When I first met Brad Paquette, it was as my freshman U.S. history teacher. I figured that he would teach me about history. However, I didn’t account for the life wisdom he would share. The most beneficial life lesson Paquette taught me was that people fuel people.

When someone stands up for something they believe in, it gives others the courage to do the same because people fuel people. When I saw Paquette’s passion to make a difference and do the right thing it fueled me as well. Now I inspire others to stand up and try to make a change because people fuel people.

This applies specifically to the 78th district of Michigan. I see in our community the passion to make a change; to have a different tomorrow than the today we are presented with now. Yet, we wait. However, people fuel people and Brad Paquette was fueled by the members of this community wanting to make a change, and decided to run for State Representative.

Now he is given the opportunity to fuel more people. Good leadership is not about taking control, but inspiring those who have ideas to stand up. The leaders of tomorrow are not those who take the power they obtain for themselves, but rather those who empower the ones around them.

I was nervous writing this, but because Paquette fueled me to stand up for what I believe in, I submitted it. I believe in him and the good he can do for this district and Michigan.

I hope I have fueled you to stand up and change the norm. It will then inspire someone else to do the same. Then all of us will be working for a better tomorrow together because people fuel people.

LINDSAY EICHENBERG

Niles