The first person that I would consider influential to me is my good friend, Kristen. Kristen and I have been friends since elementary school, but were never too close going through school. When High School came along, we became much closer as we were involved in many of the same clubs and different groups. I realized that more than ever, the compliments that people around school would give her in regards to her personality, and overall character were true. Every single day that I would run into her at school, or in class she would ask me how my day was going, and what was new with my life. It's not everyday that someone who isn't immediately in your group of friends will go out of their own way to catch up with you, but Kristen did, no matter what mood she was in. Even on days I could tell she was in a bad mood, she would make an effort to ask how everyone's day was. While not a huge gesture by any means, it isn't exactly normal in this day and age.
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| Kristen and I |
Kristen not only made sure you felt important as a person, but she also did countless good deeds for the city, the school, and the special needs kids in the school. Now that high school is over, we don't see each other as often, but she still holds a great deal of influence on me. In my life, more than anything, Kristen has shown me that it is important to be more personal with people and to be kind to everyone, and this is something that I try to live by everyday.
Another person I would consider influential in my life would be my High School drama director, Kelly Klug. Although I was only a part of the Drama club for the latter half of senior year, the impact Kelly made on me and my life was incredible. Like so many other cast members that she has directed in the past, she makes everyone feel at home and like one of her own children, of which she has 5. When I first met Kelly, I was essentially being forced to audition for the school musical by my friends, and I was very negative about the whole experience and my ability to actually perform on stage. As soon as auditions were over and I got to know Kelly better, the more I became comfortable being on stage. This would not have been possible if it weren't for Kelly. She truly is a super human, she manages to be the mother of 5 kids, a wife, an elementary school teacher, and a drama director for multiple shows at once. Her caring personality and approachable attitude are definitely some of her best qualities and what allows her to successfully direct plays and musicals with such large amounts of people involved with the production.
Without the experience of going out of my comfort zone and auditioning for the musical, I would have never met one of the best people I have ever met in my life. Kelly no doubt has changed lives, she truly inspires everyone, because she is a great person at heart and she will do anything it takes to help someone succeed. While I, myself couldn't handle the work load that Kelly has, I definitely admire her perseverance. Kelly Klug has inspired me and so many others that have had the pleasure to meet her to be the best you can in anything that you do, and theres always things you can do to improve yourself.
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| Kelly Klug, a fellow cast mate, and I |
Last, but not least, I am influenced by Ellen Degeneres. While this blog post may seem categorized into influential women, it is just coincidence that the people that influence me the most, happen to be women. Ellen is probably the most generous person the world has to offer. Her show is also probably one of the most recognized. No matter what background, wealth level, or any other characteristic, she always stresses that people need to be kind to one another. It isn't often that a talk show host will remind you of this and consistently do good deeds for people that may be struggling or need support. Ellen Degeneres is also probably the most generous of the talk show hosts. Just recently, in the light of the Detroit Public Schools conditions scandal, she donated half a million dollars, to a school she has never been to and a city she probably has never visited. It just goes to show that kindness can go a long way, especially during a crisis. While Ellen may not be able to save every single school in the Detroit, the effort put forth will raise awareness of the critical conditions the public school system is in. It is people like Ellen, and Kelly and Kristen that inspire me to be a great person everyday, and to make the most out of everything.
