College Essay
ESSAY
Mateo Yibrin
“My country is dying!” After analyzing the sad, miserable conditions of my country, my brain and heart signaled to me, “I have to make a change.” Shocking evidence of extreme poverty that kids have to suffer everyday in my country is appalling. In Honduras, the public schools have no air conditioners in year round temperatures of over 90 degrees. Desks are broken or in very poor condition, and students barely have enough for one daily meal. On my visit to a local school, I realized that I have to have a different way of thinking, to help my country in any way I can. I need to make a difference! Making a difference is not about words and thoughts, but consists of action. Taking risks whenever you have a vision is key for successful leadership in life. I have the capacity to make positive social or cultural changes - just what Honduras needs. In order to understand what persistence and action really means in my life, I look to my time playing soccer. I remember one week before the most important tournament of the year, I was sprinting for a ball when my hamstring ripped; the pain was extremely agonizing. I reached the ball and kicked it before asking to be substituted. I was in shock. Some hours later, the doctor told me I needed 21 days for a full recovery. Tears ran out of my eyes, I couldn’t believe that I was not going to play the tournament after training for over six months. On my way home, I made a decision: I was going to play and help my team win the championship, even if I had to recover for a year after the tournament. Each day I woke up at 5am to put ice on my leg, took anti-inflammatories, went to therapy, and iced each night. Three days later, I was starting the first game of the tournament. We were winning and I ripped my hamstring again; the pain was tormenting, but I knew my team needed me to secure the victory. I struggled to stay playing. We won the championship. Later, I thought how goals can be obtained with
Mateo Yibrin
“My country is dying!” After analyzing the sad, miserable conditions of my country, my brain and heart signaled to me, “I have to make a change.” Shocking evidence of extreme poverty that kids have to suffer everyday in my country is appalling. In Honduras, the public schools have no air conditioners in year round temperatures of over 90 degrees. Desks are broken or in very poor condition, and students barely have enough for one daily meal. On my visit to a local school, I realized that I have to have a different way of thinking, to help my country in any way I can. I need to make a difference! Making a difference is not about words and thoughts, but consists of action. Taking risks whenever you have a vision is key for successful leadership in life. I have the capacity to make positive social or cultural changes - just what Honduras needs. In order to understand what persistence and action really means in my life, I look to my time playing soccer. I remember one week before the most important tournament of the year, I was sprinting for a ball when my hamstring ripped; the pain was extremely agonizing. I reached the ball and kicked it before asking to be substituted. I was in shock. Some hours later, the doctor told me I needed 21 days for a full recovery. Tears ran out of my eyes, I couldn’t believe that I was not going to play the tournament after training for over six months. On my way home, I made a decision: I was going to play and help my team win the championship, even if I had to recover for a year after the tournament. Each day I woke up at 5am to put ice on my leg, took anti-inflammatories, went to therapy, and iced each night. Three days later, I was starting the first game of the tournament. We were winning and I ripped my hamstring again; the pain was tormenting, but I knew my team needed me to secure the victory. I struggled to stay playing. We won the championship. Later, I thought how goals can be obtained with