Role models: Who are they?

Role models: Who are they?

One person that has become a role model for me in the last couple of years is Gus Cavazos. Gus Cavazos was my elementary coach and is now a good friend. I had not seen Gus since I was in elementary school and one day while I was having dinner at Chili’s with my brother he came up to us and said, “Hey I haven’t seen both of you in a long time how are you all doing?” He had gained about 70 pounds so at first I didn’t recognize him but it quickly came back to me. He was alone so he sat there with us and talked for about two hours.

He was working at Vernon Middle School in Harlingen and when he found out that my brother had just graduated from UTB and was looking for a job he quickly gave him his number and told that he might need another coach so for him to give him a call. About a month later he did help my brother get a job there with him and we all became pretty good friends. That was about six years ago.

The very next year Gus left Vernon Middle School to become a defensive coordinator for the Rio Hondo varsity football team. A year after that he became the head coach. When Gus was given the head coaching job I figured he was going to change as a person. I have known many coaches that change when they become head coaches. Gus did the opposite, to him it was just like being any other one of the coaches. When he is out in public and he runs into old students he always takes the time to talk to them and see how they are doing.

One of the things that I admire about this man is that he has become a very successful coach in the last couple of years and yet he still remains that same humble teacher that he was in elementary. I think that it is great that he remembers most of his students and that he always takes the time to talk to them. I hope that I can reach the success level that he has one day and at the same time remain as humble as this man has. He has shown me that success should never change the type of person you are. (Crespin Gonzalez)

My role model is my organ teacher. Her name is Neva, and I met her at a church I attended for a scholarship. When I expressed an interest in learning how to play the organ, she offered to give me lessons for free.

She is my role model because she is such a great teacher. She is always pushing me to do my best. One of her favorite phrases is “you don’t want to be like all the other riff-raff, do you?” She has made it a point to pass on all of her knowledge of music to the other music students, even to some of the university professors. She has taught public school music all her life, so she has a great deal of knowledge to give to others.

She is also my role model because she has had many life experiences. She grew up during the Great Depression, dealt with the death of her husband and survived breast cancer a few years ago. This 80 year old lady has been through a lot, and it shows. She knows what she wants and knows how to get it from everybody. She also has a very positive “can do” attitude. She gets things done no matter what.

Neva has really influenced me to pursue things that I may not have otherwise. She has inspired me to pass on my knowledge of music to others in a passionate way. I think she has a good grasp on her sense of integrity. I hope when I am that age, I can be as wise and as good a teacher as she is. (Ruben Rincon, Jr., June 17, 2008)

In today’s class there were several touching stories. I wanted to talk about my role model but, I just couldn’t. I knew that if I started talking about my role model I would start crying. My role model is my father and it would have been so hard for me to talk about him because father’s day was just this past Sunday. I still want to share a little of who he was.

My father inspired me as a person. He was a very special man to me. He was tall and a good looking man. He was very active and athletic person. I recall several times that we jogged together at five o’clock in the morning because he wanted to keep in shape. He’d always get up early for work every day and he wanted everybody to wake up also. He would raise the volume of the radio so that everybody could hear and eventually everybody would get up. I recall that he would always wake up in a good mood and he wanted to dance at five o’clock in the morning with me. I was half asleep but I still danced with him.

He was also a very hard working man. He was a carpenter and his hands were very rough, his hands were cut and bruised. His fingernails were all black of dirt. I recall so well because he did a lot of carpenter at home. There was a time that he accidently hurt his fingers with the hammer. I recall that even thou he was cut and bleeding he would continue working that didn’t stop him. He was a strong man. I admired him.

At the end of the class the professor asked us to tell our role models how we felt. I unfortunately can not. You see my father passed away eleven years ago. He had a heart attack and I was not able to tell him how I really felt about him. I wished I had but it is too late. (Noelia Jimenez, June 17, 2008)

Today in class we were ask who are role model is and why. My role model is my six grade art teacher Mr. Rodriguez. When I was in elementary I struggled a lot in school with reading and writing. When I move up to six grade I progressed but my struggled created a self-doubt; I never though I would be the best in anything. I had always being good at art and is something I liked to do but I never thought much about it until I was in Mr. Rodriquez class.

He saw potential in me and helped me develop my skills. He took me aside and thought me new mediums, skills, and ways to see art. I did much more advance assignments compared to what the other students were making. He made me feel good about myself. I had never felt good in school, but people stared to recognize my skill and know me for that. It felt so good that people would know me when I didn’t just because they saw or new my work. When a teacher would set group assignment that involved some type of drawing most students wanted me in their group cause I was the best. Mr. Rodriguez saw potential in me and helped me develop my skills to a higher level, when no other person would not even my parents. (Frank Barrera)

It was very hard for me to pick just one role model because many people have inspired me or touched me in a way that makes me want to be a successful person. But this one person that I have chosen has shown me that by succeeding in life many doors of opportunities will open. The person I choose as my role model is my dad. The reason I choose him is despite all the obstacles he has been presented with in life he has succeeded as a son, husband, father and student. This man wasn’t always in my life when I was about seven he entered my life however, little did I know he would be the father who was never there for me and the inspiration for me to continue my education despite my own obstacles.

