The most influential thing. . .

**vertigo_dx** · 03-29-2005, 11:10 AM

It's kinda random, but one of my teachers posed this question to us yesterday, and it had me thinking. We'd been talking about senior year, and all of that sentimental where-we've-been/where-we're-headed stuff, and in the course of the discussion, our teacher asked us what we thought the single most important (personal) event/choice in our lives was, to date.

A lot of people said they had no idea - kinda hard to pick ONE outstanding event out of 18 years of life, I know. A few mentioned moving from another state; for some, it was the decision to pick up a certain sport or activity; the death of a relative, etc. . .and I was intrigued. So I thought I'd throw it out here and see if anyone felt like responding.

**Man with No Nation** · 03-29-2005, 01:34 PM

Isn't this an off-topic subject?

Anyway, as easy as it would be to say my parents/forensics, I would be lying. As much as those things have affected me, they're not the most influential thing in my life.

I would have to say...Not a single thing. Every choice I've made, everything I've done leads me to say that I am the most influential thing/person in my life...As dumb as that may sound.

**Andrea_Lovoll** · 03-29-2005, 02:10 PM

i dont think that's dumb at all...i kinda agree
but there are some thing sin my life that are far more influential in my life
one is moving to texas...i wouldnt have all the incredible friends i have now otherwise.

i'd also have to say joining forensics...it was a spur of the moment decision actually...and i almost dropped...so choosing to stay was also another.

oddly enough those are the only 2 i can think of

**vertigo_dx** · 03-29-2005, 03:01 PM

Originally Posted by Man with No Nation

Isn't this an off-topic subject?

Yeah, and that occurred to me when posting - but I was most interested in hearing responses from the people I know, and they tend to congregate here (even though some of them do post on the Off Topic boards, not all do)...

If Chad wants to move it, he's more than welcome to do so

**dukmeister** · 03-29-2005, 03:44 PM

For me, without a doubt, it was moving to Kentucky. The opportunities I've gained, the wide(r) variety of people I've met ... it's shaped me. Yes, in the short term, forensics has done the same to a much greater degree - increased personal confidence (kinda), fluency ... sense of style - but it wouldn't have been possible otherwise. I'd never even heard of forensics until I moved here. Just hockey ...

Same ol' sob story, I suppose. So it goes.

**KY_Liberal** · 04-01-2005, 04:15 PM

I really like this topic though, lol.

Hmm.. influenced me.... My parents a lot, obviously. Clubs: Marching band, and speech.

I know, I'm a huge speech geek (or else I wouldn't be here... preach to the choir much?), but several of my better friends I met or become close to through speech. Katy, Kat, the Stev(ph)ens, Chad, Melissa, Clara (for those of you who know her, lol), Em, Brice, Courtney etc..

You just can't ignore what that has given someone. I have learned so much through and with those people. Friends I had previously I have been able to work through, and the Prep Room or the Congress room allowed me to learn more about what is going on in the world.. and more importantly, understand the opinions of those who disagree, and have civil discourse.

**Interper05** · 04-01-2005, 05:19 PM

Mine was probably to join the sppech team in seventh grade. I wouldn't br enjoying myself near as much without making that decision.

**mintyfreshdeathbreath** · 04-01-2005, 09:28 PM

Probably hauling my lazy butt out of bed that summer morning and going to Speech Camp to try it out because Joe said I might enjoy it.

My skin was still peeling from the bandcamp sun overload, I was tired, and didn't know a single event in forensics.

Not 3 hours later I was sorting through the extemp box.

Forensics is probably it because of all the people I've met through this strange beast. Thanks Joe.

**veronica** · 04-01-2005, 10:29 PM

I would saying moving from New Jersey to Kentucky.

Joining forensics... and being a sister

**ria** · 04-02-2005, 10:11 PM

much as i'd love to be original here...
speech. totally, definetaly, completely and utterly speech. speech got me over all the crap that i went through in middle school, it got me nearly all of my friends, my boyfriend, my sense of humor, something to do with my weekends...my life. speech has also been a lesson in humility. every time that i started to get overconfident in my performances, or started expecting finals, i'd miss finals or get a worse score than usual. my dad refers to this as God sending "humble grenades." i've learned to appreciate my achievements because i know i can't win all the time. speech also gave me something to share with my brother, just as we reached the age to start liking each other. it was great having him there to introduce me to the speech world, and then having him come back to judge and support my team. i guess this moves me on to the most influential/important person in my life: my brother. his opinion has always meant so much to me, and he's actually the first one who told me i should go to western if i wanted to major in journalism. and his reputation in speech made me want to do even better; i wanted to make a name for myself, instead of being constantly known as "russ' sister," and i think i've managed to achieve that.

wow, i just said a lot. basically, to sum it up, speech and my brother have been the most important things in my life.