Good Life Award - Winners
2008
Good Life Award Writing Contest
Honorable Mention
Abby Schneider
7th Grade, Magsig Middle School
| There are many things that teenagers may fear. The future could be one of them. I’ve always known what I wanted to do and where I wanted to end up as an adult. But what I’ve realized is how many things I have to face along the way. So much more weight will be thrown on my shoulders, weight I am going to have to handle to be successful. Many of these things I wish didn’t even exist. But there is a way to transform my fear into confidence and ambition. As Arthur Ashe said, “One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key to self confidence is preparation.” I must be prepared, know my plan, know exactly the things I’ll deal with and know the consequences of it all. Education is one of the most important aspects of my life. It’s what’ll give me the kind of life I want. Remembering that as I get older will help me in many of the decisions I make. Joseph Jones, a lawyer, once said “To be well-informed is to have the world at your fingers.” As hard as it may be to do my best in school, I’ll need to remember how important an education is so that I don’t end up working at McDonald’s my whole life. As a teenager today, I have and will face many decisions. Some of them will be hard like drinking, drugs, parties, skipping school. As easy as it is now to say “Oh, I’ll never do that,” in the future it might not be so easy. What if “everyone” is doing it? I’ll have to be strong. Understanding right from wrong will help. Having confidence and knowing my real friends already think I am “cool” enough will help me even more. I also need to continue to choose friends who influence me with positive peer pressure. Giving is something I don’t want to overlook. It is easy to ignore others’ struggles and become wrapped up in myself. But like Dottie Yeck, I want to share what I have been given with others who haven’t been as blessed. Volunteering at my church has shown me that by giving to others I also receive a true blessing. I get the opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life. I’ll always have to remember that I’m not the only one in the world. I know everything in my future won’t always run smoothly. But I can say that I will do my best to not let anything stop me. A favorite quote of mine is “don’t tell me the sky is the limit when there are footsteps on the moon.” I know anything is possible. I’ve one chance to make my life what I want it to be. Failing isn’t an option, it isn’t acceptable. I will reach my goals. As Dr. Seuss wrote, “Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So…get on your way!” That’s just what I plan to do. |