Essay: Freedom 'breathes hope and purpose into the soul'

Freedom is the last, best hope of Earth because it embodies potential. It is a manifestation of autonomy, allowing its wielders to unlock opportunity in a deceitfully hopeless life. Freedom resurrects humanity. It breathes hope and purpose into the soul.

Freedom is verbally interjecting when dissatisfied with the status quo. It's denouncing hatred and advocating for change. It's the antithesis of stagnation, a pedestal to vocalize progress.

Freedom is wearing a hijab, or a cross lapsed around a neck. It's a cloth yarmulke positioned on a head or a bindi worn on a forehead.

Freedom is the power of an untamed mind. It's unleashed thoughts that exist in opposition to indoctrination. It's the ability to think for oneself and refute the predesignated place as a puppet in the masses.

A life of subjugation isn't a life worth living. Without freedom, one is simply existing. They are alert and cognizant, but they aren't living in the sense of what the word implies. To live is to pirouette down the street at night without a care in the world. To study scripture without fear of persecution. To assemble in opposition of bigotry. Freedom relinquishes authority back to the individual. It is the ability to soak up every opportunity that life has to offer, for better or worse, and dictate the path of one's life. It is the source of transformation. As a society, we may face countless challenges. Economically, socially, politically. Regardless, when freedom remains intact, little is unachievable. Hope exists only in the presence of freedom.

To be free is the greatest gift bestowed upon mankind. I'm forever indebted to those who make it possible for me to live freely each and every day.

• Sophia Sparacio is a 2021 graduate of Glenbrook North High School. This fall, she'll attend Boston College, where she plans to major in biology and minor in German; she hopes to become a pediatric oncologist.