My Number One (Not) Since Day One

Looking back on my life, I've truly been blessed by the number of people who have been an inspiration to me. They include my mom for her endless love and sacrifice, my dad for his hard work and perseverance, my two closest friends from home for their genuineness and faith in God, my two closest friends in Connecticut for their persistence and selfless attitudes, and some of my teachers for their passion for teaching and caring nature, to name a few. The list goes on and on, really, but there is one who has stood out the most: Mandy, my club gymnastics coach from age ten to eighteen.

When I first met Mandy, I was ten, and I was trying out at a new gym. The first day she was my coach, she made me do backhandsprings on the high beam by myself, which I was absolutely terrified of. It's safe to say I hated her after that first day. But I obviously got over it because I continued doing gymnastics with her as my coach for eight years. Since the first day, we've come a long way; she's become a second mother to me and a friend I couldn't imagine living without.

Mandy has been there for me through everything since I was ten. In terms of gymnastics, she's the one who ultimately got me my college scholarship. Without her exceptional coaching and help in the recruiting process, I don't think I'd still be doing gymnastics. My life would undoubtedly be different if I hadn't have met her. Mandy has also pushed me to become a better gymnast, to be the best one that I can be. She believed in me even when I didn't believe in myself. She never gave up on me, no matter how hard it was for her to coach me. She always knew the right words to say when I was having a bad day in the gym; she could without fail make me smile and laugh when I was crying. She truly cares for every athlete she coaches, and I hope that someday I can become half the coach that she is.

As much as Mandy's been there for me inside the gym, she's been there just as much outside of the gym. She's looked out and cared for me like I'm her daughter, especially since I've gone off to college and am 16 hours away from home. Before I left for my freshmen year, she told me that if I was going through a rough patch and needed her for whatever reason, she'd absolutely drop everything and drive up here to be there for me. Besides my parents, there's no other person in my life who would do that for me. She doesn't judge me, and she's one of the best people at giving advice, so I go to her about literally anything and everything. She lets me live my life and be independent, but will always be protective of me. I know she wants the best for me, and she's told me more than once that I push her to be a better person. For that, as well as the many other things she's said and done for me, she's my greatest inspiration. I hope I can one day change someone's life as much as she's changed mine.

United We Stand

As much as I love history, especially American history, it was difficult for me to come up with one moment that I could label as my favorite. America's history is rich in great moments, from the Emancipation Proclamation and voting rights for women to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the fall of the Berlin Wall. However, America has also had its fair share of horrific moments, such as the burning down of the White House during the War of 1812, the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln and activist Martin Luther King, Jr., the attack on Pearl Harbor, and, more recently, 9/11. The moment I chose as my favorite in history came on the same day as the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

The great nation of the United States of America was attacked on September 11, 2001, which is a day I'll never forget. I was in Mrs. Glavin's second grade class. Every TV in the school displayed the news coverage of the attacks, especially the burning twin towers that eventually collapsed. Mrs. Glavin explained to us what had happened, and I was in complete shock. Getting to leave school early that day didn't even suppress my feelings of utter devastation and surprise. I didn't understand how anyone could do such a horrible thing. Nonetheless, America came out strong, which is where my favorite moment of history comes into play.

Hours after the twin towers in New York City had collapsed and the smoke had finally cleared, three New York City firefighters raised the American flag near all the debris. What a powerful statement! Amid the devastation, sadness, and anger the attacks caused, this action of raising the American flag showed that we,  the American people, are one, are strong, and would not let terrorism win. We are the United States of America, and, therefore, united. Although many lives were lost, families became broken, and the whole nation was shaken in a matter of seconds, we still stood. We rose out of the debris because we are the United States of America, the greatest country in the world.

"I Wish that I Could Be Like the Cool Kids"

Adolescence is a time in a person's young life that, for lack of a better term, sucks. Puberty strikes, fights with parents ensue, friends come and go, and there's a constant struggle between being yourself or being someone you're not to fit in with the "cool kids." To an adolescent, being a part of the popular group can make them feel accepted, wanted, and valuable. However, is it worth sacrificing who you are to fit in?

Growing up, I was never one of the popular kids. Ever. First of all, I was too smart for that. I had my own little group of friends at school that I was perfectly content with. They planned sleepovers, movie dates, shopping sprees, etc. around my crazy gymnastics schedule, and there was no way I was going to sacrifice such caring people for the sake of being known as one of the popular kids at school. I also had very strong moral beliefs, and still do. I wouldn't have done half the things the "cool kids" did because it went against what I stood for. I never cracked under the peer pressure.

Today, just like when I was growing up, choosing between being yourself or doing what the cool kids are doing is a conflict that many adolescents are faced with. Some kids will do absolutely anything to be liked or accepted, whereas others couldn't care less, like me. The peer pressure to do something to fit in with the popular crowd exists for all children, but not all children react to it in the same way.

Teachers need to realize that this conflict of being yourself versus fitting in is one that a majority of adolescents will encounter. Teachers should take note of who's friends with who and observe any changes. For instance, a rejected or neglected child in school who suddenly is hanging out with the most popular kids during the school day may be engaging a dangerous activity, such as doing drugs. Teachers need to explain to their students that being different is a good thing, and that you shouldn't have to sacrifice who you are for someone to like you. In fact, if you're sacrificing who you are for someone to like you, that someone doesn't even like your "real" self because you aren't being your real self; you're being fake to fit in.

My Fictional Hero

 

To be honest, I can't recall ever having a fictional hero that I looked up to. Maybe I did when I was young, but I don't remember now. However, now, as I'm thinking back to the books I read growing up, I would have to say that one character that I probably really looked up to as a child was Marty Preston, the protagonist from Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor. 

Shiloh is a Newbery Medal-winning children's novel about Marty and an abused dog, Shiloh. Shiloh is owned by Marty's neighbor, Judd Travers, who abuses the dog. When Marty finds this out, he steals the dog and hides him away, concealing his secret through lies. However, his theft is soon discovered, and Marty must return Shiloh to Judd. Not long after that, Marty catches Judd hunting deer outside of hunting season, and blackmails Judd into selling Shiloh to him. Because Marty doesn't have enough money to pay for the dog, he works for Judd. In the end, Judd doesn't keep his promise of giving Shiloh to Marty, so Marty is faced with the decision of stealing Shiloh or allowing Judd to abuse him.

As a little girl, I grew up watching shows like Animal Precinct on Animal Planet, quivering at the sight of the abused animals. I couldn't understand how anybody could be so cruel to sweet, innocent animals, who couldn't do anything to protect themselves from the abused they were receiving. Thus, my passion for animals was sparked. When I read Shiloh, I was comforted by the fact that there still are people in the world who don't just watch abuse happen; they do something about it. I admired Marty for standing up for himself and taking action, especially because he was just a young boy. He knew that dogs, or any animals for that matter, weren't supposed to be treated like that. Marty showed me that no matter what your age, you can make someone's life better. (Even if that someone is a dog.) I also learned from Marty the importance of never giving up, of persevering. If you really want something, you'll do anything to get it, regardless of the pain, frustration, etc.