From the day "Wizards of Waverly Place" began on Disney Channel in 2007, Selena Gomez was, and still is, my idol. I was that little girl who did everything she did. If she was going to wear peace signs with every outfit, I was going to wear peace signs as well! It has been an honor to have been able to watch her grow into who she is today. We all know that Selena Gomez is one of the only Disney Channel stars who turned out to be normal in her adult years and it surely is not easy. One thing that stands out the most to me is that she she is determined to follow her dreams.

Even though I was not alive when Selena Quintanilla was, I can see Selena Gomez being who Selena Quintanilla should have been. She was, in fact, named after Selena Quintanilla. Selena Quintanilla was all about following her dreams and there was just something different about her. That is how I feel about Selena Gomez. She does not follow the crowds and she is simply herself -- Simply Selena. Thank you for teaching me to be myself.

I recently saw Selena Gomez in concert this past June. It was one of the best concerts I've ever been to. Not only because of her amazing singing voice and touching lyrics. There was a much bigger reason. This was her first time performing in her hometown's arena. Not to mention, the concert was sold out. My eyes filled with tears as she began to tell her fans:

"...I have to say that I've performed at the House of Blues here, I've been secretly dreaming of this day since I was easily ten years old, so to be able to see this entire arena filled with people is crazy... If I'm not a living example of following your dreams, you guys can do whatever you want, trust me."

That put a drive in me to want to follow my dreams all the more and to be the person that God created me to be. Selena didn't let the bad distractions of our world stop her from following her dreams. She dreamt of seeing that day and guess what? She saw it. She is a living example of following her dreams.

One of my favorite quotes from Selena is,

"I encourage you to find your purpose. What are you supposed to be in this life? I can tell you one thing I've learned... it's something great. Whatever you choose. It's just great. Because it's you."

Thank you Selena Gomez for being my inspiration forever and always! Thank you for teaching me to let nothing get in the way of following my dreams. I will always look up to you!