Seniors Journal #1---Personal Essay Warmup
Young writers who don't feel as if they have anything to say to the world actually do. You do, too.In your short 17 or so years on Planet Earth you have already experienced people and events that have touched you to the core, that have molded your image, that have changed your life. If you try to deny this, then answer this question--are you anything remotely like the helpless, crawling, bawling, slobbering infant that lay in the crib? Someone encouraged you to walk, talk, and close your mouth when you ate your food. Someone, and some key events in your life, that undoubtedly involved other people, helped you to become the miracle merging of body and soul that is you.
Here's the journal assignment: briefly (25 blog lines or 200 words) tell us here at Schoolsville about a person or event that deeply effected your life. Save the entire story (if you wish) for your personal essay (3-4 pages typed) that's due September 15. Consider this your warm up writing exercise for that final paper.
In sharing your experience, you'll be participating in bettering the human race. That's right. You'll be educating the entire world community here at Schoolsville, a world that could stand to learn that no two people, let alone races, religions, or nations, are exactly alike. The world can learn from your story, or at least begin to develop some much needed emotions of empathy or sympathy. Wouldn't you be interested in reading how some Afghan teen, his country ravaged by foreign and civil wars, responds to the same writing prompt that you've just been given? Would his paper help you to understand his hopelessness, his fear, his distrust of foreigners?
OK, I'm only pretending that the existence of Schoolsville, or the completion of your personal essay paper, is vital to the future of the human race. But the point of my exaggeration is this. Reading what others have to say is important, whether they live on the other side of the globe or in the neighboring cul-de-sac. Understanding them might help us to decide if we want to invade their country or invite them to our Labor Day barbeque. Communication with others is the first "baby step" in learning how to get along. If we can't "walk in someone's shoes," then at least we should be willing to slip on someone's sandals and wiggle our toes for a spell. We might learn that everyone in the world is not wearing the same 9 1/2 B's.
Respond here before Friday, Sept. 10. Essay is due Sept. 15.
posted by JTF @ 12:47 PM
74 comments
74 Comments:
In my life there has been one major event that has mattered the most to me. That event is my birth some years ago. Unlike most people whose birth was simple and easy, mine was not. During the course of my birth there were major complications and the near threat of death. About a week after I was born I began to turn almost entirely blue. It was discovered that something was wrong with my heart. I was immediately put into surgery, but at the time the odds were slim because it was a new type of surgey that had just started. As you can tell I made it out alive and well. Although I can't remember anything from then because I was so young, just hearing about it in great length and still living with some of the differences my heart puts me through has changed my life. I live my life more enjoyably, more cautiously, and more indepth.
In my life there are many people that I admire. But now that I have the chance to think about it there is one person in particular that I could never forget. My Pop pop George passed away when I was in the 7th grade, from lung cancer. I was very close to him, closer than I was to any other of my grandparents anyway. He lived his life to the fullest; he traveled everywhere and supported any sport or activity I participated in. Even when he was fighting cancer he still managed to stay positive and even come to my softball games! I never heard him complain or say, “why me?” to his situation. He always thought of others before himself. Watching him get weaker and seeing my Mom and Mom mom so upset was hard to watch, especially when there was nothing left for us to do but wait. Saying goodbye to him for the last time was one of the most heart-breaking things I've had to do. Thinking about it still brings tears to my eyes. However, my memories of him give me the inspiration to live my life as positive and selfless as he did.
An event that changed my life was taking part in the Italian Exchange Program here at Saint Marks. The program involved a group of Italian students coming to live in the United States for two weeks with a group of American students, and vice versa. It was amazing to me that two groups of kids from such different backgrounds were able to relate to each other so easily. Despite the geographical, cultural, and language differences, everyone in the program developed a real relationship with one other. To me, it really proved that some things are just human nature, and no matter how different you may be from the people you encounter, there is always a level of common ground you can find to relate to each other. Other than making friends with the Italians, the experience of being in a different country for the first time was very special. I felt very lucky to have the opportunity to be exposed to a totally unfamiliar culture for the first time with both my good American friends, and my new Italian ones. Overall, the program brought me to keep an open mind about everyone and to love traveling to discover new cultures.
To be truly honest I haven’t been privileged to experience many life changing events, but there have been a few throughout my “short 17 years” that have greatly impacted me. One of these events was the birth of my nephew, Landen Patrick O’Leary. My sister, Chelsea O’Leary, gave birth to him on May 21, 2007 Chelsea graduated from St. Marks in 2007 and is currently enrolled at Delaware Technical College. If you do the math you will discover that Chelsea was pregnant her senior year at St. Marks and most probably remember her very well. This was a truly arduous time for my sister, having to carry a baby, search for colleges, and make it through her senior year as best a possible. Chelsea not only accomplished all this, but she also completed her senior year with straight A’s and was luckily exempt from all her exams because she had Landen during the last week of school. Chelsea is a huge inspiration to me because even though she had to endure childbirth and her senior year in high school with a baby, she always kept her head up. She had such a positive attitude during that onerous year that she was chosen as most optimistic for senior superlatives. And to top this all off I couldn’t ask for a better nephew. This life changing event allowed me to see that even when life seems futile there is always room for optimism.
Growing up there have been many people and events that have influenced me. Many of those people have walked out of my life and those events seem to have faded, but there is one person who remained and influenced me the most. That person is my sister. My sister is about three years older than me but we are very close. She is my only other sibling. Growing up my sister, Chee, and I got along great and were the best of friends. During these earlier years I wanted to be just like her and I did everything she did. I played the same sports she played and dressed similar to her. As we got older we tended to fight more and my image of my sister changed, along with how I lived my life. In these past few years we started to fight less and became best friends again. I love my sister and learn from her every day. Without having my sister around me, I would not be the person I am today.
In my life there have been many events but I feel that this event sticks out the most in my life and it is my participation in the Blue/Gold buddy groups. It basically changed my outlook on life. My buddies name is Scotty. Even though he is my buddy I treat him as if he was my brother because that is how I feel about him. We have so many things in common that he is my friend. He taught me many things, not to judge people, how life is a lot better than people make it seem and to always look on the better side of things. Even with Scotty's disorder he makes the best of his life and I respect that. He inspires me to do my best at everything I do even if I do not do something well; I am still giving it my all. He has the biggest heart of anyone I have ever met; he does not hate a fly. He has made me a better person from the day I met him. Basically, Scotty has made me look differently on how I have acted in the past, he changed how I look at life more optimistically, made me open to new things and changed how I look at other people in the world. The Blue/Gold buddy group has shaped a lot of who I am today.
You hear about it all the time in the news, headliners like : “Patrick Swayze Battling Cancer With Strength” or, “2 Year Old Diagnosed With Leukemia”, or even, “Famous Actress, Dies of Cancer at the Age of 50.” But, when it happens to you, its different, and I’m not just talking about you personally. When someone we love, someone who seems indestructible; too important to us to succumb to this illness suddenly is gone forever, it impacts even those with the coldest hearts. Wayne Edward Renken was more than just a grandfather to me, he was an inspiration. In his faith, in his humility, in his strength in battling prostate cancer for nearly half of my life, so strong infact, that I did not know of the seriousness of his disease until he was bed ridden, eating the hospital food that the nurses found fit to feed to the most amazing man I’d ever known. I used to sit on his knee, play tag with him, try to mimick every action he did, and try to be as perfect in my faith as he was in his. By the time the cancer had gotten to the last stage, everything changed. He no longer joked around and the smiles on his face were few and far apart, but one thing remained the same. His faith and his strength. I never doubed that he wouldn’t make out of it alive; that I wouldn’t have more chances to learn and envy him—but then he died, and my extended family was in shock. I was in shock. This event really opened my mind. I realized how short life is, how important my grandfather was, how much he impacted my life. I wish something this horrible didn’t have to happen before I became aware of these things, because I’d much rather not have thought these thoughts if it meant my grandpa would still be with us today. I guess you never know what you have until its gone.
One event that has changed my life happened a few years ago. The beginning of high school was a huge adjustment because I came from a small grade school that I attended grades K-8. I was having a hard time getting used to such a big school because I wasn’t used to change. As the work got tougher and different events started happening around my life I became very stressed and worried about everything. I suddenly began noticing myself being afraid all the time for no reason at all. I began to check things around my room three times to make sure everything was okay however, if I did it wrong I would have to start all over again. My parents said they noticed me acting a little strange and decided to call therapists. The therapist diagnosed me with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and a type of high anxiety disorder. With my doctors help I was able to manage my OCD and although I still have anxiety she helps me through it with different strategies and ways of thinking. People might think I’m weird or strange but I don’t care. All the women on my dad’s side of the family have some form of these disorders. In addition, I don’t mind talking about it because I feel that I am a stronger person for it. I must say that it has given me a different outlook on life. I also believe that we have a purpose in life and in order to figure out that purpose we must face the obstacles in between like I have with OCD and anxiety. In other words, learning to not let these problems get in our way help us carry out a happy life. Finally, people all over the world have disorders or diseases but making others more aware of those disorders it makes people realize that they’re normal too.
I feel that every new chapter to my life’s story has made a significant change to who I have become. One of these chapters I like to call Europe. In these few pages of my story I transformed from an adolescent to an adult. It was the summer going into junior year when I had this experience, or adventure, as I sometimes like to call it. This is when I got my first taste of life without my parents. I traveled through Europe for an entire month and it was one of the most exhilarating experiences I have ever had. I believe that being on my own for a month taught me responsibility, time and money management, and how to enjoy the things we usually take for granted. During the first couple of weeks all I cared about was having fun and meeting new people. But I soon came to appreciate all the things I had back home. This month of independence has truly changed who I am and will continuously remind me of how important my family is to me.
During my seventeen years on this earth I have been influenced by many people, but none have had as much of an impact on me as my grandmother. When I was young, my mother worked part time and my father often traveled on business trips. I consider myself to be very fortunate for having my grandmother take care of me while my parents worked. I spent a great part of my childhood with her. She did so much for me that when I was young I didn’t really notice, but now looking back I greatly appreciate everything. She did little things for me like taking me to the park or helping me with my homework. My grandmother taught me how to sew and cook, which are skills that I enjoy using quite often. She told me a saying that really stuck with me and is something that I now try to live by: “Good better best, never let it rest, ‘til your good is better, and your better is best”. It isn’t the most profound saying, but it’s something that I like to try to achieve. My grandmother taught me many things and helped me become the person I am today.
There are many significant people in my life who have had a major impact on me, but one of the most influential people to me is my cousin Gregory. He has a severe case of cerebral palsy. He can not walk or talk, and has a lot of trouble even just moving. He has spent his whole life in a wheelchair, going to treatments all over the world, none of which have worked for him or had a major impact on him. Though he can not talk you can still hear noises from him. One noise I frequently hear is him laughing. The fact that he has an extremely difficult life and still is able to laugh all the time makes him very admirable to me. He is no doubt one of my heroes. He has helped me learn to be more appreciative of the little things in life, and not take things like just walking or talking for granted anymore.
A major event that has put a large impact on my life is when I was made captain of my eighth grade football team. It may not seem like a large accomplishment but it was a goal of mine since I had started playing in the fourth grade. Being elected captain gave me a sense of responsibility and taught me how to control certain situations. It also taught me leadership qualities and kept me disciplined. These qualities were not maintained only in that one year. I carried the traits I learned from being a grade school football captain to being a high school student. It has greatly payed off since. I am in my fourth year of playing high school football and I have been captain two years in a row. To be elected captain of the team as a junior last year was a huge accomplishment to me and the only reason it occurred was because of the skills I learned in grade school. I am forever grateful for the opportunity I was given.
As I am sitting here, racking my brain for someone or something I can write about, I can’t help but realize there really is only one person that I can write about. My mother is the person who has deeply affected my life. Reason number one, she brought me into this world, nurtured me, and has watched me “blossom into the young lady I’ve become”, as she likes to say. My mother is the one who always, no matter the circumstance, pushes me to strive for the best that I can be. She stresses that I should go “above and beyond” in every situation, encouraging me along the way. I hope that someday I can accomplish all the things she has. She volunteers her time to those in need, she befriends everyone she meets, and she is the mother that someday I hope I can be. I can say that I admire her, but that wouldn’t be enough. She is my role model, the one who I look up to and the one I can always trust.
I knew who she was before she came to St. Mark’s. My first impression was that she was just like everyone else: pretty, popular, and a little stuck up. Little did I know that this Allie girl, who I never thought would even know my name, would soon become my best friend. She brings out a side of me that I always knew existed, but I could never draw out of myself; she brings out the real me. All my life I was trapped inside of this shell that held nothing but being a goody-goody child. Once in high school I tried to ease out of this shell and have a little fun, and Allie ripped it apart and exposed me to a whole new social world. She introduced me to new people, who are now friends of my own, as well as helps me through my problems, as I help her through hers. A bit of her outgoing and spunky spirit has rubbed off on me, to say the least. I could still be that shy girl who strives to be different if it were not for her. That’s not to say she hasn’t challenged me. Miss Allie does get me into some pickles that my parents have trouble with, though I believe they overreact in the smallest amount. As they think she’s a bad influence, they can’t keep me away from the girl who has brought my life the interest and excitement it needed.
If you asked me a week ago about an event or person that changed my life, nothing specific would pop into my head. There hasn’t been any life changing event or person in my life, but I thought wrong. Thursday of last week my grandma passed away. She was my dad’s mom and someone I had always admired. She was strong, brave and more than anything, loving. I was closer to her than any of my other grandparents. My grandma had three kids and four grandkids. Compared to my mom’s side of the family (having 7 brothers and sisters) this was small, but that didn’t mean a thing to us. I always thought of my dad’s side as a little, happy family. My grandma raised 3 kids on her own due to her husband leaving when my dad was little, but she did an amazing job. She loved each and every one of us so much. She couldn’t have made a closer family than ours and I thank her so much for that. Whenever I was with my grandma or the rest of our family I felt as if I was just with one of my friends. My family is going through a hard time right now and it’s just so hard to believe that she’s gone, but I know she’s in a better place looking down on us. If there’s one thing my grandma taught me, it was to love. I love her for that.
Throughout my life there has been many influential people and events but I would have to say that my experience living in a foreign country tops them all. When I was four years old my dad came home and told my family and I that we will be spending the next seven years in England. Although many people believe that since Americans and English people speak the same language that they are very similar, that is false. My experience is England taught me to open my eyes and accept diversity. I met some of the most fascinating and interesting people in England. I learned as a small child about different countries and cultures that completely changed my view on the world. Overall, my experience in England as a student has changed my life and has made me a better-rounded individual.
My life seemed to be going just as planned. Until one day, just over two years ago, my mom got the results back from her yearly mammogram. Much to our surprise, they found three tumors in her left breast. It was cancer. The prognosis was good, and luckily the tumors were benign but that’s not to say the road ahead wasn’t going to be rocky, because it was. For two years our family battled conflicting schedules, doctors appointments, and numerous surgeries. We were forced to pick up the slack and make sacrifices. But we did it all without complaints, because it’s family, that’s just what you do. Through all this, my mom was determined to beat the cancer, and she did! I learned to appreciate my mom so much more. I never realized how much she really did for our family until she couldn’t do those things anymore. Now, just over a year cancer free, my mom is stronger, happier, and healthier. I hate to be so cliché but these past few years have made me understand the meaning of living life to the fullest and not taking things for grant it because before you know they could be gone. For that I am forever grateful.
In my life, I have been blessed to have my older sister, Meredith. My sister was born with a moderate case of Down Syndrome, a disability that caused her to intelligence to never surpass a first grader’s. Meredith is currently twenty-five and though she has this disability, she has no idea that she’s not what society considers normal. Meredith has always lived in the moment and that state of mind has inspired many, including me. Because of her disability, I have become more compassionate towards those who have any disability. Meredith taught me not to judge, even if that person can’t function like me. She has also shown me that my help is needed for others and that’s the reason I joined Blue/Gold. She's the only person I know that has made a major impact on my life. I'm still young and I still have a lot to learn, especially from her. I'm proud to say that she's my sister and that I'm officially her teammate in the Special Olympics bowling league.
Most people believe that in our adolescent years we don't have a complete understanding or appreciation for life because we tend to take it for granted. Our elders seem to stereotype us teenagers as carefree thinkers, but in reality we're more complex than that due to some of the difficult tasks we have and will face in our everyday lives. I know that I am among those teenagers who has experienced many setbacks in my short lifetime. In the past couple years, I have lost many people that I was extremely close to. When I was in seventh grade, I received news that my best friend's dad was diagnosed with cancer. At the time, I wasn't aware of the dangers of cancer until I saw how shocking the process became. It was hard to watch someone I love slowly dwindle away physically and mentally, knowing that I was powerless to stop it. My cheerful best friend suddenly became doubtful, and all I could do was try to keep a positive attitude even though I feared the worst. As the battle prolonged, each day became a bigger struggle. We watched as his hair and eating habits diminished. Soon enough, he was too weak to do anything on his own, and his treatments were cancelled. All hope was beginning to fade. After 18 months of fighting, Mike Lewandowski was finally rid of his pain at thirty-six. Although this was a sad time, we all stayed positive through this experience because we knew we had grown closer as an even bigger family. Inspired by his journey, we founded a well-known organization, Kids Kickin Cancer, and have been going strong ever since.
