The True Meaning of Success

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Image Credit: Department of Justice

Eric Holder: Persistence through Passion In 2008, President Barack Obama broke barriers by becoming the first African American president of the United States. In doing so, President Obama paved the way for other African Americans to find their niche among American government. People like Eric Holder, the first black Attorney General, continued to overcome societal expectations for those who held government positions for years under the Obama administration(Johnson). With this in mind, black and white youth alike can imitate Holder as a model towards battling for what you believe in and achieving personal goals.

Growing up, Eric Holder attended secondary school at a academy for the intellectually gifted, despite his parents’ lower income. After succeeding in school, Holder attended Columbia University and earned a law degree(Johnson).

Afterwards, Holder found himself working for the US Justice Department

and, eventually, became the 82nd US Attorney for the District of Columbia.

Subsequently, Holder’s work in the NAACP and passion for racial equality led him to accept the position as Attorney General from 2009 to 2015 under the Obama administration(Johnson).

As a successful figure in the law field, Holder has received countless awards congratulating his efforts to represent minorities and his service to the United States. However, many critics of Holder place him responsible for Operation Fast and Furious. To elaborate, Operation Fast and Furious refers to the United States government allowing illegal gun sales to occur on the basis of investigating Mexican drug cartels (CNN).

However, due to the major scandal, Holder has repeatedly criticized by other government officials due to his role in the investigation. In spite of this, ​Legal Times still recognized Holder as one of the “Greatest Washington Lawyers of the Past 30 Years”(Johnson).

Regardless of Holder’s 2.5 million dollar salary, his passion for representing the nation and minorities categorizes him as successful. More so, many lawyers associate Holder with civil rights activism and racial equality. For instance, Holder spoke out against an Arizona immigration law. Holder concluded that the law largely allowed racial profiling. As a result, his actions spurred the Supreme Court to alter the law in A​rizona v United States ​in 2012. Likewise, Holder has openly encouraged comprehensive immigration reform and actively tries to protect those affected.

Apart from civil rights, Holder has represented the NFl and Michael Vick. In 2007, accusations about Vick and associates facilitating a dog fighting ring in Virginia arose. Despite Vick pleading

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guilty, Holder represented the disparate values of the NFL from Vick’s actions.

Through achieving goals of becoming the first black US Attorney General to overcoming racial inequality lawfully, Eric Holder has become an inspiration to others. More specifically, he represents young black civil rights leaders to pursue a career in law in order to formally make a difference—just as he has.

Image Credit: ABC

Tackling Diversity through Television

In the thrilling new TV series, ​How to Get Away with Murder, ​the director's craft a diverse, yet successful show that all audiences enjoy watching. In 2014, the first episode aired and received raving reviews (Philiana). The television show shapes each episode in a creative way, unlike any other show. To elaborate, the episode previews several months ahead of the present. The directors utilize this method to hold the audience’s attention throughout the season. In fact, many lovers of this show claim that the format

of the show peaks their interest in the show especially (Philiana).

Within the show, drama and mystery remain key themes throughout the show. Along with these themes, the television show follows a group of law students with their encounters with a criminal defense lawyer, Annalise Keating. Annalise Keating, a professor at Middleton Law School, teaches a course: How to Get Away with Murder. ​Here, she meets several diverse law students who become her team of interns for the future.

Throughout the five seasons, legitimate deaths occur on the side of the lawyers representing individual cases. For the individual cases, the characters utilize actual legal terms as well as illustrate court scenes. Thus, the television series allows for the audience to get a glimpse of what the life of a law student truly looks like—aside from the extensive scandal.

In relation to the series’s success, the show received Television Program of the Year by the American Film Institute in 2015. Along with this award, the main character, Annalise Keating, played by Viola Davis, became the first black woman to win an Emmy and Golden Globe Award (Philiana). These awards remain only a few of the countless awards that the television series and actors and actresses have received from their performances.

For instance, the show has received raving reviews reaching 14.3 million viewers for its first season. As a result, this has allowed the show to continue streaming into its fifth season—any television series’ goal.

Apart from the awards and positive ratings, the television show touches on pivotal social issues to promote acceptance. For instance, the group of interns (and main characters on the show) include two black girls and a

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boy, a latina girl, a gay man, and an insecure rich boy. Using these demographics, the show highlights racial injustice, white privilege, sexual assault awareness, and the divide between the rich and the poor. The directors also cleverly reveal flaws in the American judicial system and deepen the audience’s understanding of how the legal world operates.

In essence, ​How to Get Away with Murder, ​represents success throughout all aspects of their television series. In combination with awards and ratings, the show has challenged societal barriers by including a diverse cast. The show not only references these unorthodox aspects, but rather encourages them in order to promote social acceptance with their audience.

Interview with Dawn Andresen

O: This ezine is mainly about success and what it means to you. I am going to ask a few questions regarding that topic throughout this interview.

O: Currently in your life you’ve made a lot of changes to improve your happiness. What have those changes been?

