THE HERO OF MY LIFE contest of essays

'We are greatly influenced by the people who surround us.' Peter Mayer

Early 2012 SYC announced a contest of essays for GLOW alumnae. It aimed to allow them think about people in their surroundings who have important role in their lives and have positively influenced them. The 3 winners of the contest got support to organize community projects and peer educational activities in their communities.

Here are extracts from essays:

People often look for their heroes somewhere far from themselves, in an unreachable world. My heroes are regular people with their strengths and weaknesses. Today I would like to talk about one of them – Megan, a Peace Corps volunteer who serves in my village. She is a sociable, honest, courageous and kind person. She is a great leader with very pleasant personality. She teaches English at my school but language skills are not the only thing we take from her. She serves as a great role model for all students with her purposefulness and ability to overcome challenges. Megan is a friend to me and has her particular place in my heart and life. I learnt from her to accept everyone the way they are and not to try to change them or be judgmental.  With her entry to my life, she brought lots of positive change. I have learnt to be more responsible and appreciate what I have, to set goals and try to reach them.

Satenik from village of Choratan

Arev (Sun in Armenian) is my dearest teacher. She is also my friend, my supporter and my kindest elf. She understands everyone, never judges people even the most sinful one. She is a great leader and good protector of children’s rights. I do not know anyone kinder than her. Arev changed my worldview making me more open minded and honest, responsible and friendly, humble and family-oriented.

Syuzanna from village of Khot

They say artists have deep inner world, are kind and forgiving, look at the world through the colors of their paintings and are a bit unusual. This is how my heroine is - Ms. Dovlatyan, my arts teacher at school. I was a small child when I first saw her. I immediately “fell in love” with her. Her kindest eyes attracted me then, but I know that it was her rich inner world that I loved. Spending more time with her, I started looking at the world with different eyes. She taught me how to and give soul and life to a painting. Ms. Dovlatyan has influenced me a lot. I have learnt from her to be humble, kind and a bit unusual.

Arpine from the town of Vayk

Each one of us has people in our lives who influence and shape who we are. I want to emphasis the role of my dearest mom in my life. She gave birth to me, has nurtured all my live and tried to install in me the wonderful qualities she possesses and values in life: kindness, responsibility, humbleness, thirst for knowledge and respect to everyone.

Kristine from town of Vanadzor