Good listeners are important- they are the type of friend who gives meaningful advice and through their listening offer new perspectives into difficult topics. Despite the importance of good listeners, they can be hard to find.

Sophomore Erin McNamer has been a good listener ever since she was little, a skill which has shaped her experiences and personality through the years.

“Listening to my siblings has been important for my whole life because they are big role models to and I’ve learned a lot from them,” McNamer said.

Listening has benefited aspects of McNamer’s life that are important to her: her relationships with her friends and family.“In the long run I have been able to build stronger relationships with people and discover new perspectives,” McNamer said.

The life lessons McNamer picks up on through her listening are things that let her see the world in a new way.

McNamer believes the reason she is such a good listener is that it is her way of contributing to conversations and classroom discussions. Although she considers herself to be a little on the shy side, listening well has helped her branch out.

“I’ve always been a little shy to voice my own opinions and thoughts so it’s easier for me to listen to others,” McNamer said.

“In school I find that during discussion and assemblies it’s easier for me to listen because I like sharing and adding on to my own opinions and finding out what other people have to say,” McNamer said.

Although as people grow, a lot about their personality can change, the things that stay with someone for their whole life can be the things that define them the most as a person.

As McNamer aged, she grew smarter in school, more talented in her sports, and developed in many aspects of her life, but her listening has stayed constant.

McNamer’s listening makes people around her feel welcome, and makes her feel comfortable in situations that may otherwise be uncomfortable for her. “From listening to [my siblings;] stories I have been able to figure out what to do with my own experiences,” McNamer said.