The items on the application - grade point average, class rank, test scores, and achievements explain not why I "deserve" the Holley/ MUSIC scholarship, but why I think I have earned the right to apply for it. The application also shows some of my interests; including the subjects in which I'm interested in studying and some of the athletic and extra-curricular activities in which I've been involved, but those lists don't demonstrate anything unique - lots of high school students are in sports and activities. There is more to any individual than what can be inferred from different blanks for name, address, and high school, and a general statement on "career goals".

For example, my application doesn't indicate that I have never eaten salad in my life (and consider this an honorable distinction). That includes the lettuce-based Chef and Caesar salads, as well as the various types of fruit salad, and potato salad. I have nothing against the concept of salad or salad eaters, but it's just something I'd rather not be a part of. I know many restaurants offer salads as sides or "starter" dishes, but I prefer just to cut to the chase. A good meal shouldn't need an opening act; it should stand on its own merit. It's like going to a concert to see your favorite band, but having to sit through an hour or so of warm-up bands - the openers may be OK or even good, but in most cases you came to the venue to see the headlining act.

Another food-related item is my Absolutely-No-Dinner-Before-5 P.M. policy. When I was growing up, I had neighbors that ate dinner at 4:30 in the afternoon most days. Not that it was any of my business, but that's just crazy. To each his own, and everything, but dinner is supposed to be the "evening meal", and 4:30 is not even close to "evening". I'm not European, so I'd rather not eat dinner at 9:00, but 6:30 or 7:00 are acceptable times. If I'm with my family or friends in a restaurant or other dinner-eating situation before 5:00, I will abstain from ordering until then. I'm sure there are valid reasons for people to eat before 5, but I can't think of any (I don't consider "Early bird" discounts to be a good reason).

I also have policies for weather and clothing. I think one should enjoy spring, summer, and warm weather as much as possible, so I make it a point to wear jean-shorts on every 60 degree Fahrenheit and above day from April 15 to October 31. From November 1 to April 14, it's jeans every day. This rule is more flexible than some others are; I will wear khakis or slacks when a situation requires something more formal than jeans or shorts, and if there's a 90 degree day in November, I'll certainly wear shorts that day. I am a runner, and there are some different clothing requirements for running clothing than low-speed clothing. If it's above 75 degrees, I wear shorts and a shirt with no sleeves. Below 75, it's shorts and a T-shirt; below 55 it's wind pants and a T-shirt. On windy days much below 50, a long sleeved T-shirt is absolutely necessary, and anything below 40 is going to require a hat and jacket or windbreaker of some kind. I usually don't run if it's below freezing, and if the wind chill is below 0, I definitely don't run; unless you've got snow to shovel, you have no business being outside in that kind of weather.

I think putting gum on the bottoms of chairs or desks should be punishable with jail time, and consider the U.S. postal service morally reprehensible. I think organizations that advertise on TV or radio with annoying jingles should be boycotted until they stop, and the same goes for car dealership ads that involve yelling. The semicolon should be used more, especially on the Internet. I appreciate good audio quality, but I say people whose car stereo systems are more expensive than their cars are exhibiting a character flaw. Hopefully this list has made my entry more individual, and will not be used to prove I suffer from obsessive-compulsive disorder (I rather enjoy it, actually).