4. If you could go back in time and be someone in history, who would you choose to be? Why?

If I was given the change to go back in time and be someone from history I would choose Rosa Parks. I would be interested on what her thoughts were when she decided to sit in the front of a bus and refussing to stand when a white man told her otherwise. Was she intimidated, doubtfull, stong? Did she know the future cosequences she would have to face in order to stand up for what she believed in? Rosa Parks would be the perfect woman for me to be because she was pationate about her beliefs and did not let anyone stand in the way of her dreams of change. Equality for all is what she faught for, alongside another inspirational figure, Martin Luther King Jr. Her actions proved to all that if you truely believe in something, and if you never give up you are capable of anything.

5. If you had the responsibility to decide where $1 million should be spent to improve conditions somewhere in the world, what project(s) would you choose? Why?

Although most American's would say that they love animals, animal cruelty is still present world wide. That is why if I was given the change to spend $1 million dollars it would be put towards ending the fight against animal abuse. The money would be given to animal hospitals and shelters all across the United States to help treat and adopt out animals that have been victimized by abuseful owners. One reason I would like to give back to the animals is because although they are not humans, they are alive and feel pain just as well as a person. While many would donate money to other countries, I choose to help end the abuse of helpless animals because I feel as though they are often forgotten. They are usually looked over and put behind other issues taking place in our world. However, being the animal lover that I am it would give me great pleasure knowing that $1 million dollars would be put towards the defenseless, loving creatures we call "Man's Best Friend".

6. How have you tried to effect change in relation to an issue of personal, local, or national significance?

One national issue that I have tried to reverse is hunger in third world countries. Although donations of around ten dollars a month may not seem like much, it goes toward a good cause. I choose to donate in order to minimize the hunger in children and adults anywhere whom are forced to face the harsh realities of not having the needed amount of food in order to obtain healthy lives. Coming for a society where hunger is not a huge issue, we sometimes forget about the people around the rest of the world where resources are scarce compared to ours. However, it gives me a great feeling each time I donate to know that the little amount of money I give is going into the tummys of those who need it most.

7. If you could introduce one new idea or material thing to a primitive culture, what would it be?

If I had the chance to introduce one idea to a primitive culture it would be the establishment of medical centers and doctors. Inventions such as shots, medication and surgerys would be very much needed in such a low educated culture. The number one issue in the early ages was epedemic diseases. I believe if the medicines and doctors of now days were present in the early ages many more lives would have been saved and cures for such epidemics like the Black Plague would have made a dramatic difference for the people. While today we might not realize how lucky we are to have such advanced medical care, this would literally be the difference of life and death. With medical centers located every ten to fifteen miles apart, the people would have access to medical attention locally and would be given the opportunities to take whatever measures necesarry in order to obtain better health. 

8. If you were to describe yourself using a quotation, what would that quotation be? After you have chosen a quote, then write a bit about how it relates to you and reveals what kind of person you are.

If I could descibe myself with one quote it would be "Live, Laugh, Love". Although these may seem like simple words, their meanings are deep. When I read these words I get a sence of motivation to live my life to the fullest by following two guidelines. The first would be to laugh at your mistakes and enjoy your life. The second is to love your family, friends, and spouces because without them, you would have nothing. I would describe myself with these words because of the fact that they are so inspirational. I try my best in order to live my life to the fullest without regrets. Even though it is in a human's nature to make mistakes, I do all I can to put those mistakes behind me and carry on. In other words, laugh it off and do not spend so much time dwelling on it. Laughing is said to be the best medicine, and I agree. No matter what mood you may be in, if someone can make you laugh it brings joy to you. Love is also a very important part of life that every single human being encounters no matter what race or gender. It's an important part of life that brings happiness to all. I believe these three words descibe me in the sence that I make the best out of my life that I can.

9. Given the authority to establish a holiday, what would you choose to commemorate? Why? What would the celebration look like?

If I was given the chance to establish a holiday it would be one celebrating the lives of those lost in the terrorist attacks on September 11th 2001. This would be my choice because it marks an important time in American history. Thousands of Americans lost their innocent lives in the form of a hateful act against our country. Just as we celebrate the lives of heroic people as Martin Luther King Jr. and veterans day, I believe 9/11 day would fit right into that catagory. This holiday would be celebrated all throughout America, having a special memorial each year at the site of the World Trade Center. The celebration would be a very emotional one for families who have lost a family member, but it would also be a day of honor and celebrating the lives of those who passed. Also, on this special new holiday we would all have a time on television where there would be a national moment of silence in respect to the families of victims. A holiday such as this one would never let this day be forgotten and will forever be in our minds.

