Adolph Hitler was a man who was a true leader of men. He was an amazing orator and was never willing to bend his beliefs.

Born in 1889, Adolph Hitler was the illegitimate child of a father who regularly beat him brutally. While his father wanted him to be a customs official, he only wanted to be a painter. He explains this as the reason for his poor performance in school. He was rejected by art institutes and at one point lived in a homeless shelter. He idolized Martin Luther and firmly believed that people should fight for what they believe in, no matter what. He served in two of the biggest wars the world had ever seen, and was able to lead people as well as anyone in history.

Hitler was a man who stood up for what he believed in. He even served time in prison because he tried to bring about change in the weak leadership of the country he loved so much, Germany. He had aspirations to make the world a better place by populating it with people that he felt were the smartest, strongest, and most capable of accomplishing this. He brought a country and its people from a point of depression, both emotionally and economically, to a point where national pride was everywhere and their country was one of the most powerful militarily and economically in the world.

Much like Mother Teresa, most of his entire life was devoted to a cause: doing what they felt would make the world a better place. Though their tactics differed, they both were willing to suffer for what they believed would bring about a better future.

Although he had so many reasons to quit, Hitler loved his motherland and the people that lived in it so greatly that he was willing to fight anyone who stood in the way of its progress.

JAM

1. While many people may not recognize the name Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu, the name she is more widely known as, Mother Teresa, is synonymous with charity, humanity and virtue. She is an easily recognizable figure, and her good deeds are remembered by many around the world.

2. Teresa was born in 1910 in what is now the Republic of Macedonia. Her father, a political activist, died when she was eight years old. After his death, her mother began to raise her under strict Roman Catholic rules. When she was 18, Teresa left home for good to become a missionary.

Initially, Teresa traveled to Ireland so that she could learn English. After completing her studies there, she moved to Darjeeling, India to begin her training as a nun. She took her first vows as a nun in 1931 and shortly after, began teaching school children in Calcutta.

It was during her time teaching that she took notice of the poverty surrounding her. In the late 40's, she experienced what she believed to be her calling: to help the poor by living among them as one of them. Her original acts of charity included founding a school and helping the starving. During the rest of her life, Teresa dedicated herself to continuing this work by working in orphanages, hospitals, soup kitchens, and other facilities to aid the poor, dying, homeless, orphaned and ill.

For all her humanitarian work, Teresa was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979. The Missionaries of Charity organization she established in 1950 still continues to operate in over 100 countries around the world, carrying out the same actions she selflessly performed in her lifetime. After her death, Teresa was beatified for her humanitarian work with those in need.

3. In addition to all the accomplishments Teresa achieved during peacetime, Teresa is well known for her selflessness in times of conflict. She has assisted people after devastating earthquakes, came to the aid of those affected by radiation in Chernobyl, expanded operations to Communist countries and even rescued several children from a hospital caught under Israeli-Palestinian fire.

4. Princess Diana was another public figure whose humanitarian work is recognized and remembered by many people around the world. Like Teresa, whom she had met on several occasions, Diana committed herself to selfless and virtuous acts, including bringing comfort to victims of HIV/AIDS and campaigning to rid the world of land mines. Like Teresa, Diana strove to better the world by actually going out and spending time with those she attempted to help.

5. The work Mother Teresa committed herself to in her lifetime is easily considered selfless and virtuous. Her dedication to helping and living among the poor, sick, hungry and others who many people would not even dream of associating themselves is definitely worthy of praise.

1. Edward Said was a premier academic of the 20th century who as literary theorist, cultural scholar, and political activist revised entirely the perceptions of power and agency relationships between the West and the Orient in his book Orientalism, which in turn laid the foundation for postcolonial theory today.

2. Said was born in Jerusalem in 1935, attended distinguished english public schools in Egypt, and went on to study at Princeton and Harvard Universities, recieving his PhD from the latter in 1964. Subsequently, Said joined the faculty at Columbia University as Professor of English and Comparative Literature. In addition to his work on colonial discourses, Said made profound efforts in his activism for the free Palestinian state, and the problematic issues of U.S. foreign policy.

3.Columbia is where Said began to bring forth his most powerful thesis' on orientalism. His ideas that, within the Western view, the orient is portrayed as an irrational, weak, feminised "Other," are now the foundations of scholarship on the orient. These thoughts have very much shaped and have had a lasting impact on cultural and colonial discourses. Today, anyone discussing the relationships between the West and decolonizing world is forced to regard Said's body of work in its entirety.

4. There has been much similar work before and after Said on such matters. At our own distinguished institution we have professors like Dr. Itty Abraham and Dr. Syed Hyder amongst others who are doing substantial work in these areas; however, Said's was the first definitive piece and all following discourses are dependent on it.

5. Undoubtedly, Said has done a great service to us all by his ground-breaking work and thus he remains one of the foremost academics of the 20th century. And indeed it was not only the work he produced, but the man himself, the thinker, the activist, the humanitarian, which made Said the so heavily respected and revered personality he was.

Tim Duncan was born on April 25, 1976 in Christiansted, St. Croix, United States Virgin Islands. Duncan is a professional basketball player for the San Antonio Spurs of the NBA. As a power forward, Duncan is a four-time NBA champion, a three-time NBA Finals Most Valuable Player, and the current captain of the Spurs. He has also won the NBA Most Valuable Player Award twice, and has been voted into ten All-Star games, ten All-NBA teams, and ten All-Defensive teams
Duncan started out as a swimmer and only began playing basketball in ninth grade. He immediately became a standout player for St. Dunstan’s Episcopal High School, and eventually went on to have an even better career with the Wake Forest University Demon Deacons, winning the Naismith College Player of the Year, USBWA College Player of the Year and John Wooden awards in his final year. After graduating from college, Duncan entered the 1997 NBA draft and was taken by the San Antonio Spurs with the number one overall pick. He has since gone on to with NBA championships with the Spur in 1999, 2003, 2005, and 2007. Additionally, many basketball experts consider him to be one of the greatest power forwards in NBA history. In his personal life, Duncan is known for being quiet and reserved, but more so for his philanthropy. He holds an honors degree in psychology and created the Tim Duncan Foundation to raise general health awareness and fund education and youth sports in various parts of the United States.
Before the 2003–04 season began, the Spurs lost their long time captain David Robinson to retirement. Embracing the lone team leader role, Duncan led a reformed Spurs team of many young players. Robinson commented that at first, Duncan was reluctant to fill the gap as team leader, he still needed some time to truly develop his leadership skills. Statistically, Duncan remained strong; after another convincing season with averages of 22.3 points, 12.4 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.7 blocks, he led the Spurs into the Western Conference Semifinals as well as to three more NBA championships.
There are very few NBA players who possess the talent and accomplishments of Duncan. While former power forwards have matched him in championships, none have matched him in MVP awards or All-Star game appearances.
Tim Duncan will undoubtedly continue to lead his team both in terms of experience but also in terms of his great play. He continues to draw double teams and, at his relative young age, he will maintain this aggressive nature of play for many years to come. Hopefully winning a fifth and sixth championship with the Spurs.

A lot of great guitar players blasted out of the British Invasion scene. Each one of them brought a unique style and made a permanent impact on Rock and Roll. George Harrison was renowned for his grooves, Townsend for his volume, and Jimi for his virtuosity, but above them all, Keith Richards could just play a mean guitar. As the lead guitarist for The Rolling Stones, he composed the riffs for songs like "Paint It Black," "Sympathy for The Devil," and the classic that has been covered by artists such as Otis Redding, Cat Power, Devo, and even Britney Spears, "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction." While other guitarists have written hits we all sing along to, Richards wrote the songs we all air guitar to. He has been praised by countless guitar magazines and rock historians, including Rolling Stone ranking him in the top ten greatest guitar players of all time, and now he shall be praised once more here.

