Personal Statement #2

Even a child while watching Sesame Street I was taught that a person should not take too much while never giving back. It was rude to take my friend’s cookie without offering up my pack of Pringles or at the very least a very generous and hearty ‘thank you”. Scholarships work the same way. Except that a pack of Pringles is not enough anymore. I believe that honored recipients of full-ride scholarships must give back to the community. This does not mean money; otherwise it would be called a loan instead of a scholarship. I mean they should use the scholarship to their full advantage by getting the best education possible so that they can become active and prosperous members of the community. To serve people, to revolutionize, and to ensure a better future for coming generations. By doing these things that person would be returning the favor that was once presented to them. It is for these reasons that scholarship donors should invest in me. I am passionate, determined, and ready to give back to the community.

The opportunities a person is presented depend greatly on how assertive they are. I am living proof that a person can go from nothing to having every opportunity at their feet. Having the passion to achieve something is key to actually performing it. Coming to the United States at the age of 5 when I knew absolutely no English, I was forced to learn, and to learn fast. During elementary school my grades reflected my fervor to be on the same footing as my peers. I knew my lack of language put me at a disadvantage. However, I also knew I could do just as well as them, maybe even better. I threw myself at learning everything I could. I read during all my free time, even dictionaries. Today I am ranked number 1 in my class, and have set a goal to graduate as valedictorian. I have never had a B in my life. Even though the first couple of years in a new country were hard, they taught me a life lesson. Nothing comes easy, and they come even harder without the burning fire to strive for more.

Determination is a characteristic that goes hand in hand with passion. Although it is easy to interchange them, they represent different things. Determination is the strength, endurance, and willpower of a person. This means that in order for a person to be determined, they must goal oriented. Joining the Papillion-LaVista cross country team had taught me the true value of determination. Every chapter in life has its own finish line. I know I will not succeed without putting in the hours and miles during practice. It would have been easy to push the snooze button during the 6:30 a.m. practices, but that would not have paid off. In the end, after 3 long years, I qualified for state cross country. In retrospect, running a race is like running towards goal in life. The goal will not be reached without the determination to finish it through. Life is an endurance race, and only those who have the strength to finish will succeed.

Many people are surprised when I tell them that none of my goals include making a lot of money. Money is a very superficial way to define success. My definition of success includes doing good things for others, making a difference, and giving back in order to complete the cycle of taking and giving. Something I want to do during my college years, and possibly even after, is travel abroad to places that need my presence the most. Whether it is to listen to their stories, to help them build a home, to help them feed themselves, I want people to know that others care and are willing to help. It is in this sense that I want to return the opportunity that was once graciously presented to me. Success is finding a way to improve the life of another or the community as a whole.

Even though money does not define a person, it is still an essential part of surviving. Unfortunately, it is a factor that can deter people in doing what they are really capable of doing. Receiving a full-ride scholarship is receiving more than just money. It is a door to many once-in-a-lifetime opportunities that become available to those with a praise-worthy education. I have worked hard from square one to prove that no boundaries can hold me back from excelling. I have propelled myself forward towards any goal, always finishing my race. I have constituted my life around improving myself first in order to help others. I truly believe I am a commendable candidate for a full-ride scholarship.

Personal Statement #1

The air is stifling in such a confined space. I am able to drown out the buzz of the crown and integrate it into the background. I look to my left, my teammate flashes me a smile, “We can do it, we worked all year for this”, she says. I know she’s right. I can’t help but smile back at her. The 7 of us stand in a huddle at the starting line, each of our arms warped around each other forming a maroon mass. Around us there are 13 other teams that worked just as hard to make it to State Cross Country. Each of us proudly sports a maroon Papillion LaVista uniform. Finally, the starter readies us at the line and the gun goes off for the last time of the season. My four years as a Cross Country runner will forever be engraved in my memory. My team is not only a team, but a family. These people are lifelong friends and sisters. I’ve learned more from them than any teacher could ever put on a blackboard.

Cross country has never been a popular sport. People do not make signs for us or ask to wear our jersey to the next meet. There aren’t even bleachers for people who want to speculate. Attention and glory are not the reasons to join cross country. It’s not particularly how many times or how fast a person runs, but who they ran with. I could not pick any better running buddies. I like to think of our teams a reflection of every single person in it. We encourage each other through the uphills, and pace each other through the downhills. Over the years my teammates have grown more and more alike. We work hard but we know how to have fun, occasionally awarding ourselves with an ice cream stop mid-run.

Such a close relationship with my teammates is not easily achieved. It consists of getting up at 7:30 every summer morning to go to conditioning and lifting. We are obligated to attend every after school practice as well, unless we mysteriously come down with a deadly illness. Practices are everyday during the season from 3:30 to 6. Other than practice, we have meets about twice a week that don’t end until around 8 or 9. Sometimes I feel like I spend more time with my team than I do at home. People ask me all the time how I don’t get burned out, but to be honest, I love it.

