1.0The Sourcehttps://the-source.netrich600338<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="GAbcY3S29e"><a href="https://the-source.net/local-profiles-courage/">Local “Profiles in Courage”</a></blockquote><iframe sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" src="https://the-source.net/local-profiles-courage/embed/#?secret=GAbcY3S29e" width="600" height="338" title="“Local “Profiles in Courage”” — The Source" data-secret="GAbcY3S29e" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" class="wp-embedded-content"></iframe><script type="text/javascript"> /*! This file is auto-generated */ !function(c,l){"use strict";var e=!1,o=!1;if(l.querySelector)if(c.addEventListener)e=!0;if(c.wp=c.wp||{},c.wp.receiveEmbedMessage);else if(c.wp.receiveEmbedMessage=function(e){var t=e.data;if(!t);else if(!(t.secret||t.message||t.value));else if(/[^a-zA-Z0-9]/.test(t.secret));else{for(var r,s,a,i=l.querySelectorAll('iframe[data-secret="'+t.secret+'"]'),n=l.querySelectorAll('blockquote[data-secret="'+t.secret+'"]'),o=0;o<n.length;o++)n[o].style.display="none";for(o=0;o<i.length;o++)if(r=i[o],e.source!==r.contentWindow);else{if(r.removeAttribute("style"),"height"===t.message){if(1e3<(s=parseInt(t.value,10)))s=1e3;else if(~~s<200)s=200;r.height=s}if("link"===t.message)if(s=l.createElement("a"),a=l.createElement("a"),s.href=r.getAttribute("src"),a.href=t.value,a.host===s.host)if(l.activeElement===r)c.top.location.href=t.value}}},e)c.addEventListener("message",c.wp.receiveEmbedMessage,!1),l.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded",t,!1),c.addEventListener("load",t,!1);function t(){if(o);else{o=!0;for(var e,t,r,s=-1!==navigator.appVersion.indexOf("MSIE 10"),a=!!navigator.userAgent.match(/Trident.*rv:11\./),i=l.querySelectorAll("iframe.wp-embedded-content"),n=0;n<i.length;n++){if(!(r=(t=i[n]).getAttribute("data-secret")))r=Math.random().toString(36).substr(2,10),t.src+="#?secret="+r,t.setAttribute("data-secret",r);if(s||a)(e=t.cloneNode(!0)).removeAttribute("security"),t.parentNode.replaceChild(e,t);t.contentWindow.postMessage({message:"ready",secret:r},"*")}}}}(window,document); </script> http://the-source.net/wp-content/uploads/Courage_essays.jpg1200841In a 9-week basic research skills class, the freshmen students at Routt Catholic High School completed several research projects. In examining courage, the students came to realize that courageous people who inspire us, challenge us, and encourage us to live a life of strength, wisdom, and perseverance surround us. They also concluded that we often do not take the time to thank and praise the courageous among us. Through individual interview, each student wrote and presented an essay on a person of courage. Here are some of the student essays for your reading pleasure; here is our small way of saying thank you. Working for Life: The Battle of Becky Russotto By: Claire Russotto Imagine hearing the worse three words, “You have cancer.” Imagine having to juggle chemo and take care of your family. Imagine having to care for two young girls when all you want to do is break down. Rebecca Russotto was going through all of this at just age 45. She was diagnosed on Friday, September 14, 2001 with stage one breast cancer. Every day she had to put aside the pain and put a smile on her face so her children would not be scared. Rebecca Russotto is a courageous woman. When asked if she found herself as a person of courage, Mrs. Russotto said that she did because of her breast cancer and double mastectomy in 2001. Following that question, she defined courage as “facing a challenge even when you are afraid.” What Mrs. Russotto said could also relate to Nelson Mandela’s words when he said, “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.” Mrs. Russotto was at home on Friday, September 14, 2001 when her husband came home from the hospital with her biopsy results. Sadly, her husband, Doctor Russotto, had to tell her that she did have breast cancer. When the cancer was found, Mrs. Russotto had stage one breast cancer, but fortunately there was “no lymph node involvement which means that the cancer had not spread to any surrounding issue,” she said. Her treatment started in October and ended in December of that same year. During this difficult time, Mrs. Russotto would lean on her friends and family. They would watch her children, bring food so she would not have to cook, help around the house, and just be there when she needed a shoulder to cry on. Every three weeks Mrs. Russotto had treatments. She stated, “Every time I felt like I was getting better, I would have to go back to treatment. It was like the flu.” The physical feeling was not pleasant to her, but it always made her feel as if she was doing something to fight the cancer. She had a good attitude about it. A lot of people feel angry with God when something terrible happens, but Mrs. Russotto was not upset with God. She said that she was just scared, and she always was wondering why it happened to her when she had the responsibility to care for two little girls. To help cope, she went to the rosary devotion at church on Monday nights, which left her feeling stronger, more hopeful, and at peace. Today, Becky Russotto is going on her thirteenth year of being cancer free. Being cancer free made her feel like a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. She said that she still worried that the cancer would come back whenever an unfamiliar pain struck her, but today, it is all behind her. Mrs. Russotto had the courage to fight and not give up. She kept a positive attitude and had the confidence to talk about it. She is a courageous woman and role model. Courage Put to the Test By: Carly Schwiderski Courage isn’t something that you’re born with. It isn’t something that you find lying around. To Ann Jurgens, “Courage is when someone shows strength during adversity.” My aunt’s life changed forever on February 3, 1985 when she was blessed with twins; however they were three months premature. Although this began her courageous journey, it was 25 years later, when her only son died, that her courage was put to the test. My cousin Joshua was born weighing less than two pounds. To many this may seem odd, but to my aunt, it was a reality. Josh was born three months early, making him and his sister both premature. According to Ann, “…Josh was a good kid, and he never fussed.” Sadly, on March 26, 2010, Josh’s life ended when his organs shut down, due to his cerebral palsy. When this challenge had first occurred, it was hard for Ann and her family. Now she still sees it as one of the most difficult times in her life, but it has become easier. Over time, she has realized it was for the best, and it was his turn to go live with God. Strength is also a huge part in Ann’s life. This hardship has shown her that she can handle anything that comes her way because Ann knows she is strong. Ann’s strength has come from her son, and she uses this strength every day. She is a nurse who works hard, knowing she is helping other families while doing something she loves, healing others. Healing from a surgery or a broken bone takes a couple weeks. However, healing and mourning a death of a loved one takes a lifetime. Ann has felt that there is a missing part in her life that she knows will never change. “Taking time and letting my feelings come through is what I have done. If I have a sad day, that’s okay! Josh wouldn’t want me to be sad anyway.” Prayer is special in many lives today. If Ann has a bad day, she prays. She likes to pray in quiet. “It’s just me and prayer.” She also relies on others to help her through those bad days and her good days,...