Richards was born in the Greater London borough of Dartford, Kent. His grandfather toured the UK in a big band jazz outfit and was an early inspiration for Richards, exposing him to a variety of music and was his first guitar teacher. His mother, and avid fan of jazz legends such as Duke Ellington, bought Richards his first guitar when he was in his early teens, which he would play all day and all of the night, much to his father's chagrin. Richards sang in the choir in grade school, and while he was with them, they had the honor of singing before the queen. He became an avid Blues and R&B fan in his late teens, while he attended art school. It was at this point that he picked up his first electric guitar, as well as his drug habit. One morning in 1961 he shared a train car with another student, whom Richards noticed because of the collection of rare Blues records under his arm. The student, Mick Jagger, recognized Richards from grade school and they began chatting and quickly found that they shared a deep enthusiasm for American music. Soon after they started the band that would become the most important in Rock and Roll history.

Keith Richards drew his style from the founders of electric guitar playing: Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, Jimmy Reed, and Muddy Waters. While his contemporaries were listening to the newer sounds of Buddy Holly and Elvis Presley, Richards was a fundamentalist. His appreciation for the early electric Blues as well as the R&B styles of artists like Berry gave Richards a style that was both catchy and edgy. Over the 40 years that the Stones have been active, he has kept his ear out for new sounds and for the older sounds, always looking for ways to change and improve his style. In the late '70s he had the honor of jamming with Chuck Berry who gave Richards pointers and showed him the right way to play "Roberta," a song that Richards had been playing as a standard for almost 20 years. In addition to his legendary work with The Rolling Stones, he also has had success as producer and solo artist, and has collaborated with artists such as Aretha Franklin, Peter Tosh, and Tom Waits.

There are many guitarists in the same league and status as Richards. George Harrison holds the renown for playing guitar for The Beatles; Pete Townsend's style is praised as being the most "rock 'n' roll" of all time; Clapton is often credited as simply just "the best" referring to his ability to play anything. But none of them wrote the riffs the way Richards could. While he may not be remembered as being the most technically proficient or the most experimental, his guitar lines are the most recognizable and, dare I say it, honest of any in his class.

Keith Richards has lived his entire life inside music. His pedigree includes both a musical family and following the lead of the greatest guitar players that came before him. He and his band were at the forefront of the most watershed moment in Rock music history. His guitar riffs aggressively broke through the clatter of the British Invasion scene and brought The Rolling Stones to the center stage for the entire decade and beyond. While some guitar enthusiasts may dismiss his style as simple and easy, this simplicity, combined with his gift for clever melody, is what makes him truly the greatest guitar player and worthy of acclaim.

Introduction: Tyra Banks, who has been repeatedly ranked among the world’s most influential people by Time magazine, lives as strong role-model for women everywhere. From executive producing her show America’s Next Top Model to hosting her own talk show The Tyra Banks Show, she encompasses the passion and persistent drive deserving of praise. With her career diversity in modeling, television and film, and music, Tyra and her success are deserving of praise.

Narrative: Tyra was born in Inglewood, California, as a daughter of a fashion manager and medical photographer mother and a computer consultant father. Experiencing her parents divorce at age six, she continued to live a healthy life. Tyra attended a Catholic girls’ school, Immaculate Heart High School in Los Angeles, California. Although classmates made fun of her height and weight throughout school, she started modeling at age 15. She decided not to attend Loyola Marymount University where she was accepted, but instead, she moved to Paris to pursue her dreams of a modeling career with strength, character, and integrity. This decision led her on her journey to fame, fortune, and a position to be a role-model for young girls and women everywhere.

Amplification: Not only has Tyra become a renowned model being the first African-American to be on the cover of Sports Illustrated and an international supermodel in Paris, Milan, and more from countries in the US, Europe, and around the world. She has model experience with Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Christian Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, Tommy Hilfiger, and more. Tyra has also achieved success in the television and film industry as well with her humble beginning on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air to her executive producer position of America’s Next Top Model. Currently, Tyra hosts The Tyra Banks Show aimed at younger women where she shows how women can be independent and face both challenges and opportunities with strength, character, and integrity.

Comparison: Few models can live up to Tyra’s legacy in the fashion world, but many women like the contestants of America’s Next Top Model strive to gain success and leadership through that role. Tyra’s ability to inspire women has been compared to that of Oprah Winfrey. The Tyra Banks Show has the potential to become renowned as The Oprah Winfrey Show among the younger generation. It is through Tyra’s work ethic and moral standings that she has faced adversity with poise and dignity, and it is her life and her increasing accomplishments that keeps her serving as an positive, influential model to women everywhere.

Conclusion: It is through these reasons and more that Tyra Banks is deserving of praise. Her continuing efforts to inspire and serve as a positive role-model reflect her continuing achievements and success.

Christine Achico

1. Few artists have had a greater or longer lasting effect on rock and roll than Paul McCartney. Listed in Guinness World Record's as the most successful pop-musician in history, the 65 year old McCartney still composes and performs his music for enormous crowds of screaming fans. For his work in collaborations like The Beatles and Wings, as well as his solo career, Paul McCartney deserves praise and admiration.

2. Born in Liverpool, England, McCartney displayed intelligence from an early age. Because of high exam grades, he was allowed attend the Liverpool institute, where only children in the top 25 percentile are allowed. McCartney's father, a musician himself, encouraged Paul to take music lessons, but he had a natural talent and inclination toward learning by ear and did not find lessons useful. With The Beatles, McCartney was rejected several times in the late 50s and early 60s from varying record companies. He showed persistence however and in 1962, the band signed with Parlophone Records. Throughout the 60s, "Beatle Mania" dominated the music scene. The song "Yesterday", which McCartney performed with The Beatles, is the most covered song of all time. In the 70s, McCartney performed with the band Wings, writing chart-topping songs like "The Mull of Kintyre", which was topped the UK charts for almost two months. After Wings disbanded, McCartney diligently continued to write music, releasing albums like "Flaming Pie" which was nominated for album of the year. In 1999, the rocker was inducted in The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. As an activist, McCartney and his wife Linda somehow found time to speak out against eating meat. True to their morals, the couple was strictly vegetarian until Linda's death in 1998.

3. As a rock-star, McCartney composed and sang much of the music for arguably he biggest band in music history. The Beatles topped charts in The U.K. as well as the U.S.A.. It was the top selling band in history with 24 multi-platinum records. Still, having accomplished so much with The Beatles, McCartney continued to make music after the band disbanded. His music with Wings continued to top charts in The U.S. and The U.K.. However, even that success wasn't enough for McCartney as he continues to make music well into his sixties. His diligence and talent have defined rock music for over 40 years. Queen Elizabeth was so impressed by McCartney that she Knighted him for revolutionizing music. Even with so much success, McCartney never let his fame go to his head and was a dedicated family man and husband to his wife Linda until her death. The caring musician also publicly opposed eating meat. Recently, McCartney performed at the Super Bowl, which is usually reserved for new artists. Given McCartney's timelessness however, he was asked to perform. As a timeless musician, an outspoken activist, and a devout family man, McCartney is worthy of respect in all aspects of life.

4. Few other musicians from the 60's are still performing today. Of those who are, few show the versatility in music and in life exhibited by McCartney. In the late 60s and early 70s, The Who had a number of hit albums that are still considered some of the best in music history. The band even participated in "Tommy", a rock opera, the likes of which had never been done before. The band however, split in the 80's and though the remaining members continue to make music, none of them have met with the level of success as a solo artist that Paul has to this day.

5. Through his masterpieces and influential music, Paul McCartney has played an important role in creating what we now know as rock music. Over a career that has lasted over 40 years, McCartney has demonstrated diligence, timelessness, talent, and a passion for music that is seldom seen in anyone. In his personal life, he has shown compassion for animals and respect for his family. For his continuing and impressive career, and his upstanding personal life, Paul McCartney is deserving of praise.

Introduction: The Honorable Joseph M. Nixon (“Joe”) is the former State Representative for District 133 of Houston. Joe, during his tenure as a legislator, was a selfless public servant who took time away from his law practice to fashion legislation designed to promote the welfare of Texans in general and of his constituents in particular. As a lawmaker, he was both conscientious and tireless in his pursuit of matters benefiting the Texas business and medical professions. It is only fitting that such service of the greater good be singled out for the highest public praise.

Narrative: As is typical of individuals committed to public service, Joe deflects attention from his personal background to those issues and persons most important to him. For this reason, by way of introduction, he simply points to himself as a family man dedicated to his wife, Allyson, and three sons, Nicholas, Stewart and Matthew. He serves on various community and civic boards, is an active member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church and has coached local youth baseball and soccer teams. In addition to his family dedication, Joe is also a scholar. In 1978 he earned a B.S. in Economics from Texas A&M University. He followed this in 1982 with a law degree from St. Mary’s University School of Law. Significantly, Joe made his way through law school by means of scholarships and employment as opposed to having his parents encumbered by such great expense. His willingness to work hard as opposed to burdening others is among Joe’s many signature qualities. Another is his deep and abiding commitment to public service. Such noble qualities are evidenced by his many awards, accolades and achievements. While at St. Mary’s, Joe earned such prestigious honors as Order of the Barrristers and the American Jurisprudence Award. Following graduation, he worked in the commercial litigation section of Bracewell & Patterson, opened and ran his own law practice, joined the Phillips & Akers firm as a partner and currently serves as “Of Counsel” to the law firm of Beirne, Maynard & Parsons.

Amplification: However, Joe’s landmark achievement will always be the passage of comprehensive tort reform while serving as a Texas state legislator. Exemplifying the highest degree of personal courage, Joe led the crusade against frivolous litigation that culminated in the passage of House Bill 4 and Proposition 12 which, among other things, raised the bar for filing lawsuits and put in place statutory caps on damages. Although, as a lawyer, it was likely that Joe would be criticized by his peers for supporting legislation which would negatively impact them, he was willing to ignore their rebukes and slights, content in the knowledge that what he was doing would ultimately benefit all Texans. Utilizing great insight, he recognized that Texas would soon be without doctors if prevailing trends in medical malpractice litigation continued. Likewise, he understood that industry was hampered by class action lawsuits and torts brought on behalf of workers employed in industries which generated silica and asbestos. Consequently, he led a formidable coalition to ensure passage of measures which led to a bright new day for the medical and business professions of Texas.

Similarities: It is not that Joe’s exploits are completely unheard of but, rather, that they are so atypical. For his devotion in the face of significant legislative adversity, he truly deserves to stand beside great consensus builders as Abraham Lincoln and founding fathers the like of Hamilton, Jefferson and Franklin. In a similar manner is his selfless service to others noteworthy, and in this respect he truly holds his place beside such luminaries as Mahatma Ghandi, Mother Theresa and, some would argue, even Jesus of Nazareth.

Conclusion: For these reasons it is only just that Joe now be honored by society. By living a life of supreme sacrifice and service to others, he has already honored us all. Indeed, not many individuals would stand up in the face of certain adversity to champion legislation intended for the benefit of all citizens. Joe Nixon would. Not all legislators possess the skills necessary to force such matters through the democratic process. Joe Nixon did. And not all citizens would remain active afterwards, intent on continuing to broadcast the clarion call of expanding tort reform in an effort to extend its benefit to the remainder of society. Joe Nixon has.

For these and other reasons set forth herein, let the following cry go forth: “Huzzah, Joe Nixon, huzzah!” Indeed, a hearty huzzah and a hip, hip, hooray well-earned.

INTRO: Ida Lupino was a great actress, producer, writer and director. But not only did she achieve success in all these facets in the competitive world of the entertainment industry, she did so in a time when women were not always granted the opportunities to do so. She is deserving of acclaim for not only contributing great works to the body of film and television, but for paving the way for women to get more recognition, power and equality in a world that was typicall dominated by men.

NARRATIVE: Ida Lupino grew up in London, the daugher of two esteemed theatre actors and dancers. She was raised in an environment akin to New York City's Broadway scene.

Ida began acting at the age of 10 and was attended The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art at the age of 13. Just one year later, Ida landed a film role in the United States and moved there to begin filming, later signing a contract with Paramount Studios.

Ida continued to get film roles within Paramount, but became tired of being forced to dye her hair blonde and be type-casted by the studio, who only offered her particluar roles, each one as similar as the one before it. She fought to be released from Paramount and eventually was able to do her own work on her own terms. She became known for being an outwardly tough female with a "marshmallow inside" and was often compared to actress Bette Davis. She continued to be in high demand for film roles, despite never reaching full-stardom. After leaving Paramount, she and her husband made created their own filmmaking company. When a director fell ill making the 1949 film for the company, Not Wanted, Ida stepped as director and producer. Although Ida did the vast majority of the directing, she declined to have her name officially credited out of respect for the director who started the project and fell ill.

Ida went on to direct and act in five successful films in the following three years, including the original, The Hitch-hiker. After that she moved to television directing and proved herself successful in all genres. A handful of the shows the worked on include the famous The Fugitive, The Twilight Zone, Bewitched and Gilligan's Island. Her final film direction was the 1966 movie starring Hayley Mills, The Trouble With Angels.

AMPLIFICATION: In Ida Lupino's lifetime she acted in over 100 works, directed over 35 projects in television and film, wrote several screenplays, started a film company, sang on several soundtracks and produced two films. Her commitment to good work, hard-working nature and dedication to the art she so loved are an inspiration to anyone, male or female, film-goer or not.

COMPARISON: While most directors in the 1950s played it safe with movie content to ensure success, Ida tackeled issues that were not so popular, and did so with excellent execution. One example is, The Bigamist, which deals the ideas of love, loyalty and marriage. Another example is Outrage, which she not only directed but wrote the screenplay for, which deals with the issue of rape. Ida tackeled directed and acting from all sides, gave all of herself in the work, pushed for taboo topics to be discussed and potrayed on screen and contributed wonderful works to the body of film and television.

CONCLUSION: In a field that pushed women in front of the camera or behind a desk, Ida pushed back and proved she, and women everywhere, were capable of accomplishing successful work in all facets of the film industry. She is an innovator and a great asset to the entertainment industry and women in film.

Introduction:
He was among the greats and a historical icon for generations to come. A man of distinction and perfection would be the rumors said about such a passionate figure of the National Football Association. “He’s one of the people that give the game dignity, in a time that dignity seems to be escaping us.” is what former San Francisco 49er’s head coach Bill Walsh thought about Rice. He is extraordinary and have played with some of the greatest athletes during his career like Emmitt Smith and Tim Brown. Therefore, it is with all respect and honor to acknowledge and praise such a talented figure of the NFL.

