Before you read Ariela Koehler's successful MIT essay, take a moment to understand its strategic brilliance. This optional essay goes beyond a simple list of accomplishments, serving as a powerful lens into the less-obvious aspects of her life—her deep commitment to public service and her maturity in local government leadership.

As you read, focus on these key points:

Observation into Action: Notice how Ariela's keen observation of loneliness during her Thanksgiving service task wasn't the end of her story. It was the catalyst for a much larger initiative.

A Mover and a Shaker: Pay attention to the tight timeline she provides. This detail highlights her ability to act quickly and create significant change, a trait highly valued in a college environment.

Diplomatic Leadership: Observe how she navigates initial skepticism from her fellow Commissioners. Her success in a multi-generational team setting demonstrates her unique capacity for diplomacy and collaboration.

Progressive Impact: See how her advocacy for Lavender Seniors shows she's not just a leader, but one committed to fostering inclusive and progressive social change.

Final Comment:

What makes this essay truly exceptional is that it's not simply a recount of her impressive achievements. It's a testament to her character. Ariela shows us that a powerful story is found not just in the things you do, but in the empathy that drives your actions, the courage to overcome challenges, and the tangible change you create as a result.

November 23, Two years ago: Thanksgiving. My mom and I celebrated the holiday as we had done for the last three years—by delivering turkey dinners to homebound senior citizens. After carrying the food to their kitchens, our brief visits with them were flled with laughter, hugs, and the sharing of family photo albums. In the midst of all the warmth and vitality, though, I couldn't help noticing the signs of loneliness and isolation: the windows with dust suggesting they hadn't been open in ages, the faded Christmas cards from 1995, and the tables with a single place setting. It was during these visits that I committed to fnd a way to better connect with the seniors in my community.

I discussed my desire with the mayor of Fremont in December two years ago. He agreed that a younger voice could prove to be benefcial and mentioned the Senior Citizen Commission for the City of Fremont (an advisory board to City Council that worked to directly address the needs of local seniors). I formally applied to the Commission and was unanimously appointed by City Council in February last year, becoming the youngest Commissioner in Fremont's history.

Although I was initially met with skepticism from my fellow Senior Citizen Commissioners, I was committed to sharing my vision of the benefts of intergenerational interactions. For the next two months, my after-school hours were devoted to calling nursing homes, negotiating with movie theater managers, and recruiting teen volunteers. The resulting event was the Senior Movie Outing, which paired teenagers with wheelchair-bound seniors for a fun afternoon at the movies.As a result of my hard work on the successful outing and the rave reviews from all who participated, my fellow Commissioners became more respectful of my contributions and open to my input. During the annual grant-reviewing period (when the Commission decides which non-proft organizations will receive City funding), I advocated to fund Lavender Seniors, an organization which supports gay and lesbian seniors. While it had not previously been funded by the City, I strongly believed it fell within the Commission's charter of "serving the needs of all seniors." After sharing my rationale for proposing to fund Lavender Seniors, I was proud that the Commissioners kept an open mind and the majority voted to grant the organization funding.

In the two years since my appointment, I have cherished the unique opportunities I have had to learn from people with different perspectives and backgrounds. My time on the Commission has taught me to be more confdent when expressing my ideas, and to be more open to hearing others' thoughts. I am proud to be a trusted voice for seniors in my community.

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