collegeofmydreams

Here is my Princeton essay. Any changes/comments/suggestions in grammar/style/content is deeply appreciated. Thanks!

Tell us about an event or experience that helped you define one of your values.

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”
-Eleanor Roosevelt


As the oldest teacher in the school, Mrs. O’Leary has an infamous reputation for being stubborn and cranky. “Mrs. O’Leary carries Mr. Largess (esteemed Vice Principal) in her back pocket,” many students like to say. So it is not a surprise that when I wanted to join the Yearbook Committee freshmen year, responses from friends were not exactly favorable.
“Haha!”
“What on earth are you thinking?”
“She does not deign to take freshmen.”
It was my first week as a high school student. I began to doubt myself: maybe Yearbook was not the right choice? Still, I carefully listened to the morning announcements everyday: Freshmen Math Team: first meeting after school today in A205. DDR: Refreshments will be served. Entrepreneur’s Club --- New members welcome! I patiently awaited that fateful day when “Yearbook Committee” would be called.
That fateful day simply never came.
Maybe it really did not “deign” to take new members? I was puzzled. On one hand, while other clubs opened their welcoming doors, gates to Yearbook seemed shut. On the other hand, Yearbook is what I wanted to do.
Finally, one day after school, I mustered all my courage and marched down the third floor hallway.
The door was shut, literally. How anticlimactic.
Next morning, I again ventured down the hallway and… eureka! I beheld the holy presence of Mrs. O’Leary, regally shuffling through papers.
“Hello. Is this Yearbook?”
Silence.
Did she not hear me or did she pretend not to?
“Mrs. O’Leary? I am interested in joining the Yearbook Committee.”
“What grade are you in?”
“I am a freshman.”
Her eyes regarded my face for what seemed a long time.
I blinked, and smiled.
“Ok. Come in next Monday.”
End of conversation.
Beginning of my Yearbook career.
In retrospect, this brief encounter provided me with the courage to take initiatives, to think independently, to be an individual. Peers were interested in learning Chinese; I founded a club. My school’s course offerings were limited; I independently studied from Virtual High School. I saw the evils of the Cultural Revolution; I expressed myself through Speech and Debate. Today, whenever I have a new idea, I encourage myself, “Cindy, do something about it!”
As Mrs. O’ Leary likes to tell me from time to time, the future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.