There is no way to avoid talk of college  at Prep. College is brought up through older siblings, parents and counselors. If that is not enough: every morning in the Fall, announcements talk about visiting colleges, there is the PSAT which ultimately leads to the SAT, and in case it is not obvious, Seattle prep is a COLLEGE preparatory school. Currently, the Seniors are knee-deep in college applications. The first wave of applications has already come and gone, but the January 1^st deadline is sneaking up on the, already stressed, Seniors. With most college applications, comes a personal statement about the applicant’s self. Grace Brant ’20, Jack Stoner ’20 and Henry Pehl ’20 are three, of the many, seniors writing college essays this Fall and below are their personal statements.

“There’s something beautiful about struggling… I looked across the lake, which I had just conquered by pulling three boats alongside myself two miles in under forty minutes. I did that. Sitting on the dock, I realized that the strategy to not only surviving but mastering the trip was simple: work until you think you cannot anymore, and then paddle a little harder.

Struggling by nature of the conflict creates something for me to react to and overcome. I know that internal strength is something that comes with pain, but I now have a greater appreciation for the obstacle and see myself as someone willing to navigate the rough waters of a challenge no matter how great the swells.”- Brant ‘20

“I thought my high school selection was the biggest characterizing factor of my teenage years, but really this event wouldn’t come until I decided to run for student government. This decision wasn’t just a time I overcame my nerves, it was the moment I found my voice. First, I developed my leadership skills. The time I spent as a servant-leader, showed me leadership is more about service than your own interest. Then, I began to realize I should not be scared to show who I really am. Speaking in front of gyms filled with people and the support I got in return gave me confidence to follow my own nature. This led to a desire for growth. Intellectually, emotionally, and socially I began to develop. I started to pursue my curiosity and my many nerdy scientific endeavors. I saw how much I was still open to change and began to open up with my friends. I grew socially, finding people that were healthy for me and made me happy. This wasn’t just when I decided to run for student government, this was when I decided to grow.” -Stoner ‘20

“If I learned one thing from making it to two state championships, it is that one must work hard and push themselves to be in places of success. Whatever it is I want to do in life, in order to succeed at it, I must work hard. My realization of this has caused me to look at what I love and pursue it. I work diligently in all my classes because lacrosse has taught me that my hard work will put me in a place to be successful. But more importantly, losing the game taught me that just as the important as an individual’s hard work, is the work of others around him. That true success is found when leaders bring a team to work together.

From this experience, I learned how to be this leader to my teammates and peers. After seeing my team captains pour everything, they had into that game I realized the importance of vulnerability. By opening themselves up, they were able to bring the best out of those around them. I am beginning to reflect this in my leadership in my school community. Whether it be offering a mass reflection to the school, giving advice to my sophomore brother, or even just saying hi to students of all grade levels in the halls, I am opening myself up to my community to be a better leader.” -Pehl ‘21