10. What is the best advice you've ever received? Explain.

Throughout my lifetime I have recieved advice both helpful and non-helpful. Yet the best advice I've ever recieved is to be yourself. I have always carried this within my soul for as long as I can remember, always being a reminder when needed. However, it seems as though through my teenage years is when I am most constantly faced to be reminded of this one piece of advice. Whether boy problems or making new friends this saying has always prevailed through the most challenging of difficulties. There has never been a time where when I followed it I have ever been let down. This advice keeps you out of problems when you pretend to be someone your not. "Never change for anyone," my grandma once told me, "because when you change for one person you loose the people who loved you for you."

11. Ask and answer the one important question that a university won't ask you, but you wish they would.

One question I feel that every college should ask all applicants is if they had the chance to change one thing about their high school career what it would be. Such an important question as this would give students the chance to explain their reason for certain desicions or mistakes they now regret and what they would do in order to change it. Maybe then colleges would take the time and look at their applicants in a different way then they would have done before. For example, a student who had bad grades in their freshman year but showed improvement throughout the rest of their high school career could write about their realization and their plans to keeping it up. This could possibly put them in the range that someone with good grades would be. It would give more students the opportunity to to attend the college they applied to. Colleges often ask questions that apply to outside life in the community for example, however I believe they should ask more questions related to academic life as well in order to get a more clear observation of the student they will, in the end, either accept of deny.

12. Your life is a movie. Describe the first 15 minutes.

My movie would start off with a very young women and man walking up to the door of their appartment with their first born daughter in their hands. Both newly made parents would carry big smiles on thier faces as they know from this point on their lives have changed. It would go on to show glimpses of my early childhood with scenes of my very early accomplishments. Also, such moments like my baby brother being born, my first day of school, my first best friend. It would then fast forward all the way to my teenage years. This is where the conflicts with self confidence and other troubles begin. It would begin to play parts of my days of high school and follow me home to my family life. You would begin to see the changes in me as I move from child to adult. Not only would you be able to see my reactions to different people and actions, you would also be able to follow the thoughts of my parents on their daughter whom they raised from day one. Finally, it would end on my eighteenth birthday, the day I become an adult and no longer can rely on my parents.

13. Write a letter to your future college roommate introducing yourself and your background.

Dear New Roommate,

       Hello, my name is Ayn Rand and I am going to be your new roommate for the year. I cannot begin to explain how excited I am to meet you. Heres a little about myself. My racial backround is half Mexican and half American. I lived in San Diego all my life so most of my family lives near our SDSU campus. I'm a big family person so I'll most likely be with them most weekends. I am one of six children so im use to sharing a room with a second person. I would describe myself as a funny, happy person who gets along with mostly anyone I meet. Although shy at first, I learn to open up and let loose after a while. Also, I am a very good listener so if you ever need someone to talk to im your girl. My pet peeve is a dirty house, so you will never have to worry about a messy room on my part. Things i like to do for fun: softball, making new friends and hanging out, and watching movies. If you have any other questions feel free to ask when we meet. I look forward to meeting you and rooming with you. See you soon.
                                                                                                                            Your friend,
                                                                                                                                               Ayn Rand

14. Please describe your reactions/ideas to the following quote: "He does not possess wealth, it possesses him."

In this quote by Benjamin Franklin he explains that instead of man being in control of his own money the money controls him. My thoughts are similar because of the fact that its seen in everyday life. Human life revolves around money. Wealth is now required in order to even survive in a country such as the United States where it is so important. A persons wealth now creates how someone else is looked at because of the fact that it buys the clothes, house, car, and possesions that the person is judged on. Wealth has shaped a person's thoughts, life, and future. A human's thoughts mainly revolve about money or how to make money in order to live the life they so badly desire. Their life is spend, just as their money is, on materialistic objects. 

