Good Life Award - Winners
2007
Good Life Award Writing Contest
Honorable Mention
Sonali Sharma
9th Grade, Centerville High School
| "Life Goes On" Startled, I wake up in the middle of the night, shivering. I turn to the clock to realize the night is still young. I force myself to think positive thoughts and try to get some sleep. I had had a terrible nightmare in which I’d seen myself; a girl standing in the shadows, all alone with no one to support her. I tell myself it was just a dream and that not all dreams come true. Why be scared of the future when we have the present to worry about? Contrary to popular belief, the teenage years of one’s life are not always the fun and happy ones. They are the years in which children mature into young adults. These young adults get a taste of what the real world is like. But, most importantly, these years are used to get to know yourself and understand who you are as a person. In a world where this is so much negative, these years are used to make decisions that will affect us for the rest of our lives. All we hear about teenagers today is how “screwed up” they are. The media does have a way of stretching the truth. Yes, more teenagers today are turning to violence to solve their problems, but what about the even bigger percentage of teenagers doing the right thing? When faced with problems, these teenagers don’t turn to alcohol and drugs. These teenagers turn to themselves, their families, their friends. What separates these two? The principles, morals, and ethics surrounding these adolescents as they were growing up. These teenagers have a security blanket which they know will always be there for them. Everyone’s opinion of what a successful teenager is differs. To me, a successful teenager is one who always has a positive attitude, a set aim in life, and the drive to go do something. Sure, there will be some scary and nerve-wracking situations, but it’s the way the problem is handled that separates the boys from the men or the girls from the women. It is in times like these, where one can easily be discouraged and feel insecure, that it helps to have a best friend or someone to talk to; someone that you have faith in and can always count on to pull you through even the most stickiest of situations. Teenage years are said to be the most precious years of one’s life. With the correct goals and fool-proof mindset, teenage years can be everything ones ever imagined and hoped for; and some. Stick with what you believe is right and nothing can go wrong. You have the power to make decisions and speak your mind. Substances such as drugs, alcohol, and violence don’t have to be in the big picture unless you put them there. I’ve learned from my mistakes and have found out that it all comes down to this-- ` No matter how awful or difficult the situation…life goes on. |