Learning from our role models

By Melissa Rohr
College of Education
Long Island University, C. W. Post
November, 2010

In going to class today, I was very excited because it was role model day and I was really excited to hear about everyone's role model and why they looked up to them. I have many role models in my life from teachers, to family members to athletes. The role model I chose to share in class today was Mia Hamm. Mia is a former US Women's National Soccer team player from the early 1990's to about 2003. Aside from being the most decorated women's player in history, she had numerous endorsements, did a lot of charitable work, and most of all found time for a family and kids. Of course I look up to Mia for her athletic talent and desire to win and succeed but I truly look up to her for everything she did off the field, from her charitable work to having a family and promoting the women's game all around the world.

Most of all, I admire Mia for never letting all the fame and recognition get to her like so many famous athletes and celebrities do. In hearing my classmates share their stories about their role models, it was kind of emotional, both happy and sad. Some classmates shared some very emotional stories from losing a best friend to losing a parent, or a really close teacher and I greatly admire them for finding the strenghth to let me know about those people. I really admire the reasons my classmates looked up to their particular role models. I feel that having someone to always turn to and look up to is really important within life, and I feel that I'm very fortunate to have encountered the role models that I do have.