Express Yourself! by Emily

Express Yourself! by Emily - July 2018 Scholarship Essay

“Ahem, ahem,” Tap, tap, tap, “Testing, testing…it’s working? Oh good. (Clears throat.) Good morning students, our first candidate for Class President is Emily G. Please welcome her to the stage.”
“Friends, Students, Countrymen, lend me your ear-rings! You know…the dangly ones that, according to the Dress Code, we aren’t allowed to wear? Will you indulge my vanity, or more accurately, my rebellious nature; may I mention what I am wearing? My sartorial splendor starts with the most modest of skirts this side of Amish country paired with a statement blouse with off-the-shoulder puffed sleeves with wide spaghetti straps over my shoulders. Yet, dear students, my entire ensemble is an affront to the Dress Code. Meanwhile, my friend Matt stands just over there, in a ripped-up, slovenly T-shirt and jeans that (almost literally) are around his ankles. Nice rocket ship boxers, by the way! Matt is not offending the Dress Code in any way. According to this discriminatory and outdated policy, Matt’s fashion crime is superior and more acceptable than my lovely outfit.
So this is how I hope to positively impact my school. I will update the Dress Code so that it is not discriminatory toward female students and lets all students express themselves within the confines of common sense. No, Matt, I do not want to see what’s under the rocket ships!
At first glance, this may seem like a frivolous platform for my campaign to be Class President. With all of the apathy and injustice in our school, why am I focusing on fashion? We are at an age where we are discovering ourselves; our strengths and weaknesses, likes and dislikes. While these changes and discoveries are mostly of an inward nature, our clothes are the main way we explore and display these truths on the outside. How we communicate who we are to the world at large.
Plus, we’re in Arizona. It’s hot here and I want to wear spaghetti straps.
A vote for me is a vote for freedom of expression! Make me Class President and I will work to correct the imperfections of the Dress Code and ensure that students can express themselves freely in the classroom, at lunch and wherever they go on campus. Fashionistas of the world, unite!