The author gives credit to mentors that forced him to get serious about his behavior. Do you have a mentor? How have they helped you this far?

Wes Moore, the author, credits and thanks his mentors, such as family members, friends, and Valley Forge, for helping him get on the right path in life. I think his mother and mentors at Valley Forge are the main reasons Wes got serious about his behavior and improved his lifestyle. He did not believe his mother would actually send him to military school, even if he was going down the wrong path. Military school forced him to change his behavior; with time, he wanted to behave correctly; it was not something that needed to be forced upon him anymore.

Throughout my life, I have had different mentors. My most prominent life coaches have been my parents. My mom has mostly guided me through the human side of life, and my dad has advised and taught me about the academic and professional side. I learned what was right and wrong from a very early age, and it has helped me, especially now that I live by myself in a different country. My parents are also my biggest supporters and want the best for me. They want me to work hard and be the best I can be. I would not be dancing in one of the United States’ best ballet schools and attending college at the same time if it was not for them. 

Unlike Wes, I did not need someone to force me to get serious about my behavior because my parents have implemented correct behavior in my brothers and me since I was very young. I grew up in a two-parent household until I was 12, when my dad moved out, and even though I did not see him as much, he has remained one of my biggest mentors. My mom has also helped me, especially by teaching me what strength looks like. I am the woman I am today because of the lessons she has taught me.  

My ballet mentors are extremely meaningful to me. Back home, my ballet studio and company’s Artistic Director has been like a ballet grandma for me. Since I started in her school, she saw my potential and encouraged me to perform more. Miss Lucy saw something in me that other teachers did not. Every time I talk with her, she gives me advice and invites me to perform with the company when I am in Peru. I honestly cannot thank her enough for the opportunities she has given me. In New York, most of my teachers play the role of guides, but there is one specific faculty member who inspires and motivates me to become a better dancer every time I take a class with her. Ms. Gaiane is honest, strict, and an excellent ballet teacher. Still, she also deeply cares for the students who show interest in improving, offers life advice, and constantly reminds us that it is okay to make mistakes. As a ballet student, more often than not, you try to be perfect and can become frustrated if a step does not work, but you forget that you are in a classroom to correct those mistakes because you feel judged by the person in the front of the room. I try my hardest in Ms. Gaiane’s class because I do not want to disappoint her. Since I started this program, I feel like I have improved significantly, and she has a special something that forces you to become a better dancer. She is, and most likely, forever will be, my favorite ballet teacher. 

 

Mentors, coaches, and guides, however you call them, play a significant role in a person’s life because we look up to our mentors and want to be like them; we learn from them. I am incredibly grateful for my mentors and look forward to learning new lessons from them whenever I am with them.