MANKATO — Whom do I admire the most? Hmm … let me see. Well, there’s mom and dad because they love me and take care of me. Then there’s my math teacher, Mr. Kennedy, because he doesn’t get mad even if he has to explain to me how to do a problem — again. And, of course, Joe Mauer really rocks! But, to choose just one? It’s too hard!

People we admire touch our lives in so many different ways. Some are famous people we have never met who have given us inspiration to do our best. Others are in our own families because they love us and take care of us when we need it most. But we admire others for special reasons, like Alex Sandquist, a third-grader at Kennedy, who admires his twin brother because “he is the one person I know I can trust.” And Maple River West fourth-grader Skyler Giese admires her dad because, “My dad and I even have the same birth mark!” Still others admire someone for what that person has done, such as Maple River West fourth-grader Kayla Rigdon, who admires her mom, “because she feeds me food.” Or Risen Savior Lutheran fifth-grader Cham Omot who admires Jesus the most, “because he’s been through a lot.” Whomever it is that you admire, it is probably because they have touched your life in some positive way that helps makes you a better person. And that is very admirable!

Hannah Weng

age 9, grade 3

Kennedy

A person I admire is Taylor Swift because I really like her. I have all her CDs. She looks pretty and nice. I really love her voice, and I look up to her. I want to be a singer when I grow up, just like her! She has country songs, and I like country songs, too. I do stuff she does and wear clothes like her.

Emily Dewes

age 12, grade 7

Good Shepherd Lutheran

Someone I admire most is my grandma. She took care of me and my parents when our house was struck by the 1998 tornado. Our house was in such bad shape that it took five months to repair. So, during that time, my grandma took care of us at her house. I don’t remember any of this, but I do remember hearing plenty of stories. So, the reason my grandma is one of my heroes is because she took care of my family in our time of need. Thanks, Nana!

Makena Byrd

age 8, grade 3

All Saints Catholic

There are many people in my family I admire. My cousin, Kristen, is who I admire the most.

Kristen is talented and uses many colors when she draws. Kristen is very creative; she uses paints to color plain shirts. She is always happy and cheerful. She also listens to her parents and obeys the rules. I know that it is not always easy to do all of that, at least not for me. Kristen loves to play. I always have fun when I am with her. Kristen is also kind to others and thinks about her family first. Kristen does her homework and assignments at college. At home, she just joined the National Guard. I think she is very brave.

Kristen is a brave, talented, creative, kind, good, fun, thoughtful and happy person. I admire these qualities because they are good. When you put them all together into one person, they are super special. That is why I think Kristen is good to admire. I hope to be like her in all ways.

Cody Pithan

age 7, grade 1

Mount Olive Lutheran

I admire the astronaut Am Able. He launched in a rocket to space in 1959 and he survived. He was the first monkey in space. He flew at high speed, 10,000 miles per hour, I think. The first animal to go to space was a dog. But, to me, this monkey was the best astronaut ever. If you forgot, his name was Am Able!

Hannah Stelter

age 11, grade 5

Immanuel Lutheran

I admire my mother most because she teaches me lots of new things and is very patient. She teaches me how to make noodles and cookies and lots of desserts. She’s always giving ideas of what to do when I’m bored. She is very talented when it comes to art, and she shows me how to make many cool crafts. She is very organized; you’ll almost always see her organizing something. She also plays lots of games with me. On top of that, she takes care of five kids. I love my mom. I also love my dad.

Devyn Tierney

age 13, grade 7

Madelia

I admire my dad because he has helped me become mentally and physically stronger. See, a couple of  years ago, my dad went to Iraq and fought in the war. He was in the Army National Guard for a long time. My dad and I have very many fond memories together and have had lots of fun times. I also admire my dad because, no matter what happens, whether it’s in school or on the football field, he always pushes me and tells me not to give up. If I did give up, I would be a quitter and I’m not now, nor will I ever be a quitter, and that’s because my dad pushes me. But, if I had to choose for a hero between my dad and Superman, it would be my dad, and do you know why? Because he served for his country.

Evan Klein

age 9, grade 4

Maple River West

I look up to Mikko Koivu because he is a good sport. When they lost against the Coyotes, he was a good sport and shook their hands. When one of the Islander players got hurt, Mikko Koivu helped him of the ice. He helped Cal Clutterbuck off the ice when he got cut by a skate. He plays hockey by the rules, like he does not trip or slash. He plays fair.

Ethan Prins

age 11, grade 6

St. Peter Lutheran

I admire Steve Irwin because he was a great influence on me and everyone who knew about him. He loved animals, and I want to be like him when I grow up.

Noah Klugherz

age 11, grade 5

Trinity Lutheran

I admire soldiers for the work they do to keep our country safe. They risk their lives to help stop wars in other countries to keep the people safe. Wars are important for freedom. That’s why I admire soldiers.

Alicia Perez

age 10, grade 4

Le Center

I admire my third-grade teacher, Mrs. Farm, because she inspired me to be a teacher when I grow up.

Josh Wong

age 12, grade 6

Risen Savior Lutheran

I admire Abraham Lincoln. He was one of the best presidents. He helped get rid of slavery and make all races equal. He made America the best that it could be. He was awesome.



Jaedyn Long

age 10, grade 4

Le Center

I admire my mom. She helps me when I am sad, mad and when I need help with homework. She was always there for me when I was little until now. She always loves me, even when she is mad at me. I love her and I admire her.

Sophia Brandt

age 13, grade 7

Loyola Catholic

I admire my grandma. She is very responsible and is always organized. Her house is always clean and she is a great cook! She taught at Loyola High School for many years as a religion teacher and has now retired. Now she does research for public television!

