My dear roommate Maddy was cleaning out her things yesterday when
she stumbled upon her college application essays. After thirty minutes of my
begging her to let me read them, she finally capitulated. This little gem
appeared in her “additional comments” section:
“I have attended Loretto High School in Sacramento for the last
four years. However, I have lived in Auburn, a town in the Sierra Nevada
foothills nearly an hour’s drive away from Sacramento all the while. The
classes I have taken at Loretto have been challenging and stimulating, but
having a two-hour long commute everyday has strengthened me the most as a
person. For the first three years, I would try to find a comfortable position
to either to my homework or doze off. Besides suffering through “the bus years”
as I call them, I have had to wake up an hour and a half earlier than my peers
living in Sacramento, after arriving home an hour later than them the day
before (and even later during tennis season). As a result of this strain, I
have developed fortitude. Waking up before the sun has been the greatest test
of my character, but I wouldn’t have it any other way, because I am all the
more prepared for college because of it.”
It is now undeniably clear why Maddy was admitted with honors and
scholarships to UC Santa Barbara. What incredible adversity she has overcome!
What White Girl Problems she has triumphed over! Not only did she “suffer
through the bus years,” but she survived them--a tell-tale sign that she would do great at any
top-ranking university! She didn't fall asleep every night to the sound of gun
shots; she didn't raise her younger siblings single-handedly while her Pa was
out drinking. Instead, her “strain” was internal, a true battle to figure out
what to do with herself during an hour's ride. Maddy, you inspire us every day. Keep hurdling those obstacles and
developing that fortitude; you're a better person for it.
(P.S. Maddy gave permission for this post, as she hopes that her
story will inspire others.)
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