Winning National Merit Scholar Essay
Nothing in all the world is comparable to reading Ayn Rand beneath
New York's skyline or to studying Nietzsche atop a mountain summit.
Since childhood, the studies of philosophy and science have interested
me profoundly. Having read many books on relativity, quantum mechanics,
existentialism, religion, capitalism, democracy and post-Aristotelian
philosophy, my quest for knowledge has only intensified. Certainly,
the purpose of my life is to discover a greater understanding
of the universe and its people. Specifically, I plan to better
grasp the interrelationship among forces, matter, space, and time.
In addition, I hope to find a unified field theory and a convincing
explanation for the birth of the universe. During the summer of
tenth grade, I took a number theory course at Johns Hopkins University
with students from Alaska, California, and Bogota, Colombia. My
attendance of the New Jersey Governor's School in the Sciences
is another accomplishment that exemplifies my dedication to knowledge.
During the summer following eleventh grade, I took courses in
molecular orbital theory, special relativity, cognitive psychology,
and I participated in an astrophysics research project. For my
independent research project, I used a telescope to find the angular
velocity of Pluto. With the angular velocity determined, I used
Einstein's field equations and Kepler's laws to place an upper
bound on the magnitude of the cosmological constant, which describes
the curvature of space and the rate of the universe's expansion.
In addition to learning science, I recently lectured physics classes
on special relativity at the request of my physics teacher. After
lecturing one class for 45 minutes, one student bought many books
on both general and special relativity to read during his study
hall. Inspiring other students to search for knowledge kindles
my own quest to understand the world and the people around me.
Also, as president of the National Honor Society, I tutor students
with difficulties in various subject areas. Moreover, I am ranked
number one in my class, and I am the leading member of the Math
Team, the Academic Team, and the Model Congress Team. In the area
of leadership, I have recently received the Rotary Youth Leadership
Award from a local rotary club and have been asked to attend the
National Youth Leadership Forum on Law and the Constitution in
Washington D.C. Currently enrolled in Spanish 6,I am a member
of both the Spanish Club and the Spanish Honor Society.
As student council president, I have begun a biweekly publication
of student council activities and opinions. Also, the executive
board under my direction has opened the school store for the first
time in nearly a decade and is finding speakers to speak at a
series of colloquia on topics ranging from physics to politics.
Directing fund raisers and charity drives also consumes much of
my time. For instance, I recently organized a charity drive that
netted about $1,500 for the family of a local girl in need of
a heart transplant.
Consistent with my love of freedom and my belief in democracy,
which is best summarized by Hayek's Road to Serfdom, I have recently
initiated an application to become the liaison to the local board
of education. Also, in keeping with my belief that individuals
develop strong principles and ideology, I teach Sunday school
three months a year and have chaperoned for a local Christian
school.
Outside pure academics and leadership roles, I lift weights five
times a week for an hour each day. In addition, I play singles
for my school's varsity tennis team. Because I find extraordinary
satisfaction in nature and have dedicated my life to its understanding,
I enjoy mountain climbing. Among the notable peaks I have reached
are Mt. Washington, Mt Jefferson, Mt. Madison, Mt. Marcy and Mt.
Katahdin. Unquestionably, my life's aim is to dramatically raise
the height of the mountain of knowledge so that my successors
may have a more accurate view of the universe around them.
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