Being diagnosed with a life-threatening disease my freshman year wasn’t easy. It was, however, a catalyst for lifelong compassion, a newfound forum for personal philosophy, an ideal foundation for tackling obstacles, and the ultimate lesson in redefining my limits. Most importantly, it’s the premise of my bravest story. Lying in the light of a monitor […]

The first time I am called beautiful by someone outside of my family is in an elderly home. I’m eager to find a volunteer position, but as there are too many working in the local Sao Paulo orphanage, I reluctantly agree to spend two hours every Wednesday in a Brazilian elderly home. I don’t like […]

Evaluate a significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken, or ethical dilemma you have faced and its impact on you. My mother—a single parent—works as a civil servant of Bhutan: due to her occupational hazards, I was entitled to attend boarding school and travel alone at a young age. Ever since I started to attend […]

I am not an A+ student. But, I am not a straight F student, either. I do not drive a Mercedes Benz and I don’t spend hundreds of dollars shopping with my parent’s credit cards. I am fortunate enough to go home and know there will be food for dinner or that my brother will […]

“Ah!” I screech to myself as a torrent of thoughts crash into being -100 degree heat, the contents of Wendy’s fries digesting in my stomach, family, anxiety- as chatter and speculation cease to continue. The bus rolls to a stop as the campus of Georgia Southern surrounds me, greets me. The Boys State 2010 session […]

Unfamiliar experiences? Yeah, I guess I’m the one who always hesitates before trying a new adventure. There is one major event that comes to mind when I think of the many things that I have accomplished. Rock climbing. Yes, you’ve read correctly, rock climbing. Fears concerning unfamiliar experiences are feelings I wish to overcome during […]

Every eight-year-old girl has a dream. Many want to be princesses, some want to be cowgirls, a few want to be president. Me? I wanted to see the penguins. So, at a time when most of my friends were spending their money on Barbie dolls and colorful hair ties, I was saving for a trip […]

Time Magazine’s list of the world’s most influential people is filled with brilliant thinkers, powerful leaders, and talented artists. All of these people have done something remarkable to leave their impact on the world. My greatest inspiration, however, does not come from a world-renowned political figure; it comes from the heart and perseverance of a […]

“No matter how much it hurts, is it worth losing me?” The question hangs in the air as I think about the needles and IVs. I stare into her deep, slightly squinty chestnut eyes. I want to scream, “nothing is worth losing you,” but my stubborn side doesn’t let me. I turn to look out […]

I remember vividly my first real bolt of inspiration. I’m six years old and convinced that ballet is too technical. I prefer chocolate. Suddenly, the golden afternoon light fills the mirror just so, and for one moment, I see a ballerina. Awe rushes through me, and a ballerina becomes the most beautiful thing in the […]