Shining Examples are people or things that serve as a model of excellence and are held up as an ideal to be admired and emulated. ICONS are symbols that represent something else, such as a person, place, or idea. Ideals are principles or standards of behavior that one should strive to achieve. PARADIGMS are models or patterns of thought that are used to explain or interpret a phenomenon. Finally, GEMS are precious stones that are highly valued for their beauty and rarity. Together, these four words describe Shining Examples, which are people or things that are held up as an example of excellence.