Narrative:
Jerry Rice was born on October 13, 1962 in Starkville, Mississippi. He is the sixth child of Joe and Eddie Rice. In his household, Jerry was expected to help his father with their family’s farmland by laying bricks and tending to cattle. This was a hard task that had to be accomplished each day from sun up to sun down. Due to the strenuous work at home, Jerry did not have much interest for school. Once he started highschool, Jerry decided to miss a class day and when his principal recognized his face, Jerry sped off. However, when he and his principal crossed paths again, his principal asked him questions regarding football. Having no previous knowledge about the sport, Jerry’s interest for the sport increased and that was when the love of football caught him by surprise.
After highschool, Jerry was recruited by scouts from Mississippi Valley State. It was at MVS Jerry became the 1985 sixteenth first round pick of Walsh’s San Francisco 49er’s .From that time on the best just got better.

Amplification:
Jerry Rice, gifted and a pure All-American athlete, could not believe he was going to San Francisco. A heart of pure gold and sincerity would depict the newby. He, like any stranger in an unfamiliar place was nervous and intimidated by the big city and his teammates. But as he progressed; he became a success and was the key to many wins held by the San Francisco Forty-Niner’s.
Rice would eventually meet up with Emmitt Smith of the Dallas Cowboys during the early nineteen nineties. Already a Superbowl XXIII Most Valuable Player, and holding numerous National Football League Records for breaking records in the position of wide receiver, meant Rice was an unstoppable player. Before Walsh’s passing he stated, “I think if you name the 5 best players of all time, he'd be one of them.” according to the National Football Hall of Fame History Online. From that time on Jerry Rice would hold two more Superbowl rings under Bill Walsh’s San Francisco Forty-Niner’s football team."

Comparison:
There are very few athletes who possess such talents like that of Jerry Rice. Darryl Strawberry did in baseball. Hakeem Olajuwon did in basketball. Emmitt Smith and Tim Brown came close but both remained content, whereas Rice had no tolerance for that and continued to challenge his professional football skills on and off the field.

Conclusion:
Jerry Rice continued to persevere in the game of football. It was not until 2004, he retired from the National Football League as a reigning wide receiver. Upon his arrival, he was a goldmine to not only the Forty-Niner’s but the entire professional football industry. During his tenure, he and players like Emmitt Smith and Tim Brown added elegance to the game of football. Although he had a minimal interest in academia, he persevered, and is one of the most influential people in America. And for this Jerry Rice has earned the right to be praised.

There have been many great United States presidents ever since the country’s founding in 1776, but some presidents have been faced with more challenging tasks than others. George W. Bush is one of these presidents. On September 11, 2001, The United States was attacked on its own soil for the first time since Pearl Harbor. The terrorist regime, Al Qaeda, destroyed the world trade centers and the pentagon; to major symbols of America’s power. Thousands were killed, millions were in fear, and America’s pride was decimated. Someone had done what was thought to be impossible and the United States needed a leader. George W. Bush was called to action. Facing a frenzied American public and one of the biggest terrorist attacks in history, Bush guided the country through its darkest hour.

George W. Bush was born to a privileged family on July 6, 1946 in New Haven, Connecticut. He grew up in Midland and Houston, TX, where he learned his humble charm that has made him so amiable to many. He received his bachelor’s degree from Yale University, his Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School, and was a fighter pilot for the US National Guard. A natural leader, George W. Bush worked on his father’s successful presidential campaign in 1988, and was elected Governor of Texas in 1994. He was also the first Governor of Texas to be reelected for a second term. After his many accomplishments, it is no surprise that he was elected to president of the United States in 2000 and reelected in 2004.

A fighter for his country, George W. Bush has always shown a devotion to national security. He reacted to the 9/11 attacks with his people’s best interest in mind: to keep them safe. Bush’s do-whatever-it-takes attitude about preserving America’s safety is one of his greatest attributes as a president. Although faced with scrutiny from inside the United States and out, Bush never once compromised this value. He even risked his own life in making the decision to keep his country safe. On May 10, 2005, Vladimir Arutyunian tried to assassinate George Bush for being declaring the War on Terror. Only a great leader would die for the sake his people, and George W. Bush is a great leader.

Theodore Roosevelt, another great president, fought something similar. The attacks on Pearl Harbor are yet another terrible tragedy in American history that initiated the United States into the most devastating war that the world has ever seen. However, when he declared war on Japan, Theodore Roosevelt had the support of the United States’ allies, something George Bush did not have when declaring war on terror. In fact, many countries staunchly opposed Bush’s decision to declare war on terror. Regardless, this did not keep Bush from pursuing his country’s safety.

George Bush has been scrutinized by the entire world for declaring war on terror. In many countries and even in the United States, he has been deemed a tyrant, a dunce, and a horrible leader because of his decision. This is far from the truth, but Bush has willingly subjected himself to this badmouthing because of his love for his country and his desire to keep its people safe. He is the reason that many American’s can sleep soundly at night and we are very privileged to have a leader that puts his people’s well being over his own. George Bush is the epitome of a selfless leader and he deserves your praise for it.

1. While there does not appear to be a strong correlation between an individual’s wealth and an individual’s virtue, the inimitable Warren Buffett stands out as a person who has been generously blessed in both categories. Mr. Buffett, also known as the “Oracle of Omaha,” is a businessperson and philanthropist with a net worth of $62 billion; this classifies him as the world’s richest person according to the most recent ranking by Forbes magazine. It is the combination of his brilliant and responsible approach to investing, his humility, and his massive philanthropy that makes the incredible Mr. Buffett worthy of praise.

2. Warren Buffett, born in Omaha, Nebraska in 1930, showed an interest in business and investing at an early age. When he was only 13, he filed his first tax return, claiming his bicycle as a work-related deduction. In high school, Buffett and a friend bought a pinball machine, an investment that quickly expanded to three pinball machines in separate locations throughout the city. He went on to obtain a bachelors degree from the University of Nebraska and a Master’s degree in economics at Columbia University in 1951. Starting with a meager salary, a spendthrift attitude, and a philosophy of value investing, Buffett gradually started to build his fortune. In 1979, Buffett reached a net worth of $620 million, though he continued to live only on an annual salary of $50,000. Continuing to make brilliant investment decisions, Buffett’s net worth eventually climbed to a current $62 billion, making him the richest man alive.

One of the things that sets Buffett apart from other investors is his philosophy of value investing. While many modern investors engage in a more speculative style of investing based on rumors and trends, Buffett follows an old fashioned system that attempts to invest in companies whose market value is less than their true value in the belief that the market will eventually recognize the true value of the undervalued stock. Additionally, Buffett invests in companies that he is able to understand and that are based on sound economic principles. This approach means that he invests for the long term, so while speculative investors are buying wildly in bull markets and being conservative in bear markets, Buffett often follows a contrarian strategy. This sound investment philosophy allows Buffett to prosper during times that other investors suffer, such as during the relatively recent bust of Internet and technology stocks.

In 2006, Buffett announced that he will give over 80% of his fortune away to charity in a series of annual installments. As a result, not only is Buffett the world’s richest person, but he is also the world’s most generous philanthropist. This title is fitting for a man who still only draws an annual salary of $100,000, and who eschews the limousines, fancy houses, and lavish lifestyles typical of other wealthy individuals.

3. What is extraordinary about Mr. Buffett’s vast fortune is not merely its size but also the method with which it was accumulated. While other tycoons have made fortunes through endeavors such as monopolies and oil strikes, Mr. Buffett’s wealth was made through little more than knowledge, intelligence, and wise investment decisions. By simply using his mind, Buffett has become the richest man alive.

