Personal Essay, Research Paper

Subject: Succesful Dartmouth Applicant

In life, it is very important to help and teach others in any way possible. During my past four years in high school, I have used my talents and abilities in order to help benefit others and improve my community. Since childhood, I have always been very creative and artistic in all of my endeavors — both academic and extra-curricular. In addition, I have always been a very enthusiastic student and have had a strong interest and desire to help teach other people. As I have grown older and more mature, I have begun to realize the value and significance of helping others and contributing to my surrounding community. Furthermore, I have recognized that the best way to help others is by doing something that I personally have an interest and strong ability in. By involving myself in worthwhile volunteer and community activities, I can further develop my interests and talents while serving others.

One of my most unique volunteer activities was painting murals on the classroom walls of a local elementary school. The South Plainfield Riley School summer painting project took place during the summer of ? 94 and was a wonderful experience for all who participated. Originally, I was offered a position to paint in the school as a summer job, in which I would be paid on an hourly basis by the South Plainfield Board of Education. Due to prior misunderstandings and miscommunication on behalf of administrators, I was then informed that I could no longer be paid to take part in the painting project. Unable to fid summer employment, I decided to volunteer my artistic abilities and help paint in the school anyway. I had my heart set on painting all summer, and I decided that was more important than simply making money.

That project was one of the best things I have ever done. Sometimes I spent ten hours a day at the school, standing on top of ladders and tables to reach the area I was painting. I came home exhausted and sick from paint fumes almost everyday, but I had the time of my life. The project was a huge success, and all of the children were overjoyed to see Charlie Brown and Mickey Mouse come to life one their classroom walls. Being involved in that project enabled me to meet wonderful, dedicated people, and it gave me the opportunity to enhance my artistic talent. Most importantly, I helped make some students’ educations a little brighter and a little more interesting.