7. Share an essay on any topic of your choice.

It can be one you've already written, one that

responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design. [New]

Her bronze, shoulder-length hair is parted to the right, covering her left eye slightly. Her almond
shaped eyes are covered in dark liner and mascara that mark her heritage - Taiwanese and
European. The hazel pigment of her iris resembles a mosaic.

Although her eyes hold beauty, they have witnessed the destruction left by an angry divorce; a
selfish and senseless tragedy wrought by drug addictions and alcoholism. Sights that were too
often ugly, uncomfortable, and unforgettable. To mask her discomfort and inability to forget, she
finds her best defense against the visions of a reality distinct with hatred and pain are; a dark
sense of humor, the rhythms of electronic music and showtunes, and a love of putting pen to
paper. These things bring her comfort and allow an outlet of escape. Not all the pain disappears -
wrapped in panic and anxiety, her soul searches for true happiness as a state of being, not a
purpose to life.

Fascinated with the human condition, one can often find her pondering the comings of history,
philosophy, language, and literature. Perceptive and rational, her minds contents are not limited
to retained knowledge but the intentions of continual learning. She has found herself engulfed in
the unknown seeking to grasp the foreign nature of others.

Deep in the heart of India, she studied Hindi and learned how to accept a new culture. The
bumpy morning bus rides and afternoon visits to the Punjabi Gurudwara became everyday life.
The heavy Indian spices caused tears to stream while fried bread products bloated her. Wrought
with dietary changes, mosquito bites, and culture shock, her body became physically sick. By
overcoming physical, emotional, and social setbacks, she came out with a new language,
perspective, and way of interacting with the broader world.

Through the bread and gasoline aroma of East Africa, she began to challenge her ideas of race,
poverty, and the western worlds influence. Captivated by the dances of the Lake Bunyonyi
women and the bright ideas of refugee teens seeking to better their community, her heart
overflowed with compassion. The lack of clothing on the beggar children of the Ugandan slums
left her empty and craving to help. Tears streamed down her face at the sight of the bodies
mauled by the Rwandan genocide. She stood in awe of Rwanda for its complex history and
remarkable recovery after disaster. Observing a deeply misunderstood region, she began to try to
understand it.
Although she may be hesitant to do so, she continues to pursue opportunities that bring
discomfort. She thrives in discomfort it is a place where learning and growth flows
organically.

Underneath the surface, she examines ways to become more connected within this rapidly
changing world. She reaches for the competency of a global citizen through kindness, loyalty,
captivation, honesty, inquiry, and understanding. She seeks for a place to give back. Through
work with Rise Above Colorado, a nonprofit, she hopes to create a safer future for her generation
through education about drug misuse and addiction. A youth summit focused on the complexities
of race and community building allowed her to explore this interconnected society amongst
peers. Mesmerized by the broader world, she continues to place herself into situations that
address greater problems than any she faces alone.

Each of these brush strokes on a larger mural has molded her into the person she is today.
Leading the theatre program at her school, involving herself with copious service opportunities,
playing three sports, and pursuing the attainment of knowledge through the minds of others, she
works everyday on becoming a better student, daughter, sister, person, and global citizen.

At first glance, one sees a petite young girl, but underneath she is strong and ready to take on the
world. And her name? Its Mei, you pronounce it May and she strives to be a person worthy of
the life she desires.