Undergraduate / "the significance of Schwarzenegger v. EMA" - Stanford Intellectual Vitality Essay [3]

This is my Stanford Essay on Intellectual Vitality. Comments, Critques, etc. are welcome. Thanks!

While researching Supreme Court cases for "We The People," I was struck by the significance of Schwarzenegger v. EMA. The Supreme Court recently heard the oral arguments about banning the sale or rental of "deviant violent" video games to minors.

As a teenager who has spent considerable time playing video games, I was interested in this case because of the potential ban of popular games to teens - like Call of Duty. My first opinions were about how it is wrong to tell parents how to parent, that there are ratings and blocking mechanisms in place, and how will manufacturers decide which games are "violent."

But, after reading the oral arguments, I discovered that this case is also about Youth Rights, and how violence in technology will be defined when applying it to the First Amendment. If fictional, interactive violence is classified as an obscenity in the Court's opinion, violent, "low value" speech will no longer be protected by the First Amendment and young people, especially teens, could lose additional rights as a result.

Justice Ginzburg posed the question: If video games are "a category of violent materials dangerous to children," then "what about films? What about comic books?" If the Court's opinion is to treat video violence as an obscenity, the effect could be far reaching, possibly censoring a teen's right to view violent movies, listen to violent lyrics or even watch violent cartoons.

Defending First Amendment rights demonstrates what is great about our country and the Supreme Court is key in its defense. The Court's opinion, using historical precedents, will define the First Amendment as it relates to our technology driven twenty-first century. The Court's opinion, due by June, could change the future of free speech.

Undergraduate / Eagle Scout -elaborate on extracurricular activities [4]

This is my 150 word essay about my extracurricular activity. Please be critcal. Any input will be helpful. It is at 150 words. Thanks!

"Becoming an Eagle Scout isn't so much about knot tying or wilderness survival. It's about facing challenges and learning leadership skills," my Dad had told me more than once.

On my trail to Eagle, earning my Swimming Merit Badge was the toughest challenge I have encountered.

Camp Thunder Ridge sits on a mountain at 9,000 feet in Brian Head, Utah. The mountain lake, used for water activities, was extremely cold. Other campers tried to swim in the lake on the first day, but gave up. I braved 6 days of hour-long swim sessions, in freezing, numbing water. After each session, I'd have to walk the mile back to my camp site, shivering, cold and wet. Many times, while treading water, or swimming laps, I thought about quitting. But, I didn't.

After earning this merit badge, by enduring those difficult conditions, I learned, through perseverance and determination, I can accomplish anything.

Undergraduate / "It Wasn't All About Me" - Common Application Essay #6 [8]

Below is my Common Application Essay. Any comments/advice would be appreciated!

It Wasn't All About Me

On a Saturday in March, 2005, my life changed forever. That day, it wasn't all about me. That day, I was partnered with Jorge. Jorge was 6 and homeless. I was 13 and volunteering with my middle school's National Junior Honor Society at Operation School Bell, a program that provides new clothing, shoes and other essentials to 7,000 disadvantaged school children each year.

After I introduced myself to Jorge and explained what we were going to do, Jorge nervously blurted out "I live at Childhaven. Will I be back there in time for lunch?"

I said, "After we pick out your new clothing, you're going to eat pizza."

"Wow, Pizza!" Jorge shouted, giddy with excitement.

As I helped Jorge pick out his new jeans, shirts, and shoes, he looked up at me and said "It's like Christmas!" During the 45 minutes we spent together, he was no longer a homeless child wearing his poverty. He was 6 year old Jorge, wearing his new shoes, new clothes, and a great big smile.

I found out later that Childhaven was a shelter for homeless children who did not live with their parents mostly due to the parents' drug abuse, child neglect, or just the inability to support their children. At 13, I did not know how important food or a pair of shoes that fit or a toothbrush were to a homeless child. I had assumed all kids had the same things I had.

When it was time to choose my Boy Scout Eagle Service Project, I wanted to help children like Jorge. I was the first Boy Scout in Las Vegas to select Operation School Bell. Because I was the first to choose this project, I worked hard to convince my somewhat skeptical Scoutmaster that the project was worthwhile. As the leader of this project, I organized a group of 20 scouts, parents and friends to partner, one-on-one, with 60 homeless elementary school kids to select clothing, shoes, and other supplies. To my surprise, after the day was over, my Scoutmaster's son put his arm around his father and said, "Dad, this was the best community service I've ever done! I had so much fun!" Since then, 7 other Boy Scouts in Las Vegas have held their Eagle Service Projects at School Bell.

After earning my Eagle Rank in 2008, I have continued to volunteer over 100 hours at Operation School Bell either clothing children, making hygiene kits or stocking shelves. This year, the Chairman of Operation School Bell nominated me for an award for my years of volunteering. In September, I was honored to be selected as the 2010 Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy (by the Association of Fundraising Professionals).

I am grateful that my service to Operation School Bell and to the community of Las Vegas has been recognized, but that's not why I volunteer. I volunteer because of kids like Jorge. His poverty and homelessness touched me, but his smile touched me even more.

Mother Teresa is quoted as saying, "We shall never know all the good that a simple smile can do." But, I do know some good that a simple smile can do. A simple smile can change a person. I know because Jorge's smile changed me -- forever. I have learned how good I feel when helping others. But, most important, I have learned that it's not all about me.