hookup culture

I don't think that dating trains us for divorce. I think that dating is a way to test the waters and find what kind of people we best mesh with as strictly coworkers, or friends, or romantically. I think throwing yourself into deep involvement emotionally and sexually every time you enter a relationship does make you more wary and worried about trusting people when the relationships eventually end, and so we should really carefully consider how fast we move with people and how intensely we involve ourselves in the relationship. I think healthy relationships, where you continually reevaluate how you feel about the person, how you feel about the future, and how well you work together, can lead you to grow as a person and eventually find a person you know you can be with forever. I think having common random hookups places little value on the emotional connection that results from this over-sexualized culture, and I  don't know many people who feel great after having a quick, no strings attached hookup. I think it causes people to lose the opportunities for friendships, because the two usually start clicking on some level, and then hookup right away and usually ruin chances of becoming close in the future. I also think girls experience a serious double standard, where it is acceptable for guys to run around getting with as many girls as they can, but a girl who does the same is never taken seriously. It has become so common that it would be less uncomfortable to watch two people hookup in public than to catch them out to dinner together.

Mission Statement

My mission is to lead a happy life that impacts those around me in the most positive ways possible. I want to achieve to the best of my ability in all actions that I pursue, whether they be academic, athletic, or relationship related. I hope to reach excellence in my career path, and choose a path that fills my life with purpose and enables me to interact with other people. I want to make a positive impact on everyone that I encounter through the day by trying to channel a bright attitude through my face, words, and actions. I want to raise a tight family that supports one another, and children who will go on to do great things. I hope to make myself and those around me proud of the way I live my life, and lead by example. I hope to do great things, and never let myself be stopped by others' negativity.

Miss Representation

Watching the documentary on misrepresentation of women in society only reaffirmed my already strong beliefs in the inequality and double standard women face in America. Women are sexualized, objectified, devalued, and dehumanized in efforts to sell products, make successful movies and tv shows, idealize the perfect woman for men. This idealization lessens all women's legitimacy and puts us in a difficult, appearance based society.
Women are rarely encouraged to go for leadership of powerful roles. There are so few women soldiers, police officers, firefighters, politicians, and executives. When one thinks of the powerful CEO, we envision a strong man in a nice suit. When we picture his secretary, we imagine a woman. Not every situation is like this of course, and not everyone pictures things that way, but it is the typical depiction we see within the media, and the actual workplace.
I want to be powerful. I know that I am smart, people-oriented, and would be able to make a difference in my future. I love to lead and want to be a high-powered CEO or the president of the US. I want to show that women are the new men. I think our society isn't focused enough on equal merit and accomplishment, and it continues to give or take away opportunities based on race and gender. I don't look forward to fighting twice as hard in the future to be taken seriously in the workplace, or facing judgement for having to choose between a relationship and family or a job. I don't look forward to facing judgement for my appearance on a bad day, or taken for being emotional when I am stressed. I think women have a lot of work to do, and a lot of change to look forward to.

Identity

My family has been the biggest factor in shaping my identity. My parents have encouraged creativity, thoughtfulness, responsibility, and kindness in me since day one. They are constantly giving me advice on how to better myself as a person, and praising my successes and triumphs. My siblings teach me and challenge me in different ways as I have developed relationships with them over the years, and they have been constant friends and companions.

The single biggest commitment I have made during my time in high school has been my decision to join the rowing team. Rowing has completely transformed me as an athlete, leader, and individual as a whole. The sport is a daily test of strength and willpower, and has required my endless patience and focus for every stroke I have taken over the past three years. I successfully made the team my freshman year, and have since then worked my way, 6 practices a week from September to June, to the honor of Most Valuable Oarswoman this past spring season. My confidence and leadership thrive in this environment, where I have learned to lead through supportive words, thoughtful advice, and silent example. I am 3 years, 6 seasons, and millions of strokes into the sport, and my success and commitment to rowing has now enabled me to row at Columbia for the next four years.

My friends have also been invaluable in defining who I am. They have helped me not only discover more about my character, but challenge me to decide what I value most in life. As I have changed over the course of high school and my life as a whole, I have had friends come and go, and many that have stuck with me through it all. Finding people that I am totally comfortable with has shown me a lot about myself as a person, and being with them allows me to be my best self.