At the age of 16 my dad had to drop out of school to assume his responsibilities as a young father. Later on he continued to get his G.E.D.; however never in a million years did he think he would go to college and succeed. It took my dad eight years going part time to school to receive his Bachelors in Business. Eight years is a long time for a person to be attending college and he was faced with many obstacles such as his mother getting cancer and soon after passing away but he never let anything get in his way of accomplishing his goal. Even though his mother would not be able to see her son accomplish his goal he was able to show his family to never give up despite what might lie ahead.

Today’s class is one that I always remember and cherish. Having a role model and having him being able to hear what you have to say about him meant the world to me especially because my father had no idea why he was there. That is another reason why I admire him because I told him that I needed him to attend class with me and he accepted with no questions asked.

Many people may think that is not a big deal but to me it was because he originally had other plans and he still has a seven year old son at home along with my mother that he could have been spending quality time with. Even though I do not live at home with him it still doesn’t stop him from pushing me or helping me with whatever lies ahead whether it be school or any dilemmas I might be faced with. Thank you for allowing me to show my dad how special he is to me. I know it meant a lot to him because even though I am not his daughter by blood, I know one would ever be able to tell if I hadn’t said anything. Once again, Thank You. (Stephanie Huerta)

My role model is my mother. Her name is Ofelia B. Lopez and she is 50 years old. She is currently a nurse with a diabetes doctor. Since my father passed away when I was in 6th grade and she became a single parent. At the time I had one older brother. She remarried and then I had two step-brothers. I still like to say she was a single parent of four because my step father got very sick and she was the one supporting all of us. She was supporting two children that weren’t even hers but she loved them as they were her own.

My mother is very independent and has always been that way. My step father was a diabetic and was always very sick. They split up and he got very sick and passed away. Even though they were not together, she stuck by his side through everything. After he passed away she took everything as if they were still married even though they weren’t. She still took my step brothers and loved them very much. God knows that I put my mother through a lot when I was growing up and I thank her for it. She has taught me so much. My mother was very strict but now I know why she was doing it. My mother was always my mother and never my friend, even up until this day. She is still my mother and I still respect her as if I was younger. I am also still very scared of what she will say and so to me. HAHA. She took my friends in when she didn’t have to and became a mother to them as well.

Now that I am older, I am proud to say she is my friend because she is there to always give me the best advice ever and to help me when I am crying and when I am having a tough time. I love her with all my heart. I am very thankful to have her as a mother and now one of my best friends. (Vanessa A. Lopez, June 17, 2008)

My role model is my grandmother. She has live with my family since before I was even born. My grandmother is my role model because she is someone who doesn’t need a lot of materialistic things. She is someone who enjoys life and family and friends. Those memories are what are most important to her. She is someone who I have a close bond with.

I was raised by her when I was very young because both of my parents worked and we couldn’t afford pre-school. She taught me how to do little things, like using a fork and spoon, and she taught me how to speak in Spanish. She is also the rock in our family, we continually go to church on Sundays and do the whole family thing. She is happiest when she is in her room and going through her prayers. She doesn’t need a lot to make her happy. I hope that I can be like that when I am old. Her attitude towards life is unlike any other elderly person I know. She loves waking up every day and thanks God for another day. Her one hope is to see me graduate from college and I plan on fulfilling that dream for her. (Luis A. Carmona, June 17, 2008)

My role models are my parents. They have showed me what love and family is all about. They have taught me that family should stick together through thick and thin. My dad was a very hard worker. He always provided us with food on the table and endless love when he came from work. He suddenly got sick and doesn't live with us because he needs special care.

My mom is someone I really look up to. She has taken care of my two sisters and me in my father's absence. I admire that she has never complained. She loves my dad and us a lot and she has always shown it. I see her as a very strong woman. She has always been there for us and encouraging us to be our best at everything. She has stuck by my dad through everything. The love that my mom and dad share is very rare and unique. Despite their obstacles and his illness, they are still there for each other. They are my role models because they have showed me unconditional love and support. I hope I can share that type of love with my future husband and children one day.—Helen, March 6, 2008, EDCI 4322-01


There are actually several people that I consider role models but the two most important are my parents. My parents have been an inspiration to my life and many others. My mom of course gave birth to me and has put up with my many ups and downs. She has been there to help me with my kids and has been like a second mom to them. My father has been my shoulder to cry on, anything I do or anything I say always is important to him. Even though my mother and father did not finish school they have always encourage me and my sisters and brothers to finish school.

