Suggested essay questions

Our committee of student and adult volunteers developed the following list of questions for adult community members to consider as possible essay topics. Feel free to respond to one of these or one of your own related to the developmental assets. The boldfaced heading before each group of questions is the asset category; you will need to include a category when you submit online.

Support

·         Who was your hero when you were a child and who is your hero now?

·         How do you know your family loves you? Explain.

·         Have you found a group that makes you feel at home? Tell us about it.

Empowerment

·         How do you feel you’re celebrated/recognized by your community?

·         When has a community member empowered you to do something useful or better?

·         When have you felt empowered to do something for your community?

Boundaries and Expectations

·         Describe a time when there weren’t boundaries and you wish there had been.

·         Do you feel there’s too much pressure on you to live up to expectations? Why?

·         How did your expectations for yourself change from elementary to high school?

·         Do you think boundaries are necessary? Explain.

Constructive Use of Time

·         Is there a passion you pursued in high school that isn’t in your life anymore? Tell us about that passion, what it meant to you then, and whether it could have meaning again for you now.

·         How much time do you spend at home? Tell us how your family reacts to this. Do you cherish your time at home? Why or why not?

·         What’s your favorite family activity and why?

·         Does your family eat meals together? If yes, what do you like/dislike about it? If no, and you would like to, tell us why.

·         If there were 25 hours in a day, what would you do with that extra hour to improve yourself or make the world better?

Commitment to Learning

·         Re-read your favorite childhood book and explain how the meaning has changed for you.

Positive Values:

·         Do you have regrets about choices you made as a youth? Explain.

·         Have you made an unhealthy lifestyle choice that you regret? Tell us about it.

·         Have you ever stood up for someone or something? Explain.

·         Tell us about a time you went out of your way to help or be kind to a stranger.

Social Competencies

·         What are some goals you’ve set for yourself? Why are they important to you and how do you plan on achieving them?

·         How can people of different cultures enhance your life?

·         Tell us about a time you resolved a conflict and what you learned from the process.

Positive Identity

·         Do you have a high sense of self-worth? Why or why not?

·        It helps all of us to feel like we’re here for a reason. If you could select why you’re here – your purpose – from a list, what would you select and why?

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