America's Sweetheart

Natalie Portman.

More girls should look up to her. She is such an incredible example of brains, beauty and talent. She was quoted once saying, "I'd rather be smart than be a movie star," after she had already made a name for herself. She is known for taking thought provoking roles, like her role as an 11 year old assassin in "The Professional" or a woman caught up in an anarchist movement in "V for Vendetta" and then her small role as a Hasidic Jewish woman preparing for marriage in "New York, I Love You."

She risks everything while compromising nothing. She is proud of her heritage and Jewish faith. She attended and graduated from Harvard University. She is an actor, a director, a published scholar, a ballerina, soon-to-be mother, and now, Oscar winner.

She is the definition of a role model- in a time when our culture is in DESPERATE of positive examples of women.

So kids, stop following Kim Kardashian on Twitter and stop tuning in each week to see if Snooki will finally meet a "juice head." Do your homework, stay true to your convictions, and strive to the Portman standard- settle for nothing less.