Mom: After turning 50 this year, I set out to create goals for the next chapter of my life mentally, socially, physically, and spiritually.

O: Do you think certain types of successes are more important than others?

Mom: I think everybody defines success differently. I think more important successes are happiness, peace, and less to do with physical and monetary things. Frankly, as I get older, materialistic things start to lack importance.

O: In your daily life, what do you think counts as a success?

Mom: I would say a day is successful when you feel contentment within. A day where I hit my sleep, water, nutrition, family time and exercise goals is successful to me. It does not have to be anything big, just satisfactory.

O: What has been your most successful moment in your life?

Mom: A culmination of experiences and memories together. There isn't one moment.

You can't nail it down to one.

O: You have a lot of children, including myself, have there been any moments in particular that makes you especially proud to be their mother or stepmother when it comes to being successful?

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Mom: Yes. Christian, your brother, in particular because he struggled all through high school. It took him a year to learn simple flashcards as a kid. With all his hard work and dedication, he is thriving by himself in work, mentally, and socially.

O: Do you think parents and family have a large correlation to success? Do you think that your family and where you grew up attributes to your success?

Mom: I do. I think in a different immediate family situation I probably would have worked harder and taken a different path.

Instead, I found guidance through my grandparents and myself.

O: Are there any goals right now that you have in order to feel more successful?

Mom: No question. I set out the first of the year to make goals. I wanted to lose 10 pounds, to get my IBS under control, to find a new church, and to finally choose a different career that I actually enjoy. All of these I have accomplished or in the process of.

O: You have used various people to help you become successful recently. Do you think that people need guidance to be successful?

Mom: I think people definitely help for accountability, support, and learning. Kendra (her nutritionist) has helped me immensely with my diet and understanding how to improve it for my particular body.

In this inspiring ​New York Best Seller,​ G ​ rit: the power of passion and perseverance​, author Angela Duckworth informs readers on the necessary tools to achieve success. Throughout her work, Duckworth claims that together passion and perseverance spur success. She appeals to self-motivated readers by integrating personal experience as an underestimated daughter to a scientist and prominent tales of success such as quarterback Steve Young.

Success stories such as these lend merit to her claim that passion remains a critical portion of achieving success. In fact, Duckworth goes far enough to claim that passion “begins with...enjoying what you do”.

Duckworth also favors perseverance over talent in the mist of achieving goals. Through her first-handed encounters as a psychologist, Duckworth advises others to achieve success on the basis of science and statistics. As an exemplar herself, Duckworth stimulates motivation to achieve success through passion in what you do to developing the grit to overcome barriers.

In this new novel, ​Shark Gir​l, author Kelly Bingham captivates her young adult audience through a devastating story of a teen girl whose life changed after a surfing accident. Even worse, an accident with a shark. Jane, a 15 year old, navigates high school following this accident and being released from the hospital. As Bingham includes various mediums such as poems, newspaper clippings, and transcribed conversations the audience becomes more attached to the main characters. In fact, Bingham effectively establishes a “diary-like” perspective of main character, Jane, in order to do just that. As the main character begins frustrated by the accident and her body’s new addition of a fake arm, she understands the

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struggles life gives. After several realizations, she finally develops a new perspective about life as she achieves progress with her arm.

Ultimately, Jane finds acceptance in the face of insecurity. This tale represents overcoming adversity through self-confidence and positivity. Comparatively, this novel illustrates the hardships of young adulthood as well as the physical barriers after an accident. Despite the similarities between the two books, I would prefer this novel over ​Grit: the power of passion and perseverance.

Indeed, I would recommend both books to others to stimulate success. However, I would choose ​Shark Girl ​especially because it relates to a younger age group. On the same note, Shark Girl ​grips the reader by telling a story rather than preaching advice. In essence, this uplifting story of a young, determined girl will inspire others to overcome their own obstacles through positivity and come out successful just as Jane did.

In this award-winning movie, Unbroken, ​the audience follows a US Olympian through World War II. Through flashbacks, we see aspects of main character, Louie Zamperini’s, life as he navigates youth, the Olympics, and the tribulations of being a prisoner of war (POW).

At the beginning of the film, the directors show Louie’s experiences of flying planes in World War II and eventually surviving his plane shot down into the ocean.

Then, Louie faces the push for survival as he lives on rations with two companies. After becoming a POW when the Japanese catch them, Louie discovers the harsh reality of war. While experiencing torture and hatred from Japanese soldiers, Louie struggles to remain loyal to the United States. However, through determination and mental toughness, Louie learns the only way to survive is to remain unbroken.

This uplifting film provides a fresh perspective from a prisoner of war while creating an overwhelming sense of patriotism. Louie’s loyalty to the United States and himself inspires the audience to honor their beliefs as he did. A true-story, young watchers become enlightened as to the determinants of war on individuals and a nation. More so, the director, Angelina Jolie, not only explores grit and determination, but themes of patriotism and relief. Indeed, the film encountered controversy with Japanese nationalists as it often candidly criticized the Japanese Army in World War II. The controversy went so far as to try and ban the fim and the director into Japan, but failed.

