Undergraduate / the 62nd annual Youth and Government conference: Experience UC 2 [2]

Hey, I was wondering if anyone could give me input, corrections, etc. Thanks! :)

UC prompt 2: Tell us about a personal quality, talent, accomplishment, contribution or experience that is important to you. What about this quality or accomplishment makes you proud, and how does it relate to the person you are?

It looked like a scene taken out of a horror film about teenagers taking over the world. Although it may not have concerned the world, on February12, 2010, students from delegations all across the state of California took over Sacramento-and when they did, I made sure I was there.

This event was the 62nd annual Youth and Government conference, taking place in California's capitol, Sacramento. Nowhere else could you find 2,300 high school students dressed in business attire and speaking in parliamentary procedure. I am proud to say that I am apart of such a program where individuals can be extremely diverse in every aspect, yet fit in with each other exquisitely. But this program has given me more than pride alone; it has strengthened my confidence and taught me to embrace risk.

Although I have always been an outgoing individual, my experience in Sacramento gave me my edge. It not only pushed me to step outside of my comfort zone, it dissolved my comfort zone completely. This occurred when I finally arrived in Sacramento and realized I not only had the support of my delegation, but the support of 2000 students I was not acquainted with. We were all in Sacramento because we shared an indistinguishable passion for government and wanted to speak our minds and make a difference. Because of our common ardor we understood each other and became one immense, extended family. The day I arrived in Sacramento I noticed this in the way strangers would spontaneously make friends and delegates would cheer each other on before and after speaking. Only then did I feel completely comfortable with going up to an arbitrary stranger and asking them how they felt about gay marriage. Only then could I stand up in front of 200 of my peers and speak my mind on the Assembly floor. Only then could I finally respond to the speakers statement "please stand, state your name, your 'Y,' you have two minutes" without any apprehension. After speaking in small committees and working my way up to speaking in the assembly last year, I could now speak before any crowd with verve and aplomb.

That is not the only way the Youth and Government conference has positively impacted me. Previously that year, I had been living with the conviction that I should not strive to accomplish things I did not believe would lead to success. This notion limited me from various try-outs and endeavors I wanted to take part in but wouldn't because I was certain I would lose. When I was nominated to run for an elected position I desired, I later rescinded my acceptance because I did not want to give a speech for an election I could not win.

At the end of the conference, the results of the statewide elections were announced. To my surprise, candidates I thought would never win had won. Those who I thought were sure to win had lost. These candidates inspired me to take risks even if my chance of success is slim. My experience in Sacramento taught me that no outcome is ever certain so I should always attempt to achieve my aspirations. Once the conference was over and I settled back into my academic routine I began taking more risks. As a result, I am now a board member of my school's Human Relations Council and the Deputy of Activism of my school's chapter of Junior Statesmen of America (positions I never anticipated I would obtain). When Youth and Government nominations occurred this year I made sure to learn from my mistakes of the previous year. I ran for Speaker of the Assembly and when I lost the election I did not give up. I then ran for statewide committee chair, a position in which one leads and presides over a legislative committee. Because I took risks like these, I will be flying to Sacramento a day early this year as a committee chair.

Undergraduate / "Being on Varsity Song" - activity Common app short answer [3]

Prompt is to expand on an extracurriculur in 150 words max. Any help would be appreciated.

On the first day of pep squad try-outs, my coach said something I will never forget: "You are signing up for a job you do not get paid for." Being on Varsity Song this year, I can surely attest to this statement. I have learned more about professionalism in half a year on Cheer and Song than I have learned in my entire life. When attending events, our motto is that if you are five minutes early, you are on time and when you are on time, you are late. I have come to appreciate this structure I had originally deemed unnecessary. I have become stronger in cheering and dancing and am more confident in performing because of it. Apart from leading me to befriend people I never would have thought I would befriend, pep squad has taught me to be more punctual, responsible, and professional in all of my endeavors.

Thank you!

Undergraduate / "the pride I feel whenever I don my crisp, blue and white uniform" short answer-cheer [10]

Promt is evaluate an extracurricular activity or work experience. If anyone could look over my short answer it would be much appreciated!

For me, there is hardly anything more exhilarating than to cheer on the sidelines of a football field under the floodlights. The football arena is one of the few places where the smell of greasy hot dogs and the cacophony of a hostile crowd at the sight of a yellow flag are components of an unforgettably electrifying Friday night. As a songleader, there is a certain anxiety and restlessness in the air that I share with the crowd that makes me forget about all other worries. Dancing at football games has been the most rewarding outlet for my stress. There is not a more exemplary model of the value of hard work than performing a flawless routine at half time and remembering the sweat and sore muscles of the week's rigorous practice. Now I will always remember the pride I feel whenever I don my crisp, blue and white uniform.

Thanks!