<p>“I have no illusions that my high school research will be innovative and change the world; after all, I may be too young for a Nobel Prize or worldwide recognition.”</p>
<p>The second half of this sentence doesn’t seem to match the first. I think you won’t win a Nobel as a high school student because (as you say in the first half) your research is not innovative – not because you’re too young. Plenty of young people get world-wide recognition.</p>
<p>Otherwise, I like your second essay.</p>
<p>Your first essay, IMHO, needs more stories. Things that tie you and your grandfather together, and that show us more about you. I just don’t “get” why your grandfather’s “contribution to his community” MADE you anything. It didn’t make me anything. Why are you different? (I think I just don’t like the word “made” – it seems like you had no choice.) You saw your grandfather DO something – it triggered a connection in you. Why? How?</p>