My name is Quincy Caleb Hirt, and I am fifteen years old. I am proud to describe myself as the three words above, and while I may have moments of lapse in thought, I try to exhibit these traits throughout my daily life. I love being around other people and I always try to avoid spending even the occasional evening alone. I have found that if I show others compassion, they enjoy being around me just as much as I enjoy them. I try to be a friendly face they can go to for help, tell their problems too, or even just to show them that someone cares.
This past summer I returned to my summer camp, Camp Nebagamon for Boys, for the seventh consecutive summer. I hold camp near and dear to my heart and I can't imagine a summer without it. Every year at camp we have a friendly day of competition called Paul Bunyan Day. Each year, four kids from the eldest grade are chosen to represent and lead their teams. These boys are called the Boss Loggers. The way they are chosen is through an all grade vote on the second night of camp. The reason I stay compassionate is because I know when people trust someone and like someone, they follow them. So when my peers voted for me as one of the four Boss Loggers, I knew that I was not only well liked enough and trusted enough to lead 60-70 kids on the of the most important days of the year, I knew that whatever I was doing was working.
I have taken part in many optional activities throughout my life. Whether it's extra curriculars, sports, or even personal endeavors, I always stay committed to what I started. I can proudly say that I rarely quit something that I made a commitment to. I am so self-determined that I don't even like stopping a math problem that I can't solve. Unfortunately, this ends up leaving me with no time to do the other twenty questions on the test, but that's beside the point. The point is that I like to finish what I have started. It gives closure, accomplishment, and that great feeling you get when you think back to what you were at the beginning and how much better you are now.
Luckily for me I am a generally happy person. In the fourth grade, our family friends and my family embarked on a two week trip to the African bush. We slept in huts, went on walking safaris at five in the morning, and ate entirely the local cuisine. While the trip provided an amazing experience, it also was one of the most incredibly fun trips I've ever been on. On day ten of our trip, we were in Botswana, twenty miles outside of the Kalahari Desert. The plan was to drive into the desert the next day and continue to our next "lodge" on foot. The majority of the group were kids, however there were three adults over the age of 40. The trip had been great, but tiring and demanding. It had taken a toll on our parents so they gave us a decision. We could either continue with our plan, or we could go to a nicer resort back in Zambia. While the rest of the group prepared to vote, I did what I do every time a vote is proposed; I think about what I want, and then I think about what the group wants. In this situation I knew I really wanted to continue on our original trip into the Kalahari. However, judging from the reaction to the proposal, I knew the group wanted something different. So, I didn't vote. Rather than attempt to convince others that I was happy with the decision I simply put on a smile and prepared for whatever was next. In this sense I am easygoing. I can adapt to situations I don't like to be in and I can make others enjoy the situations I do like. Even something as simple as choosing dinner is hard for me because I the end of the day I will manage no matter what we chose. Being easygoing ironically makes the going easier for me, and brightens up dark days.
I don't like to brag, and I won't lie. Those aren't the only three words that describe me, and while my mom may think it, I am not perfect. I am still working on many ways to improve myself, and many ways to get rid of the wrong that I do. I may have only lived fifteen years, but I know one thing. If I can still describe my self the same way in thirty years, I will be just a pleased.
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