Coaches, mentors, parents, even friends can all make a difference in a person’s life. They can make you smile when you don’t want to, or make your bad day no so bad anymore. For me, a mentor is a person that is always there for you. They cheer for you at your games, help you with school work, and just even hangout with you. The person that comes to mind when I think about all these things, is Ashley Griese. She has always been there for me and I know she always will be. She is practically like me big sister! Ashley watched over me, cheers me on, and gives me advice when I need. I seriously think she has helped me be the person I am today. But there also has been other people who have influenced me. One of them, of course, being my mom. She is always at my games, helping me with homework, and lets not forget all the cleaning, and cooking, and laundry! Another person that comes to mind is Brady Hartung, my Junior High Basketball coach. He did everything he could to make us a better team, but still made it fun for all of us. We have so many memories with Brady and I’m sure there are more to come. It seems like everywhere I go I have some one looking out for me. When I go home mom is there, at practice Brady is there, with friends, Ashley is right beside me. But lets not forget school, I feel the two teachers that look out for me and want the most for me in life would have to be Miss Rist and Mrs. Bengs. Miss Rist is my Ag teacher and FFA advisor. She always helps me when i have a problem or need a favor, or have a question about something. She also put a lot of work into my team and I, and we received 2nd place at state in Agricultural Communications. We had so much fun doing it and learned so much. I can never thank her enough. Mrs. Bengs is my band instructor. She helps me when I have a question about my instrument, and she is there when i just want to stop in and say hi. Sometimes I forget she is a teacher when I am talking to her.
I can remember this one time in track, I was just getting ready to triple jump and I saw all these really good girls getting warmed up to! Like Megan Sandmeier, Christi Mettler, Andriea Biel, even my friend Shaye! I immediately got down on myself. I told my self I couldn’t do it, that all the other girls were better than me, that I couldn’t even reached 28 feet! But as soon as my friends, Ashley, my coach, saw me down, they picked me right back up again. They told me I could do it and just try my best and whatever it is, it is. So I relaxed a little bit and didn’t give up. Before I knew it is was my turn to jump, I got on the runway and went full speed ahead for the sand, before I could blink I was done and out of the pit. That day i jumped a ‘28,8’ . That was really good for me! I was so proud of my self and didn’t even care that I didn’t get first. I improved my own score and that was all the mattered to me.
After seeing how so many people have helped me and influenced my like, I wanted to do the same for another kid. I try to push and cheer on my sister in volleyball as much as I can, along with cheering for the rest of the team. I try to give back and help my mom around the house and with my younger siblings. I give back to my coaches by working hard in practice and paying attention. And, when the younger kids at my school need advice, help with homework, or just someone to talk to I try to let them know as much as I can that I am always there for them. All in all mentors, friends, coaches, teachers, and even parents really do change your life. So if you’re having a bad day, need a friend, or just want to talk, turn to your own mentor and they can brighten your day.
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