Having a foreign exchange student changed my life. Her name is Giovanna Egas and she was born in Brazil and still lives there today. She was my family’s foreign exchange student when I was a freshman. She lived with us for six months and five of them were the best months ever! I say this because for the first month I really couldn’t stand her. She tagged along with me everywhere I went. She borrowed my strightener and used my toothpaste. She only understood half of what I said. It was not like I did not know how to share, I had an older brother, it was just that I never had to. She taught me patience, when I had to slow my speech, repeat myself many times, and explain everything. She taught me how to share, when she needed my things. She taught me how to be considerate, when she did not have any friends and I had to ask if she wanted to come with mine. She taught me how to adapt to change, seeing someone 24/7 all of the sudden when you did not know them from a hole in the wall just last week. Now, I couldn’t ask for a better “sister” because that’s what we call ourselves.
When asked about an event that has changed my life, a particular event immediately comes to mind. It’s one that i'm the least bit proud of – getting arrested. This event changed so many aspects of my life including my behavior, my relationship with my parents, and the choices I make. Before I was arrested, I had the naïve teenage mentality that “everyone does it” or “I’ll never get caught”. But when it actually happened, I was in complete shock; I felt so embarrassed and couldn’t believe it was actually happening to me. I immediately regretted my decision, and wished I could turn back time so that I could have made a better decision. Unfortunately in life, we are forced to live with all of our decisions – good or bad. The only thing we can do as humans is learn from our mistakes so that they don’t happen again. I decided that this experience was going to be a turning point in my life and that I would come out of this a better person, which is much easier said than done. But I really wanted to prove to my friends and family that I was no longer that person and didn’t give up. I now make much better decisions, hang out with positive people that encourage me to make good decisions, and have a really close relationship with my family.
Despite all the people that have come and gone in my life, my mother is the one who has had the greatest influence on me. When she was diagnosed with breast cancer, she took it on with a positive attitude and I have never once heard her complain or ask why this had to happen to her. Throughout her testing, surgeries, and treatments her main concern always seems to be how everyone else is doing and trying to make sure she isn’t a burden to anyone. Even when she’s weak and in pain she still wants to hear about my day and give me her motherly advice. I have no idea how she can be so strong and show so much faith when faced with something like cancer but I do know that there is no one I admire and look up to more than her.
In my life there has not been one particular event or person that has changed my life. One aspect of my life, however, has been a part of me since I was 2. For the past 14 years I have been a dancer in basically every field you can imagine. I feel as if I have done it all. For these fourteen years I grew up surrounded by people who became my second family. My teachers quickly became my role models and I have made friends that I know I will have for life. During my classes my teachers continuously pushed and pushed to the point where I felt like I could not handle anymore, even though inside I knew it was only helping me. As a result of those wonderful fourteen years at the studio I gained knowledge, strength, friendship, and a more empowering way to truly be myself. I owe this to all of the teachers and friends that I have basically spent my childhood with. Even now as I, myself, teach the younger students, I only hope that I can fill them with the same amount of spirit.
Being able to bench press four hundred and fifty pounds, strong is something my brother Blaine is use to being called. But in my mind his stature is small compared to what I look up to him for. Our parents got divorced when we were young so he’s been the father figure I never had. He’s taught me countless things throughout my life from tying my shoes to shaving; he even taught me how to talk to girls. He has truly always been there for me whenever I needed him and even when I didn’t but he insisted that I needed his help. He’s quick to voice his opinion on to my life but I respect him for caring enough about me to think about what is best for me. With college coming up he’s been trying to give me advice on what to look for and what is the best fit for me, and so far the Naval Academy is his top choice but I’m still thinking about that one. Everyone needs someone to help them through life and I consider myself lucky to have the older brother that I do.
I feel I haven’t had too many life altering experiences but in my mind there is one story that stands out to me. I work in an ice cream store; here I come across many different and sometimes strange people. One day when I was working two customers came in with a little girl who looked about five years old. They realized they had no money to pay for their ice cream. They said they had to go home to get money and that they would be right back. I started serving other people but then I noticed the same little girl standing in the corner and crying. She said she didn’t know where her parents went and she was all alone. I tried comforting her by telling her that her parents were coming right back but she seemed to think they had left her there for good. I wondered how someone could just leave their child alone and if this was the first time this incident has occurred. I took the responsibility of watching over the frightened little girl and made sure she was doing okay. After twenty minutes and still no sign of her parents I started getting worried. However, I knew I had to stay calm and act like everything was alright. Finally a half hour later the couple showed up and acted as if nothing happened. They apologized for forgetting their money and off they went with the little girl. This experience taught me that you can’t assume a small child will be alright by themselves, you have to be mature and sensible and do the right thing. I learned how oblivious and irresponsible people can be and that you need to be more conscious of the actions you take.
I feel I haven’t had too many life altering experiences but in my mind there is one story that stands out to me. I work in an ice cream store; here I come across many different and sometimes strange people. One day when I was working two customers came in with a little girl who looked about five years old. They realized they had no money to pay for their ice cream. They said they had to go home to get money and that they would be right back. I started serving other people but then I noticed the same little girl standing in the corner and crying. She said she didn’t know where her parents went and she was all alone. I tried comforting her by telling her that her parents were coming right back but she seemed to think they had left her there for good. I wondered how someone could just leave their child alone and if this was the first time this incident has occurred. I took the responsibility of watching over the frightened little girl and made sure she was doing okay. After twenty minutes and still no sign of her parents I started getting worried. However, I knew I had to stay calm and act like everything was alright. Finally a half hour later the couple showed up and acted as if nothing happened. They apologized for forgetting their money and off they went with the little girl. This experience taught me that you can’t assume a small child will be alright by themselves, you have to be mature and sensible and do the right thing. I learned how oblivious and irresponsible people can be and that you need to be more conscious of the actions you take.
In my life, I have been fortunate enough to be surrounded by a loving family, caring friends, and a comfortable environment. However, everyone faces their own hardships and must confront unimaginable events. My aunt and godmother, Joanne, has braved such a horrific misfortune. While she was pregnant with her firstborn, Sydney, she discovered that Sydney had developed a heart defect. She knew that having her child would be extremely painful and that her daughter's chance of survival were slim. Sydney was born on March 11, 1999. She only survived two and half months before she passed away. Recognizing my aunt's strength then and her continued courage today has affected my life in many ways. She now has two daughters, ages seven and five, and lives a happy life. She lives life to the fullest, takes nothing for granted, and has taught me to be the same. She and I are extremely close and I go to her for advice on many things. Selflessness and humility are just a couple of values she has taught me. Her bravery through a traumatic event such as losing a child is unbearable to fathom. A mother's love is the greatest love and a mother's loss is the greatest loss. This saying true to the core and it inspires me to be as strong of a woman as my aunt is.
There have been many people and events in my life that have influenced me. One major decision I made was when I started coaching Special Olympics Swimming in seventh grade. I was very nervous because I did not know if I should act differently around people with mental disabilities. I still remember the first practice, because I was silent and kept to myself the whole time. I have coached swimming every year since then, and it has changed my life. The athletes are always so positive and supportive of eachother. It is not about the competition to them, it is about giving it their best. However, when they win a gold medal, their smiles light up the room. It makes me realize that I am blessed. Every year, I look forward to a new season of coaching and new athletes to teach. However, I sometimes feel like they are the ones teaching me about how to live my life, and I am very fortunate to be a part of this program. I now coach soccer and swimming and hope to continue being a part of Special Olympics for the rest of my life.