With such an extraordinary fortune, it would not be surprising to see a person become jaded and arrogant, but Buffett is remarkable in that he has maintained incredible humility. For example, Buffett still lives in the modest house he purchased in 1957 for $31,500, and he earns a salary of only $100,000 a year (a paltry sum in comparison to the salaries of executives in comparable positions).

Warren Buffett also possesses a healthy, objective view of his success. He understands how fortunate he is to have been born into a society and a time that values his particular skill set. In keeping with this perspective, he has pointed out that many wealthy people pay an unjustly low percentage of their wealth in taxes. He also supports inheritance taxes and thinks it is wrong for vast fortunes to be passed down through family inheritance. It is thus fitting that the big-hearted Mr. Buffett is giving nearly all of his fortune away to charity in order to give back to the society that has given him so much.

4. While there are few individuals who have achieved success on the scale of Warren Buffett, one man comparable in both wealth and philanthropy is Andrew Carnegie. Carnegie, a steel magnate from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, achieved a vast fortune and spent many of his later years giving money to build libraries, support universities, fund scientific research, and underwrite efforts at world peace. Both Carnegie and Buffett share in the commendable belief that with great wealth comes a responsibility to give back to the general public and improve the welfare of society.

5. Warren Buffett became the world’s richest person through his extraordinary expertise in investing and his responsible, steady business philosophy. After achieving unbelievable success, Mr. Buffett stayed grounded, kept his humility, and went on to become the world’s most generous philanthropist, giving away over 80 percent of his fortune. It is for his brilliance, his unpretentiousness, and his overwhelming generosity that Warren Buffett, that paragon of excellence and virtue, deserves to be honored and praised.

Introduction: (From article)Bono called their music ‘genius’. Hip producers like the Dust Brothers and Stephen Lironi worked with them early on, even before millions of fans screamed their names and critics applauded them. But for Isaac, Taylor and Zac Hanson, it's always been about the music, and there's always been a message in the music for those who were really listening. (Own) The Hanson trio recently celebrated their 10 year anniversary of their first album. Many think that they have disappeared, when in fact, they haven't. They recently came out with an album called "The Walk" and are on tour. Hanson deserves a lot more recognition, but because they are on their own label, 3CG, they have to do their own promotion, using their own money. On the flip side, Hanson took a trip to Africa to visit ill children in a hospital. They became so inspired that they are now selling a song on iTunes (all money will go back to the children) called "The Great Divide." They are taking walks with their fans before shows and encourage them to walk barefoot so that they realize the conditions of the children in Africa. They've also partnered up with TOMS shoes, and with every pair sold by Hanson, a child in Africa gets a pair as well.

Narrative: Starting out nearly 15 years ago in 1992 by releasing their first self-made albums, HANSON could not have predicted that one day the whole world would sing their song. Yet that's exactly what happened in 1997, when the band's sunny single “MmmBop”, a song about the ephemeral nature of most relationships, became a worldwide number one hit. Their pop-Motown flavored major label debut, Middle Of Nowhere, pierced the gray fog of 1990’s grunge and earned the band three Grammy nominations. The follow-up albums kept the hooks and the critical acclaim while revealing HANSON's evolution. Their sophomore effort, This Time Around, leaned toward rock, blues and gospel while 2004’s Underneath was a more richly textured and organic twist on the band's signature brand of pop-rock, as heard on the album’s lead single “Penny and Me”, which made it to #2 on the Billboard Singles Chart and notched the band a top 10 in the UK Singles Chart.

Amplification: Whether it's a trek to Africa motivated by hope, building a community of like-minded musicians or a vibrant community of online fans, HANSON's ‘from the ground up’ ethos is inspirational. The weekly podcasts of “Strong Enough To Break” and “Taking The Walk” will show that philosophy in action, connecting listeners to the notion that a small step can lead to anything from making music on your own terms, to helping in the fight against a deadly illness.

Compare: It’s a further exploration of the sound that prompted New York's ‘Village Voice’ to proclaim Hanson as simply “the best straight-up rock band in America, now sowing sonic oats as independents”. And it’s the independence in the approach to both recording and releasing their music that fans and critics alike will appreciate about The Walk. --This was the best I could find. I'm thinking they're comparing them to all rock bands in general.--

Conclusion: (Article) Even a great message, though, is lost without great songs, and writing great songs, as you'll hear on The Walk, is what HANSON does best. Each brother brings his own artistic inclinations into the studio, but their collective vision and extraordinary talent result in a band that's in it for the long haul.---(Own) Hanson has struggled the past 5 years with record company, Def Jam Records, but have now created their own label...successfully. Rising quickly, they are fighting their way back up. These boys have a lot of courage and passion for their music and the children of Africa and deserve a lot more recognition.

1. Introduction. She is wise beyond her years and shows incredible poise and grace even when under tremendous pressure. She captured the hearts of all who knew her or who knew her story. She is endearing and brings hope back into the realm of possibility. Her example of selflessness and love is one that should be headed by all and is deserving of our praise. She found a way to love unconditionally and to brings smiles to the faces of those who love her. Her hamburger phone and her quirky non-conformity attitude should guide us all.

2. Young Juno is a high school teenager who is selfless and kind to people. She is down to earth and sensible yet able to see humor and joy in many things. She grew up in a small suburb with her father, step-mother and younger sister- Liberty Bell. At an early age, Juno developed her own unique style and personality that no one could replicate. She loves rock music and old-school horror films. Her story though is marked by the overcoming of adversity.

Though her education is limited to that of a high school student, Juno exemplifies intelligence in her extensive interactions with her peers. By any standard of "achievements" Juno's may seem quite small, but her achievements lie in her friendships and poise. Despite the many challenges she faces, Juno never loses sight of who she is or what she believes is correct and virtuous, and that unwillingness to compromise is a virtue itself. She faces many pressures both internal and external and she never waivers in her determination to do the right thing.

3. Amplification. One night on an unfortunate chair, Juno became pregnant. Her good friend, Bleaker was the father of her child. Her first instinct was to abort the fetus to prevent it from "developing into an infant" and her becoming pregnant like "their moms and teachers." But, our young heroine is persuaded by an anti-choice classmate that her fetus has finger nails and that its life is valuable. No one can know for certain if the pie-flavored contraceptive devices in the doctor's office also contributed to her decision. Regardless, she decided to carry those fateful cells and give the child up for adoption.

Juno searches tirelessly for the perfect family. They are wealthy, young, successful and appear to be in love. Juno, the friendly and loving person that she is, befriends the couple and prepares to give them the greatest gift of all-- a child. During the pregnancy, Juno perseveres and continues to excel at her school work and lead a relatively normal life. She does not allow societal or peer pressures manipulate her behavior or force her to accept a secluded lifestyle. In this way, Juno breaks down barriers of stereotypes and high school discrimination and so empowers all social outcasts to regain their rightful place in high school. Oh, what a noble deed Juno has accomplished for high schools everywhere.

Yet, her story continues and we learn that she has even more virtues. The adoptive father decides that he does not want to be a father and divorces his wife. This certainly threw a wrench into Juno's plans. But, brave Juno realizes that the mother is a strong and courageous woman who will make a wonderful mother. So, Juno stays true to her word and gives her child to this woman. She gives her the gift of a child and the gift of confidence despite her marital problems. Juno's virtues far exceed her years as she restores a hope in the power of love.

But for Juno, there is no last virtue that will complete her tale. She too learns to love. She realizes that she has loved Bleaker all along and she recognizes that he has loved her and supported her through all of her challenges. This virtue is one that is not to be overlooked. Learning to see and feel love is a difficult capacity to embrace as it requires trust in humanity and trust in one person completely, and Juno proves that even a young lady can find that capacity.

