College Essay

My First College Experience

I quickly walk to the first class of the day with relief that I did not lose myself among all the buildings. Although they are beautiful, they look exactly the same. I find a seat at the front of the class, exactly where I want to be. As I sit, I keep repeating to myself: you deserve to be here. The teacher then asked all the students to briefly introduce themselves and explain why we had chosen Constitutional Law as our core government class. There was nothing intimidating about that, we were all in the same boat: aspiring lawyers. Then, as we are handed our text books, Professor Brown dives right into the First Amendment of the Constitution. A handful of students are more than eager to give their opinions on cases such as Schenck v. United States. We hadn't even received our textbooks yet, and all these students were practically quoting the Supreme Court Justices on the case. I sank right into my seat, and all the feelings of encouragement melted away and were replaced by fear and anxiety.
I had been accepted to the Junior Statesmen program of 2007 held at Stanford University, but I was still pondering whether or not I was good enough to be there. My friends and family, my mentor and teachers believed I was more than capable, but I wasn't sure if I could compete on the same level as students who had been receiving the best secondary education money could buy. I was afraid and out of my element.
Several of the land mark cases we had begun to study were confusing. The opinions of the court were in a language not comprehendible to the average human being, let alone to this immigrant student from Brazil. I wanted to quit. Then, we entered the section of Constitutional Law regarding freedom of expression, in which Johnson v. Texas took center stage. Is burning the American flag constitutionally protected or not? The sparks of fire that incinerated the red, white, and blue colors of the stripes and the stars were repulsing. The flag is a symbol that has meant so much to the world, to its citizens, and to me. The image disgusted me and yet, I was absorbed by the principles of the act. During my grandparents and parents era, simply raising the Brazilian flag in a non-government building was illegal. The freedom to express so much discontent with one's own country in a non-violent manner, in the way Johnson did at the Republican National Convention of 1989, is America’s ultimate asset in the preservation of democracy. I was inspired. This case, like many others, triggered a desire not only comprehend the language of the Supreme Court Justices, but to argue and debate on the constitutionality of their decisions.
In the first exam I earned an A-. I felt proud of what I had accomplished. However, I shocked myself with the second exam. I received a perfect score. I began to realize that I am capable of competing with students who have had better opportunities and advantages than me. In fact, I am the fortunate one. While my school does not have many of the resources available to affluent suburban area schools or private and elite schools, I still acquired a good education while simultaneously having the exposure of several different cultures and people. My background has helped me understand compassion and hard work, and gain an understanding of how far determination can take me. Junior Statesmen of America enabled me to see that I am strong and competitive, but most of all no- I am no longer afraid.

A Political Poem

Hear I am at my grandmothers house, beautyful full figured frame
The air is sweet with the smell of herbs and spices used in her most famous dish
on the way to Larry's house by the streetscape
I drink some Merlot wine which is as dry as a hot summer without rain
and I have to say to my grandmother and to my grandfather that they do not have very goodtaste
In. The streets look for democrats, republicans, or me. They are interesting it's
True, however, the pressure is undeniably on me. I try to wiggle myself
through it, them as
they had sipped on whiskey at George's now
2 years almost ago. and the man had been
To drunk to know what the Vice president was doing & telling.
Who would have thought that I'd be here. nothing
not one election have I won did I do everything
Wrong, or is it that every other candidate up in the hill have better haircuts now
more than ever before?
Not that poilitics isn't fair, you put enough mulla in their coat
eyes penetrating on the pockets and what do u know, you can do everything wrong
& the American people will still cast a vote in y'all. Not that we as a nation behave like a bratty teen who was
going to have to go careening into other people's business so
To fight & to keep fighting for our freedom and the oil we imagine
so to go. Not that we the people who from the very first meeting
I would never & never dream of asking to question lil' Bush.for trying to cut taxes while we're
Into the beautiful and sunny Iraq & so demanded
To the people & who will never leave me not for bad policies nor bad manners
nor even for sinking and plunging the economy into the ground which is
Only our human lot & means nothing. No not even for that.
There's a song "I'm going down" but no I won't do that
I am everlasting when will I die? I will never die. I will live
To be as old as our wars & I will never go away & you will never escape from me
who am always & only a candidate never the president despite my nicer frame. Spirit
Who lives only to lose elections
I'm only honest & I am smart & I didn't realize that I needed
$600 haircuts and $4,000 suits to win.
I came into your life to make a difference but I guess
I just wasn't the sweet neighbor next door.
We & only we can understand what it means to have an American fate. Nevertheless
I have money for I am a politician and will leave for Switzerland while
The world's most powerful country shatters and falls.