Nicollette's+Page

There are many forces that shaped me to whom I am today. I know the ten that shaped my life are my mother, grandparents, my cousin Izabela, my friends, Poland, music, history, art, and books, specifically Harry Potter.

My mother is very important in my life. She grew up in Poland when it was communistic. My mom would tell me how she’d be prevented from going to church on Sundays, carrying a bible, or speaking out against the government. She immigrated into America without knowing the language or knowing anybody in the country. She had to work very hard throughout her life and is always supporting me. She has been my rock throughout my whole life.

My grandmother is also an important force in my life. She reminds me to be grateful of what I have. She had to grow up during World War II in Poland, between the ages of nine and fifteen. When I visit her, she always tells me her stories. The most memorable one is that she was a child spy for the Polish army and had to deliver a secret package to a ghetto. She told me she slipped the package through the wall and was caught by a Nazi, who told her to stop. So she ran for it, and while that happened, he shot her twice in the leg. She didn’t stop running until she got home safely. What I find amazing is that she still smiles and laughs after all the trauma she went through as a child.

My grandfather recently passed away last spring. He also had his World War II stories. He was kidnapped by Nazis to Germany. He had to do forced labor while he was there. After the war ended, he ran away. My grandfather played chess really well and taught me. He also spoke French and could sing its national anthem perfectly. No matter how old he got, it seemed he was always learning and educating himself. He teaches me that education doesn’t stop when school ends, that learning is all around us.

My cousin Izabela is like a sister to me, though the last time I saw her was in Poland in 2008. She is sixteen years older than me and remembers me as a toddler. But we always feel like we’re the same age when we’re hanging out. She also learned to speak French and got to go to college in Paris for art. She made me want to learn French and painting when I was young. I look up to her a lot.

My friends are also very important. They have always been there for me. I believe I am blessed to have such great friends. I feel that I can tell my friends any secret and they will keep it and they won’t be judgmental. I can always count on my friends from everything to a shoulder to cry on or a good laugh.

Though it’s not a person, Poland is important to me. I am one hundred percent Polish and I can speak the language. My whole family lives in Poland. I am patriotic of that country and I can’t wait to go there again. The distance between Pennsylvania and Poland helps me appreciate family and to enjoy every second I can have with them.

Music always helps me with my emotions. It helps when I need to be cheered up or just need to relax. My favorite band would have to be the Beatles. They are such a great band to listen to.

History is a force that has made me whom I am today. It has been my favorite class throughout middle school and high school. I love reading history, particularly about Marie Antoinette, the last Queen of France before the French Revolution broke out. I also like listening to my grandparents as they tell me their accounts of World War II. I feel if we don’t learn our history, we’re doomed to repeat it.

Art is another major force in my life. I have taken some art courses here at the school. I love to paint. It is a way of expressing myself. I also love art museums. I went to the Philadelphia Museum of Art last May and I was so excited to see paintings done by Picasso and Monet. Artwork is a very beautiful thing to look at.

Lastly, books are a force that made me whom I am today, specifically, the Harry Potter series. It teaches many important lessons that can apply to everyone in life. The books teach us that our choices are what matter in the world and friendship is a precious thing to have. Harry Potter teaches us important values like bravery, acceptance, and humility. I am so glad that such a great book series have been written in my time.

-Nicollette Kabat

Nicollete, I really can relate to how music helps with your emotions. Also, with relatives that you love living in different parts of the world. I like how indepth you were about your grandmother and mother struggles growing up. This really shows that you can appreciate how they overcome their challenges as well as their strength. You also did great explaining how not only books in general, but the very amazing seires Harry Potter, plays a specific role in your life.

- Marissa Maravilla

Nicollette, I really get that you are very proud of your family for all that they've been through which has made you the person that you are. I like how you use things like art and history to also show that their forces in your life too. I thought it was interesting that you feel that we must "learn our history" or "we're doomed to repeat it". I also liked that you used books, specifically Harry Potter as forces. I definitely can relate to that. I get a feel of how important your family is to you and I think that is such a great quality to have.

-Jessica Rudisill

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