My Friends, My Sculptors.

In enduring the maëlstrom of adolescence, one must discover those values that one seeks in their friends and friendships. This struggle to define what one desires in one's friends allows one to define oneself. Through the agony and ecstasy of my youth, I have codified those beliefs I seek in my true friends: compassion, humility, and curiosity. As I have sought these qualities in others, I have begun demanding them from myself, pushing myself to accept the challenge of becoming a respectable citizen. Thus, I look to my friends as sculptors, chiseling my personality into a greater form.

Compassion includes not only the ability to accept others' faults and shortcomings, but also the courage to suggest solutions after examining the solution from all perspectives. I look for patient, kindred spirits who have the willingness to walk a mile in any man's moccasins; they have full knowledge of another's situation before questioning his judgment. My companions have shown me time and again those instances where I have failed in compassion. With their insight and guidance, these uncommon people have illuminated my own path toward self-betterment.

The honesty to admit defeat and accept victory necessarily carries a degree of humility with it. After beholding my own uneasiness in accomplishing these tasks, I peered into the pool of reflection and found that I failed to remain humble. Though I realized that he "who exalts himself shall be humbled, and he who humbles himself shall be exalted," I could not discover the courage to withhold my natural selfish tendencies. However, after studying the reactions of some venerable peers and friends, I saw that this quest for humility entails significant effort. Therefore, with the help of trusted supporters, I devoted my energies to the goal of accepting victory with the same humility with which I swallow defeat.

From my experience, I have observed that intellectual curiosity flows best through groups of people. When intellectuals gather to discuss controversial topics and seek definitions for obscure phenomena, they inherently gain from hearing other theories. In my short lifetime, I have discovered that my questioning of the world and my discussions with others have brought me more knowledge than classroom experiences. Though reading positively has no substitute, conversations with others certainly help to reinforce classroom topics. Thus, as I have matured into young-adulthood, I have searched for those people who might spark my intellectual curiosity simply because of their words.

The company one keeps molds one's personality. As I view the positive deeds of others, I instinctually accept some of their behaviors in my quest to move upward. The closest knit of my high school friendships have taught me the importance of treasured values and have created some rock-solid beliefs of my own. My friends have sometimes served as my greatest role models, forcing me to congratulate myself on discovering character-building individuals to expedite my growth.

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