Mentors Essay, Research Paper

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Anyone who can change the way you feel about certain issues for the better is a mentor. I know in my heart what is right and what is wrong, but sometimes I get off track . When I do leave the pack, hopefully, a teacher, parent, or a close friend will help me back on track. A mentor will have the same perspective on life, in general, as you do. Generally, a mentor is some one you really enjoy listening and talking to.

In 9th and 10th grade I was not exactly a ?good kid? I did drugs, I stole, and many other ungodly things. I guess I was trying to fit in with the ?cool crowd.? Although I was smart, my teachers could see me deteriorating day after day. Coming into school high, skipping class to smoke a cigarette, these are some of the things that the teachers noticed. My true friends, family, and the school tried to help. I do not know why I did not listen to them or why it took me so long to listen to them.

In 11th grade I had a teacher that had this profound effect on my life and me. He was the U.S. history and C.W.I (contemporary world issues) teacher. This man?s name is Francis Gymaih, an ordained minister from Guana, Africa. The easiest way to describe him is he is looks and acts exactly like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Just like Dr. King he would preach every thing he said. He would never stop pacing around the room while he teach the class. He often would raise his hands in the air and talk in a ?praise to God? kind of voice. This made his class enjoyable to be in. He made it so the students wanted

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to listen and learn. In addition to his uplifting speeches he is also the assistant soccer coach for the high school. I played soccer so this gave me a chance to see him out of school.

Mr. Gymaih is a young man, about 26 years old, so he can still relate to the students on a different level than most teachers. Towards the middle of my 10th grade

year he would take me out on his own time to do things after school. We would play basketball or soccer and some times we would just sit in his classroom and talk. We would talk about every thing and the things he said just made sense. One thing he said to me that I still hold true with me today is ?If I give my virginity to a girl she better give some thing back in return and that?s my last name in marriage.? I am still a virgin today because of this. He would also talk about drugs and the point of them. The point is there is none. When you sit down and think about it there is no really good reason to take any illegal drugs. I quit doing all drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, and every thing else I did, for a year and a half. I do drink now but I do not abuse it like I used to, but every thing else is still off limits.

The man I call my mentor has forever changed my life. I went to visit him last Wednesday just to see how he was doing. He was trying to coach the team as I creeped behind him to give the man a hug; it was one of the biggest hugs I had ever given. I owe him a lot more hugs than that. If it were not for him who knows were I would be right now. He put me back on track.