I was curled up in the middle of my bed, a blanket clutched between clawed fists, sobs wracking my frame with so much force that the headboard clacked against the wall. In my head, a voice kept screaming, over and over, “Why me?” My angry fingers kneaded the unfortunate blanket, as if trying to pull […]
Every person has a dream, but not every dream is turned into a reality, because people do not believe in themselves. I am different. If I put my mind to it, I can achieve it. One day I will be a restaurateur. I love cooking. I want my ideas to shine through and my voice […]
During my 3rd grade year, my parents divorced each other. Me, my mom, and my little brother moved to a new house across town, which meant I had to switch schools. I did not want to be bullied and I tried for the longest time to get my mom to say I could stay at […]
Dripping wet, a boy with blue swim trunks dashes up to me after his name is called. I gently extend my hand to give him his ribbon. He got fifth place. Instead of snatching the ribbon from my hand, he flung his arms around me. Unsure by how to respond, I gave him a hug […]
The loose gravel of the hiking path crunched underneath our feet as our group from my paper-flat hometown gradually scaled a tall hill in the Marin Headlands Institute. Led by a camp counselor, we were an odd assortment of tired parents Helping their bedraggled children and bedraggled children Helping their tired parents. Despite the fatigue […]
I never thought I’d make it far enough in life to write a scholarship essay-let alone an essay that asks for my life’s story. It’s not that I ever thought I wouldn’t succeed in my life, I was born with enough privilege that college was always an option. It’s more the fact that I’ve lived […]
I am a naturally neat, organized, and meticulous person. I enjoy sorting my books and make up into different containers and shelves according to size, color and type. The beginning of school is one of my favorite times of year for the opportunity to buy new matching folders and notebooks with colorful pencils and clean […]
I attain for extra enchiladas and Mexican rice within the humid air of Costa Rica as all my classmates stare at me in awe. All of them surprise how I’m able to eat so many alternative meals. The day after, I feast on noodles, dumplings, and pork buns in Chinatown, and the day after that, […]
In the 1920s, my great grandfather emigrated from Italy and started one of the first accordion businesses in America. The tradition has now been passed to my grandfather. But for me, the tradition has a twist. It starts with a knock on the front door, a signature, and me—an impatient little girl— waiting to see […]
The moment has finally arrived; the college application essay has found its way onto my computer screen. No pressure. That was total sarcasm by the way. Days on end, I spent contemplating a “unique, and original” introduction to what may be the only chance of “standing out from the rest”. Sure the third grade self […]