4. Many young women do not show the resiliency that Juno demonstrates. Unfortunately, many young women in this position are forced to abandon schooling due to societal pressures and expectations. Many of these young women though are able to be good parents and support their children. Though many young people are able to succeed at different things at different times, Juno is unique in that she is able to support those around her and still stay true to her personality and ambitions.

5. Juno is a role model to us all. She faced a difficult situation and yet, she remained true to her own convictions and never wavered. Her determination should be an example to all and is very worth our praise. Remarkably, young Juno not only supports herself, she supports other people in her life and reaffirms a faith in the power of humanity. And, she learns to love, an ability that may be the greatest of human capacities.

1) Oprah Winfrey, the 1.4 billion dollar woman is noted as ‘the best female entertainer in the world. Oprah’s voice is heard around the world through her daily talk show, The Oprah Winfrey Show. In addition, Oprah shares her words through her media empire which includes O, The Oprah Magazine which promotes mediation and prayer and The Oprah Book Club which advocates audiences to read and find truths both spiritually and physically. Oprah Winfrey has single handedly been able to help her audience conqueror many challenges by acting as a facilitator in finding their inner voices, acknowledging diversity, and supporting worthy charities as an active philanthropist.

2) Oprah Winfrey was destined to have her voice heard starting driven at an early age. In 1971, during high school, Winfrey’s voice was first heard over the WVOL radio station in Nashville, Tennessee. Winfrey left her blue collar roots and attended Tennessee State University on a full scholarship. At age nineteen, Winfrey’s radio career lead her to become the youngest news anchor as well as the first black woman to anchor the news at Nashville’s WTVF-TV. In 1976, Winfrey, relocated to Baltimore and became a local talk show host for People Are Talking. In 1984, Winfrey received a job in Chicago to host WLS-TV’s morning talk show, AM Chicago, which became the number one local talk show. The show was extended to a one hour time slot and then was renamed The Oprah Winfrey Show. By 1986, Winfrey’s show not only became nationally syndicated but also became the highest-rated talk show in television history. Winfrey continued on to establish a production facility in Chicago called Harpo Studios. She is only one of three women in history including Mary Pickford and Lucille Ball, to own their own production studios. In 1998, Harpo Studio developed Oxygen Media, a 24-hour cable television network for women and has also produced many television movies. After twenty-two seasons, The Oprah Winfrey Show has remained the number one talk show in the world thanks to her estimated 49 million viewers each week from the United States and 134 other countries.

3) As one of the most visible and noted African American figures, Oprah has impacted the entire world through her inspirational messages, teachings and her philanthropic work. She has used her voice to inspire her audience both intellectually and emotionally especially as an active philanthropist. Winfrey uses her talk show to inspire others to give to those less fortunate by promoting philanthropic organizations including her own, “Oprah’s Angel Network.” This organization has raised over 50 million dollars. Winfrey also created an international program called “The Oprah Winfrey Scholars Program” which gives scholarship opportunities to students that are dedicated in using their education to give back to their community. Oprah focuses her philanthropic contribution for promoting and providing a better education for underprivileged children. Winfrey’s efforts have not gone unnoticed. She has been awarded some of the most prestigious awards including Time Magazine — as one of the100 Most Influential People in the World and the United Nations Association of the United States of America – Global Humanitarian Action Award. Oprah Winfrey is an inspirational and motivational outreach to her readers, consumers and daily viewers.

4) Few talk show hosts have been able to live up to Oprah’s popularity. Every episode of the Oprah Winfrey Show is intended to offer advice for personal revolution, praise good deeds, endorse luxury goods, encourage spiritual learning, and promote Winfrey supported entertainment and books. During the mid 90s the standard talk show image was changing drastically due to the increasing popularity of the Jerry Springer Show. Springer’s program centered on fist fights and topics ranging from: incestuous relations, cheating romantic partners to criminal violence. Even though her show suffered from a brief period of lower ratings, Oprah Winfrey would not change her voice or standard inspirational image. She only wanted her voice promoting good. From 1994 to 1998, Oprah Winfrey evolved her show to what she called “change your life television.” Winfrey emphasized this by adding a two minute segment to her show called “Remembering Your Spirit” which included inspirational testimonials from both celebrities and everyday people. By sticking to her morals, her show quickly bounced back to hitting the number spot for day time talk show.

5) Through the power of today’s media, Oprah Winfrey has been able to touch many people around the world. Not only has she uplifted and entertained her many viewers she has also touched the lives of those she serves through her global philanthropic efforts.

1. Aldous Huxley was a pioneer of countercultural thought and contributed indispensably to the literary canon with his "Brave New World," a prophetic vision of a culture of self-medication and self-delusion which we can see eerily reproduced in society today. He was a trailblazing thinker and a gifted and important writer, and he deserves recognition and praise.

2. Aldous Huxley was born in 1894 in Surrey, into a distinguished family that included Thomas Huxley, the renowned naturalist, and the great novelist Mary Augusta Ward, among others. He studied botany under his mother's tutelage until she passed away when he was fourteen. Coming on the heels of that, Huxley dealt with a terrible illness which left him blind for three years. Huxley completed a novel at the age of seventeen and took seriously to writing in his early twenties. He taught for a brief period and then worked as a farm laborer, where he met many distinguished thinkers of his time (among them Bertrand Russell and D.H. Lawrence) and continued pursuing his writing career and his philosophical interests. Huxley moved to Los Angeles later in his life, and applied for US citizenship after World War II, but was rejected because he said he would not take up arms to defend his country. Huxley died of cancer at the age of 69 in 1963. Besides "Brave New World," Huxley also deserves credit for introducing Eastern philosophies into American thought, with his "Perennial Philosophy," an essay that distilled the essence of mysticism from all religions into a comprehensive system of thought, and for sparking interest in the use of recreational drugs for consciousness expansion with his essays "The Doors of Perception" and "Heaven and Hell." In his novels he criticized prevailing social norms and frankly depicted sex; his iconoclasm put him well ahead of his time.

3. Huxley wrote a screenplay for the film "Alice in Wonderland" which was rejected because it was "too literary." Hollywood was apparently unable to appreciate Huxley's genius, which was to infuse novels with the sort of philosophical thinking one would expect from an essay, without losing sight of what made for a good novel. Huxley was an important cultural observer who even back then saw the direction in which rampant commercialism and mind-dulling drug use were taking society. His voice was an important counterpoint to mainstream thought, and he was willing to say things that he knew would not be well-received. Huxley stood by his principles and the world is richer for it.

4. Writers come and go. A few are remembered as great. While many so-called great writers achieve greatness through the quality of their art, Huxley's greatness is based on his prophetic visions and his important ideas. His observations about society's hypocrisy and the dangers of commercialism and self-medication are still important today, and will be relevant as long as society as we know it exists. Thus while the greatness of many current greats will fade, Huxley will remain relevant. Shakespeare, for instance, may always be celebrated for his language, but Huxley's warnings will always be-- or should always be-- considered and heeded, at least by those with ears to hear. He stands in the company of George Orwell in this, and that is fine company indeed.

5. Aldous Huxley was a truly unique writer who blended astute social criticism, unconventional philosophy, and skillful story-telling to create works that were both easily accessible and frighteningly relevant. The relevance of his body of work has not faded but has in fact grown with time. "Brave New World" is shorthand for the dangers of a willfully subdued populace unwittingly turning power over to a corrupt government, a concept that will always deserve consideration. His essays on LSD, while controversial, remain an important counterpoint to the blind demonization of recreational drug use which we see today. Huxley's ideas outlived him and will continue to do so.

