The Last Seat.

Taxes. The latter half of death and taxes. At 16, while running a sneaker resale operation out of my bedroom, I came to understand that expression with greater clarity than I would have liked. As the self-anointed queen of Google Sheets, I was unreasonably proud of my pricing model. I factored shipping costs with a small markup as well as a ten percent profit above the cost of goods sold; my goal was to sell at a profit, but still below market prices. Everything was humming along smoothly, the beginning of my entrepreneurial rise to fame was in full gear. When I learned that I needed to collect sales tax, I nearly had a heart attack. Eight and a half percent to the state. I paid it — not the first person to have a heavy heart giving the government hard earned money. While I didn’t lose money on those sales — 10 is still greater than 8.5 — it wasn’t quite the win I internally bragged about. The pricing model has been updated, and SheSellsShoes is now more profitable.

The juxtaposition of my creative and analytical side confuses people. It makes perfectly good sense to me that I can write a short story and solve a calculus problem. The intersection in the Venn Diagram reveals patience, precision, and a willingness to revise. I embrace the “if at first you don’t succeed” mantra. That said, I often succeed “at first.” However, when I don’t, I am completely at peace with the “try, try again” mindset. In fact, some of my greatest lessons in life have come as the result of initial failure — though I refer to it as delayed success. I find that the most interesting questions are rarely the ones with obvious answers. That, not so coincidentally, is why I’m drawn to them. If anyone can get the right answer immediately, well, where’s the fun in that?

Growing up, I watched my parents sacrifice everything to give me opportunities they never had. My mother worked double shifts for years so I could attend a private school across town. My father gave up his weekends to drive me to every competition, every rehearsal, every early morning practice.

Their sacrifices never went unnoticed. From a young age, I understood that my success was not just my own — it was theirs too. That understanding shaped everything I did.

I have maintained a 4.3 GPA while balancing three varsity sports, student council, and a part-time job. I do not say this to impress anyone. I say it because I want whoever reads this to know that I do not take any of it for granted.

I am applying to this school because I believe it will help me honor everything my parents gave up for me.