WIU students identify role models

By KENNEDY WILLIAMS & JOEL RAMIREZ, NEWS3 Reporters

MACOMB, Illinois (NEWS3) – Every November, people across the United States recognize and celebrate National Inspirational Role Models Month.

According to nationaldaycalendar.com, National Inspirational Role Models Month highlights and celebrates those role models that embody the qualities and characteristics for lifelong success, and students at Western Illinois University reflected on the people that inspire them daily. 

Junior Law Enforcement and Justice Administration major Olin Ortiz said that his inspirational role model is his grandfather. 

“He came from Mexico and he sacrificed a lot, and then he had like six kids, all my uncles, and aunts,” Ortiz said. “One thing I would say that he passed down was his work ethic and that’s something that I appreciate and something we all hold dear.” Ortiz said.

Ortiz joins other WIU students like freshman and agriculture business major Molly Reed, who said that her grandfather is her biggest role model because he inspires her to work hard every day and lets her know whenever he is proud of her. 

Senior and agriculture business major Jacy Castlebury, and sophomore and law enforcement and justice administration major Victor Sanchez said that their fathers are their biggest role models.  

“He has always been so hardworking and he raised me and my two sisters all by himself, and he did a great job,” Castlebury said.

“He inspired me to work hard and no matter what to always keep trying, even if it was too difficult or I was too tired, so it always pushed me to work hard in school,” Sanchez said.

According to nationaldaycalendar.com, if you want to be an inspiration to people, you should always demonstrate leadership and confidence, take responsibility for your actions, earn trust with the people you care about the most, show others that you care about them, interact with everyone, stand out in the crowd, and be smart, well rounded, and open-minded.

Previous articleEmotional support animals help their owners at WIU
Next articleCareer Closet offers professional clothing to students in need