My significant life’s experience has had an immense impact on my life. During the summer of 2004, I spent eighteen days on an ocean adventure while sailing 2,375 miles on the Pacific Ocean. During this transition between my eighth-grade school year and high-school freshman year, I sailed to Hawaii. The entire experience had a major impact on my life. It fulfilled my “dream come true.” The past six generations in my family have been accomplished sailors; four of them have crossed the Pacific on a voyage to Hawaii. My journey perpetuated the legacy when I became the fifth generation to make that voyage, and was the primary purpose of this trip.

On this voyage, I came to understand what it is like to work as a team toward accomplishing a common goal. I discovered a personal strength that will help me throughout my life. Also, I gained more knowledge about sailing in different applications extended over a much longer timeframe. This trip allowed me to become more skilled in what I love to do - sail. I view the trip as the experience of a lifetime which marked an important milestone for me.

The voyage was accomplished on a 122’ square topsail schooner. As one of the thirteen working crew members, we all had to work together as a team together on the ship. Every person had his/her own job. The work was hard, the living conditions were rugged and we didn’t have much personal time.

In fact, many people are needed to make a tall ship sail; it takes a group just to raise a sail and someone must always be at the helm (steering the boat). Throughout the journey, everyone had to stand a watch and take their turn steering the vessel. This voyage consisted of hard work and cooperation and it paid off in the end.

The ship left port on June 16th, out of Newport Beach, CA. As it headed out of the jetty and into the ocean, I was filled with emotions ranging from excitement to anxiousness. I had no clue of what was ahead of me. On the third day out, I climbed the foremast to furl a sail because the winds had increased. The mast I climbed was ninety-six feet high from the deck of the boat which was in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

This one action made me aware that I had quite a bit of self-confidence; at that moment I realized I could achieve anything I set my mind to. When I looked out, all I could see was the curvature of the horizon and the deep sea below. For me, the view symbolized the infinite possibilities that lay ahead for me in my future. In the eighteen days of the journey, I changed as a person. I became more passionate about sailing than I already had been. I learned to live life to the fullest and to take more risks. After feeling the sense of responsibility inspired by steering this huge ship, I now undertake more and different responsibilities and leadership roles than I would have ever considered previously.

The experience taught me to deal with unexpected obstacles that have the chance to alter the direction of my life. I also learned to accept more challenges and face them to the best of my ability.

This experience certainly had a significant impact on my life. I learned the life skill of teamwork and I also discovered more about myself too. Through the help of people who love and care about my future, I was handed an opportunity to take this voyage, and I am very grateful I did. It has prepared me to set goals for myself and achieve them one by one with confidence and pride.

Karafaye Buffa
2007