1. Introduction- The record setting, 7 consecutive wins, set by Lance Armstrong at the Tour de France cycling race has yet to be broken and will most likely stay a record for a very long time. Armstrong is an athlete worthy of praise because he came back from an advanced case of testicular cancer that had spread to other parts of his body and set the record only after 5 months of recovery from two operations and an experimental intense chemotherapy.

2. Narrative- Born September 18, 1971, in Plano, Texas he was raised by his mother Linda in the suburbs of Dallas, Texas. He began running and swimming at age 10 and took up competitive cycling and triathlons at 13. At 16, Armstrong became a professional triathlete by becoming the national sprint-course triathlon champion in 1989 and 1990. Armstrong chose to focus on cycling soon after, which was his favorite and what he was best on in triathlons. During his senior year in high school, the U.S. Olympic development team invited him to train with them in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He left high school temporarily to do so, but later took private classes and received his high school diploma in 1989. Armstrong is a strong dedicated cyclist that has endurance, speed, and mental strength, which are all the qualities that is needed to win such long cycling races as he has done. Lance Armstrong has a charity, the Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF), now called LiveStrong, which raises cancer awareness and gives aid and support to those in need. In 2006, he ran the New York City Marathon, raising $600,000 for his LiveStrong campaign. He is part of the President’s Cancer Panel and the author of two best-selling autobiographies, It’s Not About the Bike: My Journey Back to Life (2000) and Every Second Counts (2003).

3. Amplification- Without his dedication and love for the sport, Armstrong could have used his cancer as an excuse to not go back to cycling but he didn’t. He came back even stronger than before. It only took Armstrong about 5 months to recover from his illness and soon got back to training. At first Armstrong was given a 65 to 85 percent chance of survival but when doctors found tumors on his brain, his odds of survival dropped to 50-50, and then to 40 percent. During his struggle with his disease he continued to say that he was going to race competitively. Not many believed him, not even his sponsors at that time which cancelled his contract and $600,000 annual salary. Once he was cleared from his disease Armstrong had trouble finding a sponsor but the finally signed a $200,000 per year position with the United States Postal Service team as a free agent. Lance Armstrong started slowly but surely to win competitions until the summer of 1999, when he returned to the Tour de France, the grueling 2,274-mile crown jewel of international cycling. And the record breaking began. Armstrong has overcome many doubts and has given hope to many victims fallen to cancer by his example that anything is possible if you really want to achieve it. Lance Armstrong is a kind and generous person because he has used his experience and status to earn money and support for his charity.

4. Compare-Many cyclist will go on through their professional career without being noticed for setting records or anything major of that sort. It is the few and privileged that get accomplishments that will have them set in history for many years to come. For example Miguel Ángel Indurain Larraya is a Spanish retired road racing cyclist who is best known for having won the Tour de France from 1991 to 1995, becoming the fourth of five persons to win the event five times, and the first to win five in a row. Larraya set the 5 consecutive wins but Armstrong matched it and surpassed it coming out of fighting cancer.

5. Conclusion- Lance Armstrong is an athlete who deserves praise and admiration for his triumph fight against cancer which was potentially life-threatening and even harder than most because he was treated with a stronger, experimental form of chemotherapy. His desire to live and to continue in the sport that he loved led him to his record setting 7 consecutive Tour de France wins. Without the support of his team, the United States Postal Service team, who believed and backed him up, he would not have been able to achieve such heights.

Anadeli De Jesus

1. In this current time of political uncertainty, Hillary Clinton shines as a virtuous, educated and experienced candidate. Her dedication to solving major problems in the United States, such as health care and education, demonstrates that she is compassionate and loyal. Her expansive resume also demonstrates that she is able to accomplish goals set before her with a high degree of success. Clinton is a woman who possesses the qualities necessary to be the President of the United States.

2. Hillary Clinton grew up in a small suburb of Park Ridge, Illinois. Her parents had difficult childhoods and raised Clinton with a strong sense of responsibility and an impressive work ethic. She volunteered in her community and had a desire to change the lives of those around her in need from an early age.

Clinton excelled academically at Wellesley College, and pursued her law degree at Yale. While at Yale, she represented abused children and found her passion for protecting the rights of children and families. Her strong desire to help children and families in need influenced her actions as the first lady of Arkansas, where she championed educational reform and served on the board of the Arkansas Children’s Hospital.

As a woman, Clinton has the ability to be compassionate as well as powerful. She has demonstrated over the years that she has the ability to “get the job done” when a task demands a solution. She persevered through her initial failures at health care reform as the first lady of the United States, and has since changed her position and shown continual maturation of her beliefs. Her enthusiasm and zeal are contagious, and she has the capability to inspire those around her.

Clinton’s achievements are far too numerous to be able to adequately described in a brief period of time. She has served our nation as the first lady of Arkansas, the first lady of the United States, and a United States Senator from New York. She has worked tirelessly to improve the lives of the poor in every capacity she has served in, and is dedicated to bringing about significant change however she can.

3. Hillary Clinton is the perfect combination of a powerful leader and a willing servant. She has demonstrated time and again that she is willing to put other’s needs before her own. After graduating from Yale, she turned down offers to work at incredibly prestigious law firms in order to work as a public servant for the Children’s Defense Fund. She has served the public with honor and grace, and continues to hold herself to a high standard while enduring an arduous campaign.

4. Hillary Clinton is similar to other major reformers of her generation because she is willing to take the difficult path. She is similar to reformers such as Martin Luther King, who she heard speak at the age of 14, because she is willing to sacrifice for a cause, promote seemingly impossible change, and believe that anything can be achieved through hard work.

5. Hillary Clinton has become a force in American politics by sticking to her beliefs and working tirelessly for change. She deserves praise because of her ability to rally people for a cause and bring about significant improvements in the lives of those around her.

1. He was a 16 time world heavyweight champion. He set records all over the world with his ferocious talent and his devastating figure four leg lock. He is knows simply as “The Man,” in sports entertainment. The “Nature Boy” Ric Flair has dazzled sold out arenas from Connecticut to California, with his signature strut and feathery blond hair. He stole the attention of women, was immortalized by children, and the envy of every man he encountered. His skill as a wrestling champion was overshadowed only by his compassion for people. He is a hall of famer in the ring and a compassionate and charitable man outside of it, a model citizen in every aspect of the word.

2. Ric Flair was born on February 25, 1949 in Memphis, Tennessee. Although abandoned by his parents, and having no real record of ever being born due to a scandal at the Tennessee children’s home society, he endured his trials admirably and was adopted by two foster parents as a young boy. From an early age he excelled in athletics winning the state wrestling title twice in his high school and then being recruited on a football scholarship at the University of Minnesota.

After dropping out of college before earning his degree he went to work as a bouncer and it was there that he would discover his calling. Working alongside a legendary wrestling trainer he was given a shot to wrestle his first match in 1972. His charismatic personality captured the crowds attention and he was signed by the NWA in 1975 winning his first title soon after. The rest as they say is history, he mowed through the NWA en route to 6 world titles before moving to the WWF and the WCW amassing an additional unprecedented 10 heavyweight titles more throughout his career.

