Sole Searching

BY LILY SPIEGEL ’22

All the places I have been and all the things I have learned have one thing in common: I was wearing shoes. Each pair of shoes I own has a different memory embedded in its sole. Here are a few that I feel represent me the most.

Converse: A new adventure, I am attached by a harness to a long cord, standing on a small wooden platform in my Converse sneakers. Once white, they are now covered in various shades of brown from the expeditions. They have given me traction. Each time I lace them up, I think of the different adventures I’ve had wearing them. This time, I am 147 feet above the rainforest in Costa Rica; with my sweaty palms, I grip the harness holding me to the zipline before I jump and go flying over the trees. These shoes symbolize my love of adventure; while wearing them, I have learned that I just have to make the jump and never look back.

Birkenstocks: It is about 6:00 p.m., and I am standing on the beach. The sky is scattered with multiple shades of orange, pink and yellow. Waves are softly waterlogging my Birkenstocks. My Birkenstocks are light brown sandals made from natural cork and latex, jute and suede. All renewable and natural resources, a staple shoe for tree huggers. These shoes symbolize my love for the environment. They remind me to stand tall in my shoes and to protect what I feel is important.

Formal Heels: Black three-inch block heels. My school holds a formal dinner every few months, and for the formal dinner everyone is required to wear a suit or a dress and has assigned seats. During the first few years at my school, I was annoyed with the assigned seats. I just wanted to sit with my friends. My heels are slightly uncomfortable to wear, similar to how I feel when I am meeting new people. Eventually, I learned to take advantage of the fact that I would get to talk to new people. Making new friends is now one of my favorite parts of formal dinners. I love discovering new people, whether friends, family or strangers. Every encounter I have had with others leaves an impression on me. I collect their experiences to learn from and apply to mine, like putting myself in their shoes.

Barefoot: I know I said everything that I have learned was done while wearing shoes, but there are some things that must be done barefoot. For example, I am a gymnast which is always done barefoot. The times I have tried to do gymnastics with shoes on or even socks I would always be afraid of getting hurt or slipping. Being barefoot is liberating because it connects me to the earth and limiting because I must move with care. If I were to go for a walk in the woods barefoot, I would be more aware of my surroundings because walking barefoot forces me to think about each step I take.

IN THEIR COLLEGE ESSAYS,

our seniors must accomplish two things: convince the college admissions counselors that they are good writers and project a personality and character that suggest they will be desirable members of the college community. I work with dozens of our seniors as they prepare their essays. Some, like the author of this piece, Lily Spiegel, work cheerfully through multiple drafts until their work represents their best effort. Choosing an uncommon topic, as Lily did, is a significant plus. I am sure this essay helped her earn her early decision acceptance to Providence College. —Stephen Reed

Whether I realize it or not, wherever I go and whatever I do in life, I am leaving a trail behind. It’s important to make sure it’s a good trail and learn from each step I take, whether it’s big or small. I have learned from others’ paths, but more importantly I have learned to forge my own way and go after what I want despite my fears or doubts.