Gabrielle Montesanti's blog

To me, there is something magical about the Olympics. Perhaps it has to do with the opening ceremonies when thousands of elite athletes gather to speak in one voice. It’s monumental; not just for the athletes, but for people like me who are inspired by what they accomplish.

For some, the dreary days of winter are equivalent to a five-month prison sentence. Everyone is sick. The heaps of snow interrupt our daily schedules and turn quickly to slush. To students, winter means midterms and hectic test schedules that seem never-ending. Right now, summer seems about a thousand years away. Because of these discouraging aspects of our cold, Michigan winter, it is especially important to keep a positive attitude and find some joy.

What defines an individual? When I pass strangers on the street or bump into another student at school, their appearance dictates everything I quickly assume about them. As convenient as it would be to open another’s mind like a chest of drawers to examine their memories and morals, humanity just isn’t that simple.

Teens are undoubtedly one of the most stereotyped groups in our community. As a teenager, I experience negative overgeneralizations most of the time. I’m not sure most adults know who we are.