My Definition of Beauty

Typically, the word beauty is used to describe physical characteristics. To me, beauty is the perfect word to describe Jacob Benn. At the tender age of fifteen, he has already accomplished so much. From participating in sports, to making “A’s” in all honors classes, to choosing to devote himself to Catholicism without anyone’s guidance, Jake truly defines the term beauty in all aspects. We have a unique relationship that no other brother and sister share. I can honestly say that I admire him and he is three years younger than I am.
Jake ran his first marathon last year when he was fourteen, and he placed sixth in his division. This was remarkable since all of his competitors were much older than he was. He has already earned an abundant amount of medals and ribbons solely from his freshman year. In middle school, he was inducted into The National Junior Honor Society, and last year, as a freshman he was inducted into The National Honor Society. During sport season, he maintains “A’s” in all his AP classes and has managed to obtain many academic awards along the way. He also makes time to volunteer at his school and assist any teachers with various tasks. This summer, he helped his vice principal stack books and label them. He also went to New Orleans the summer before to aid in the Katrina Relief Project.
I am extremely fortunate to have such a mature brother that is able to give me advice. When I started high school, I remember telling my brother about all the fun I was having going to parties. He was never too afraid to let me know that he disliked me going out all the time. His caring advice was straight forward and the best advice for me. We both have been through so much, but it’s hard to tell because he has never allowed these problems to faze him. It’s amazing how he has managed to stay focused this whole time through my parents’ divorce, and moving so often. Any other teenage boy would use these dilemmas as an excuse to get off track but my brother never has. I love how determined he is to succeed and help everyone else on the way.
We never grew up with a religion. My mom was Baptist and my dad Catholic but we didn’t practice either of these faiths as a family. My brother decided when he was fourteen to go to church to find his religion. He turned to Catholicism. Every Sunday he attended mass alone, and he realized that that was what he wanted in his life. He began to attend classes so that he could complete his first communion, which is something that most children finish at the age of eight. He told me he felt very lucky to experience this process at a more mature age because he knew that the kids that were completing these classes with him could not comprehend the purpose for being there. At his ceremony, Jake was the oldest kid out there, and I was so proud to see him, just knowing that he was up there by choice.
Did I mention how lucky I am to be related to him? On my 16th birthday he gave me $116.00 to spend on myself, which was all the money he received for his birthday a week before mine. He really is the type of person that would give anyone the shirt off his back. The qualities that he possesses and his maturity level are what make him beautiful to me. He has already begun to conquer life academically, physically, and spiritually. He is ready to take on the world and make a huge difference. Jacob Benn has proved to not only me but everyone who is a part of his life that he is a distinct person that will someday change the world.