What enthrals me about History is that it is an integral part of society today. I am captivated by the way in which it interconnects events through time, and irradiates the legacies of the past in the present. A recent trip to Auschwitz, Birkenau gave me great insight into the impact of the atrocities which took place there. On a wall in Auschwitz I, philosopher George Santayana’s quote struck me. It read ‘the one who does not remember history is bound to live through it again’. Inspired by this I read Timothy Synder’s ‘Black Earth’. I was intrigued by the parallels shown between Europe in the 1940s and present day, such as the recognisable collapse of the state in Syria. This to me accentuates the importance of having an appreciation for the …show more content…
Being a ‘peer to peer’ mentor for both History and Maths enabled me to collaborate with younger students to aid their academic needs having also been instrumental in the running of STEM club for Year 7 pupils. As a keen netballer, I have not only represented my school and local club but also my county. Reaching the National Netball Finals twice with school outlines my enthusiasm for the sport as our harmonious teamwork enabled us to tackle and achieve a common goal. As part of the Sports Leadership Award I enjoyed motivating primary school children by developing their sporting ability as well as organising tournaments and their supervision. Additionally I helped run a Down Syndrome Tennis Programme at my local tennis club. I am currently in the Gold DofE Programme having completed my 4 day expedition. This summer I took part in my diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes, France, to assist the elderly and sick, through which I was able to heighten my interpersonal skills by connecting with people of various ages and backgrounds. As a historian, the International Mass in particular highlighted the continuing impact of the Catholic Church on Western Europe, as I stood overwhelmed by the sheer number of different pilgrimages celebrating mass in the