Undergraduate / Describe something in your life that has been meaningful to you. [3]

PROMPT: Describe an activity, interest, experience, or achievement in your life (this could be a book, movie, or an activity or experience at work, home, or school) that has been particularly meaningful to you.

any suggestions or corrections?? :]] thanks!

It has been said that "music is the poetry of the air" and as a section leader of the largest marching band in Florida, making music with friends and peers, teaching music to others and leading musicians has shaped who I am. My experience with the "Sharks" Marching Band and the lessons I have learned from it inside and outside the classroom have been particularity meaningful to me. I have acquired strength, maturity, and character faster than I would have without band.

My instrument is the clarinet; I began playing in the sixth grade and since then I've worked my way up to the first chairs in wind ensemble. I was influenced to stick with it primarily by beautiful music and the pleasure I feel while making music, but also because I enjoy working together with others.

By the time I was a sophomore our band had received so much notoriety that we were asked to be the first high school band to perform as the Buccaneers and Miami Dolphins half-time show. We received this honor by working hard and together as a team. We do parades annually for Disney World and Islands of Adventure. Just last year we marched in the New York St. Patrick's Day Parade.

In my junior year I became the leader of my section and maintained that position for my senior year. After auditioning, I was chosen to be a part of the All-County Band for the last three years, and was chosen to be part of University of Miami's Honor Band for high school students. I have taught many students my music knowledge both in the band and privately . . .

The skill and discipline involved in making and performing music, (not to mention the physical strength for marching for hours in the Florida heat in wool uniforms) is but one type of strength I have acquired through marching band. Leading my section with fairness and toughness is strength of another type that I have acquired through band.

Being a section leader in a renowned marching band requires devotion. I must teach, correct, and discipline my peers dispassionately. Being section leader I must also display good character to be respected, and I have developed character through being a part of such a distinguished band program.

The appreciation of art and the ability to create art in the form of music has been and will continue to be part of my life, it's calming. I'm so happy to have found such a stress reliever that I can always count on.

It is not enough to be strong and creative without the strength of character, without traditions to ground you. Last year our band director was arrested for allegedly having relationship with a student, throwing our band into turmoil. What would band be without him? Would it fall apart? The band dedicated itself to the theme "A Time to be Proud." The new band director clearly saw that the band's traditions could carry it through the tough time. Sometimes the lesson of character, one of the most important lessons in life, is learned through adversity.

These experiences have given me an extraordinary opportunity to succeed in music, to teach, to enjoy the feeling of being part of a thing greater than oneself, to come through a difficult situation and succeed.

Undergraduate / UCF personal obstacle; Life was good, money wasn't ever a problem [2]

Topic: Explaining a personal bump in the road. How'd I do?? Please tell me the specific paragraphs that need more work, not just generalizations if possible! =)

Life was good, money wasn't ever a problem. There were nice cars, and an even nicer house. A paver driveway some mistook as a parking lot, a patio big enough for over a hundred, and bedrooms with personal living rooms. Life was good, but how good really was it? Was it all worth it?

My dad owned a successful mortgage company and was a real estate investor. Almost so perfect, but then my parents' relationship started going downhill along with the economy. There was never a night where there wasn't a fight, and the fact that I was given two completely different stories on a consistent basis only made me dwell on the problems at home longer.

My father went to visit his family in Egypt, as he did quite often, but after a few months we realized he wasn't coming back this time. My mother was a homemaker who had not worked since her twenties. We were left living in house with a significant mortgage, a new car loan, and about thirty real estate investments. Foreclosure notices frequented our doorstep and we soon had to move.

As a freshman in high school, I had more serious concerns than most people my age. Being accustomed to the phrase that family members are the only people who will always be there for you left me lost and confused. My father and I were close, and although I knew he was unhappy I never thought he would consider abandoning his family as an option. I was crushed. I began isolating myself from friends and family. I let my life be consumed by my academics and worked my hardest to fulfill my new, higher expectations.

So was it all worth it? I can honestly and whole heartedly say yes. It taught me money and budgeting. I always knew I had to be there for myself but this taught me why. The abrupt changes created tough times for my family emotionally and financially, but I learned a lot. I experienced firsthand the troubles of unnecessary and impulse spending. I never want to be a victim of financial problems and I know the only way to achieve financial security is to get a good education and never, ever, ever get lazy. Although it caused a lot of unrest in my family, it helped me figure out who I was, what I wanted to be, and what I needed to do to become that dream.