Some people look to their favorite celebrities as role models, but many others find inspiration from people in their everyday lives. A number of teens name family members, particularly their parents, as their role models.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The term "role model" refers to any person who serves as an example or someone whose behavior is emulated by others. A role model can be anyone from your older sibling or favorite teacher to someone you have never met, like a movie star or singer.
Senior Emily Estep looks up to her mom, too, and also her dad.
"My parents are my role models because they are always there when I need them and will help me through whatever I'm going through. They love and care for me and teach me right from wrong," she said.
Sophomore Tegan Stover and freshman Madison Phillips both name relatives as role models as well, but not their parents.
"My role model is my grandma," Stover said. "I know it sounds cliché, but she has been through a lot. She has raised all of her children and all of her grandchildren.
"She is nice to everyone she meets, and she genuinely cares about people. No matter who they are, she won't judge them. I want to be exactly like her one day."
"My brother, Nathan, is my role model because he's such a good person with a good heart," Phillips said. "He knows how to handle situations well. He can handle himself, and he's just overall a good, caring person."
Sophomore Nathan Ballengee has a different role model, one he doesn't personally know.
"[Spanish explorer] Hernando Cortez is my role model because he shows that when life gives you the hardest challenges, you can overcome anything. I live by that," Ballengee said.
Though most teens seem to choose a role model they know, that isn't always the case. Whether you know the person or not, if you are inspired by or admire someone, then he or she can be a good role model.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The term "role model" refers to any person who serves as an example or someone whose behavior is emulated by others. A role model can be anyone from your older sibling or favorite teacher to someone you have never met, like a movie star or singer.
Several students from Valley High School shared who their role models are.
"My mom is my role model because she was the oldest of four children and had a rough life when she was little," said senior Alisha Carte. "Not only did she have her chores around the house, the yard, the garden and the animals, she had to take care of her brothers and her sister.
"Whenever something happened, it was always her fault because she let [her siblings] do it, and despite that, she has made better of herself. She married my dad and had me, swore she would make my life better then hers was. She got sick and left my dad all within a year or two of my seventh birthday.
"She's the strongest person I know," Carte concluded. "And even though I don't understand her actions or reasoning behind things, I know it's because I'm her baby. I guess that's why I've always looked up to her. Despite everything, she is the best person I know."
Senior Melanie Long also said her mother is her role model.
"My role model is my mom because she has always been there for me, and she has never let me down. She is a great mom and a wonderful person," Long said.
"I look up to her because she's so caring, and she has such a big heart. She would do anything for anyone if she could. She's such a good person, and I want to be more like her. She's not just my mom; she's my best friend."
Senior Emily Estep looks up to her mom, too, and also her dad.
"My parents are my role models because they are always there when I need them and will help me through whatever I'm going through. They love and care for me and teach me right from wrong," she said.
Sophomore Tegan Stover and freshman Madison Phillips both name relatives as role models as well, but not their parents.
"My role model is my grandma," Stover said. "I know it sounds cliché, but she has been through a lot. She has raised all of her children and all of her grandchildren.
"She is nice to everyone she meets, and she genuinely cares about people. No matter who they are, she won't judge them. I want to be exactly like her one day."
"My brother, Nathan, is my role model because he's such a good person with a good heart," Phillips said. "He knows how to handle situations well. He can handle himself, and he's just overall a good, caring person."
Sophomore Nathan Ballengee has a different role model, one he doesn't personally know.
"[Spanish explorer] Hernando Cortez is my role model because he shows that when life gives you the hardest challenges, you can overcome anything. I live by that," Ballengee said.
Though most teens seem to choose a role model they know, that isn't always the case. Whether you know the person or not, if you are inspired by or admire someone, then he or she can be a good role model.
Get Connected