Prompt: What matters to you most and why?
Salty tears stream down my face, over cheeks flushed from crying, and on to my bed. I usually hate to cry, but seeing my tears mirrored by those glistening in the eyes of my best friend gave me comfort in knowing I was not alone. We were a few months into our freshman year of high school and had slowly watched our friends from middle school drift down the path to drugs, alcohol, self-harm, and partying. After crying for hours, we promised each other that together we would stay strong. As the years past I watched more and more of my peers trade their dreams and ambitions for way to escape the pains of growing up. I am proud to say that I stayed true to promise I made at the start of my freshman year, but I am sorry to say my best friend did not.
This past summer I volunteered at the Gang Resistance Education and Training (GREAT) summer program, sponsored by our local police department. At GREAT we educated incoming 4th-8th graders about the importance of being leader in their community, stopping bullying, and saying no drugs and alcohol. That summer I watched innocent faces crinkle with determination as they promised to stay strong against peer pressure. Thinking of their conviction still makes me smile with pride, for their strength reminds me that I made the right choice.
Growing up is hard, the lines we establish as right and wrong as children begin to blur, and many fall victim to temptation. It is natural at times to feel alone or sad, but while my peers turned to partying, I chose other means of coping. I became more diligent student, explored my creativity, and found new friends that respected my choices.
As an adolescent, I change, shift and grow everyday, leaving me pleasantly unsure exactly who I am, but resilient what I believe. I believe in doing my best, not succumbing to peer pressure, and holding myself to high standards in everything that I do. It is these beliefs that guide my moral compass everyday and are truly what matters to me most.
Salty tears stream down my face, over cheeks flushed from crying, and on to my bed. I usually hate to cry, but seeing my tears mirrored by those glistening in the eyes of my best friend gave me comfort in knowing I was not alone. We were a few months into our freshman year of high school and had slowly watched our friends from middle school drift down the path to drugs, alcohol, self-harm, and partying. After crying for hours, we promised each other that together we would stay strong. As the years past I watched more and more of my peers trade their dreams and ambitions for way to escape the pains of growing up. I am proud to say that I stayed true to promise I made at the start of my freshman year, but I am sorry to say my best friend did not.
This past summer I volunteered at the Gang Resistance Education and Training (GREAT) summer program, sponsored by our local police department. At GREAT we educated incoming 4th-8th graders about the importance of being leader in their community, stopping bullying, and saying no drugs and alcohol. That summer I watched innocent faces crinkle with determination as they promised to stay strong against peer pressure. Thinking of their conviction still makes me smile with pride, for their strength reminds me that I made the right choice.
Growing up is hard, the lines we establish as right and wrong as children begin to blur, and many fall victim to temptation. It is natural at times to feel alone or sad, but while my peers turned to partying, I chose other means of coping. I became more diligent student, explored my creativity, and found new friends that respected my choices.
As an adolescent, I change, shift and grow everyday, leaving me pleasantly unsure exactly who I am, but resilient what I believe. I believe in doing my best, not succumbing to peer pressure, and holding myself to high standards in everything that I do. It is these beliefs that guide my moral compass everyday and are truly what matters to me most.