1. Rick 1
Personal Statement: Written in 2015
Sophomore year, I was recruited by my art teacher to join yearbook. I was honored and
enthusiastic to put my passion for creativity and storytelling to work. I didn’t expect to face the
adversity of upperclassmen who regularly abused their authority to promote their social
standings. I struggled to find a niche; I worked alone most of the time, independently uncovering
my school’s raw and sundry population. Silently I fell in love with the multifaceted beauty of
public education.
When we distributed the final product that year, I was ashamed to be a part of a
publication so biased towards athletes and the same twenty seniors who happened to be best
friends with the editor-in-chief. That same day, I was promoted to editor-in-chief for the years
that followed. I vowed to change the course of Squalicum’s journalistic endeavors: no more
blurry photos or lethargic captions; no more black text on navy backgrounds; no more one-sided
opinions. Hello clean, modern, and captivating design; hello intriguing, purposeful, and
meaningful content; hello fair, equal, unbiased coverage. I vowed not only to change the
yearbooks I would oversee, but establish a new standard for every book to follow my graduation.
I vowed to leave a legacy.
With the help of my partner-in-crime and co-editor, Megan, and a brave, supporting
advisor, Ms Lantz, I can say with confidence I have fulfilled my promise. With one ground-
breaking publication behind us and another on the way, giving up my early mornings, late
evenings, summers, winter breaks, and so much more has paid off a thousand times over. Still, as
much as I have changed yearbook, yearbook has changed me more.
Being on yearbook for three years has allowed me to fall in love with humankind. I feel
most alive when I’m able to focus my energy on searching for and highlighting others’ passions.
In everyday situations I seek out the abnormal and study the oddities that make each individual’s
story unique. I have a deeper appreciation for diversity and recognize it even in the most
seemingly analogous crowds. I feel most comfortable when I’m able to lose myself in the beauty
of others’ lives; I live deeper and fuller by feeding off their energy. However, I am not shy. I
recognize the strength of my personality and voice, and use it as a frame for those who can’t
speak to their hidden strengths. I live for the underdog. I am pleased with my vocation; I
understand my curiosity will never be satisfied. I am content in any situation where I am able to
put these gifts into action and experience the gratification of uncovering what others hide
underneath societal facades.
Yearbook has awakened my thirst for holistic, lifelong learning. After high school, I want
more than a degree. I want to explore the deepest niches of my being, deconstruct every belief
I’ve ever been handed and rebuild only what I deem worthy for myself. At my ten year reunion I
want to be unrecognizable intellectually, morally, and spiritually. I have already developed a
strong sense of self in high school, but my Second Great Awakening will gently shake the earth,
humbling those I touch to their knees. I want more than a career. I want a means of living which
has a real impact on others; I will open eyes to the beauty of humanity and the fragile gift of
being.

2. Rick 1
Additional:
In addition to taking difficult classes throughout my high school career I have pushed myself to
engage in many extracurricular activities. I participated in junior varsity volleyball and club
volleyball for three years, and am currently active in Honors Society, leadership, jazz dance and
hiking club, and student government. I work part time at a local grocery store as a courtesy clerk
and was recently promoted to a new position, guest service ambassador, in recognition of my
dedication and passion for guest service. The relationships and lessons I have gleaned from these
experiences means far more to me than a perfect SAT score or any of the other numerical values
students are too often associated with. I am thankful for each experience and person who has
shaped me into the person I am today. I look forward to the new challenges and relationships
facing me in the coming year.