Teddy Roosevelt is the coolest by Amy

Teddy Roosevelt is the coolest by Amy - October 2017 Scholarship Essay

If I could have dinner with any past or present US president, I would pick Theodore Roosevelt because I think he is one of the most interesting presidents the United States has ever had. He lived a wild life and had so many different hobbies. He also accomplished a lot of “firsts” in his life. Roosevelt also overcame many tough times in his path with confidence and tenaciousness. To me, he was an outstanding president and continues to be a role model for many.
Aside from being our country’s president in 1901, he was also a cattle rancher, a sheriff, a naturalist, a historian, an author of over thirty books, an explorer, the governor of New York, a war hero and a lawyer. He was also a Rough Rider in 1898. He did so much for the environment too; he started the Wildlife Refuge system in which he had forty-two million acres set aside as national forests and areas of interests. One of these, for example, is the Grand Canyon. His wide variety of hobbies and interests represent his admirable and meritorious personality.
Roosevelt also was a president of “firsts”. He was the first president to call the presidential mansion the “White House” and was the first to host a black man at a White House dinner. He was the first president to fly in an airplane and travel outside of the United States during his presidential term. Thanks to Teddy, the first Jewish cabinet member was appointed. In 1906, he won a Nobel Prize for Peace. Also, after refusing to shoot a tied-up bear in Mississippi, the stuffed bear became known as the teddy bear after Teddy Roosevelt. That’s a lot of firsts for one man.
Teddy Roosevelt was also a tough man. As a child, he would have asthma attacks and his father would force air into his lungs by taking him on carriage rides. He also gained his iconic glasses from his father when he couldn’t see a shooting target. A lot of his health issues also prevented him from keeping up with other children his age. Despite his health, he began hiking, hunting, and other athletics. Also, during his presidency, Roosevelt was blinded in one eye because of boxing. He later said, “Accordingly I thought it better to acknowledge that I had become an elderly man and would have to stop boxing. I then took up jujitsu…” Let us not forget that Roosevelt was also shot in 1912 and survived. He was much more than tough.
Honestly, I think if I had the chance to have dinner with Roosevelt, just to listen to him talk about his life would be enough for me. I’d want to hear all about his love of the outdoors and every interesting thing he has done. He’s an inspirational person to me. He wasn’t just another president from years ago, he had an exuberant life. Being the president of the United States surely must have been stressful and was definitely serious business, yet Teddy found a way to make sure his life was full of adventure.