Mentor Teaches Maryland Resident To #StandTall

Patch and When the Game Stands Tall are asking about the coaches, teachers or mentors who inspired you.

Arianna Cooper of Beltsville, Maryland nominated her mentor, Sophia West.

Mentor Name: Sophia West
Known Mentor for: 13 years
School: Good Knight Child Empowerment Network
Town: Beltsville
State: Maryland

Sophia taught me to live by four simple directions. Keep my words pure, don’t take things personally, don’t make assumptions and always do my best. She taught me to always look for the good in others. She portrays Snow White, Queen of the Good Knights, at the castle in Beltsville where she teaches safety, empowerment and character development to at-risk kids in summer day camp. The kids love her and look up to her. She is my example of what success is. She succeeds in giving kids a safe haven, a sweet caring heart and a plac e they know they can have fun and be themself.

There is no failure as long as you have put your best effort forth. Letting fear keep you from doing something is the only failure. Keep doing. Sophia loves to quote Yoda from Star Wars “Do or do not there is no try!”

When someone is negative in anyway at all toward another person, Sophia says that there is usually something going on in that person’s life that maybe hurting them so they feel the need to act out and be angry or aggressive to others. She taught me to ask the person if there is something wrong and would they like to talk about it? I actually was able to find out that a fellow student of mine was severely depressed just because I took the time to ask this question. It made me feel good because now that person is getting help.

Patch would like to know about the people in your life who inspired you. Tell us about the coach, mentor or teacher who made a difference in your life. Your mentor will be entered for a chance to win a prize package from Patch. All Everyday Hero submissions will be shared on Patch. Nominate your mentor here.