Idols

Personal Essay Rough Draft

Oscar Barnes

Due: December 8, 2014

Instructor: Margarette Chavez

Everybody has someone they look up to and it’s important to surround yourself with people that affect you in a positive way. For some it’s an athlete and others may look up to someone who serves as an advocate for human rights. For Oscar, he looks up to the one man who has served as a mentor all of his life- his father, Oscar Sr. There are many reasons as to why Oscar looks up to his father. His personality, the positive influence he’s had on his life and the valuable lessons his father has taught him are a few of the reasons he looks up to his father.

Oscar’s father has an infectious personality. Oscar Sr. has a very positive personality and is always there to lend a helping hand. Whether it’s for family or a friend, Oscar’s father wants to help in any way that he can to ensure everyone’s happiness. Oscar’s father is also very caring and intelligent. Oscar Jr. feels that a good heart and intelligence are two very important characteristics. Oscar Jr. has a “go-getter” type of personality and he owes that all to his father. It’s important for Oscar Jr. to be caring because he feels that the first person to help is the first person who knows what it feels like to be down.

Oscar’s father has always had a positive influence on his life. As a child, Oscar Sr. came from practically nothing in a small town in Mississippi. Oscar sr. didn’t let poverty stop him from setting high goals and having the determination to find something better. Soon, Oscar’s father had a family and he had to fight even harder to make sure his family had everything they needed. Oscar Sr. decided to join the Army, where he thrived and retired as an E-7.

Later, Oscar Jr. followed in his father’s footsteps and joined the military. Although Oscar Jr. didn’t retire from the military, he’s glad that he followed after the man he looks up to. After Oscar’s father retired from the military,...