I remember in 7th grade my friend Bea used to be that type of judgmental girl that would just sit in the corner, put on earplugs and crank up some R&B tunes if she didn’t like anyone in the room. She judged you on first glance. If she hated you, she would show it. After her being forced to go to her 1st youth conference, she changed 360. Bea became this sweet and loving person to everyone including the people she once hated. Our friends all thought it was an act. We even bet on how long it would take her to give up her façade. But a year past and she didn’t change back into her sour self. Over that year she was definitely happier and encouraged people when they need it the most. She was such a good friend and people loved to be around her. It’s hard to complain when you’re with someone who is so happy and full of positive energy. I asked her, “Bea, why this sudden change?” She responded, “I was so miserable and so were others. God made everyone with something to offer. And being ignorant and judgmental will just make you lonely and will blind you from the all these good people. I wouldn’t go back to the old Bea any day.” I recognized that I shouldn’t conclude people based on their flaws but fully appreciate for who they are. Also, that I should believe in people and not jump to conclusions based on their past. Bea changed my way of how I viewed people. She inspired me and peers by the way she lived. Even till this very day she still acts like the new Bea who still listens to the same R&B.
There have been quite a few events that have taken place in my life but I believe this is the most influential. I have always been closer with my mom’s side of the family rather than my dad’s side. I mean do not get me wrong I do love my cousins’, aunts’, and uncle. We really just never had the bond that most immediate family’s do, until just a few months ago. I was more or less closer with my dad’s eldest sister, Dian. She and I shared the bond of godmother and goddaughter, aunt and niece, but also our expertise in the culinary arts and for the most part our undiagnosed illnesses.
On May 1, 2009, I got up that morning to hear to my dismay that my dad had rushed to Christiana Hospital at 1am because my aunt had been admitted to the Emergency Room. Later that day I received a text from my mother who later went to the hospital to see my aunt. My mother informed me that my aunt had a massive stroke, was in a coma and unresponsive. I was completely shocked and horrified. When I got home after school I insisted on visiting my aunt in the ICU. Around 8pm I walked into the ICU to find my uncle and 5 cousins in the waiting room crying. I gave them each a hug and asked if I could see my aunt, they pointed to the room down the hall. As I walked into the room my aunt was laying there like a shriveled up vegetable, I remembered all the times she was there for me when I was sick the year before in the Emergency Room and how she treated me like her daughter. I could not help but start to cry.
When she died I thought of how life is too short to not be the best that you can be and how she lived a wonderful life and was all that she could and ever will be in her short life. This experience has taught me to strive for my full potential and be grateful for all that you have had in life.
I know most people on here write about their grandparents or someone famous in history but the person who has had the biggest influence or impact on my life has been my best friend Kyle Smith. We grew up together in the same neighborhood; we met when we were 6, the year I moved in. Ever since that first time we met we have been best friends ever since. We used to do everything together when we were younger but as you know that thing called life gets in the way as responsibility rolls around, but even then we were attached. He was that person I could always count on and I was always the person he could count on, it has been that way forever and always will be I am sure. He knows more about me than anyone else in the world and is the person who has helped me through the roughest times of my life and I am still thankful everyday for that. Also he leads a very good life, he is very studious and is currently attending Delaware for nursing and has always been a really well mannered kid. He has a way with people and they always seem to love him after they meet him once, it is relatively weird actually. But all in all he is the best person I know and is the most well rounded individual I have ever met.
A person that has affected my life is a girl I met only two years ago. Her name is Marianna Nessenzia. Marianna is currently attending the high school in Cittadella, Italy. Two years ago when I signed up for the Italian exchange program I never expected to establish a life long friendship with someone who had a completely different life than me. When Mrs. Joyce first gave me her name and email address and told me to email her, I was excited but nervous. I kept thinking what do I say? or will she even understand? After the first couple awkward emails, I felt that this was someone that I had a lot in common with, and could see us getting a long. When she arrived during the spring of my sophomore year we became best friends almost instantly. She spent two weeks at my house. I introduced her to my friends, my favorite foods, and my favorite places to hang out. When it was time for her to leave, I was extremely sad. It felt as if my best friend was moving away, even though I knew I would see her in a year. After she left we continued to email and I sent her packages of her favorite American foods, Rice Krispies and Peanut Butter. In the spring of my junior year I got to see her again. When I arrived in Italy and greeted her we acted as if no time had past. We had so much fun together hanging out and joking around. Everyone would always say how much we were alike. The next two weeks we spent together flew bye. Eventually it was time to say goodbye, with only hopes that one day I would return to Italy. Saying goodbye this time was much harder then the first because I knew that there was a possibility that I could never see her again. Months later I still continue to talk to her and we still share a friendship that I believe will last a lifetime.
As a sophomore as St. Mark’s I decided to join the Italian exchange program. Hesitant at first, I was persuaded by my family and friends to continue with the experience. The exchange was a two part series which began with the Italians coming to America. We e-mailed and sent letters to our partners in Italy to make their stay here as enjoyable as possible. When they came to America, it was nothing like I had imagined. My partner and I got along great and had an amazing time while viewing the different cites of our country. It was a good feeling to show someone something they had never seen before to have some pride in what America has to offer. The following year, Mrs. Joyce began to show us presentations, pictures, and information about what life would be like when we visited Italy. As I continued to learn more and more about it, my excitement for the coming trip grew. When the time finally came for us to venture overseas I was as ready as I could be. While in Italy, I learned how to be responsible, take care of myself, and appreciate what I have. I never thought that two weeks away from home could have taught me so much.
I've had alot of people who have influenced my life, some come and go, and others are still present in my life. One man who has influenced my life more then most is my late grandfather, Thomas White. His optimistic outlook on life and his never-quit attitude helped shape my life in many ways. He grew up in a poor family, and served in the military in the Korean war. Unfortunately, a brain tumor took his life last year, which was the hardest thing I have ever had to deal with. His morals and stories of his life still live on today and thanks to him, I have a greater appreciation for the life i have.
Working at a nursing home has had a huge impact on my life. At first, the job was just something that got me money, but while working in the health care dining room i have grown close to a lot of the residents and i have learned so much from all of them. Every resident is different from another, and they all have stories to tell. Some of them are always happy, and some are, to be honest, quite unpleasant. One person in particular has changed my life: Mrs. Calloway, the wife of Cab Calloway. Mrs. Calloway always carried a positive attitude and was grateful for anything a person would give her. Talking to her brightened my day even on the worst of days. I would bring her her meal and she would always have on the biggest smile and say, "Thank you baby!" and finish with an over-the-top compliment like, "You are so beautiful. They should put you in a movie." It always amazed me that no matter the day, time, or situation she was in, she was full of love and joy. I wondered after over ninety years of living, and who knows how many years stuck in a nursing home, how could she possibly be this positive? One day I went into work to find out that she wasn't doing well. Even though we are not supposed to go into the residents room, I asked for permission to visit her. When i walked into that room something came over me and i started to bawl my eyes out. All I saw was the nicest woman i have ever met laying on her bed making grunting noises, not able to speak, eat, move, or even open her eyes. The woman who was always happy showed no emotion at all. i asked if she would be okay, only to hear the words i had dreaded: "She isn't going to make it." She died later that night, and the whole building seemed vacant the next day even though the dining room was full. Losing that one person made the whole room look empty. While i continue to work at the nursing home, it will never be the same as it was when Mrs. Calloway was alive. I didn't realize how much of an impact she had on my life until after she was gone. She taught me that i should be happy with whatever each day brings me, and that kindness really is contagious. That a few kind words and a compliment here and there can change a person's life.
One event that deeply affected me was when my friend, from back when I was in middle school, was stabbed right in front of me. He didn’t die, but the event itself changed how I interacted with the world. In middle school I was very quiet and reserved; I tended to hang around people who were influential and charismatic. My friend J.J. was this description to the letter. One day as we walked down the street. At that time unknown to us, we had been seen walking by some people we had many disagreements with prior to that day, so they had decided that since they had us outnumbered to follow us. When it came to our attention that we were being followed me being the meticulous person I am had come up with a plan for how we could easily turn the odds in our favor. After some text messages and planning my friends and I confronted the people who had been following us a lot of stuff happened by the time I got to J.J he was on the ground bleeding, he didn’t die, something about my friend coming close to death changed something in me. I mad a resolve to become more serious with life and try and be more like J.J. Of course it didn’t happen quickly and I didn’t change completely, but to the people who know the real me that matter, if anything ever happened to me I know that now at the least I would have made some type of difference in their life.