She has accomplished a lot and has a good heart. My grandma is always ready to have fun and has great ideas for things to do! She is a great person. She makes me want to strive for perfection and do my best!

Tori Russenberger

age 13, grade 8

Martin County West

I have many people that I admire, but the person I admire the most is my grandpa, Lee Wilkin.

He grew up during the Depression and World War II, the youngest of seven kids on a farm. He was 2 years old when he lost his eye from running into a barbed wire fence. He did not let this disability limit him in anything he did. He was a heavy equipment operator for Cottonwood County for 16 years. His next job was the street commissioner for the city of Windom. His last job was with MnDOT working with the bridge crew. He always works hard.

When I was a little girl, he made me and my sister a playhouse. He is the best grandpa I ever had.

Michael Larson

age 9, grade 4

Maple River West

I admire my grandpa because he is honest. I mean, he tells me what we are doing next when we are finished doing something. My grandpa is loyal, and we have a lot of fun together. There are a couple of rules when we are there. I think I know most of the rules. My brother Levi and I have a lot of fun there.

Destyni Gessner

age 11, grade 5

Immanuel Lutheran

I admire a lot of people: My relatives, my friends, my favorite actors, my favorite producers, my favorite authors, sometimes even fictional characters. I guess I’m just going to end up saying that I admire Stephenie Meyer the most. She is a great author, and she wrote my favorite book series. I always knew I wanted to be an author when I grew up, but I never knew how or what to write about until I read “Twilight.” And to think Stephenie Meyer got her idea for “Twilight” from a dream makes me think that just about anything is possible.

Devon Swing

age 9, grade 3

Kennedy

I admire LeBron James because he is one of the coolest, nicest and best basketball players I know. You ask why he is so cool or nice? I think he gives money to people who need it like in Haiti and that’s why I think he’s so nice and cool.

Nate Wong

age 14, grade 8

Risen Savior Lutheran

I think the person I admire the most is my dad. He’s great at his job and helps many people. It’s a great privilege to be able to share God’s Word with everyone. He is my true role model.

Amran Mohamoud

age 8, grade 3

Kennedy

I admire my teacher, Ms. Edelstein, because she rocks. She’s the best teacher in the world. She is very, very, very, very nice. Ms. Edelstein works really hard. I am lucky I have Ms. Edelstein. She is exciting. I want to have her every year. Ms. Edelstein rocks! I wish everybody had her. Ms. Edelstein explains everything well. That’s whom I admire.

Gabrielle Miller

age 13, grade 8

Risen Savior Lutheran

I really admire my older sisters because they are kind and can understand me more than some other people can. Also, they are both really outgoing and make life fun. My sisters are also both very smart and make me look forward to high school. I don’t know what I would do without them.

Rachel Ruschmeyer

age 9, grade 3

Mount Olive

The person I admire most is my grandmother because she is very sweet and she knows a lot about the past.

Katelyn Langworthy

age 9, grade 4

Maple River West

I admire my mom. I admire her because she is very kind. My mom also helps me when I need help. She also helps me when I am sad. My mom is great. That is why I admire my mom.

Shane Price

age 13, grade 7

Loyola Catholic

The person I admire the most is Nelson Mandela. I admire him because he fought for the rights of people who were disadvantaged. He was persecuted and beaten down, but he kept getting back up and he never fought back with anger.

Dawson Schwanke

age 10, grade 4

Maple River West

I admire my Aunt Jenny. I admire my Aunt Jenny because she is very nice to people. She is also very helpful. She is always there on special parties like birthdays. I love my Aunt Jenny.

Lauren Paulsen

age 9, grade 3

Mount Olive

The person I admire most is my mom because she helps me with my homework and makes me food.

Ryley Owen Davis

age 13, grade 8

Risen Savior Lutheran

I admire my older brother most because of his great wisdom and popularity. I like my brother even though he can be mean sometimes. He has the best memory so he doesn’t have to study for tests or write down notes. I only wish that some day I could be like him.

Katelyn Hardtke

age 13, grade 7

Trinity Lutheran

The person I admire the most is my grandpa. He served in the Vietnam War. He is great. Besides being in the war, he is a great grandpa to have. He tells me many stories about when he was in Vietnam. He also shows me many pictures to see what everything was. He showed me pictures of the guns he used, where he lived while he was there, and the people who lived there. That is why I admire him most.

Kyreis Harrison

age 7, grade 1

Mount Olive Lutheran

I admire Izayah. He is my brother. He likes me. We play tag.

Alisha Schloesser

age 10, grade 4

Le Center

The people I most admire are my mom and dad because they care for me and help me with my homework.

Chris Kahler

age 13, grade 7

Martin County West

Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas! That’s Santa Claus and that’s the person I admire. So kick back and listen to what I got to say.

My first reason is because Santa is magic and he can teach reindeer how to fly. I also admire him because he gives me presents if I’m a good boy. Another reason why I admire him is because he goes to everybody’s house in one day. Now that’s hard to do! But my favorite reason why I admire Santa is that he eats all those cookies without his tummy exploding.

So, be a good kid for Santa or else he isn’t going to give you any presents. Oh, and another reason why I admire Santa is because he gets to say all the famous sayings like “Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas, and to all a good night.”

Kate Tostenson

age 10, grade 5

Trinity Lutheran

I admire my dad. He is very helpful to my mom, brother, sister and me. He is a very hard worker. Sometimes I don’t get to play with him, but I know he is working hard. When I do get to play with him, it is very fun. I also like to talk to him about school, friends, basically life. My dad teaches me all he knows. That is why I admire my dad who is awesome.