Learning from our Role models

By Sandiago Gomez
College of Education
Long Island University, C. W. Post
March, 2011

The story sharing activity was truly captivating and I really enjoyed it. It helped me to learn more about my classmates and their ways of thinking and at the same time, it led me to re-evaluate my own mentality. I am glad to know that most people still think of their parents, close friends, and family members as role models. To be honest, I did not expect this activity to go the way it did. Truth is that people usually avoid opening up to others, and I was really surprised when some of my classmates started crying due to the intensity of their emotions. I’d have to accept that even I was close to crying when I told my own story, but for some reason, I felt comfortable giving details about my life that I usually avoid discussing.

The greatest thing about the activity was that we were all willing to share something personal and to listen to each other diligently. Although I enjoyed listening to everybody’s story, I’m sure that many would agree with me saying that the arrival of Jasmine’s mother was probably the most moving moment of all. I think that this woman’s act of taking time off from her evidently busy lifestyle to do something that was meaningful to her daughter was not only admirable, but it also proved that those who we pick as role models are great human beings; who certainly deserve earning our respect, love and admiration.