I think that the one of the biggest series of events in my life which shaped it would be my junior year of high school. It was a pretty rough year for me and it definitely challenged me in many ways. It started with me getting great classes, a brand-new car, and a job at Outback Steakhouse. Little did I know it was about to get a lot more difficult. A few things that happened that affected my life last year would be my car crash with a deer, the same car being stolen at Outback, getting a severe concussion that took my out of school two weeks before midterms, finding out dramatic information from my grandmother that I never knew, and quite a few other things. Oh, and did I mention that I had a broken ankle the whole year that still hasn’t healed properly? But, don’t think that I’m complaining or whining. I adore my life and I would never change anything about it. I think that if I didn’t have those experiences last year, I would never have known how special life is and you should never take it for granted. My personality has become more accepting and I’ve learned how to handle hard times with strength I could never have accomplished before.
Throughout my life, many people have come and gone. Many leaving nothing to remember them by, but others can be almost impossible to forget. One of these unforgettable people for me is my grandpa. He has been a constant support for anything i do and has had a large impact on my life. My grandpa lived in Ecuador, where he raised two children and was studying to be a doctor. When he was 30 years old, he and his family moved to Newark, Delaware. He had eight more children shortly after his arrival. He managed to put in numerous hours at work and still be a great father to his ten children when he came home. Sometimes he was in such financial trouble, he would have to go to the local bakery at the end of the day for the stale bread, just to keep his family fed. Despite all this, he kept a happy demeanor and worked himself out of debt. His story is so inspiring to me, and it helps me see that we can work our way out of anything with effort. I have always looked up to him and he has helped me through my own challenges. He is always around to give anyone a helping hand and to lighten the mood with a quick joke. I know that my grandpa has greatly helped make me the person that I am today.
There are many people in my life that I admire, but the one who I thought of when I read about this assignment was my grandfather. He is the happiest and most caring person I have ever met. When I was in middle school, my grandmother developed a brain tumor. Through surgery and radiation, the tumor was removed and my grandmother was healthy again however, she would never be the same. There was damage to her brain which left half of her body paralyzed and her personality altered. People say I remind them of her which makes me sad because it is not the person she is today. However through all of this, my grandfather stuck by her and did so with such patience and love. Every time I see him he is always smiling and always puts everyone before himself. Everyone in my family looks up to him and knows that they can count on him for anything. His character and dedication for this family amaze me and I truly admire him for that.
There are a lot of people that have affected my life in my short 17 years here, but there is only one person that I couldn't imagine what my life would be like without. That person is my older brother. He's seven and a half years older then me, but that age difference didn't affect how close we've always been growing up. Ever since I could walk and talk he's been giving me advice and teaching me what he knew about life. Out of everyone I know and talk to, I feel he is the most down to earth person I've come across. He's been through a lot of different things in his life, some good and some bad, and he knows how to handle a situation and get out of a jam better then anyone else I know. When I have some sort of issue, I know I can go to him if I really need. He went though a lot of the same things I've gone through and am going through right now. He was the only person I really trusted to be my sponser for my confirmation. Unfortunately, we don't exactly see each other too much anymore, but whenever we get the chance we make it work and always have a good time, whether it be going to six flags or sitting on his porch talking for hours. When someone asks me about an important person in my life, he's the first one to come to mind.
Up until my 8th year in grade school, I had never known anyone that died. Six months before, my grandfather was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He was a small Italian man full of energy. He was a sex and marriage therapist. He loved helping others. Throughout the course of those 6 months, he fought long and hard, the majority of his time spent in a hospital bed. The hardest thing for me throughout this experience was seeing my once lively grandfather waste away before he was really gone. At such a young age, I felt like I didn't know how to approach him anymore, and that hurt. I did my best, though. I painted him a picture of his favorite childhood dog and wrote him a letter before he passed. Of course, I wish i had given him that one last hug, or said that one last goodbye. Still, I'm glad that my grandfather isn't experiencing the pain anymore, and that I had the chance to know him and learn from the way he lived his life.
If asked, “What is one thing you want to do before you die?” most people would say that they want to travel the world. I, at the age of seventeen, can say that I have already done so. Last summer I had the opportunity to go on the adventure of a lifetime. For thirty-four days I, along with a number of other teenagers, travelled all over Europe from England and France to the Islands of Greece. We climbed the tallest mountain in Switzerland and also travelled to the depths of a salt mine hundreds of feet below the ground. If that is not a life-changing experience then I don’t know what is. This trip, however, taught me more than just history and art. This trip taught me how to survive on my own. We were sometimes dropped off in a huge city with no adult supervision and expected to meet somewhere in three or four hours. I must say that we sometimes found ourselves in parts of the city that are not the best for tourists, let alone a group of teenage girls. Yet somehow we managed to make it back safely each time with not only a new souvenir but also a new story to tell when we got home. I also realized how much I take for granted each and every day. For example, London does not have any public trash cans so when I was finished with my half eaten apple I was forced to carry it around every place I went, from museum to museum. Finally I got tired of holding it and tossed it in a patch of grass hours later. I have never missed seeing a trash can every thirty feet more in my whole life. I also learned valuable things like how to manage my money and my time but most importantly I learned what responsibility really means. This European excursion opened my mind to so many new things and that is something I wouldn’t trade for the world.
I have many influential people in my life, to choose one was not difficult because Kathleen Kerrigan changed my life greatly. Kathleen Kerrigan, my mom’s cousin, died three weeks ago on September 27, 2009. After 19 years of struggling with her kidneys she died at the age of 47 when it was predicted she would die at 35. At the age of 28 Kathleen went to the hospital because of weak kidneys. She had two different kidney transplants which failed both times. Through her procedures she stayed strong and never showed her family what great pain she was in. When I would visit her she was always happy and having the whole room laughing. Her body looked weak but she was strong and upbeat. Sadly, after many trips to the hospital there was a doctor error and this mistake caused her veins to slowly harden and it made treatment nearly impossible. Her final years as she became weaker her love of life became stronger. Kathleen taught me to live life to the fullest and be happy because you never know what will happen tomorrow. She is greatly missed but her humor lives on, at her funeral we all exchanged stories and listening to them made us laugh yet again. She is greatly missed but her stories, that put a smile on my face, will live forever.
When you think about it, there's never just one person you can admire, adore and look up to. There's never just one person who made us who we are, conformed us, and changed us to be the human beings we are today. Thinking for countless hours made me come to a conclusion that, in my life, there has been one special person who has made that impact in my life. Robert G.Shepheard, my grandfather, was one of the funnest people to be around. Always laughing, making jokes, and helping me up when I fell, literally.I remember spending the summers at grandpas;playing cards, watching Lawrence Welk, and reading stories from the Bible on the porch outback. Then one day, everything stopped suddenly. There was no more summers at grandpas. There was no more card playing, Lawrence Welk, or stories from the Bible. I didn't understand , although not many children would. I remember going to the hospital and seeing my grandfather laying there in the hospital bed. He wasn't laughing, or smiling. I knew something was wrong at that moment. My mother told me that my grandfather had a brain tumor, and wasn't doing so well. A few hours after, my grandfather had passed away. I didn't get to say goodbye. I didn't get to tell him I loved him with all of my being , or that he was my favorite person. Not only has my grandfather changed my life, but that event also changed everything. It taught me a valuable lesson I continue to cherish throughout my life. Never hold back toward the ones you love. Let them know how much you care and love them, because there may not be another tommorrow, or another chance.
I have been through one truly life changing event in my short 17 years on planet earth, a visit to San Francisco, if there are others i do not remember them. My Uncle Jonathan and Aunt Hiya, who i visited for 10 days this summer, live in the heart of the Cultural center of the city, three streets down from the world famous Castro. I did get a chance to experience several things that someone would have to go to San Francisco to understand, things my Aunt and Uncle got to do whenever they felt like it. I got to ask a man, who apparently knew everything, if it would be easier to survive a robot or zombie apocalypse. We walked across the Golden Gate Bridge and back. One night we saw "Harold and Maude" at a retro cinema and the next day went to spot out where it was filmed. A friend of our Aunt gave us a tour of Pixar Studios where we were shown several models used for the film "UP" and visited the "Rendering Barn" where the movie is finalized. Despite all these incredibly unique experiences I would have to say I remember the ice cream the most, some of the flavors we tried included Rose, Salted Caramel, and "Secret Breakfast" (Bourbon and Cornflakes). There are hundreds of other things worth noting but the most important part of the trip was the way my Aunt and Uncle taught my brother and I to enjoy life and get out and do something different because that is how you have the most fun.
