The following is a response to a college essay question. Please don't steal it.
Indicate a person who has had a significant influence on you, and describe that influence (Common App: 250-500 words)
Looking up through the peaceful night air of Germany, no one would have ever suspected the chaos that would soon ensue. The hum of the engines could not be heard from the ground, nor could these Flying Fortresses be seen by anyone who wasn’t looking.
For now, the crew depended on James, the radio operator, for their directions as they approached the critical point. “Begin” the man shouted as the alert came over the radio. On this order the bellies of the iron birds opened up, revealing their deadly innards. At James’ command, his plane let go its load, a wall of fire and metal falling to the ground. With soft dins of explosions below soon came gunfire upwards, like backwards rain. James, amid this chaos, continued with what he knew he had to do. Even as shrapnel penetrated his plane, he continued relaying the necessary orders to his crew mates knowing that without him the shrapnel might prove too much.
Most of my days after school were spent listening to stories about these such events, and every time I think back on my grandfather, I can’t help but feel inspired by him. Inspired to be more like him. Dependable, courageous, brave, a leader.
Naturally it was his influence that inspired me to branch out, to take on new tasks hoping people could find me more reliable, more dependable, and to try new things at every given opportunity. It was an influence that sent me down many new paths, one of which eventually led me into the Boy Scouts, where I learned to tie knots, to find which way was north, and, most importantly, to be a leader.