15. What is the most valuable contribution you could make to a college campus? Explain.

I believe that the most valuale contribution you can make to a college campus would be a quiet study place where all students are welcomed to go. This would be a place where all students would look forward to spending time in to get all their needed studying in. It would be opened all day that way students who may have part time jobs or other buisness going on during the day can have the opportunity to study in peace. Also, computers and books would be available for those who need it. Making resources freely available would make this a popular place where many students can meet and form study groups as wished. It would also save needed money to those low on cash. I feel that this place would be very useful and appreciated by those who put it to use.

16. Explain a significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken, or ethical dillema you have faced and its impact on you.

Risks are essential to every human's life in order to make dreams come true. Throughout my high school career, I made the decision to take advanced placement classes. While encouraged by family and friends that I belonged in these classes, I continued to believe that my academic abilities were not strong enough to carry on. As the same thought continued to cross my mind through each AP class, two weeks in, I began to notice that the material being taught was not as difficult as I had previously expected. . Then I realized, I bet all the other students in these classes must be just as terrified as I was. I fit right in with all my peers. As I went from freshman to sophmore and sophmore to junior I became more confident and knew that I am capable to achieve anything in life, and taking risks is the first step in doing so. Yes, there were many challenges, but with hard work these can easily be overcomed. Not only have advanced classes taught me much needed information, it has also taught me many life lessons as well.

17. Discuss some issue of personal, local, national, or international concern and its importance to you.

There are many issues going on today all around the world. Many in our own communities. However, there is one issue that gets me every time. Recently Castle Park High has been in the news for negative reasons. While in the last past years our school has accomplished many positive goals, the only way our community regards us is through negative newspaper reports or over exaggerated news casts. Its frustrating to be exposed to all the claims made because of the fact that it makes the school look bad, and makes teachers and students alike feel embarassed and ashamed of their learning and teaching environment. As a present student of Castle Park High School, I feel the need to remain out of the conversations and rumors so many people around our community have recently been involved in. It hurts to hear such stereo types that us students have now been placed under for actions that we personally had no control over. While there are more important things going on around the world, multiple news channels decide to make their top story about our local high school.

18. If you could choose two things to change about our high school campus, what would they be and why?

If I was able to change two things about my school it would be the amount of passing time between classes and how long each class would be. In my opinion, I believe that the five minutes given to get from one class to the other is not enough time. As a student, I know from personal experience the difficulty it brings to rush from one class to the next. I don't believe the administration realizes how big high school campuses are. While some may say that five minutes is plenty of time to walk across campus, that does not count the time to go to our lockers and exchange books for the next class. This is not counting whether or not you need to use the restroom. It would greatly benefit students if even only one or two extra minutes were given. The other change i would make is the amount of time spent in each class. I believe that almost two hours in any one class is too much. After about one hour of just sitting down I start to get distracted easily. I believe that if we had just one hour in every class it would greatly increase students capacity to take in all their information. I know if these simple changes were made, a regular day at school would be much more bare-able.

19. Should school attendance be mandatory? In your answer, be sure to explore what the function of education is, and what our nation would look like if the masses were less educated.

While school attendance is very controversial between people everywhere, I believe that it should not be mandatory. Many students that attend school throughout the United States do not even want to. Even though they are minors and do not legally have a choice, I believe it would be in the best interest to let them make their own decision for the school's benefit. Every year millions of dollars go to each school throughout the United States in order to provide the education to their students. Why should that money go to waste for students who just ignore everything they learn? I believe that the resources the government provides us with should be put to good use on the students who actually want an education for their own future benefit and not taken for granted.

20. If you had the ability to talk to one species of animal, which animal would you choose to communicate with? Why?

If I was given the change to talk to any one species of animals, my clear choice would be cats. While most people have a love for 'Mans Best Friend' many people seem to forget about the lovable features of cats. I would love to explore the minds and thoughts of cats because of their independent mentality to be on their own, yet still enjoy the comfort of their owners loving care. I would have many questions for this furry creature. My first question would be to make sure my cat enjoyed having me as his owner. Id also enjoy talking to cats everyday to learn more about their species and how they get carry on throughout their days. It would be incredible to have the ability to communicate with cats.

About Ayn Rand

Ayn Rand is America’s most controversial individualist. She was a bold woman who produced brilliant works fusing fiction and philosophy. Her best-selling novels, like Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead, have sold millions of copies and continue to influence independent thinkers and celebrities all over the world.