When asked to write about a person or event that has most changed my life, I began thinking and realized it was a pretty hard thing to do. One event I did think of, however, was the day when my uncle was immediately rushed to the hospital. He endured a sudden stroke and died shortly after. I was never really that close to my uncle, even though I saw him frequently throughout the years at different family gatherings. He was an outgoing, personable guy who wasn’t afraid to be himself, one quality I feel is most important for a person to possess. At his funeral, one could look around the room and feel their heart enter an immediate state of sadness by looking at all of the grieving faces. This image I have of that day will never leave my mind. When someone that you know well and are used to seeing dies, it doesn’t hit you immediately. We tend to deny the fact that they’re gone, even if we know they are. While attending my uncle’s funeral, it hit me that he was not coming back. I felt a sudden rush of distress and sorrow as reality set in. I learned from this experience that life is valuable and unpredictable and that we should live everyday like it’s our last.
I have always been told to never take anything for granted. This never hit me harder than the week my great grandmother on my father's side passed away. My grandmother was an emotional mess, and no one could find a way to comfort her. She had always told me that she loved her mother more than anyone else in the world, and she wouldn't half the woman she is today without her. I related her relationship with my great grandmother to mine and my dad's. I have learned so much from him and without him, I would be lost in the world. I understand my grandmother's pain when I think about losing my dad, and to this day, never forget to appreciate my father or anything he has ever done for me.
There are many people that I admire in the world, but one of the people that I look up to the most in my life is my uncle Dave. My uncle passed away about a year ago from pancreatic cancer. My Uncle was an extremely generous, compassionate, and respectable man and he is one of the most important people in my life. While he had pancreatic cancer he lived at my house for about 5 months in order to get the treatment that he needed. During these five months living with my Uncle, I got to spend a tremendous amount of quality time with him. I learned everything about he and saw what an amazing person he was. Although my uncle struggled with terrible pain every single day, he fought through the ups and downs and never complained once about his situation. The day he passed away he was surrounded by friends who were there for him in is time of need. Over 200 people who cared for and respected my uncle attended his funeral. That is the kind of man that I want to grow up to be. Just like my uncle, I want to go through live being generous and kindhearted so that I can be as respected and loved as he was. I will never forget my uncle or this experience and how they both changed my life forever.
There have been many events that have affected my life on a personal level, and for these I am very grateful to have experienced at such a young age. The one event that I knew I wanted to share was participating in a mission trip and voyaging to rural Maine in order to help people who are less fortunate. Honestly, when I first learned I was going on the trip, I wasn’t too excited to go on a boring mission trip. Surprisingly, it was just the opposite. It was a humbling, rewarding, and satisfying experience that allowed me to help out a community in need and build strong relationships with people from my church. I not only enjoyed the gratifying feeling of building a deck or painting a house, but also the need to make each homeowners day feel a little brighter. In addition to working, we went white water rafting, went to the lake, and explored what the tiny little town of Farmington had to offer. By participating in this trip, I have become even more appreciative of what I already have right in front of me. Also, I have gained the satisfaction of helping out a community in order to make our society a better place.
There are many people that I admire in the world, but one of the people that I look up to the most in my life is my uncle Dave. My uncle passed away about a year ago from pancreatic cancer. My Uncle was an extremely generous, compassionate, and respectable man and he is one of the most important people in my life. While he had pancreatic cancer he lived at my house for about 5 months in order to get the treatment that he needed. During these five months living with my Uncle, I got to spend a tremendous amount of quality time with him. I learned everything about he and saw what an amazing person he was. Although my uncle struggled with terrible pain every single day, he fought through the ups and downs and never complained once about his situation. The day he passed away he was surrounded by friends who were there for him in is time of need. Over 200 people who cared for and respected my uncle attended his funeral. That is the kind of man that I want to grow up to be. Just like my uncle, I want to go through live being generous and kindhearted so that I can be as respected and loved as he was. I will never forget my uncle or this experience and how they both changed my life forever.
Nothing can impact a life as deeply as death. Up until the end of my junior year I was one of the very few blessed individuals who had not suffered the indescribable pain of loosing someone close to me. The 28th day of the month of June in the year 2009 I woke up to a text that read “Kadeem Young died last night.” Reading and rereading this text over and over, I tried to comprehend the words I was reading. I could see the words and understood their meaning, yet I could not seem to understand those specific words in that order. When I finally came to grips with the reality of the text, a millions thoughts came flooding into my mind like the rains a twenty hurricanes. I eventually found out that his life ended because of a slight lack of attention while he was driving. And in the blink of an eye his car crashed and he was taken from us instantaneously. I was lost for words for a long time. I had just seen Kadeem a few weeks ago. He couldn’t be dead. He’s to young to die. His life was just beginning. He was planning on attending college at the University of Delaware in August. Teenagers seem to suffer from the invincibility syndrome and I never thought I was one of the victims, until I heard of Kadeem’s death. Suddenly, I felt as if anyone of my friends, family members, coworkers, or classmates could just disappear off the earth at any given moment in time and there was nothing I could ever do to stop it. A sense of helplessness overcame my spirit as I hurt for his family and other loved ones. I comforted myself with the thought that with time it would get easier but I was empathetic for his loved ones and was overcome with anger to know that while they lost someone close to them, everyone else in the world would be able to continue their life as Kadeem’s life wasn‘t cut short. I still have not completed accepted his death but everyday his absence teaches me to appreciate the ones who are present.
Throughout my life I have never thought to of had any life changing or profound experiences. But as I look back there have been a lot of smaller influences on my life that have made me into the person I am today. One of the bigger influences in my life, was this summer when I worked at the YMCA near my home as a day camp counselor. This had a somewhat profound effect on my life because the job not only taught me responsibility and patience of dealing with others but dealing with others who are younger than me. I learned that dealing with younger children is much different than dealing with adults or even teenagers. Thy children are a lot more demanding and impatient when it comes to organizing activities and waiting for things to be ready. By being in charge of all the children and keeping things like lunchtime and field trips in order I learned how to be a more patient and efficient person. By having so much responsibility this past summer I have become more sensible and tolerant of others.
There have been many events that have had major positive influences on my life. Most people probably think of positive or happy events that influence them. Unlike most, the most influential event for me was losing three very close relatives in a short period of time. My two grandfathers and my uncle all passed away within a span of two months last spring. I had never lost anyone that close to me previously, but I was very close with all three of them. At first my reactions to these events were obviously sadness and grief, and just when it seemed I was getting better, I would lose someone else. Those two months were the saddest two months of my life that I can remember; however, dealing with something such as this has matured me in so many different ways. I now see the importance of life and living every day to its fullest. It also helps me cope sadness as well as helping others cope with sadness because I believe that in most cases, I know how they really feel and I can relate to their sadness. I would not go as far as to say I am thankful for what has happened, because I would do anything to get my relatives back, but I do now see how anyone can take something good away from a situation, no matter how bad it is.
I never would have guessed that by the age of seventeen, my life would be so greatly affected by a simple high school boy. I have grown up always believing that everything happens for a reason, and this past year and a half, a guy named Dave showed me the true meaning behind that phrase. It only took a few months for dave and me to become inseperable. He was my best friend and so much more. All that mattered to either of us was eachother. Dave taught me how to truly appreciate what I have in my life. I learned not to take anything for granted, to wake up every morning with a smile and to love other people in such a way that you wear your heart out on your sleeve. Dave showed me how to both live and love to the fullest extent. The day Dave left for college in Georgia was possibly the worst day of my life. After a year and a half of great memories, we promised eachother that it wouldn't be goodbye forever, only goodbye for now. If there is one thing that Dave taught me, it was that everything happens for a reason, you just have to keep believing. I'm sure I'll see him again someday, and everything will be the same as it was. My boyfriend, my best friend, my Dave. He has changed my life forever.
As young people we look to find that one special person to guide and mentor us in life, and in my case I was not given one person but a special group. This group is my family. I am not just speaking about my immediate family, but my relatives as well; particularly my Italian relatives. Collectively, this group is a very tight knit family who are loving, supportive, and honest. They will tell you what they think whether you like it or not. It is these qualities which I admire most about them. Individually, each family member has their own unique viewpoint on life, which I have taken and learned from. For instance, my grandmother has taught me how to become a strong, hard working and self-sufficient person. She always says, “If you want something done right, you must accomplish it yourself.” My Aunt Lisa has taught me how to be a compassionate and understanding person to others no matter who they are, and whether or not we see eye to eye. My 8-year old cousin, who is wise beyond his years, has taught me one of life’s most important lessons; to accept yourself and the talents you possess. Each of my family members have contributed to who I am as a person. They have impacted my life both significantly and positively.
