Senior English
What are Key Elements of a Role Model?
The girl looked at the group of women in the crowd as she walked across the stage. She thought of all the times that the group of women had helped her get through the breakdowns, the mental stress of achievement, and the hard work. They used their stories, their mistakes, their laughs, their beliefs to make the girl determined. But the rewards were evidenced by the lives the women had lived. The women showed the girl a life the girl wanted; they gave her hope that from hard work, achievement would follow. When the girl received the document, she turned to the group of women and held it up to show them. They clapped and loudly whistled. She made it! She silently told the women, “Thank you. Thank you for not giving up on me. Thank you for being someone to model myself after. You are the reason I am here right now in a cap and gown.” They were the biggest influencers. They were: coaches, teachers, trainers, bosses, a pit-crew, ¨her horse show Moms¨(when needed), and her role models full time. They were women that the girl looked up to. When someone hears the word role model, the picture that comes to mind is someone who only uses actions to inspire people. They are people that make a impact on the population as a whole. The definition of the word role model is “someone who another person admires and tries to be like.” In that definition, not once did it say “actions” or “nonverbal”. In my experience and my view, role models don’t just inspire through actions. They inspire is other ways: personal experience, storytelling, sharing their mistakes and their dedication, their ability to hard work, volunteering to help, showing support for others, helping others to succeed in their goals, and showing what life could be. Being a role model is so much more than just through physical actions. It’s verbally, it’s showing up for things, cheering for others no matter the outcome, it’s helping people when they are down, it’s wanting other to become the potential they have. The first key element of a role model is being a generally good human being. The person knows right from wrong and is willing to help others. The person generally wants to help and share their experience. They want to see others succeed and understand that hard work is manageable and that it will pay off in the end. They understand the meaning of hard work. They have put in the blood, the sweat, the tears, and put aside all their fears and just did it. An personal example is Senior Year Equestrian Team. I came out my class, and I felt like I didn’t put my all into my ride. It was my last year of Equestrian team. I felt so much pressure to win. I finally walked out of the pen and I patted my horse on the neck. I was so upset. I felt like I let the entire team down. My Mom and Aunt Beth - she isn’t blood related, but she is a major influence in my life- came to congratulate me on my ride. I was trying not to let the tears flood my face and ruin the make-up. They both looked at my broken state and demanded to know why I was crying. I told them that I didn’t give my all and screwed up my ride. They looked at one another and stated “Did you try? Also, did you have fun?” I sat and pondered my answer then told them, “I tried, but I still screwed up my lead on the second go around.” My Mother looked and me and scoffed, then stated “ It’s not the Worlds. It’s Equestrian Team. You are here to have fun and enjoy your horse. He was looking great! He was a good boy for you in there. So what, your lead was screwed up! It’s better than being dragged across the pen by him. Right?” They always knew how to cheer me up and give me advice. They didn’t plan on being role models, but they ended up being women I looked up to. The second key element that makes up role model is their hard work ethic. They yearn to achieve their own goals, as well as helping other to succeed with their own goals. Role models want to have others see what they can achieve through what they have--what the role models have in their personal life. A personal experience from my life are the “Aunts”. My “Aunts” are my role models. Their names are Beth Schwab, Jenny Bennett, Barb Bird-Barror, and finally my mother, Kris Lauckner. They all went to Michigan State University (MSU). They all are highly educated with some type of bachelor's degree. They had steady jobs before they settled down to marriage and children. They all constantly tell me “get an education, then you can do whatever you want.” They strive for me to have a good education before anything else. The third key element makes up a role model is sharing of experiences and mistakes. They want to share their experiences and have others learn from them. A personal experience is the summer before Freshman year. I was speaking with my mom, Aunt Beth, Aunt Jen, Bailey, Mick, and Grandma Nancy. I told them all that I was quite worried about high school. They each told a story about their high school experience. The times before the internet. They told of laughs, tears, stupidity, mistakes, and so much more. They made high school seem like a walk in the park and so much less scary. Role models don’t aren’t just role models because of actions. They have good morals and want others to succeed. They inspire people through what they have succeeded and push them to strive for their goals. They want to: inspire, teach, talk, cheer on, and just help others succeed. To be a role model it isn’t just physical actions it’s verbal, and so much more.
3 Comments
Katelyn
3/12/2018 09:35:14 am
Seriously thought I was going to cry. I wish there were more role models for every kid. A lot of people need a good role model, like the ones you explain here.
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3/12/2018 10:53:54 am
I like the first paragraph and how it explains role models because i know how it is to have someone i really look up to.
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Victoria R
3/13/2018 09:34:15 am
I like how you ended by saying it's not just by their actions, it's also by what they say and supporting others. I feel like it was a good way to end it and really connected all your points at the end. Great Job! :)
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