Think back to grade school, maybe even kindergarten, what do you remember? Most likely you remember show and tell, snacks in the afternoons, and recess taking up more of the school day than school itself. When I think back to grade school I think of certain people. These people weren't in my grade and they weren't my family members either. They were older girls in my dance studio and in my hometown. And I literally worshiped them. I wanted to be like them more than anything in the world. They were my role models, and they are an integral part of why I am who I am today.

My role models were the epitome of perfection, at least in my eyes. They were everything I wanted to be when I grew up. They danced in the same studio that I did and they were amazing. Every time I watched them dance I remember thinking that I want to be able to do the jumps that they did, the turns that they did, I wanted to wear the costumes they did and I definitely wanted to dance like they could.

But it wasn't just their dancing abilities that drew me to idolize them. They were overall nice girls. Everyone loved them. Parents, teachers, citizens of my town. They were the girls that everyone knew and that everyone loved. And the best part was, they either didn't know they were beloved and looked up to, or they didn't show that they knew. They were role models through and through and it was just part of their nature to be good girls.

A lot of them, most of them, probably don't even know that I looked up to them in the way that I did. I never told them because I figured it was weird or somehow I would make it awkward, like I do so often. I wish I would have told them though, I wish they would know how much of an impact they made on me during some of the most important years of my life. But most of all, I want they to know that they influenced me to be a role model, or to at least do my best to act like one. They influenced me to constantly be thinking, "Who is watching me? My actions? My behaviors?".

I have never wanted to be anything more in my life than I want to be a good role model to young girls. Whether any are looking up to me currently, have in the past, or maybe will in the future, I want to be that girl that they look up to in the best ways possible. I want them to strive to do the good things that I strive to do every day. And most importantly, I want them to grow up with the dream of influencing younger girls just like I did.

Role models are so integral in young people's lives. They help shape who they are and who they want to become. Role models lead a younger crowd to push themselves to their limits and believe that they can continue past them. Role models influence kids to act in ways that maybe they would not have if they did not have such a good, genuine, and kindhearted soul to look up to. I am glad I had the role models I did because without them, even though they have no idea, I would not be where I am today.