I began to grow up one summer afternoon, alone, in the middle of the woods. I had signed up for a week-long hiking trip on the Northern Superior Hiking Trails in Minnesota; my hiking team consisted of three girls, four boys and two experienced hikers. The trip was designed "to build character" and although I wasn't sure what that meant, I thought it might be fun and adventuresome. I imagined myself as Indiana Jones from …showed first 75 words of 761 total…

…showed last 75 words of 761 total…our goal was reached! It was then that I realized just how much I had accomplished both physically and mentally. I learned the importance of optimism and I learned that if I want to succeed I must never quit trying. This experience will definitely help me in college, since I will be taking on new challenges that will need commitment and optimism. I now know that I can do anything I put my heart into