He worked harder than ever and so did I, and although my social life suffered somewhat, I did not become overly withdrawn. My dad remained supportive but I know he misses my mom. Although English and literature inspired me, I received the best grades in math of all my other classes. Thinking about how to combine my music skills with math, I saw the school counselor and she prepared a packet of information for me on different universities with reputable music departments and good engineering departments as well. She thought I might do well studying music theory in more depth and if that did not pan out, to focus more on how to strengthen my math and channel that into an engineering career. Engineering attracted me more than any other subject besides music and I started to read more about what engineers do. I have dreamt of ways to use engineering in conjunction with music: from designing dance halls to designing guitars.

My dad earned a good living at his job and I never had to work when I was in school. However, I did volunteer. Another way of keeping my schedule as full as possible, I volunteered for three years straight at various organizations. For five months I held a position at Amnesty International. Answering phones and performing other office duties was a simple way of learning about the organization and the amazing work they do around the world. I also volunteered with smaller local organizations including...

Once I brought my guitar there and played an acoustic set and the staff enjoyed us so much they asked my band to return for a full electric set. We did that and the event was even written up in the local paper. It felt like a brief moment of celebrity for me.
Finally, I intermittently volunteered at the hospital that my mom died in. That was the hardest position for me, and one I almost did not accept because of the memories. My dad was in fact strongly against me working there, as he hated to pick me up because of the feelings it brought up in him. I thought that it would be a good way for me to confront my feelings and so when the position to be an assistant came up I grabbed it. Like at Amnesty, I basically did some office duties. I did not have to walk by the wing where my mom died, which might have been a little too difficult.

If I were inclined toward biology and chemistry in school, I might have chosen to pursue a career in medicine. After seeing how much the doctors did for my mom and for all patients that walk through their doors, I have immense respect for health care workers. My talents lie elsewhere though: in music and possibly in math and engineering. Through all I have been through I was able to lift myself up with hard work. My grades, my performance on the soccer field and in the school band, all prove that I will become a resilient, active, and enthusiastic student on campus.