Second Place (Tie)
Secondary (Grades 9-12)

What is a role model? And can it be defined?
Is it one who goes beyond? Who donates all their time?
Is it one who gives up money solely to do good deeds?
Is it one who sets a goal, only so they can exceed?

Do they help needy and poor? Do they help the weak?
If so, what is their purpose? What is it that they seek?
These questions may remain unanswered, standing an unbroken wall,
But if I had to choose a role model, it would be my father, Paul.

With short, tousled brown hair, and eyes of hazel-green,
He works with full contentment; concentrated and serene.
The most selfless, altruistic, warm-hearted man you'll find,
In my eye, he's the epitome of what is good and kind.

He wakes early every morning, regardless of his mood,
Regardless of his driving urge to just push on the "Snooze,"
Regardless of his condition, illness does not apply,
Weather does not matter, nothing can stop this guy.

Because after a day of seeing patients galore,
He goes to a care center for the elderly and poor.
He cares for these sick people, then comes home late at night,
And for this he receives nothing, but knowing that it's right.

He has done this job and this service for quite a few years now,
Even during the years when our spirits were down
Because we learned he had a tumor in his brain right by his ear,
That was endangering his life and ability to hear.

This scare was overcome, the tumor was benign,
But even during that event, he still donated time.
And although right now the tumor hasn't completely gone away,
He refuses to let it affect how he spends each of his days.

He is noble and is kind to an immeasurable degree,
As a person and father he always amazes me.
So while he may take different risks than famous others took,
He will forever be a role model in my history book.