When faced with the idea of having to look back on my life up to this point to pick out one single person or one single event that has shaped it more than any other it appears initially as more of a blur of nostalgia than a catalog of life-altering events. After some more thought though, it becomes more clear and I realize just how many relatively small, and at the time seemingly insignificant, events, how many strangers met by chance and also how many family members and friends have influenced my life in huge ways unique to each one of them. In regards to shaping who I am as a person today, I would have to say my great-grandmother has been the most influential. She is 94 years old and to this day is still one of the most optimistic, lively, genuine, open-minded, exuberant and loving people I have ever known. She still cracks jokes, dances, sings, reads, cooks, holds deep conversation, tailors clothes and does charity work among many other things, all of which are still possible due to her intense passion for life. She has had a very hard life but has persevered through it all with optimism and honesty. By adopting her quixotic view of life and the world, problems and worries tend to disappear and the brighter side of things shines through.
I have had many people in my life that have influeced me greatly. Out of all of these people my Grandpa has affected me the most in my 17 years. He is an extroadinary person in my eyes. He is the most kindest and warm hearted person I know. Whenever I am able to see him he is always giving me advice on how to be the best person I can be. He often tells me about the experiences he had to go through in his younger years. He grew up during the Great Depression and life was very hard for him and his family. They struggled to get by most of the time but this did not stop my Grandpa from following his dreams in life. My Grandpa was a very good baseball player and could have been drafted by a professional baseball team. This sounds great but his dad did not support this dream of his. My grandpa was ranked the number one pitcher in Connecitcut but his father would always tell him he would never be good enough. He just thought baseball was a game and should not be taken seriously. He had to give up this dream but he did not dwell on this. He moved on and became a stronger individual. By furturing his education he has become a very smart and intelligent man. He worked hard in life to become the man that he is today. He inspires me everyday with how hard he works now even though his health is going downhill. I love him very much and I am proud to call him my Grandfather.
Many events throughout my life have affected me in different ways. However there is one event that I feel most strongly had an effect on my life. When I was twelve years old, just heading into my teenage years, my family moved from Middletown, Delaware to Landenberg, Pennsylvania. Looking back, this move was not very far (only about an hour in distance), but it ended up having a profound effect on my life. Before this move, I had lived in the same house right across from my best friend and even gone to school with the same group of kids my entire life. I had also always been a very shy girl, keeping to myself and only talking to those I was comfortable with. But when I suddenly had to start my first year of middle school without knowing one person in the entire school, I was forced to come out of my shell and make new friends. This first year of middle school taught me not to be afraid of meeting new people, trying new things, and that being yourself is the best way to make a good impression upon people. I went from only being comfortable around my closest friends and family to being able to start up conversation with just about anyone. During this important year I met some of the people I'm still closest with today.
In my short 17 years, I wish I could say I haven't expirienced any life changing events, but that would be a lie. My father enlisted in the Marine Corps when he was only 18, and was deployed to Vietnam. This was the beginning of his long battle with drug and alcohol use. My whole life my father was an addict, I was just too young to understand it. My mom would try to make excuses for him so I wouldn’t find out. Eventually, she knew I was old enough to understand. She told me he had always been an addict, but recently he has gone downhill. When I was only 12 my father died of an overdose. The night of April 7, 2004 will always be vivid in my head. The ramifications of my fathers actions have a great impact on my life. Addiction runs in my family, but after seeing the pain my mother and I suffered through, I will always stay away from abused substances. I miss my dad everyday, but I’ve learned to cope with the hand I’ve been dealt.
Seventeen years is a reasonable amount of time to meet someone who deeply affects one’s life. In my case, that person is my mother. Although it may seem rather cliché to chose my mother as the most influential person in my life, she has portrayed a plethora of qualities to earn the title. Throughout my life, my mother has always been incredibly accepting of my faults and differences. She strongly encourages me to be distinctive from my peers and to embrace my flaws instead of conceal them. Unlike many other parents who try to live vicariously through their children, she does not pressure me to partake in activities that I am not interested in just because she is interested. My mother is always poised, calm, and well put together even under grueling circumstances, which is something I greatly admire. She has taught me the difference between thriving and simply existing, and has exposed me to culture, which encourages me to appreciate the finer things that life has to offer. Because of my mother, I do not feel the need to simply blend in with those around me because she has influenced me to be an individual.
The person that has deeply affected my life is my dad Glenn Edward Seeman. He is a loving and caring father who is always there for me when I need it, and he supports me in everything I do. When I was young and sick or injured he would stay home and take care of me. He let me play whatever sports I wanted to when I was growing up. That was nice because I know some kids who are forced to play certain sports and they hate their dads for it. For the most part he’s an easy going guy that is fair about curfew and other rules of the house. When I get caught doing something bad or breaking any of the rules he will punish me and teach me a lesson, but luckily most of the time he’ll keep it from my mom who will make things a lot worse. Whenever I need advice about anything in life he is there to guide me, and most of the time his advice will help me out in the situation, but there are sometimes when his advice and wisdom backfires on me. He is the best dad and I wouldn’t be who I am without him.
Ever since I can remember my dad has been sick. It's always one surgery after another, or another attempted cure which always seems to fail. When you hear about people losing limbs many think of our troops in Iraq, or the story Ms. Muson told us in anatomy class. For me when I hear about someone losing a limb I automaticly think of my dad. Like I said, he has always been sick. He has diseases which have no cure, one that keeps spreading through his body. My dad injured his knee playing soccer in college. He had 3 failed total knee replacements due to infections and him being allergic to the metals. After many attempts to fix this my dad and his doctors made the decision to have an above knee amputation when I was in 8th grade. I didn't know what to do. What would it be like having a dad with only one leg? At first it was so strange and for a while things looked like they would get better. We traveled to Virginia and got him a prosthestic leg only to find out that he can't wear the leg because he has a nerve disease which causes groups of nerves to clot together causing pain when the prosthetic was on his remaining part of his leg. Just this past year we found everything was spreading. This summer it spread to his jaw which forced him to have all his teeth removed. Now the doctors are talking about him losing part of his jaw. I hate talking about this because it's not easy for me to live like this, espicially since this is the way my life has always been. Thinking about all this while writing this entry makes me scared because in reality I never know if he'll come home from the hospital next time he's in. Overall, the most important thing I've learned from my dad is to never give up. My whole life I've gone through this with him and know that however many times he gets knocked down or set back, he always gets back up and pushes through.
Growing up I moved a lot as a kid and its a bittersweet kind of thing. I got to meet lots of different people and experience all kinds of things. It was not always easy adjusting to each new place though. There is one experience that forever changed my life. It was my move to Champaign,Illinois. My nineth move in my seventeen years of living. Its where I my first group of real friends. They taught me what friendship means and they welcomed me in with open arms. I never experienced such friendship before. They were lively and caring people who lived life to the fullest. I was able to be myself around them. As a kid moving around I kept more to myself and was shy around others. They helped me break free and be myself.They made me realize that I should surround myself with people who like me for me. To not change who I am for someone else.
In my 17 years of living and growing on this ever changing world, I have had many experiences, but 17 years, as long amount of time it seems, is not truly enough time to go through a life changing experience for most people. I am one of the few rare people to have experienced a life changing event so early in my life. This one major event was the birth of my little brother. I have lived most of my life as an only child. I remember back in first grade very clearly and in great detail when my friend Kyle called me a “spoiled brat”. I didn’t understand why at that time he would call me that. The only explanation he would give me is that I’m an only child and that I get everything I want. Even though that wasn’t exactly all true, when my brother was born it would all become very apparent to me what he meant. My brother was born when I was in fifth grade, so I am 11 years older than him. Needless to say, I am the “big brother”. When he was born all the attention was on him, he was the bright new shining baby, and I was fading away in the dim background. I actually didn’t mind it because my parents weren’t always yelling at me as much about my grades, but in some circumstances I had to give up time for me and had to go shopping at Babies “R” US with my parents. I got a little jealous in the beginning but in the end I’m glad to have him and I love him to death. Also, because I am significantly older than him I basically got to see what it’s like to raise a child and see them grow. Life is definitely an awesome thing to see. Sometimes I have to babysit my brother instead of hang out with my friends. I feel that this changed me and my view on little kids. I feel a lot more mature than the average teenager. I know a lot of my fellow peers that say they hate little kids, but I don’t mind them because I know if I didn’t have my brother I would be the same way. I believe the birth of my brother has made me a much more selfless and more mature person. That’s why the birth of my brother is the most life changing experience I have had.
