While trying to find a good topic to write about, I stumbled upon an old essay I wrote regarding what it takes to become an upstanding citizen. I think that although I wrote this in my junior year of high school, it can still strike a chord with anyone to this day. Enjoy…

It is said that good will always triumph over evil. And whether or not this is true, there is still something to be said about being a respectable person in life. As long as you demonstrate the ethics of character, leadership and service, you will always have continuous joy. But what does having character, leadership and service mean? Why are these attributes so essential to living happily? Does every person have what it takes to obtain such qualities? Well whatever the case may be, I believe that anyone can embody these ideals more and more every day and that as I mature, so do my ethic principles.