College Essay

It has always been power that man has craved the most. More than love, money, earthly possessions, or happiness man yearns for power. It is an abstract concept not done justice by a dictionary definition or the mores of great men but rather by the touch of a hand and a beat of a heart, for power comes in all forms. “Vires, Artes, Mores” should not be read in its literal sense for that would little do it its proper homage, rather it should be viewed as a guiding principal in the lives of the common man, something to strive for, something to earn. As a derivative of power it should be seen; power in every sense of the word.

I claim not to have power over any man on this earth and nor do I desire it, rather I covet power in myself, for only through true belief in ones self can he ever hope to lead others. Vires is a quality I see a great deal of in myself. As a recipitant of Lee County’s “Do The Right Thing Award” I was publicly recognized for my contributions to the community, but it is not recognition that a person in the true embodiment of Vires strives for. Rather I found strength by visiting the poorest of the poor while in China. I had made the trek with hopes of meeting my newly adopted cousin and had instead encountered a myriad of life’s lessons all at once. One of these lessons was to learn to appreciate every moment we have on this earth because only too many, both foreign and local have felt the pain of loss, dereliction, and neglect.

Man is nothing without knowledge; this simple statement highlights the need for not only Vires but Artes as well. Intellectual pursuits cannot be limited to the concrete confines of a schoolhouse; they must be widespread and far-reaching. This is something I have always believed. Perhaps this unquenchable thirst for knowledge is what led me to attend the National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine over the summer of 2008 where I and my fellow scholars were treated to a up close and personal look into the present day medical profession in America. My cerebral search expanded upon my return when I enrolled in a class to become a Red Cross certified Lifeguard and first aid applicant, adding to my budding interest in the protection of the community.

Finally it is Mores we look upon to find the true strength of a man, his character. In my pursuit of Mores I have chosen consistently to lead by example, whether it be going far and beyond the necessary levels of community interaction, serving as president of my school’s “Fishing Club”, organizing the F.I.V.E. Freshmen Retreat, or contributing as a Student Ambassador for Bishop Verot High School I find that actions, not words define who we are. In the spirit of this belief I choose to think not on “Vires, Artes, Mores” as singular entities but rather as a united message of power that every man can achieve with an earnest drive to do what’s right.