As the sun slowly peaks through the Monday morning fog, high school students are disappointed that the weekend has ended. Upon arrival to school, their half-closed eyes are not ready for a new day. A minor hassle becomes the gripe, making the mood even dimmer. This murkiness doesn't hinder me. Why? I use a mask, filled with laughter and hope, to reverse the mood. With this mask, I pretend to be cheerful about the day, no matter what my inner disposition. As the day goes on, the uniqueness of my mask, its infectiousness and self-healing power, becomes evident.
             Just as a dire piece of gossip can spread through a school like a contagious virus, the same can happen with a person's mood. When people witness a joyful appearance in an upsetting and dreary milieu, they begin to laugh and relax. Their own mask begins to change, which generates a positive attitude. My mask is worn for that very reason. Making people smile and to encourage them for the best is what I strive for. Consequently, the best thing for one's self and for society is to be optimistic and supportive. A warm-hearted smile and a lot of confidence can and does make a world of a difference.
             Dressing into a warm-hearted smile is not only preordained to helping others, it is also meant to benefit myself. I strive to be different from others, a person who can exhibit my own free thoughts and feelings. In addition, one's personality can be adaptable to its surroundings, but a mask is inimitable – it can be painted in any way a person desires.
             With a mask, I can be unique, even if it means being joyful and happy, while everyone else is cheerless.
             As Ralph Waldo Emerson once stated, "Society is a masked ball, where every one hides his real character, and reveals it by hiding." As a result, my face begins to match the contours of the mask; my mask and my face become one. With my face being indistinguishable from my m
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