The upper class teammates have played a major in my love for cross country. They told me where to go, what to do, and how to run (yes, there is an incorrect way to run). As a senior, I now must take on those responsabilities. I see the small, scared freshman girls, and I see myself 3 years ago. It is now my job to guide them. I have been on the varsity cross country team since the beginning. Because of this I must set the best example possible. The 7 varsity member are looked up to, as we have more practices and are expected to work harder. Sometimes when the coaches aren’t able to attend practice, it falls on the varsity member to decide where the team is running and how far. It is up to me to show the freshman girls how much they can truly gain from this our team.

When I signed up for the Papillion LaVista cross country team, I had no idea how much time I was really committing. However, I would not consider it time wasted. My 3 years of being on the team have brought life-long friends into my life. I know I can always count on them to be there for me, as I will be for them. Even though it’s a lot of work and commitment, it has showed me to value a team. I have gained the ability to work hard, individually and with others. I have set goals for myself. I have displayed my commitment every single practice, no matter how early in the morning. I have led others to share my love for the sport and the team. In the end, it feels good to know that I have gained much more than just any tangible medal or plaque.

My First Week as a College Student

As I sit in the front row of my Intro to Native American class, I look around at the white, bare walls. A simple desk sits at the front of the room with a computer and an overhead. There is something strange about this room. Then it finally hits me. It’s the lack of color. There are no posters motivating me with quirky quotes. Nor are there posters reminding me what the six traits of writing are. This room seems completely vacant to me, regardless of all the older people filing in through the door. These people range anywhere from 17- 40 years in age. Some of them could be my parents. I’m glad I chose a front seat, maybe if I don’t have to see them I won’t feel so intimidated speaking in class. We all sit in silence until a beautiful Native American woman walks in with a bright and welcoming smile. She is professor Rocha, and she has the most calming and capturing voice I have ever heard. I know I’m going to like her.

As overwhelming as the first day of class was, I have grown to love it. I don’t love the complicated, contradictory readings or the work. However, class itself is filled with intriguing discussions and stories told by professor Rocha that seem to entrance everyone. We discuss issues about ethics and philosophy that would never have been brought up in another situation. It is very difficult to be bored or without personal opinions to bring forth. Unlike high school, I walk out of the classroom everyday knowing that I have learned something new.

The other half of my day is filled with either College 101 or study groups with our RTAs. Both play a major role in my success during these 5 weeks, and even college life beyond. College 101 focuses on preparing students for college, including preparing resumes, college entry essays, scholarships searches, and applications. This is a class I believe should be available at any high school. I hope this takes stress off from my upcoming senior year. Study groups are small groups with other summer scholars in the same class and our RTA. It is a great way to review and attempt to engrave into our brain all the information gone over in Native American Studies. Being able to bounce ideas or questions with my other peers or RTA is a comforting feeling. I’m not alone here. My RTA has been very helpful throughout the whole process, I could not have asked for anybody better.

Everything I’ve heard about college being the best years of your life has lived up to its reputation, and this is only a glimpse. Overall my college experience has been wonderful. Even thought parking may be a challenge sometimes, I love going to class every morning. Something even more impressive is the number of amazing people that I have met, moreover, the number of motivated and successful people that I feel proud to call my friends. The only thing that I can hope for now is that my senior year of high school goes by fast so that I can enjoy college full throttle.

Residential Life with Summer Scholars

As I heaved my suitcase from the trunk of the car my mind was racing. What would it be like? What kinds of people would be there? Will the food be good? Who would be my roommates? The only thing I did not question was whether or not I would have a good time. For some odd reason I was positive the residence life with the Summer Scholars would be worth while, and I was proved right. Within the first half hour, I met awesome people. These friends ended up being the reason why our time at the UNO dorms was a blast!

The ropes challenges were a fast and efficient way to get to know and trust out fellow summer scholars. It was like diving straight into a cold swimming pool instead of easing our way in (although not as painful!). My group of six completed the courses in record time, each course forcing us to rely on each other mentally and physically. We encouraged each other through the hard times and celebrated each completed course. As a result, towards the end, I felt as close to them as I did my lifelong friends.

Another factor that was a major contributor to the success of the residence life was the amazing RTA’s. They treated us with the respect of actually college students, not just kids they had to babysit. In exchange for their respect, we felt obligated to return the favor. They participated in and organized some really fun activities, such as water balloon fights, movie nights, and volleyball tournaments. My RTS’s help during study group has allowed me to feel more comfortable being in a college class environment. Overall, I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything; it was a fantastic way to jump start the Summer Scholars program and my summer!!