The Teenager Who Wrote A College Essay Titled “How Peter, Paul And Mary Taught Me To Protest Gently”

April 2, 2025

As the autumn leaves danced in the golden sunlight, Mia sat at her cluttered desk, surrounded by crumpled paper and empty snack wrappers. Her heart raced as she stared at the blank page before her. This was it: her college entrance essay. She wanted to write something that would not only impress the admissions committee but also reflect who she was. Glancing at her old guitar resting in the corner, an idea sparked in her mind. She would write about the trio of folk legends known as Peter, Paul, and Mary, the very artists who had inspired her to stand up for what she believed in.

Mia remembered the first time she heard their music. She was just a little girl sitting on her grandmother’s porch, a gentle breeze weaving through her hair as her grandmother played their songs on an old record player. Songs like “Puff, the Magic Dragon” and “If I Had a Hammer” filled the air, their melodies wrapping around her like a warm blanket. But it was their powerful anthem, “Leaving on a Jet Plane,” that pulled at her heartstrings. It wasn’t just their harmonies that moved her; it was the message behind their music. With every strum of her guitar, Mia felt a fire igniting within her—a determination to speak up for justice and peace.

As she began to write, Mia reflected on one particular moment that shaped her understanding of protest. Last spring, her high school had faced a troubling issue when a new policy threatened to silence students’ voices during the school board meetings. Fueled by her love for music and her newfound awareness, Mia organized a peaceful demonstration with her friends. They gathered in the school courtyard, armed with colorful signs and plenty of determination. As they sang “If I Had a Hammer,” it was as if Peter, Paul, and Mary were right there with them, encouraging each young voice to rise against injustice. Their songs weren’t just notes and lyrics; they were a call to action.

Writing her essay, Mia explained how the trio’s music became her guiding light. It taught her that protest doesn’t have to be loud or aggressive; it can be gentle yet powerful, like a whisper that grows into a chorus. She shared how the experiences of that day had left her feeling invincible and connected to a larger community. Through music, Mia learned how to harness her emotions and channel them into something meaningful. She wanted to inspire others to use their voices, just as Peter, Paul, and Mary had inspired her.

With a sense of purpose, Mia completed her essay, pouring her heart into every sentence. She knew that this was more than just an application; it was a testament to the journey she had begun. Her strong belief in peaceful protest and the unyielding spirit of music had sparked a fire that would guide her through college and beyond. Days later, when she submitted her essay, she felt lighter, as if she had passed on a piece of her dream to the universe.

Weeks turned into months, and the day of the college acceptance letter finally arrived. As she tore open the envelope, her heart raced, and tears streamed down her cheeks. She had been accepted! In that moment, Mia realized that the words and music of Peter, Paul, and Mary had given her the courage to dream big. With each strum of her guitar, she vowed to continue sharing her message of gentle protest, knowing that she could make a difference in the world. It was just the beginning of her journey, but she felt ready to face whatever came next, one harmonious note at a time.