Although this groundbreaking film sparked animosity among the Japanese and Americans, it successfully reminded those citizens of our history while inspiring us to be at least half as motivated as Louie Zamperini.

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Based on the New York Best Seller, Wonder, ​the movie follows a young boy, August Pullman, growing up in Manhattan who has a rare medical disease which deforms his face. After being through multiple surgeries, the boy decides to enroll in private school in order to assimilate himself into society. He goes through multiple tribulations of bullying and finding friends. In one scenario, August finds comfort in Halloween to dress up as somebody else and hide from tormentors. While finding refuge through his costume, August encounters one of his only friends making fun of August. Through betrayal and redemption, August navigates middle school friendships. Towards the end of the film, he learns to stand up for himself and his friends follow his lead. Ultimately, August learns to love himself and discovers self-worth. Despite overcoming societal adversity and insecurities, August finds success through personal growth.

By comparing the two films, ​Unbroken and ​Wonder,​ I preferred watching ​Unbroken​.

Although both films inspired the audience greatly, ​Unbroken​ told a true, dramatic story which also educated the audience on the pain of WWII. In essence, I highly recommend both films, but would choose ​Wonder​ for a family-based movie instead.

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About the Author

Image Credit: Olivia Andresen The author, Olivia Andresen, utilizes her time as a Chagrin Falls High School student. She involves herself in activities such as speech and debate, lacrosse, and youth group. In school, she enrolls in AP courses like AP Language, AP Statistics, AP Government, and notably, AP Research. AP courses have allowed the author to challenge herself and learn time-management skills. AP Research especially has provided Olivia with self-sufficiency skills as the course resembles an independent study. She has enabled herself to communicate with professionals easily and craft formal pieces of writing. Most notably, through AP Research has allowed Olivia to correspond with judges and lawyers.

As an aspiring lawyer, Olivia’s opportunity to meet with lawyers and become further educated on the flaws of the plea bargain system has stimulated her aspiration for the career. As a result of this experience, she has conducted her own research on the correlation between plea bargains and recidivism. Altogether, she finds herself grateful for the educational and professional experience of working with professionals in her future career.

On another note, Olivia has attended States for lacrosse twice as well. Although

lacrosse mostly characterizes itself as a team sport, Olivia’s dedication and drive to support and contribute to the team helped the team attend States in 2017. As a freshman on JV, Olivia’s goal remained to “be pulled up” by the varsity coaches postseason. Successfully, she earned a spot on the varsity team postseason and played in a few varsity games.

Currently, Olivia remains on the girl’s varsity lacrosse game and works tirelessly to improve her skills and keep her starting spot.

In order to keep achieving success, she constantly sets manageable goals to obtain success. To elaborate, manageable goals include a limited amount of turnovers, goals she let in, and perfect passes made. Small goals like these contribute to an overall feeling of success.

Apart from her success with AP Research and lacrosse, Olivia has found personal success on the speech and debate team. Through dedication and hardwork, Olivia has travelled to speech and debate States twice. With her duo partner, Margaux, they have placed top three every tournament they have attended last year. In order to accomplish success, Olivia set a goal at the beginning of the season to qualify for States.

Through constant practice and help from teammates and individuals, Olivia qualified for States. True, speech and debate competitors do not need to attend States to find success. However, if a competitor sets a goal at the beginning of the season and they accomplish it—this induces happiness. Based on the crafted definition of success, Olivia has accomplished success through achieving her goals, which established self-joy.

Olivia has been privileged enough to mirror successful behavior through her mother. Her mother focuses on self-improvement through keeping herself accountable with manageable goals. Although she does not participate on a women’s lacrosse league, Olivia’s mother challenges herself through Orange Theory—an alternative gym. As a result, Olivia finds herself looking up to role models like her

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mother in order to recognize what success

really looks like.

Works Cited “The Cast of ‘How to Get Away with Murder’ .” ABC. Bingham, Kelly. ​Shark Girl.​ Candlewick Press, 2007.

Duckworth, Angela. ​Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance. ​Ebury​, ​2016.

“Eric Holder Fast Facts.” CNN, Cable News Network, 5 Feb. 2018, www.cnn.com/2013/02/21/us/eric-holder-fast-facts/index.html.

Johnson, Carrie. “ Holder Confirmed As the First Black Attorney General: Nominee Overcame Objections in GOP.” The Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2009.

“Official Portrait of Eric Holder.” United States Department of Justice.

Philiana. “How to Get Away with Murder.” The Hollywood Reporter, 15 July 2014.

“Success Cheer.” Entrepreneur, Shutterstock .

Unbroken​. Directed by Angelina Jolie, Legendary Entertainment, 2014.

Wonder. ​Directed by Stephen Chbosky, Lionsgate, 2017.