3. He was flashy performer with his outlandish wit and entertaining interview style, Flair embodied the role of the World Champion- sporting bleached blond hair, elegant jewelry, designer suits, and elaborate custom robes while dishing out his trademark chops and feared Figure Four Leg lock. His entrance theme was the same as Elvis’s, and he stole the show wherever he went, overwhelming the sport which had never seen anything like this flamboyant superstar. He immortalized the wrestling interview with trademark lines like, “to be the man you have to beat the man,” and his famous “Woooooooo!” shout. He was a man ahead of his time and turned his humble beginnings into a magnificent legacy. He formed the most recognizable wrestling group of all time, “The Four Horsemen,” and brought wrestling as an institution from fairgrounds and carnivals to mainstream America.

4. Few people have ever defined a sport the way Ric Flair did. He was truly ahead of his era in terms of ability with a microphone and inside the confines of the squared circle. Perhaps David Beckham in soccer or Muhammad Ali in boxing could be equated with the way Ric Flair completely transformed what a wrestler was. These other two men similarly completely re-defined the sport they were apart of and took it to a new level. Ric Flair was an innovator, he didn’t just become the greatest at what he did, he changed what he did for every future generation that came after him, a feat that can only be equaled by a few special people.

5. “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair came out of obscurity and a broken home, literally with no identity to become the most recognizable face in wrestling history. When he found wrestling as his calling he was an instant success and brought new attention to a sport that was not on anyone’s radar at the time. He brought it out of obscurity and into the limelight it now enjoys today. His legendary antics and unforgettable quotes such as, “I’m a leer jet flying’, limosine ridin’, wheelin dealin’, girl stealin’, son of a gun,” alongside his unforgettable matches and feuds with Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage he imprinted a lasting legacy on his sport. For these qualities he is synonymous as the face of wrestling and deserves all the acclaim and praise that is thrown his way. Ric Flair is a wrestling icon.

The Admiral

1. As a basketball player, he was elite. As a man, he stands even higher. David Robinson’s legacy begins on the court, but it extends much further. Few people in South Texas have not somehow been influenced by his talent and generosity. I shall praise David Robinson for reviving a floundering franchise, captivating a city, and bringing hope to countless others. He is not just a basketball player. He is a prominent citizen in its truest and most deserving sense.

2. David Robinson was born in Key West, Florida in 1965. His father was a in the Navy, so the family traveled a lot. Interestingly, Robinson never showed an aptitude for basketball throughout his youth. The eventual star and 7’1” center was too short to compete. Instead, Robinson focused on his studies which would prove to be a worthy investment.

Robinson showed a real talent for mathematics as he grew up. This talent along with his high SAT score allowed him to enroll in the United States Naval Academy. While attending the Naval Academy, Robinson grew 7 inches and became one of the best college basketball players ever. However, his success on the court did not distract him from his studies. Robinson graduated with a degree in mathematics, and after he was drafted by the San Antonio Spurs with the number one pick, Robinson honored his commitment to the Navy and served for two more years.

A study of Robinson’s life easily reveals the many virtues with which he lives. He valued education over basketball. He showed integrity by serving out his commitment to the Navy. He became a born again Christian. He was a beloved teammate. He is the NBA’s model of philanthropy. He continues to serve the community. Not only does Robinson show these public virtues, but his family life is filled with joy as well. He is happily married with three kids.

Robinson’s life is filled with achievements from basketball and his community. As a basketball player he was the player of the year in college in 1987. Soon after, he became the number one pick in the NBA draft. As an NBA player, Robinson was a Rookie of the Year, MVP, scoring champ, rebounding champ, three time All-NBA, three time All-NBA defensive team, and six time All-Star. In addition to these accomplishments, Robinson played on two Dream Teams, including the original, won two championships, and was awarded the 2003 Sportsmen of the Year Award with his teammate Tim Duncan. Outside of basketball, Robinson has shown outstanding service and generosity toward the community. Most notably, Robinson committed $9 million to The Carver Academy for culturally diverse students. The NBA’s Community Assist Award bears David Robinson’s name and contains the inscription, “Following the standard set by NBA Legend David Robinson, who improved the community piece by piece.”

3. David Robinson is a real hero and an excellent role model. He was vital in saving the reputation of the NBA, and vital in bringing joy to an entire region. Not only did Robinson stay with the San Antonio Spurs for his whole career, but he still resides there and owns a share of the team. Robinson continually serves the community as he is currently on staff at Oak Hills Church. All who share time with Robinson sense his kindness and immediately show reverence. He is a once and a lifetime athlete and citizen.

4. Few athletes have been able to transcend sports through their efforts in the community like David Robinson. Robinson rivals the likes of Dikembe Mutombo and Manute Bol who tirelessly serve their poverty-stricken homes in Africa despite their success in the United States. These three athletes have shown an undying commitment to the people around them while displaying excellence on the basketball court as well.

5. David Robinson is a man that deserves praise. He has proved to be successful in every endeavor undertaken. He displays the qualities of a leader at all times through his selflessness and caring. His many achievements speak for themselves, and his quality of character is unquestionable. David Robinson is the ultimate role model and a true champion.

1. No quarterback that has ever graced the crisp green grass of a professional football field has conquered the game as Brett Favre has. The only other players even in contention for the title of best quarterback of all time could be Dan Marino, John Elway or Joe Montana. Sportswriters across the nation deem Brett Favre one of the greatest to ever play the game and even NFL Commissioner, Roger Goodell stated that "Brett Favre will always be remembered as one of the greatest players and fiercest competitors in NFL history . . .” These are few of the many reasons Brett Favre deserves praise.

2. Brett Favre grew up in Kiln, Mississippi where he began his career as an athlete at a very young age. He was multi talented playing both baseball and football – starting at multiple positions in each sport. His father was the coach of his high school football team and ran a predominately running style offense. This overshadowed Favre’s abilities for he only received one collegiate offer to Southern Miss. Favre would not let this road bump threaten his abilities though. At Southern Miss. he had an instant impact on Southern Miss. Football program leading them through many challenges and obtaining many wins. This was only the start of the success Brett Favre would later go on to achieve as a professional athlete.

3. “As a player Favre was known for his durability, his willingness to take risks and turn broken plays into big gains, as his love for the game was evident in the way he played,” said ESPN analyst Chris Mortensen. In his time on and off of the field Favre had to overcome a great deal of adversity that could have easily ended an ordinary athlete’s career. In his senior season at Southern Miss. he was severely injured in a near fatal car wreck. 30 inches of his small intestine were removed, but six weeks later he stepped back onto the football field to put up yet another win. Throughout his professional career Favre has been a source of inspiration to many of his teammates, coaches, and fans. On Dec. 21, 2003 his father suffered a fatal heart attack; however, Favre opted to play in the following days Monday night football game – throwing for 399 yards and winning 41-7 over the Oakland Raiders. Favre has served as an inspiration off of the field as well; his childhood home was devastated by hurricane Katrina in 2005. To inspire others to help, Favre spoke publicly about what citizens can do and opened a Hurricane Katrina fund that raised over 1 million dollars.

4. Not many athletes have dominated the quarterback position as Brett Favre has. During the 2006 season Favre passed Dan Marino for the all-time completions record and in 2007 set other NFL records such as: most wins by a QB, touchdown passes, pass attempts, passing yards, most consecutive starts. Favre is also the only player to receive the AP MVP award three consecutive times. Dan Marino came close, but Favre surpassed most of his all-time records to become the greatest quarterback of all time.

5. Favre overcame the many obstacles he encountered throughout his career to become on the NFL’s greatest quarterbacks and players. Favre always played with passion, excitement and a smile on his face. He was an instant all-star -- starting for 16 out of the 17 years he played. Brett Favre is selfless, inspirational and a true competitor. For these qualities and for his lifelong achievements on an off of the field, he deserves praise and appreciation.