During my sophomore year of college at Miami (Ohio) University, I was privileged to have the opportunity to partake on a medical mission trip to Mexico City through an organization entitled Operation Serve International. The trip was the most rewarding spring break of my life. During the week, I realized that I could be a positive influence in the world. For the first time in my life, I had belief that I could make positive change in the world.
Upon arriving back in America, the American Idol season had already just reached the Top 13. I decided after Kris Allen’s first performance that he was bound to become one of my favorites for the year; however, this was before I had knowledge of any background. My respect for him escalated to the point where I decided to look him up on Wikipedia in order to discover more about him. It was from that day on, that I began to form a unique connection with Kris Allen. The website had informed me that Kris Allen had also been on various mission trips throughout his life. Just coming back from a mission trip, I had the utmost respect and a genuine fondness for those who would dedicate time in his/her life to serve the unfortunate throughout the world. For me, Kris Allen had progressed from just a contestant on American Idol to a man that my family and I began to look up too.
In the college realm, being a man of Christian faith is extremely difficult. Not only can a Christian be seen as a deviant in the secular world, but a person can also come off as self-righteous which can be irritating to others. However, Allen did not present himself as a “pedestal Christian” but was humble and preached his faith through his loving actions towards the other contestants. I was able to see that the action of service was louder than the yelling of words.
A person that I want to nominate for this award is my mother, Tina Lepera. My mother has set an example of what unconditional love should appear in the way the she lives to serve myself , my father, and my younger brothers. She gave me the opportunity to embark on the mission trip to Mexico City through financial aid and emotional support. In her allowing me to embark on the trip, my life was change forever.
I am entering her into this contest in hopes that I can serve her in a similar way she has served me throughout my life. My mother has also always desired to travel to New York City, but has given up her desires to support the family. She has loved my entire family unconditionally, “as if she were dying,” as in Allen’s song “Live Like We’re Dying.” I hope to be able to treat her with this gift and give her a memory that may change her life forever. I hope that I can freely give to her, as I have freely received.