a rough draft of your first paper. Given that it is a first draft, it's fine for the paper to be, well, rough--i.e., not carefully edited and proofread--but I do expect it to meet the minimum page requirement for this paper (two FULL pages) at the very least.

The Moment That Defined My Identity Growing up, I always thought I had my identity figured out. I was the quiet, studious kid, content to stay on the sidelines and observe the world around me. However, one pivotal moment challenged my perception of who I was and forced me to rethink my choices and values. The summer before my senior year of high school, during a community volunteer program at a local shelter, I discovered the importance of stepping out of my comfort zone and embracing leadershipa trait I never thought I possessed. A Summer of Change It all started as a requirement for my college applications: I needed community service hours, and the shelter seemed like an easy choice. On my first day, I stuck to the background, helping sort donations and avoiding any interaction with the shelter's residents. I was comfortable in the quiet corners, far away from the chaos of the front lines. However, this changed when the program coordinator, Ms. Johnson, pulled me aside and asked me to lead the day's activities for the children staying at the shelter. My first reaction was panic. How could someone as introverted as me lead a group of energetic kids? I wanted to refuse, but something in Ms. Johnson's encouraging smile made me reluctantly agree. Stepping into the role was like stepping into a different world. I was suddenly responsible for guiding children through games, reading sessions, and crafts. The first few minutes were awkward; I stumbled over my words, and the kids could sense my uncertainty. But then, something surprising happenedI started to relax. I realized that the kids weren't looking for perfection; they just wanted someone to engage with them, to make them feel seen and heard. Slowly, I began to embrace the chaos. I discovered that I could be animated, that I could command attention with a joke or a smile, and that I had a voice worth listening to. The Turning Point The turning point came one afternoon when one of the children, a shy girl named Mia, who rarely spoke, approached me with a drawing she had made during art time. It was a simple picture of a sunny day with two stick figuresone of her and one of me, holding hands. She looked up at me and said, "Thank you for playing with us. You make me happy." At that moment, I realized the impact of my actions. I wasn't just filling a requirement; I was making a difference in these kids' lives, even if it was in a small way. Mia's simple gesture reminded me that leadership is not about being the loudest or the most confident; it's about showing up, connecting with others, and being present. This experience made me reconsider my identity. I had always labeled myself quiet and passive, but this summer taught me I could be more. I could lead, inspire, and make meaningful connections. I realized that my reluctance to step up wasn't due to a lack of ability, but rather a fear of stepping outside the box I had placed myself in. The shelter experience helped me break free from that box. The Importance of Stepping Out of Comfort Zones Reflecting on this experience, I understand why recounting these events is importantit highlights the value of stepping out of your comfort zone and redefining one's sense of self. Often, we are limited not by our capabilities, but by our self-imposed boundaries. The story of my time at the shelter is a reminder that our identities are not fixed; they are fluid and shaped by the choices we make and the experiences we embrace. In the end, my summer at the shelter wasn't just about earning community service hoursit was about discovering a new side of myself. It taught me that leadership isn't confined to the extroverted or the outspoken; it can be found in anyone willing to take the first step forward. And sometimes, that first step is all it takes to change the narrative of who you think you are.