On August 28, 2005 Hurricane Katrina tore through the homes and lives of millions living in the Gulf Coast region of Mississippi and New Orleans. With category 5 winds and a failed levee system, nearly 80% of New Orleans flooded and over 1,000 people lost their lives. Nearly sixteen months later, I began my first mission trip.
I will never forget the images I saw of the lower Ninth Ward and other destroyed areas where we worked. Homes were completely ruined and personal belongings were strewn about neighborhoods in places they didn’t belong. The majority of homes remained untouched; even more, completely abandoned. For seven days we worked to empty and gut three different homes. This included everything from moving ruined furniture to tearing down drywall and ripping up linoleum floors. This labor was intense both physically and emotionally. Often times we met and talked with the devastated homeowners who returned to collect anything salvageable.
On the next trip, the summer of 2006, our group of volunteers worked in Waveland, Mississippi doing yard work. However, this was much more than just cutting the grass. We worked for a week straight, through summer showers, cutting down chest-high weeds and fallen trees large enough to destroy anything in their path. These jobs were not important by government standards, but for the homeowners, they were monumental. The gratitude they expressed taught me that sometimes the smallest contributions are the most significant. On my third trip during the summer of 2008 we worked with the Habitat for Humanity in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. We helped paint walls, baseboards, trim, and porch railings; lay floorboards; construct and caulk door frames and window boxes; and clean up the worksites at each of the six Habitat homes.
Each of these mission trips has had an immeasurable effect on me. Everything from the work we did to the places we lived and the people we met has made a lasting impression on who I am and what I want to do in my life. I learned countless valuable lessons through these experiences, such as the importance of helping others whenever and however possible. I do not put all my value in material things, and I am thankful for what I have. Most importantly I learned the importance of working with others and that I can make a difference in the world.
While Hurricane Katrina and the chaos that ensued tested my hope and faith in people, each trip not only restored, but strengthened my outlook on life and society’s potential to do good. The small contributions made by others helped patch together a city previously torn apart. These trips have prepared me for the challenges ahead. They have given me the experience I need to be a productive member of my current community and future UF community. My leadership skills and strong work ethic, coupled with a big heart, ensure that I possess the qualities and dedication necessary to be a valuable asset to the UF community.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
FSU Essay
The values embodied in vires, artes, and mores, are reflected in my life through my service, goals, and relationships.
Vires signifies strengths. The best example of my strength shows through my hard work ethic and my dedication to service. I continually participate in service projects within my local community, from the Ronald McDonald House to peer tutoring. I have also participated in three week long mission trips to the Gulf Coast region. Here, I worked with other volunteers and Habitat for Humanity to help areas devastated by Hurricane Katrina. These trips were both physically and emotionally challenging. However, service opportunities such as these have truly enriched my life and made me a better person. On one trip a group of us stopped at a local store. Within the first ten minutes of entering, four different people approached and personally thanked us for volunteering. This incident had a profound effect on me I will never forget. Through serving others I have learned valuable lessons about appreciation and helping others.
The value I place in intellectual pursuits manifests itself through my academic courses and leadership positions. I am involved in many school clubs such as National Honor Society, Student Government, and Mission Club and have held leadership positions in each. I also manage my time between my competitive swim team and a heavy academic course load. I dedicate eighteen hours a week to my swim team; this includes practices before and after school, and Saturday mornings. I also enjoy challenging myself with honors and AP courses and will continue to do so throughout college. While these pursuits keep me extremely busy, they have taught me organizational and time management skills, and given me the experience I need to continue to succeed.
The final concept of mores signifies one of the most important yet most difficult concepts to define. Character is not defined by words but by our actions and examples. Mores undoubtedly reflects directly on vires and artes and vice versa. My most prominent characteristics include honesty and a genuine desire to help people. I believe these two qualities are evident through my dedication to service as displayed in both working for others and working with others to accomplish great things. I have participated in and lead many retreats at my high school and I am also a member of my county’s teen court. While these duties require a great amount of responsibility and leadership, the rewards they yield make all the work worth while.
The fact that Florida State University emphasizes these three concepts and all they embody confirms my belief that I will benefit immensely from becoming part of that community but also; that the community can benefit from what I have to contribute. I hope to continue my commitment to service, academics, and leadership throughout my college and professional years. I know that Florida State will help me to do so and prepare me for the success I know I have to ability to achieve.
Vires signifies strengths. The best example of my strength shows through my hard work ethic and my dedication to service. I continually participate in service projects within my local community, from the Ronald McDonald House to peer tutoring. I have also participated in three week long mission trips to the Gulf Coast region. Here, I worked with other volunteers and Habitat for Humanity to help areas devastated by Hurricane Katrina. These trips were both physically and emotionally challenging. However, service opportunities such as these have truly enriched my life and made me a better person. On one trip a group of us stopped at a local store. Within the first ten minutes of entering, four different people approached and personally thanked us for volunteering. This incident had a profound effect on me I will never forget. Through serving others I have learned valuable lessons about appreciation and helping others.
The value I place in intellectual pursuits manifests itself through my academic courses and leadership positions. I am involved in many school clubs such as National Honor Society, Student Government, and Mission Club and have held leadership positions in each. I also manage my time between my competitive swim team and a heavy academic course load. I dedicate eighteen hours a week to my swim team; this includes practices before and after school, and Saturday mornings. I also enjoy challenging myself with honors and AP courses and will continue to do so throughout college. While these pursuits keep me extremely busy, they have taught me organizational and time management skills, and given me the experience I need to continue to succeed.
The final concept of mores signifies one of the most important yet most difficult concepts to define. Character is not defined by words but by our actions and examples. Mores undoubtedly reflects directly on vires and artes and vice versa. My most prominent characteristics include honesty and a genuine desire to help people. I believe these two qualities are evident through my dedication to service as displayed in both working for others and working with others to accomplish great things. I have participated in and lead many retreats at my high school and I am also a member of my county’s teen court. While these duties require a great amount of responsibility and leadership, the rewards they yield make all the work worth while.
The fact that Florida State University emphasizes these three concepts and all they embody confirms my belief that I will benefit immensely from becoming part of that community but also; that the community can benefit from what I have to contribute. I hope to continue my commitment to service, academics, and leadership throughout my college and professional years. I know that Florida State will help me to do so and prepare me for the success I know I have to ability to achieve.
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