“SPEAK!” my first-grade teacher yelled. I glanced up at a sea of eyes. After the first syllable, I was on my way. Snickers and giggles. This was the first time I had spoken in class. As a little girl, I counted the hours until my parents came home. I listened in rapture to their tales of coming to America: my father, frantically searching for a job, passing shop after shop to no avail and my mother, rushing to pick me...

Before I leave to volunteer, I have a routine. Clockwork: put on bag, print out directions and check-in list, and arrive fifteen minutes early to event. I put on my lanyard and I am the leader. Last summer, I was assigned an impossible task: recruit 10 new incoming freshmen in 4 weeks. I had just been initiated into leadership. I had no connections with eighth grade graduates, but I began making flyers.I would leave the house at 9AM, commuting from libraries...

intelligent, fiercely...

Have different options for colleges (a reach school,...

Find leadership positions in activities that interest you. Quality...

I plan on going...

Willamette is looking for people who embrace culture and diversity, while...