Intelligence is defined as general cognitive problem-solving skills. A mental ability involved in reasoning, perceiving relation- ships and analogies, calculating, learning quickly. It is also taking advantage of all the opportunities that are given to you. When I moved to the United States from El Salvador, in 2009, I was constantly thinking about “The American Dream” -- even though I didn’t have any idea what it really was about it. My family and I moved here to have a better life, more chances for success. I knew that I was going to a new country, with new people and a different culture, language, and traditions. The best way to show intelligence was to adapt to a new environment. I knew that language was going to be my biggest problem. I decided to work really hard in class, watch TV in English, and stay after school to receive extra help. That was a smart decision. Instead of focusing on learning English, I could have done something else. Play video games or watch TV in Spanish. Now, I’m writing in English to define the word intelligence, and, hopefully, after you read this essay, you are going to have a good perspective about it. Intelligence is reflected when you make a decision and you have positive consequences.

One day, the TV wasn’t working. We were all trying to figure out a solution. Suddenly, my oldest brother said, “Wait a minute.” He took the remote control and pressed the button that says “info” and saw that the video was not connected. He looked at the back of the TV to see if all the plugs were in. Then he realized that they were not all in the right place. He fixed them and finally the TV worked. Is he intelligent? Another day, it was cold. My four-year-old brother was playing and got stuck under the bed. My mother was in a panic. My father wasn’t home. My oldest brother went to my father’s tools and brought out a drill. He loosened the bed and freed my little brother. Is he intelligent? My oldest brother always thinks outside the box when he is challenged. He impresses me with the way he thinks. He is intelligent.

Going to Senegal last summer with other high school students in the buildOn program to help construct a school taught me the fundamentals of life and being a voice for those who lack it -- and for giving back to my generous community when possible. It also gave me an opportunity to put myself in the position of less fortunate people. It made me even more appreciative of life; while I’m being ungrateful, others have no luck at all. I can be complaining about not having a certain pair of shoes while an individual in another country may have nothing to eat. Through this program, I was able to further learn more about myself -- my strengths, aspirations, abilities, and willingness to give to my community. This has led me to a fascinating career possibility: anthropology. This is the study of all human culture, and it would give me the chance to travel and write, a combination of the main things I enjoy. While in Senegal, I had the chance to experience the villagers’ daily-life routines, their culture, and their positive mental attitudes. Through the study of anthropology, I want to gain more knowledge about other cultures so that I have a better understanding of my own surroundings. I hope to study diverse topics such as tribes, languages, religions, and art. I remember that while there we would write down our thoughts and observations. I have always had a strong love for writing because from it I am able to express my feelings on issues that I am connected to. Writing brings awareness. Traveling is also an important aspect of life because it provides us with opportunities to be educated about other societies. Through being an anthropologist, I want to create change by traveling and writing. The more I write about different ways of life, the more others are informed and may be willing to give a helping hand.

Power looks like a strong black man. A person who can stand in front of thousands of faces and talk with a strong voice. When he talks, all you want to do is listen because he is a gifted public speaker. He is very charismatic. He wears a tuxedo and has a limo driver. He has a Muslim name. He travels around the world and provides what people need. Power comes from Education. He studied hard to make it to the top. To make it to the top, he had to start from the bottom. He was just a regular guy, but he knew what he wanted. He was committed. He was a poor black person and he made his way up. Power’s mother is Strength. She gave him Confidence. Power’s father is Africa. He gave Power the whole package.

Style is beautiful. Every- where she goes, people look. She wears cute clothes: nice jeans, stylish T-shirts. She tops it all off with some sparkling jewelry and a high bun. Style smells sweet as honey. Every day, she puts on that fragrance that makes all the boys fall in love with her. She used to dress down. One day, she looked at the mirror. She said to herself: “You are beautiful. Put on some fancy clothes and love yourself.” Now, when Style smiles, the world lights up.