Sculpting a Future

"You don't get to choose how you're going to die. Or when. You can only decide how you're going to live. Now." -Joan Baez

In almost every action movie that we see, the hero always has a mentor. In "Hercules", he had Phil, in "Rocky", he had Mickey, "The Karate Kid" there was Mr. Miyagi. These mentor's train and teach these unforgettable heroes valuable important life lessons. The mentors are often the back bone of the hero. Although I am only fifteen, I have met some pretty unforgettable people so far on my journey. Mr. Wiley Vonner, also known as Coach Vonner. He was my English teacher in both seventh and eighth grade. Those two years with him were two years that I will never forget. He instilled so many life lessons in me that I will forever carry with me on my journey. He was the first person who told me, "life his hard, but you must be harder." He taught me that working hard does pay off. I don't even think of his class as an English class, it was more like English/Life 101. I could talk to him about anything! He inspired me and challenged me to take my writing to new heights. My love for writing soared after being in his class for two years.

The next person that inspired me, and brought out a talent I never knew I had, was my seventh and eighth grade volleyball coach, Coach Ashley. Starting middle school was big step for me, and I wanted to try everything! I had already signed up for athletics but I wasn't sure what sport I wanted to play yet. On the first day their was announcements about volleyball tryouts the next two days after school. I was skeptical about the idea because I had never played before but I figured I had nothing to lose. Surprisingly I was actually good, I made the B team! That year I learned so many things and I began to love the game! Coach Ashley encouraged me to play the next year and I did. This time I made the A team! That year my skills really improved and Coach Ashley saw this. She encouraged me to play in a select league that started after season was over so I could further advance my skills. I joined Mesquite Elite late October, and made the team. Then in the summer right before my Freshman year at Horn, the Horn High school Varsity Volleyball coach, Coach Reed contacted Coach Ashley and asked her if she had any exceptionally good players who would like to play with the Junior Varsity (JV) team in a Summer League. Out of the three teams at Terry, Coach Ashley picked me! She told me that I had the potential to be great and with my deep love for the game, I could go far. That Summer along with friend Morgan Finley, picked from Berry, we played with the Horn JV team! Coach Ashley believed in me and taught me the basics I needed to be a good player! That summer in August, I tried out for the Horn volleyball team and I was the only freshman beside my friend Morgan to make the JV team! Making the team was the highlight of my Freshman year and I owe it all to Coach Ashley! She taught me the importance of practicing and persevering.
The next mentor that I have is my number one fan for life, my mother. She has been the only person I can rely on. For fifteen years she has been the only one in my corner. She has taken care of me and taught me things that only a mother can teach me and more. My dad when I was younger was not in my life and although now he somewhat is, all my life she had to be my mommy and daddy. Providing me with enough love to overwhelm Cupid, she made my childhood one of the best. Never showing any negativity, never letting me see her cry, through those years that were tough, she always kept her head up. When we had nothing, she always was optimistic and showed me the brighter things in life when we were in the dark. My mother has always told me the truth, never has she hidden something from me nor has she let me walk around believing something that was not true. When she can, she gives me pretty much whatever I want, but she doesn't spoil me to the point where I am a brat. She disciplined me and taught me right from wrong. She taught me to say, "Yes Ma'am" and "No Sir". She let me make mistakes and taught me to learn from them. If I made anything lower than an 85 in any other subject or less than a 90 in English on a report card, she would ground me and usually some form of of physical punishment was included. Although I haven't had to deal with that problem since the fifth grade. She taught me the value of hard work and taught me that not everyone is your friend. I learned not to trust everyone and not every boy I come across is going to be nice. She taught me how to stick up for myself, respect others, and taught me how to be all I can be.
We fuss, argue, and at times I cannot stand her but at the end of the day no matter what happens I know that she loves me dearly. I know she will always be there for me. I know if the world decided to shun me one day, she would be the one person who will hold my hand. She is my mother as well as my friend, and I love her more than anything.