Growing up and eventually having to get job in the real world is a scary thought.But, with the thoughts of getting older come the thoughts of how we got to where we are today.

There is a lot of focus placed on churches and schools when it comes to molding young adults for the future.

Our characters were shaped, not because of our education or religious views but because of the cartoons we watched growing up – and frankly, the ones we still love today.

The cartoons we watched growing up can show us a lot about who we have become.

When I was a kid, I loved “Winnie the Pooh.” There is a wide variety of characters, so everyone has a friend.

I could be Winnie the Pooh. The “Poohs” are people who might not be the smartest kids on the block but will always be there for their friends.

The “Tiggers” are the social butterflies, always bouncing around and having fun living the carefree life.

The “Rabbits” are the people who analyze everything and definitely think before they leap.

And the last group from Disney’s “Winnie the Pooh” are the “Owls.” They are the people who are always around to answer a friend’s questions and give advice.

While “Winnie the Pooh” is the model of friendship, we would not be who we are without the “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.” This may simply be the greatest cartoon to ever run on television. In fact, I have every episode that has been released on DVD and several VHS tapes with hours of episodes recorded.

For those who have been living under a rock, the turtles are four brothers who come together to help protect the world.

But there are many different types of people represented in this cartoon.

The Leonardos are the leaders in our midst. These people are quick on their feet and don’t know the meaning of the word “fear.”

The smart kids are represented by none other than Donatello. This turtle could do anything he put his mind to, whether it was to create a pizza-making machine or create a portal to another dimension.

As the theme song says “Michaelangelo, he’s a party dude.” These are the “Tiggers” but with num-chucks and a love for pizza.

And the turtle I most exemplify would have to be Raphael. He was always deep in thought, thinking on the meaning of life.

But, when thinking of the Turtles, don’t forget Splinter. He is the only father the turtles know. He is the person who is a guiding light.

As we grow up, we may forget who we are now or who we were as kids, but deep down, we all have a little “Pooh” or “Splinter” inside of us.

Sports editor Billy Wessels is a junior news-editorial journalism major from Waxahachie.