I'm applying to byu-idaho and i need to write an essay consisting of no more than 250 words. i'm having a hard time coming up with a good first sentence opener though. the essay is supposed to be on something that a risk i've taken and how it will me in the bigger picture (in the future). i have these ideas:
-enrolled in online school to pursue dream of travel and college
-had to rely on self to finish school (risky, no accountability except for parents)
-open with funny quote or sentence
-as a result, i am now very self-sufficient and motivated
-excited to travel and explore the world
any ideas on how i could start my essay?

Read this excerpt from "the all-american slurp." i pulled the strings out of my stalk. z-z-zip, z-z-zip. my brother followed suit. z-z-zip, z-z-zip. to my left, my parents were taking care of their own stalks. z-z-zip, z-z-zip, z-z-zip. suddenly i realized that there was dead silence except for our zipping. looking up, i saw that the eyes of everyone in the room were on our family. mr. and mrs. gleason, their daughter meg, who was my friend, and their neighbors the badels—they were all staring at us as we busily pulled the strings of our celery. what story element does the author develop in this excerpt? a) lot details about the party b) characterization of the lins c) characterization of the gleasons d) setting details about the gleasons’ house