When I was in sixth grade, one of my teachers at the since departed Fredrick Douglass Middle School (yes, I went to Douglass and was not shot once) assigned us the stereotypical, “Who I Admire” essay. I initially started writing an essay about my favorite actress, Gail Edwards, an obscure actress who played Six’s Mom on Blossom, Danny Tanner’s short-lived fiancee on Full House, and a waitress in my favorite obscure 1980s sitcom, It’s a Living. I wrote a draft, which was passable, but I could not truly pinpoint why I truly admired her. In fact, I didn’t admire her – she just happened to be the one common thread besides “poor taste” between all of my favorite television shows.
In sixth grade, we had to submit our drafts before our final essay was due, and thus I turned in this first draft about Edwards. Then, despite getting the go ahead to work on a final copy, I changed my topic one Sunday night while watching 60 Minutes with my Grandfather.
I would write my essay about how much I admired Andy Rooney.