Finding Greatness in Who You Are

For gay people, "coming out" can be extremely difficult, especially for those who have so much influence in society. Recently, CEO of Apple, Tim Cook, officially "came out" of the closet in his published essay. In an article in TIME Magazine, author Daniel D'Adarro discusses the importance of Cook's essay and the affects it has on all of us. 

Although many already new that Cook was gay, he officially "came out" in his essay. However, he did not take a traditional approach: he brought a new view to the idea of sexuality. Most influential people, when they come out, convey the idea that their sexuality does not change who they are. Cook begs to differ, saying "Being gay has given me a deeper understanding of what it means to be in the minority and provided a window into the challenges that people in other minority groups deal with every day. It’s made me more empathetic, which has led to a richer life.” Being gay has changed who he is and is a big part of who he is. He has has learned to accept this lifestyle change.

D'Adarro also comments on how Cook, now 53 years old, took so long to "come out". However, he said being gay has changed his view on life. Cook challenges the idea that  being gay is the same thing as being straight because accepting his sexuality changed the way he viewed the world. It also urged him to work for the greater cause of equal rights. 

Cook gives us a great insight on what it means to be great. Cook learned to believe in who he is. As teenagers, many of us struggle to find who we are. Cook, "coming out" at the age of 53, relates to how many teens feels about finding our place in high school. As a successful business man, he shows us all that we can do anything. With a new insight on who he is, Cook now wants to do more for the world. 

Greatness in Action

For as long as I can remember, I have always had a strong desire to help and serve others as best as I could. When Mr. Woak presented us with different service opportunities, St. Margaret of Scotland instantly appealed to me and is the one I chose to try out. Because I am considering working with kids in the future, I thought this was the perfect opportunity for me.
On Wednesday, I went to St. Margaret of Scotland and volunteered in their after-school program with Cate Llewellyn. As we were getting out of the car, I was extremely nervous. So many questions popped into my head: will the kids like me? Will I understand their homework? What if I cannot help? However, the minute I walked into the building, my entire mood shifted.

Everyone was so welcoming to me and Cate. They were so happy they had two volunteers for the day. The woman in charge, Ms. Cameron gave us a hug when we walked in and began running around getting everything ready for the kids. When the kids walked in, I understood why everyone was so grateful. There were over fifty children from pre-k to junior high. 

While there, I helped many kids with their math homework. The kids were working on word problems and many were confused on the same question: Why does your answer make sense? It struck me as such an odd question for a math worksheet. Personally, I had no idea what to tell the kids to write at first. In the end, I just asked them, "why do you think your answer makes sense?" They all had a variety of responses and I just told them to write it down. What seemed like a simple question confused so many of them, and it confused me as well. As I thought, I realized it was the fact that there was no right or wrong answer that confused many of them. It was amazing to see their different opinions and views on this question.

Overall, my time at St. Margaret of Scotland was very entertaining and just great. I met so many funny kids and felt so blessed to be there. I really  do not know how Ms. Cameron does it. If Cate and I were not there, she would have been watching all those kids by herself. Although there are teachers walking in and out, she basically does it all on her own, with a smile on her face. She is the definition of greatness. Her kindness and strenth are some qualities that I hope to emulate in my own life. She has a strict, but caring tone with all the kids and you can tell she really cares about each and every one of them. I hope to learn more and more from Ms. Cameron and the kids when I return next.

Hope for Ebola Orphans

Ebola, the disease that has killed many in Africa, has a struck a nerve for everyone across the world. With a recent case found in America, many people are on high alert. However, in this time of distress and sickness, greatness can be found. In a recent article, Aryn Baker talks about the many, now orphan, African children who lost their parents to the disease. One three-year old girl, Berlinda, watched her mother die and then was taken away by men in bio-hazard suits. In fear she was infected, she was taken away to an observation room. After her test results came out negative, she had no where to go and no family. The United Nations Children's fund estimated that around 3,700 other children have lost parents as well. So what will happen to these children?

In Berlinda's case, she was taken in Katie Meyler, a founder of an education center for young Liberian girls. Meyler, after seeing Berlinda, decided to change her education center into  a home for Berlinda filled with toys. After taking in Berlinda, she began to take in more and her center became an orphanage for children who lost their family to this deadly disease. Meyler named the house HOPE, or Housing, Observation, and Pediatric Evaluation.

With the government unable to do anything for the children at this point, this HOPE house gives hope to many orphan children. Through this horrible tragedy, Katie Meyler has given children a place to stay, food to eat, and a reason to hope. Katie Meyler is a great example of what it means to be great. She lives a selfless life, serving those in need, and does it with all her heart. HOPE has been found in this Ebola outbreak.