If you haven read my post “Table For Six Please” than you may not know what this post is about. That is why I highly recommend you read the post I have linked below.
Below are the paragraphs I wrote for each of my role models:
Sonny Rollins is at my table because he is widely recognized as one of the most influential jazz players ever. His career spans seven decades and he is still playing today. I am also an aspiring saxist. This is just one of the many reasons why Sonny is at my table. He was widely known for his introduction of calypso rhythms into jazz music and applied this method of “calypsing” for the first time in one of my favourite songs named St.Thomas. This soon became one of his signature styles. He’s not just a role model of mine, he’s also a mentor I wish I had in-person. But I’d want him as a mentor in the musical arts. I’d like him as a musical mentor because he is most definitely, without a doubt, one of my favourite musicians. The reason why I wouldn’t want him as a life mentor would be because some of his previous choices weren’t the best. He was arrested in the early 50s for armed robbery and arrested in 1952 for heroin use. However, he broke his addiction in 1955 which just goes to show how strong of a person he was.
Cpl (Corporal) Léo Major was a French Canadian soldier. He fought in both World War Two and the Korean War. He is at my table because of his bravery and sacrifice. On the 13th of April, 1995 he received the distinguished conduct medal. He received this medal for single handedly liberating the city of Zwolle in the Netherlands. He did this by capturing a German officer then falsely telling the officer about a shelling that was scheduled to happen later that night. The officer didn’t realize that Cpl Major was lying about the shelling in the hopes of scaring away the Germans. Once he convinced the officer that the shelling was real, he set the officer free to tell the other Germans. This lie, coupled with some strategically placed explosives, caused the Germans to flee the city. Cpl Major also earned another distinguished conduct medal during the Korean War for leading the capture of Key Hill. I’d like to hear these stories directly from him, better understand what makes people do heroic acts.
Barrack Obama is known for many things, but foremost as being the first black president of the United States. This is memorable because even though a large number of Americans are African American, none have ever been elected president until Obama. He also created Obama care which is an act to make health care in the United States more affordable. This is why he is at my table. To be more specific, he is at my table because of how much he has done for the world by helping America. Without Obama there would still be the don’t ask don’t tell Act of 1993. This Act forbid armed forces members from revealing their sexuality openly. Obama disbanded this act as a very key step in evolving our social understanding of one another. I also believe he is a good role model because of the way he holds himself: he is a calm, collected person. When you are really upset or frustrated, it’s important to still stay calm and in control of the situation. I would hope he’d share his secret with me on how he achieves this and his thoughts on America now that he is not president. This is why he is at my table.
Dr. Dre is at my table for his musical experience. I’d love to have him as a mentor because music is one of my most favourite things in the world. Dr. Dre would definitely be a good musical mentor because of how much music he has both created and produced. In fact, he produced for some of the biggest names in hip hop like Snoop Dogg, 2Pack, Eminem, and 50 cent. These are only a few of the many people he’s signed. He’s made millions in the rap industry which just goes to show how clever he is when it comes to marketing. Because of these accomplishments, having him mentor me would teach me how to make money in a field of work where only about 1% of people are truly financially successful. I also have deep respect for all good rappers. This is because I understand how hard it is to create a good rap and Dr. Dre is one of the best. That is why he’s at my table.
Matt Damon is at my table as a role model. He is a very famous actor and he does a lot of humanitarian work. I think most people should strive to do as much humanitarian work as he has done. And believe me that’s a lot. He started H20 Africa. H20 Africa is an organization that gives clean water to kids in Africa. Clean water in Africa is critical to the survival and success of that country and right now clean water is a big problem. He is also an ambassador for ONEXONE, a nonprofit foundation committed to supporting, preserving and improving the lives of children at home in Canada, the United States, and around the world. Helping all kids, everywhere is important to him. I believe it’s important to do humanitarian work and starting with kids is a good place to focus because they will shape the future. Everyone in the world shares one big connection. We are all humans. Matt Damon could help teach me how to be a humanitarian, inspire me to do better, to do more.That is why Matt Damon is at my table.