So far in my 17 years of living i've been lucky enough to meet many people who I consider to have changed my life in many different ways. But if I had to pick the one person in my life thus far who I feel like has played the biggest, most supportive role it would have to be my mom. As long as I can remember she has always been there for me no matter what, whenever I needed her. I think about how grateful I am that I'm lucky enough to have someone who wants the best for me, even if its not whats best for her. I can't imagine what my life would be like if I didn't have my mom because she played such an important role in how I've became who I am today. I will always remember all the advice that she has ever given me in my lifetime, because til this day it seems like shes always known what the right thing to do in any situation was. I hope when I become a mother I will be as important in my childrens lives as my mom is in mine.
Throughout my short 18 years on this earth I have experienced a plethora of things. It is hard to say which events had a greater effect in creating me into the person you know today. Though not one event shines above the rest, several stick out. Some of these events would be the day I was in a motorcycle accident, my first speeding ticket, and my first Blue Gold Fashion Show. All of those events have have something in common. They are all firsts. Things that shape your life are usually things that have only happened once or they are the great experiences that happen for the first time. Both of these circumstances things you learn something from. The reason an event only happens once is because it is something that you do not want to repeat and it causes you you learn from them. On the other hand, the reason the events that are the first of many is because they are the good things that open your eyes to new experiences and friendships. Whether you wish to continue on from a specific thing in your life or wish for it to never happen again, your life cannot be defined by one single event, but by the many events you go through to get to your final destination.
During my short seventeen years on this planet, I have been through many experiences that have changed my life. At a very young age my parents started me in the sport of wrestling. It began as simply a practice once a week and gradually grew to two or three practices and tournaments on the weekends. My parents thought of this as just a sport to keep me from getting into trouble or playing too many video games. Even though I was only eight years old it was fun being able to travel different places on the weekends for tournaments. As I got older I began to wrestle more and more. I wrestled for club teams and traveled out of state for tournaments. At this point I had grown to love the sport that it went from being just a sport to a lifestyle. I would spend most of my time training and preparing in some way or another for upcoming events. This would include running and dieting to make weight. By the time I had reached the high school level I had around seven years of experience in wrestling. I have traveled to around ten states and won many tournaments. I have had many coaches along the way who have helped me on and off the wrestling mat. Wrestling has taught me discipline, leadership skills and a good work ethic. It made me realize that if you want something bad enough you must set goals and work hard to achieve them. It has taught me to be a leader and step up in a situation. During the past summer I have helped coach younger kids at various camps. Wrestling has taught me to manage my time well and work hard for something whether in wrestling or life. Without the sport of wrestling I would not be the person I am today.
Within these “short” 17 years of my life, a lot of different events have occurred that impacted my life greatly. When I was just entering the fifth grade my father was going to get gastric bypass surgery. We packed our bags and drove off to New York hoping for a smooth ride. My dad could tell that I was scared about him and he always knows how to give the best advice at the right moments. “It’s ok to be scared, most things in life are scary and you can't avoid it. be strong with courage. Don’t worry I will be with you every step of the way. No matter what.” He gave my brother and I both a whole big bag of Halloween candy seeing as we were going to miss it. As the day of the surgery went by 14 hours in a waiting room seemed like a lifetime. Periodically a nurse would come in and give us updates. Nothing to bad though. The last visit from the nurse was the worst. He said there was a big complication and they would have to take longer. At the time I had no idea what that meant except I knew it was bad. After about what seemed like months the surgeon came out and said everything would be ok. One of the scariest days of my life turned out to be a blessing.
Within these “short” 17 years of my life, a lot of different events have occurred that impacted my life greatly. When I was just entering the fifth grade my father was going to get gastric bypass surgery. We packed our bags and drove off to New York hoping for a smooth ride. My dad could tell that I was scared about him and he always knows how to give the best advice at the right moments. “It’s ok to be scared, most things in life are scary and you can't avoid it. be strong with courage. Don’t worry I will be with you every step of the way. No matter what.” He gave my brother and I both a whole big bag of Halloween candy seeing as we were going to miss it. As the day of the surgery went by 14 hours in a waiting room seemed like a lifetime. Periodically a nurse would come in and give us updates. Nothing to bad though. The last visit from the nurse was the worst. He said there was a big complication and they would have to take longer. At the time I had no idea what that meant except I knew it was bad. After about what seemed like months the surgeon came out and said everything would be ok. One of the scariest days of my life turned out to be a blessing.
"Are you mocking me?" Seems to be a question I'm used too coming from a figure that has somehow deeply affected me after my seventeen, almost eighteen years of breathing on planet Earth. It comes down to one person: Brandi Hoag, my twenty-two year old sister. Although it’s cliché because she’s my kin, I connect with her in a way that no one else would be able to comprehend. Growing up, I was always skeptical of the relationship we would share as we neared adulthood due to the fact that we incessantly bickered. She seemed to be of aware of my every annoyance and pet peeve, and had no issue pushing all my buttons until I exploded like Mount St. Helens after the eruption in 1980. But recently, however, a new leaf turned over and once we got past something as minute as who got the front seat, we’ve been able to weave together a sisterhood that’s not available for refunds. As Saint Mark’s alumni, she’s been able to paint a path to success for me, and clue me in on whom the best teachers were, whom I should steer clear from, and who didn’t care if you caught up on some shut-eye. She’s been fascinated in my interests and encourages me to reach for the stars and that with a little hard work and dedication, I’ll be A-okay. So Dear Brandi, I write this short response for you, because without you, I just may have received a demerit!
In my life one recent event has effected me more than anything else. A little over a year ago I was a content teenager residing in Milford, New Hampshire. Going to my public high school there I was part of the majority opinion that friends and having fun at school was more important than actually learning. With an average GPA of about 3.0 I was looking to to either Plymouth State or UNH if I was able to get in. About halfway through my sophomore year there is when I heard the news that would alter my life course dramatically. My dad has to find a new job. After about 25 years at his previous job, my father was downsized and would have to start looking for a new job in multiple different states. During the remaining months of my sophomore year I had encountered the possibilities of having to move to California, North Carolina, Washington, and Delaware. With my father taking the job in Delaware, I was forced to leave everything I had ever known and mature greatly and quickly. From moving to a small town public school of 800 students, to a private catholic school like St. Mark's I made the decision of putting school work first. After just completing my junior year at St. Mark's and with my new and improved mindset my GPA raised from a 3.0 to a 3.5. After having to completely change the direction I thought my life was headed, I have become more mature and a more dedicated student.
So my topic of choice is an event that changed my life. Some people may talk about a terrible accident that happened to them or an experience that changed their lives but my event is merely coming to St. Mark’s my freshman year. I was the kid from Middletown who only knew five kids coming into school and was a new face to everyone. This change was very hard for me mainly because at my old school I knew everyone and was a somebody but coming to St. Mark’s made me a nobody.
Freshman year was very hard for me. I was very quiet and didn’t really know what to think about people or how I would be accepted. Gradually through freshman year and into sophomore year I made a lot of new friends and made myself a part of the St. Mark’s community. Since the end of sophomore year and into my junior and senior years school has been real good for me. I know a lot of people and get a long with almost everyone.
There are many people that have influenced me over the course of my life. The most notable one that I can think of right now is my Great Uncle John. He has been my boss at my job for the past three summers. I’ve learned a lot of things from him working at that job. I’ve learned the importance of hard work and what you can achieve if you work hard at something. Also he has shown me how to speak with people politely and treat them with respect. Whenever we go to eat after work he is very kind to all the waitresses and holds the door for people coming after him. I have tried to copy these traits and speak with people the way he does. Also he has tried to show me that excuses hold no real value in the real world. When I would try to get off work with some excuse he would break the excuse down and make me feel bad about it and I would usually end up working. This shows me that no one at a real job cares what excuse you have, you need to show up for work. I’m grateful to have gained these experiences from him he has showed me a lot.
There are many people in my life that have had an influence on me. One that really sticks out is my Grandfather. He has been around me my whole life and has helped me out and influenced what I do. He is always at my sporting events and if I ever need help with something all I need to do is call him and he is willing to do whatever I need him to do. He is always supportive of me when I need him and even helps me if I don’t ask for it. In return I am always there for him if he needs me to cut his grass or help with fixing the sink inside his house. In my life I try to act like him because he is always nice to people and is respected by many people and I would like to be just like him when I am older. He has done many things in his life and I hope to accomplish half of the things that he has accomplished, like having four kids and seven grandkids. I still continue to gain things from him everyday and hope to continue to learn from him in the future.
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