College Admissions Essay: The Man Who Changed My Life

Throughout our lives, we make choices and decisions that change our lives and others in positive and/or negative ways. It is these decisions that determine how we will be remembered, our legacy. When I graduate high school, I want to be remembered by the qualities that define me as a person and the good I’ve done for others. Throughout the years, I’ve been often been described by my family and friends as bold, confident, outgoing, and hardworking. Not only are these characteristics important to me, but they are important to my family, as they want to leave a legacy in the name of our family. The qualities I have exhibited are the same qualities past family members have shown and are remembered for. Through always putting out my best effort when it comes to work and school, I have shown my dedication and discipline. Through doing what I can to help others, I have displayed my commitment to world peace, the betterment of the world as a whole, and the yearning to make a difference in someone’s life other than my

All little sisters look up to their big brothers, and I was no exception to the rule. I remember watching my brother Brandon, cheering him on at his high school football games, golf matches, and basketball tournaments. I was only six or seven at the time, so of course I wanted to be just like him. I proudly yelled his name in the bleachers, dressed in his big cotton sweatshirts. My little eyes saw Brandon as a superhero out there, on the courts, fields, and everywhere I saw him. I have forever held that notion in my mind, ultimately holding him on a high pedestal. Even though I regarded him as my utmost favorite human on earth, something happened that changed me and him.

“I can do it.” Although it may seem like a simple phrase, these four words comprise the root and core of my character. It makes me smile that the strength behind these four words came from a three-year old boy, my older brother Anthony. Anthony was born with a double right outlet and ventricular septal defect, meaning that he had twice the difficulty performing the same activities as any other three year old. He never let this ailment get in the way of enjoying the pleasures of childhood. He would say “I can do it” and sure enough conquer any task that was presented to him. He even uttered his saying before open-heart surgery and ultimately survived the procedure. Although Anthony passed away a year later from cardiac arrest, it is the strength of those words and the confidence embedded in his character that allow me to understand the wisdom in his

I grew up in one of the wealthiest families in Minnesota and I was constantly reminded by the many family get togethers that were held at one of my uncle’s houses. You see, in my family the term wealth does not have the same definition as that of the one in the dictionary. Instead of riches and an abundance of money, I was born into a massive and united family that has supported each other throughout each others lives’. In truth, my family has been through extremely tough times financially, especially so in this last year with the loss of our main source of income, my mother’s job. With a roofing, seasonal working father and a year full of rain, there wasn’t much money to be spared for anything other than the essentials and even then those

“Be strong, banish fear and doubt, and remember the lord is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9 New International Version). Next month on September 28th, will be my 30th birthday, another milestone will be met. As I look forward to celebrate this milestone, I have also taken the time to reflect on who I am today. Throughout the years, I have experienced many obstacles that have influenced me into becoming the person I am currently. Moving to Columbia, South Carolina had great, if not the greatest, influence on me.

Children, at a very young age, are taught to contemplate about their own future. What do we aspire to be when we grow up? What sport do we want to play? What college will we attend after high school graduation? It is not until we reach the adolescent phase or maybe even adulthood that we stop to think about what difference we can make in other people lives and what impact will we have on the future of others. At least that is how it happened for me. My parents, specifically my father, pressured me about what my grades were like in school, what career path I would choose, what type of significant other would I attract and many other things except the most important part of humanity: what difference will I make in the world?

During both my fourth and fifth grade years of elementary school, I participated in our math club that annually competed in the math pentathlon in Indianapolis. Although I had always enjoyed math in general, I never really understood how the concepts behind it could apply to real life. Becoming a part of this talented group of students and preparing for the competition by playing a variety of different logic-based puzzle games really allowed me to see math as well as the world in a new light. Through my experiences, I discovered a love of problem solving and a passion for finding logical solutions. I also uncovered an irreplaceable comradery with the rest of my team through working so hard together to become the best we could be. Math club and the many things I learned

When I arrived home from elementary school after an arduous day of work (or at least by the standards of my 9 year old self), instead of unwinding by watching television or relaxing on the couch, I logged onto the PC and played a virtual brain surgery game. Or, alternatively, I scrolled through BrainPOP and watched health and science videos. I preferred Tim and Moby over Spongebob and Patrick.

