I have been inspired by many people in life but the person who has affected me the most is my sister Bethany, who is four years older that me.  Bethany has been a great sister all my life from playing "Monkey Mommy" when I was little, to now when she does my hair before I go out.  I look up to my sister in many ways, one being that she doesn’t drink.  She knows that as the oldest, she has to set the example for my brother and me.  Bethany goes to parties, but she leaves if it gets inappropriate or if there is drinking.  She also sets the example when she’s around her friends, and me.  She refrains from cussing or doing those things that eighteen year-olds do.  Also Bethany can be an awesome sister at home when she helps me study or get ready for the movies.

Bethany has also inspired me in my school work.  She guides the subjects that interest me and the ones that I just can’t stand.  One way she hasn’t inspired me is my high school choice.  She chose St. Joseph’s Academy, but I applied to Ursuline.  So many people assumed that because Bethany went to St. Joe that’s where I was going to go, because I have always followed in her footsteps.  This is the first time I didn’t follow my sister. 

Bethany is a great sister and inspiration, but the thing I most love about her is that she supports me in everything I do.  When I decided that I wanted to take up figure skating, she took me to practices sometimes when she wasn’t busy.  When I told her I wanted to go to Ursuline, she was OK with my decision and thought it was cool.  She really does help me feel good about the things I do.  Also she’s a really good sister to have around because she can drive.  She’s willing to take my friends and me to the mall or out to eat.  This makes my friends think she’s as cool as I think she is. 

I love my sister and I look up to her in so many ways.  Many of those are ways that I can’t say, a special bond that I have with my sister that makes us there for each other and we exercise it every day when we communicate from hundreds of miles away since she’s at college. 

Although she is gone and not here every day I still look up to my sister more than ever.  Even if it’s just a phone call to say hi or an e-mail telling me about her date to the dance, she’s a great person to look up to. 

   ~ Julie Swanger, Grade 8