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A Positive Role Model

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I have had many positive role models in my life including parents, coaches, and teachers. Yet, as I grow older I notice myself modeling my behavior more and more after my grandfather. I owe my intense competitive drive to genetics and exposure to an encouraging environment. Part of this environment was witnessing first hand what my grandpa was able to accomplish from a young age. My grandfather, Charles William Taylor, grew up in a single-parent household in a small, northern Minnesota farm town. Having personally visited Crookston, the desire to move out of this isolated area would be reason enough to become as successful as possible, and head to Boston. He was the buzz of the town... a star athlete, high-jump state champion, and the football and basketball captain at his high school. Bill Taylor would be the first (and only) person from Crookston to attend Harvard College.
While at Harvard, Grandpa Bill led the football team to their first ever Ivy …show more content…

Grandpa appreciated my sense of ambition and was even a bit flattered by the fact that I idolize him. But, he gave me a piece of advice that changed my mindset entirely. He advised me to use this time to be my own person, do what I love, and be who I want to be. That is exactly what my grandpa did, taking initiative to be a three sport athlete at Harvard. He also said to enjoy the fact that I get to surround myself with intelligent new friends from all over the globe. Coming from a small town, Grandpa was exposed to more diversity than he had ever been. He still keeps in contact with his college friends such as David Rockefeller and his football friends after all these years. Lastly, he advised me to develop the skills to be able to compete with my peers in order to better each other. No matter what field I decide to go into teamwork will be a key component in the workplace and in everyday

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