I did not know my grandpa until I was sixteen years old, sitting in a dim hospital room staring at his massive hands. I studied their calloused tips, beefy palms, and oil stained nails. I knew what crimes those hands had committed. I knew they had beaten my grandmother, cheated her, and abandoned my mother’s family. What I didn’t know, is that those blundering, graceless hands would change the course of my life and guide me on my path to becoming who I am today. For a reason unknown, I would find myself at his bedside every day after school, watching him slowing recover from a stroke that caused extensive damage to part of his brain. Brushing his teeth, playing memory games, and observing his team of healthcare providers moved me to want to pursue a career doing the same thing; caring for others.

When I first found out that I was writing a tribute to you, I was elated. You truly are a unique and wonderful individual. As someone once said: "Time goes by so fast, people go in and out of your life. You must never miss the opportunity to tell these people how much they mean to you." Now, where should I begin?

Where I last left you, I had been in my seat for a long time, going to PT ordinary, attempting to recover feeling in greater part of my body. As the years have passed by I've taken in a considerable measure of imperative life lessons; like not underestimating easily overlooked details in life, and appreciating minutes you have with individuals you adore on the grounds that before you know it, they'll be no more. I've been working outrageously hard to go on 6 years to walk once more, similar to the normal individual. I've met astounding individuals and I have had a great time doing as such.

From the day I was born to the day I speak of, I had lived in the same square house painted with pastel hues. I had watched the same green- more yellowish- grass grow, the same dimmed streetlights separate me from any impermanent destination, and, of course, the same familiar faces aging as timely as mine.

Great things are destined for you honey, you have everything in you, and you have no idea how capable you are, everything is there in you, but you have to want it. I want you to go after it with everything in you because with the proper education there is nothing that can ever stop you. My entire life, I have believed that if I work hard enough, no dreams could ever be out of my reach. My grandmother’s incredible story has always taught me that I can overcome any obstacle that may come my way; my father’s speech was an amazing reminder of why I have worked so hard to make my family proud of me. As I approach the start of my senior year, I cannot help but wonder how my future is going to play out. My life has been filled with significant events that have carved me into a diverse young woman. I owe my family for all the lessons and experiences that I have benefited from, and I truly believe any college would be happy to have all the different aspects of culture that I can bring on their campus.

My family and friends will tell you that I was the most charismatic and friendly child that they have ever met. I was almost too friendly that my parents often worried that I would walk off with a stranger, because I was so willing to communicate and share silly stories with everyone. I have always been interested in people. Learning about someone who has different and unique experiences is like opening my eyes for the first time all over. Although I loved learning about strangers, I even more so enjoyed building the relationships of the people I love. Unfortunately, towards the end of my junior year, my interest in others became consumed by my own ambitions. Instead of paying attention to the people who loved, cared, and supported me, I focused on what I thought was the most important: qualifying for state in track. When I didn’t qualify, I became volatile and

In the fall of 2015 I reunited with my on-again off-again relationship with running. At the same time I started doing boot camp classes which I had never tried before. I’m not sure if it was an improper box jump or a wrong step down the road, but I began to notice my knee clicking when I walked up the stairs. After waiting (probably a little too long) I decided to go to my doctor because the clicking wasn’t going away. The ultrasound showed fluid on the knee, also known as prepatellar bursitis. She said it shouldn’t take long to heal as long as I rest and ice my knee as well as avoid doing any strenuous weight bearing activities such as “jumping around” or kneeling. As a yoga teacher it was hard to avoid doing any type of kneeling but I stopped running and going to