What's in a Name?

Kaplan Family Crest

          To determine the true meaning or my name I decided to look at the most reliable source I know: Urban Dictionary.  Urban Dictionary describes an Andrew as "Ultra cool, Usually hot or at least sort of cute. Awesome sense of style, music, and humor. Sexy, awesome kisser".  I found that rather accurate.  However historically I was named after my great uncle from Ohio (or Ender from Ender's Game depending on who you ask).  However when looking into the Greek origins of my name I discovered that Andrew was derived from the Greek word for "masculine" (obviously).  My last name, Kaplan, is a common Surname for Ashkenazi Jews, usually apart of a lineage that links directly to that of Aaron, Moses's brother.  Many jews from my synagogue, especially children, who I work with, call me Cappy.  Cappy is derived from the Kap part of my last name, and is sort of a funnier way to describe me, more of an amusing persona.  Overall my name and nickname portray me to be a funny, manly, priestly, Jew. 

          The most common time when as a high school student, I have to separate my needs with the needs of a whole is during group projects.  At this point in my high school experience I have begun to see group projects as a way to get an easy A without doing any hard work.  However, part of me knows that as the smartest person in the school, my group won't get the best grade available unless I assist them.  I have to put away my selfish laziness to help the group, who won't get the best grade possible unless I support them with my enormous intellect.  Something of this sort will always happen when there is a group working on a common goal.  This even happens on sports teams, where one player will try to get as many points and attention as possible to grow their fame (Russel Westbrook) but they don't do anything to help their team grow as a whole.

          Sometimes as human beings we must seperate our selfish needs from the needs of the many, if we cannot do this, like Beowulf we will be cursed to forever being alone (and better than every else).