headed this year, the 2017 Macys
Thanksgiving Day Parade. In all my years of music, I never imagined I would be invited to
participate in such a momentous and nationally recognized event. We have worked so hard to
get to where we are today and I truly believe that all our hard work, and Dr. Burtons leadership,
brought us to this opportunity.
My schools music department, although tiny and underfunded, was so strong and
dedicated to anything we would put our mind to, and I was honored to be a part of it. My senior
year I was awarded the Music Department Award out of all our Seniors.

Bob Hope was a Broadway legend. Anyone who knew of his extensive career knew that
he was a master of the stage, and he mastered it well. Even though Ive never played in a show
on Broadway, yet, I like to think that Mr. Hope and I have the stage in common.
Throughout all four years of high school, and even in my earlier years, I yearned to
entertain on a stage, just as Bob Hope did. He and his girlfriend Mildred Rosequist worked out a
dance routine and began to perform as a teenage team in vaudeville shows, while I got my start
in drama camps.
In high school, I would perform in each of our productions whether I was on the stage
pretending to be a zany character, or backstage getting ready for the lights to shut off so I could
move the next set pieces into place. My favorite performances to do were Broadway musicals,
because I got to combine dancing, singing and acting into one brilliant and exciting stage
production. My Sophomore year, I played Dragon, Mama Ogre, and a Duloc Dancer in Shrek:
the Musical. Most recently, in my Senior year of high school, I was cast as Terk in Tarzan: the
Musical. I may not have starred in 54 theatrical features like Bob Hope, but no matter what role
I played, I gave my all. I trashed the camp as hard as possible while playing Terk, and sang in
the jazziest style I could while singing Youre Gonna Stay as the Dragon.
I was no stranger to having fun on stage and ad-libbed more often than I should, just as
Bob constantly ad-libbed while performing. Like Bob, the crowd always loved it. However, my
co-stars never threatened to use their shoe to remodel my nose as Ethel Merman did Mr. Hope
on Broadway.
Performing in my schools drama club was just a taste of what I would like to do on the
stage. Its always been a dream of mine to perform on Broadway and follow in Bob Hopes
footsteps so I can entertain audiences and hopefully make their lives a little brighter. I could
never have the same influence that Mr. Hope did, but I would sure love to try.

A certain core value of Bob Hopes that I often find myself drawn to is leadership, which
involves a very hard work ethic and dedication. One does not necessarily need to be elected to a
position to be a leader, and Mr. Hope certainly embodied this value. He led a nation with just his
vivacious personality and sense of humor. He wasnt necessarily the President of the United
States, but you dont need to hold a position such as that to be a leader in our country. Mr. Hope
was a leader of our countrys morale. Particularly during the dark years of World War II, which
was the period in which my grandmother became so enamored of him. It was a sad time for our
country but he brought a bright ray of light to the darkness.
I considered myself a leader of my schools morale when I held the position of Class
President for three years in a row. It took dedication and hard work and I loved every minute. I
never ran for the popularity of it, or so people would know my name. I was often in the shadows
of all our events. I wanted my class to have the best high school experience they could have. It
was tough at times, especially since I was often the one doing all the work for events such as
prom and graduation. However, seeing my peers enjoy themselves and making life-long
memories made all the stressful days worth it.
Not only did I hold leadership positions among my class, but I was also Band President,
Orchestra President, Student Advisory Board Representative, National Honor Society Member,
National Society of High School Scholars Ambassador, as well as a member of several other
executive boards. My friends and teachers started to refer to me as Madam President because I
operated within many important roles among my school. Looking back on all these positions I
was involved with, I wonder if it was a bad idea to be doing so much, but I dont regret any of it.
I loved helping others, listening to ideas, and trying to make the best situations for all the people
I cared about. Even if I didnt necessarily get recognized for my hard work, I knew in my heart
it was all worth it.
Bob Hope was one of the most hardworking members of our great nation. I think I have
this in common with Mr. Hope. I may not have had as wide a range of influence as Mr. Hope,
but I was the hardest working civil servant within my school and I like to think I made a
difference and the halls of my school were a better place once I graduated.

I feel a kindred spirit to Bob Hope in many ways, beginning with the fact that we both
come from humble beginnings and learned how to use humor to see ourselves through difficult
times. Like Mr. Hope, who began selling papers at a very young age to help his family, I have
had to acquire employment in high school, and even before that, to help ends meet. In having to
work to put myself through college, this scholarship would mean the world to me, and I feel as
though all my life experience has prepared me to accept this honor.
Not only would this award assist me greatly, more than you could imagine, it would be
tremendous for my small-town school that has worked so hard to be the first marching band in
Alaska. The music department has given me so many opportunities to lead, to grow, to learn,
and has provided me with a home and a family. I feel like its my duty to help them any way I
can. They still have so many needs and I feel as though I owe them so much, and this is a
beautiful way that I could give back.
I feel so blessed to have this opportunity and want to thank you for a foundation that
gives high school kids, like me, from small beginnings a chance to accomplish great things. I
wont disappoint you.

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