Father's Day Tribute

As part of his final English Language Art (ELA) essay for Mrs. Habshoosh's eighth grade class, 14-year-old Josh Netto-Rosen of Hewlett Woodmere Middle School wrote an essay this past May crediting his dad, Lee Rosen, with being a guiding hand. The essay, "This I Believe," is printed here, and serves as a reminder for Five Towns residents to express their appreciation for the dads in their own lives this Father's Day, on June 20, and throughout the year.

By Josh Netto-Rosen

"I've got a theory that if you give 100 percent all of the time, somehow things will work out in the end,” by Larry Bird. This quote shows how professional athletes believe that if you try your hardest and give all you got it will pay off. I believe that success can be achieved from hard work. In order to achieve a goal you must put effort into it. For example, I love basketball and I want to become very good. But if I want to get better I must practice and put effort into it. Otherwise I would never get better.

When I was little I always wanted to hit a lefty lay up. I never thought I would be able to do it. But back then I thought it would just happen and I didn’t have to do anything. My dad told me I was crazy and I had to keep practicing to be able to do it. Later on in my life I looked back at when I thought anything could happen without effort. I realized I was wrong. Now I put effort to anything I want to accomplish because I realize it’s the key to success. The day I hit my first lay up lefty was scary. I was going up to the basket and I was going to switch and go right but I tried going left. The world all slowed down and everything went in slow motion. As I saw the ball release from my hand all I was thinking about is it going in. It slowly rolled around the hoop and went in. I was pumped and very excited. My dad was happy too and I finally understood why he was telling me to practice. I couldn’t believe the day came where everything finally paid off. Now I hit my lefty lay-ups easy and when I want to improve on something I just put my effort to it.

This I believe that if you put your effort and hard work to something only good things will happen and it will lead to success."