Saturday, June 2, 2012

Guest Blogger, 98



On 98's last day of classes he and his classmates made presentations about the important people in their lives. This is 98's presentation, about his Uncle Jack.


A role model is someone you want to be like when you are older, someone you look up to.  My role model is my uncle, Jack Gillis, because he is intelligent, helpful and funny.  He is involved in both the community and in politics, and he is also straightforward and honest about expressing his opinions on just about everything. 
 
            Back when he was younger, Jack got good grades all through school.  He took several AP classes in high school; this is something I also hope to do all the next four years.  But Jack knew how to have fun, too.  He was a champion apple thrower in his neighborhood in Quincy where he and his five siblings regularly took part in heated rotten apple battles.  One thing I really admire about Jack is that he was very protective of his only older brother, Jim, who was developmentally delayed.  Even after Jim moved to a group home, Jack stayed close to him and watched out for him until he died a few years ago.  

Jack is an English professor at Fitchburg State University, but he does not always correct our grammatical errors when we are talking to him.  He loves to read Shakespeare and literary novels and he has written a book about politics and the scandals surrounding President Clinton.  I am proud of him for all that he has accomplished and I want some day to be as successful as he is . 

Jack loves all animals, especially turtles and my dog Zoet, who is a mixture of a Belgian breed and a Chihuahua..  He is borderline crazy about turtles.  He took really good care of the pet turtle he had as a kid and he has encouraged me to be a responsible pet owner.

I am glad to have my uncle as a role model.  He cares about me and is always happy to give me advice, but only if I seek it out.  He is very respectful of me and accepts me for who I am.  I am grateful that he is a part of my life and today I want to thank him for all that he has done for me.   


2 comments:

  1. Linda, that is so heartwarming! I real testament to your family.

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  2. Great job 98 - but then you always seem to listen to what others tell you, not reacting right away, but thinking, holding on the the ideas, and deciding on your own what to accept and what think about some more! Grndmthr

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