Essay
After pondering my writing sample prompt and re-writing countless drafts, I could not help but compare myself to those stereotypical descriptions of the pageant queens I see on television. Smiling behind their make-up, displaying the curvature of their ideal bodies behind their sparkling and impressive fitted dresses. “I want to make the world a better place,” answered my first draft. Not to be outdone, my second draft said, “I want to have the opportunity to feed the hungry.” The third rambled on about being empathetic to the state of the world, while using words it didn’t fully understand.
I was too apprehensive of writing something that had me coming off as being too shallow or vain. As much as I wanted to sugar coat my desire, the more I buried myself in denial. The more I noticed, the more defensive my writing became. It was becoming difficult but if there is one thing I am never afraid of, it is a challenge. It is adversity and fear that weigh the chip on my shoulder, mocking me about what I can or cannot do. Newton’s apple dropped on my head so hard that it knocked all the uncertainty out of me. I had been overlooking everything that my children’s books had taught me about staying true to myself.
All I have ever wanted is to be the best that I can be. As an artist, I have a responsibility to share and contribute not only to other artists, but also to everybody. To be able to share so many different types of beauty through art is an unbelievably powerful feeling, and when I can walk away from RISD knowing that I’ve learned all I could possibly learn, then I will feel more confident with teaching and inspiring others at the best of my ability. I have always had an intrinsic desire to try my hardest, and RISD is here to challenge me. When I can say that I’ve done my best, I will be happy, because I know that it’s all that I can control for me and for those I hope to help. Abraham Lincoln once said that nearly any man could deal with adversity, but if you want to test his character, give him power. To be great in any trade is to have power, but it is most important to be powerful for others.
