*Beethoven's music teacher repeatedly reported to his family he was unable to learn music.

*When Thomas Edison was young, his teacher reported he should *rely on his personality to succeed in a career and avoid any occupation that would require much intelligence.

*Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basket ball team.

*Winston Churchill failed the 6th grade and had to repeat it because he did not complete the tests that were required for promotion.

As a Sophomore in High School I overheard my Computer Teacher tell my mom that he did not believe I had what it took to type or learn the more than basic computer skills. I do not know if it just embarrassed me, but after hearing him I was determined to show him I could. At that time I could type about ten words per a minute. That happen right before a three day weekend, right before a major test in his class. I was told if I did not increase my typing speed to 15 words per a minute I would risk failing the class.

I went to a second hand store that night and bought a badly used computer and found a cheap typing program. All I did that weekend was type, eat, and sleep. I can't imagine how terrible I looked with so little sleep as I arrived for class but I was there prepared to take the test to determine my fate. I started off my test a little rusty but steadily increased as my confidence grew. The test was about 15 minutes long. I printed out my page with my results. As I looked at my score I grinned, knowing that I would pass. My scores was still not the best but at 45 words per a minute I felt my hard work paid off. With a huge smile I gave my score page to my teacher awaiting some type of praise or something. However, as I looked at him with a grin he grew upset and told me that I would never succeed at anything if I cheated my way out. In front of the class he told me I will be receiving a failing score for the year. I was known at school for being by far the shyest girl in school and pretty much kept to my self. I did not know how to handle this type of attention.

I ran out of the room and cried. I thought my success was wasted and I was horrified to go back to class. However some how I did seam to get over it and in that second I was not such a little shy girl who was so afraid to be noticed. I walked into the class, marched up to the wide eyed teach and asked him to follow me to the desk. At this point all eyes was on me, I did not care. Still angry but curious he followed me. I began to type, I was so mad I do not believe my hands have ever moved so fast and I do not remember thinking at all. At the end of the 15 minute test time, I stopped and printed out my paper then I looked up. At that point I realized that the bell had rung and not only was my class staring at me but the current class period was all eyes. And of coarse my teacher speechless just stood there, not to knowing what to be more shocked over. I packed up my things and as I walked out of the classroom I handed him my score sheet that reported a typing speed of 95 words per a minute. I smiled at the motionless teacher, I once was afraid of and walked out.

At that small point in my life, even though the accomplishment was very small I realized that just because something does not come easy to me does not mean I can't fight for what I want and get it. The point of the story is not what I accomplished but what I took from the experience. Every one will fail at something, famous or not will come to a point of life were they will determine if they want to fight for what they want or roll over and take whats coming. This moment in my life did not define me, but it was the beginning of me coming out of a shyness stage and really giving my all to things I really wanted.

To this day, over ten years later that same teacher still sends me Christmas and Birthday cards. Every time I see him, the question I never ask but some how is always in my mind. Did you say that to get me to try harder?