Joseph's Winning Essay:

Engaging in the arts is something I’ve come to value deeply throughout my years of highschool, and I believe it is essential for everyone to consider. Participation in these activities helps prevent a life of idleness and isolation, especially in a world where passive entertainment is increasingly accessible. But before diving more into that, let's start with a story that made me realize just how important this is.

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When I was younger, I would frequently visit Los Angeles, where I often spent time with a family whose son was close to my age. He was imaginative, sociable, and full of energy. We spent countless hours playing and creating fun games. However, when the pandemic struck, everything changed. Weeks quickly turned into months, and months into years. Everyone retreated to the safety of their homes, and comfort became our constant companion. When the world finally started opening back up, most people tried to reclaim their sense of normalcy by reconnecting with friends, visiting parks, and embracing the fresh air. Unfortunately, it was a completely different story with my friend. When my family and I went to see him and his family, he didn’t come out of his room at all, even though he knew we were there. His father admitted that he rarely left his room, only emerging for meals and spending most of his time playing video games with online friends. He had become disconnected not only from his peers but also his own family. I eventually met with him, but he was almost completely unresponsive to me, barely saying a word, with his eyes constantly glued to his phone, any attempts at conversation falling flat. I couldn’t help but think how different things had become and how easy it would have been for me to fall into the same trap.

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Seeing someone act this way led me to reflect on my own habits and recognize that I had begun moving in a similar direction. I realized that I found myself stuck in a cycle of constant, dopamine-receiving activities, making me disengaged, unmotivated, and opposed to social interactions. Activities like video games, watching YouTube, and endless scrolling on social media had taken over my free time, to the point that doing anything else felt boring or even irritating.

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Fortunately for me, all of those feelings began to change when I signed up for my first high school musical production of “The Sound of Music”. Although I was initially apprehensive, I quickly grew to enjoy the experience. I realized I was looking forward to seeing the outcome of this show that I had been working on. I began to form meaningful connections, develop new skills, and rediscover the value of being part of a community. This led me to explore other electives, such as participating in my school’s advanced choir. Each of these pursuits contributed to my personal growth by fostering discipline, teamwork, and perseverance. They helped my self-confidence grow and made me more encouraging towards others.

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These experiences taught me that getting out of your comfort zone is necessary for growth. While not everyone may be drawn to theater or choir at first, there is nothing wrong with trying something new. If I hadn’t participated in my first production, I would still be stuck in my house, rotting away, a slave to my screen and a recluse to everyone around me.  I encourage everyone to try to stay away from isolation and seek opportunities that promote personal connections and self-improvement. Taking small steps to pursue new interests can lead to significant personal transformation and a more fulfilling life.

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