Essay 8

 

Gabrielle Mark Bachoua
San Diego, CA
University of California, Davis, CA

Leaping Dancer

As my mom backs out of our driveway, I glance at the back seats to make sure my basketball gear is there, along with my schoolbooks, phone charger, and beat-up copy of Catch-22. We slowly wind through my neighborhood and over about a half dozen speed bumps, then pull onto the highway heading south with the other Sunday traffic.

Essay 7

Jack Wyett

Laguna Beach, CA

University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA

 

Sisters

It was the middle of the day, and I was relaxing on the big couch in the family room, happily watching the last few minutes of a potential buzzer beater game. First, my oldest sister walked in, followed by the other two with their friends.

“Get out,” my youngest sister demanded, standing in front of the screen.

I knew right then that all the begging I could do wouldn’t get her to budge, or the entire group to leave me alone. But I always gave it a try.

“I’m not leaving,” I said, sinking deeper into the couch. After that, they launched into their threats and other attempts to push me out of their girl world.