College Essay

PERSONAL PROFILE

Ryan Armani

Garnet Valley High School

Gratitude

There is no long, convoluted story that can summarize me. It is all the small moments, the everyday actions and oddities I express that truly define personal characteristics. I often find myself reflecting upon a series of thoughts in my head at random moments of the day, most often in my bed or sitting at a desk. These thoughts are spontaneous and uncalled for. I ponder on some, and I reject most. I firmly believe that these moments are what make me unique.

When I was in 5th grade, I joined the stage crew for the play. I was partnered up with a girl named Tissue to move some props around for the play. One day at rehearsal, she stopped suddenly and, with a serious look in her eyes, said, “Ryan, there’s something I need to tell you. I can see ghosts.” I was astonished. Ghosts? I had always thought they were real, but was this proof? Tissue gasped, “Look! I can see one on the roof!” “Where!” I said, too excited to think about details, “I want to see it too!” A quick break followed soon after. As I was walking back from the water fountain, I saw Tissue and a group of girls looking my direction and giggling. The next day at school was a Friday. Fridays lunches were special since the peanut free table could have visitors. That being said, I was walking to the peanut free table to hang out with my friends when I noticed something odd. All the “popular” kids were sitting at their own personal table. I could never sit there because… I would not feel comfortable? No, it was because I’m not popular. Later that year, our class was having a thanksgiving-themed in class activity. This activity happened to be a partner dance. One guy, one girl. I didn’t mind. That’s when I heard a girl named Penny whisper to her friend, “I hope I don’t have to dance with RYAN ARMANI!” They both snickered. In only a few weeks, I had experienced and discovered rejection and my place in the school’s social hierarchy, and I was at ground zero.

In sixth grade I lost my best friend of 12 years, Chip. We did everything together, even if that included doing nothing. I was already an expert on rejection at this point, and I was seeing this coming from a mile away.  I did soccer, he did football. I was an avid player of snare and jazz drums, he played trumpet and was looking to quit. Most importantly, he was popular. I wasn’t. By the end of sixth grade, my best friend had found better people to hang out with. Another close friend I had, Patrick, moved away this year, and my friend Steven suddenly left our group as well. It seemed as if kids only cared about me to a certain extent. Were they sick of me? I knew that I could get irritated by them, but I never left them. Now I was alone. To make matters worse, my sister was hospitalized with anorexia, making family matters a bit worse.

From Eighth grade to the present, my life improved drastically. I medaled in various events on the track team. I was chosen from all the percussionists in the school to participate in a district band event. My Freshman year, I got the the Boys’ Cross Country award of Excellence. I was also the only freshman to make a spot on the snare line. I am to be the battery captain next year, and I will most likely audition for the Bushwackers drum corp next year. Most importantly, I have many close friends who I know are keepers. My summer job is as a camp counselor at a special camp. Things are swell!

In my short school career, I have experienced many forms of rejection. For this, I have nothing but gratitude. I am a much better person due all of my misfortunes. I am self reliant and only seek to earn my own respect, and helping others is one of my hobbies. I follow my own aspirations now, and I realize that life is a blank slate defined by experiences in life. Most importantly, I am happy, content, and constantly seeking to improve myself. Coming from a childhood of neglect has (ironically) given me an infinite number of opportunities and lifelong friends. For this, I am Thankful.