(150-250 words)
People face challenges every day. Some make decisions that force them beyond their comfort levels. Maybe you have a political, social or cultural viewpoint that is not shared by the rest of your school, family or community. Did you find the courage to create a better opportunity for yourself or others? Were you able to find the voice to stand up for something you passionately supported? How did you persevere when the odds were against you?
My father once told me an old Chinese proverb: "Laws control the lesser man, but right conduct controls the greater one." The idea floated around in my head for days, but the meaning was still unclear.
During my sophomore year, I was on my first varsity team. I was nervous, but very excited. However, the biggest conflict was not actually the games we played, but the things that went on in the locker room. During away games, seniors took clothes, electronics, and anything else left unlocked. They told me it was impossible to get caught and it seemed true. No one had even been accused of stealing. At some points I was tempted. I saw the cool things teammates walked out with. Although the seniors tried persuading me, I decided I was not going to take anything that didn't belong to me because it was just not right. Those seniors did not end up getting in trouble, but I did not regret my decision.
For my whole life, I have been a strong person. My actions are not based on what my peers do. I do what I believe is right and no one can affect an opinion that I truly believe in. I thought about what my father said way back when. Finally, I figured it out. A weak man will do immoral and selfish things when there is nothing to stop him. A strong man will have self-control because he knows the difference between right and wrong.