They have stayed without many things to provide for us. My parents always cared about what we did and were very involved in everything we did in school. My parents have a great marriage they have been married more than 30 years and they still sometimes act like newlyweds. When my husband passed away suddenly 5yrs ago they were the ones that helped me cope with it. They encouraged me to go back to college and now I only need about 1 year to finish my degree. They help with my 2 sons without question and they also help me financially if I need it. They are caring, supportive, hard workers, good listeners and compassionate. No words could describe how much they mean to me and how proud I am to be their daughter.—Nina, March 15, 2008, EDCI 4322-60

I am glad I did not have to talk about my role model during class because I know that I would have cried only by describing the person she is. Even now just thinking of her makes me want to cry and it is not because I am an emotional person it is because I remember that she is a wonderful human being who has inspired my whole life.

I met this person on February 1989 three days after she was born, she is my baby sister. At first I was constantly fighting with her because my parents always gave her what she wanted and would always get away with every mischievous thing she would do. It was when she was 15 years that she changed my life. At age 15 she was told she have rheumatoid arthritis. I have seen how this disease with no cure has affected her life for almost four years; she is a very fragile person. She is not suppose to do hard laborious work and yet she still does it, knowing that on the next day she will not be able to walk. I see her cry when she can even do a simple task as getting up from the bed or walk to the dinner table. In the past I would very easily give up on things because I felt I could not do them or I would constantly stress out over small things.

She has taught me that there no obstacle in life that you can’t battle and win. She is a pure example of it, she fight every day to accomplish what she want even if it cause her pain in every foot step she takes. She is a bubbly, happy, honest, hard worker, determined person; there aren’t enough words to describe her. I love her with all my heart and thank God for giving me a sister like her; she is my sun light in a gloomy day.—Kassi, March 15, 2008, EDCI 4322-60

My role models was my eighth grade algebra teacher named Mrs. Ortiz. This teacher would always praise me for my work. It was already the end of the year and we had to take this test to get credit for high school it was called the EOC (end of course exam). Well when she received the scores she saw that I scored a perfect 100 on the test. She got someone to take over her class for about five minutes and knocked on my class door and told everyone in front of the class that I had gotten a 100 on my exam. The rest of the week she was telling everyone that she had a student that scored a perfect on the exam especially the other mathematic teachers. That is why this teacher inspired me the most. (Suki)

Most importantly, Mrs. Huppi had high expectations for all of her students. I, for one, hate to read. I am a good reader, but a little slow, so it takes me a long time to finish a book. After my junior year, she lent me a book to read over the summer. Out of respect for her, I read the book. It made me feel so good that she would care that much for me. Then, in my senior year, I wrote a song for my high school band to play. I invited her to the concert. Afterwards, she had very good things to say about my work, and then challenged me to write a song with words. If it were not for her, I think that I never would have written the song that my family sang in church before I left for my mission. I was not the only student she pushed to the maximum of their abilities. She encouraged everybody, even if they were not in her class, to have a poem, short story, or artwork published in the school magazine that I already mentioned. Every year, the magazine was almost one inch thick, full of students’ works. In fact, one senior was recognized at the end of the year for publishing her first novel. Mrs. Huppi, in her spare time, had coached that student on her writing skills.

Mrs. Huppi was very dedicated to her work, but most importantly to her students. Aside from her schoolwork, she managed to be a good wife, mother, member of a community orchestra, and member of her church. In short, she did it all. For me, she was more than a teacher; she was a mentor! (Eldon Clark)

Well, I do have somebody that is very important to me that I consider to be a role model not only for myself but for others as well. Her name is Zaria Torres and she is my younger sister. The reason why she is my role model is because I wish I could be more like her and share some of the strengths that she possesses, such as discipline, dedication, determination and mountains upon mountains of intelligence. She is only 21 right now, a year younger than me, and she's studying biomedical sciences at Texas A & M, College Station, a major that in my opinion is extremely difficult.

After graduation she plans on attending veterinary school there as well, but she's nervous about her grades cause you need an extremely high GPA to even be considered for admission. I have faith that she will do great because of her personality and she will make an awesome veterinarian. I guess what I'm trying to say is that she's my role model because I want to be as disciplined and dedicated as her. I'm more of a clown and dork while she is the nerd and more serious sister. I think I'm doing a good job though so far. I'll be graduating in December 2008 and hopefully will be attending grad school in Austin the following fall, so that gets to say something good about my character. (Juanita Torres)