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At our staff meeting today we talked about Tiger Woods and the televised apology he gave on Friday. Many teens said they didn’t look up to athletes as role models so some of our teen staff shared who their role models are. 

Sylvia Plath and other writers. I look up to the writing and the honesty in the writing.
Serli Polatoglu, 16, AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian School (Canoga Park)

I don’t look up to famous people. My role models are my family and relatives and the good things they’re doing. I do have role models but I don’t have to do what they do. Whatever feels right to me, that’s what I should do.
Ivan Alcantara, 15, Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies

Conan O’Brien. With the Tonight Show controversy, he handled it really maturely and wasn’t cynical. He’s really classy. He’s witty and funny and a really good person. I think we lack a lot of class in show business.
Stephany Yong, 16, Walnut HS

One senior in my church who keeps his word and does what he says he’s going to do. We had a 40-day commitment thing when we had to give up three things. He gave up Facebook, time socializing and games. He kept his word for 40 days. We were supposed to spend more time reading the Bible and he did that. He’s kept his word and is responsible for his actions and I want that in my life too.
Ben Bang, 17, Palos Verdes Peninsula HS

I don’t have role models. I take bits and pieces from different people and admire them.
Taylor Moore, 16, Westchester HS

My grandma is 80 years old and still goes to the YMCA and does laps in the pool. I admire her for not letting age be a factor in her life.
Sophia Richardson, 15, Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies

I really admire my dad because he’s a doctor but only sees patients who don’t have healthcare.
Casey Peeks, 18, Marlborough School

I know a senior, he just became my role model. He joined the Marines and went to Iraq and came back. He didn’t want me to be a Marine because it’s a really bad job but I’ve always looked up to him.
Thomas Cho, 15, Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies