The final note sounded as the song ended. The crowd roared. After ten years, I had finally nailed it. It has been ten years filled with countless hours of practicing, improvising and composing. Ever since I chose to play the trumpet in 4th grade, I have been working up to this point, where my entire body is in perfect harmony – from my diaphragm to my lips, my lungs to my fingers. This precise control ultimately allows me to let loose...

A right triangle whose hypotenuse is √3 m long is revolved about one of its legs to generate a right circular cone. Find the radius, height, and volume of the cone with greatest volume. John sinks his head into his hand. His face is lopsided, one cheek pushed up. Caroline's eyes droop, her shoulders hunch. My eyes open, energized. A grin plays at my lips. My back prepares. My mind turns entirely to the problem. I stare, the solution materializing before...

Used a counselor to edit.

I chose teachers from my junior year of...