Q2- Here Comes the Summer!

          During this time of the year, I never completely understood why people were so excited about the summer; however my opinion has done a complete 180. In past summers I was usually pretty bored with the mass amount of free time. School was one thing that forced me to be focused and motivates, it was also a great place to socialize. I had to opportunity to see my friends every day, but during the summer you stop talking to nearly all of them.  Nevertheless, the countdown has begun for summer of 2012! I’m looking forward to relaxing while catching some sun, as well as graduating and being ready to take on next chapter of my life. This summer I have so many plans it is hard to keep track. I recently have gotten a job, been asked to coach three cheerleading teams, and even a  few vacations as well, all while planning my aunts wedding.  Every summer I have gone to Virginia Beach with my family the week before school starts, it has been our little tradition to say goodbye to summer. While this summer it is going to be a little different. I will be going to Virginia Beach, but I’m taking a few of my friends with me, before we separate for college. I also will be going camping for a week in Allegany. I love camping; it is so relaxed and low-key. It is nice to around the campfire surrounded by friends and family. I also will be starting college. I might not be dorming but I am still very excited to start new class, and meet new people.

                Overall I don’t know what the future will hold, but I’m excited to take on whatever comes my way this summer, the good and bad. (I need three words)

P3

After reading this article I was shocked. I don’t think that all the blame should be put on the teacher. The blame should be on the student and their parents. The student, parents, and teachers should work together as a team if the student is having problems in school. I believe that most people don’t test well. I am one of those students, I can study for weeks, but as soon as I get the test in front of me all the information is gone. I know the information, but my test grades don’t reflect it. There are so many great teachers out there who do everything in their power to educate their students to the best of their ability. We should be applauding those teachers for going the extra mile, not worrying them over how their students test. I also thing that the Obama administration doesn’t know what’s going on in the classroom, people elected him as our president, not our teacher.  

I do however agree that there are some schools that have let education slip. Down south it is the curriculum is horrible. Instead of blaming the teachers, our country should have a common curriculum. New York is one of the smartest states, and in the high school we attend, Alden is ranked in the top ten for Western New York.  Overall I think the blame should be on everyone not just one particular set of people. It is true that out country is not the smartest, but with things such as a common curriculum, access to more hands on learning. I think we can true our education around. But the students have to be willingly and that’s half the battle.

Here in Alden we are blesses to have a great teaching staff, a ALC, which most school don’t have, a guidance office and our principles do everything in their power to help put us on the right track for the future.

P2

                Looking back, from the goals I set in September I believe I did a satisfactory job.  I did become a little bit more outgoing and participated in activates I wouldn’t rather do in the past. During this year I have learned many things about myself. It is weird to think that next year during this time I will be in college. This is only my fourth year in the public school system. From the young age of three I attended St. John’s. When I first arrived here at Alden High, I was shy, scared, and I didn’t know how to act like myself. I let myself become completely focused on being liked by everyone. However I learned now that can never happen. It is better to be yourself and happy, then be someone you’re not and be liked by everyone. It is proven that you can’t please everyone, so a word of advice, stop trying. At SJS my graduating class was a grand total of five, including myself. Most of my classmates I have been with me every year from the beginning.  They became more like family, the class mates. My freshman year I was terrified to talk to anyone new and epically met new people. Even though it took my four years to come out my shell, I am glad I met people that will always have my back and will be my friends till the end. They say that college is the most memorable time of your life. That might be true and I can’t wait to figure out that next chapter of my life. But I wouldn’t under estimate high school. It is a great time in everyone lives where they get the chance to fund themselves and what they want from life. So overall I think I have accomplished things I never thought I could.

P5- Really?

A few weeks ago everyone on Facebook and twitter was posting KONY 2012. Walking through the halls it is all that everyone was talking about. It amazed me how many people were serious about making a difference. It sparked discussions in class, and got the youth involved with the government. People rallied together to put an end to this horrible event and to make a difference.

But what happened?

The media was covered by KONY supports, how the government was involved, and it seemed like even us- the youth- could actually make a difference in the world. But now all of this excitement and attention has practically disappeared. We no longer see posts on the internet, the news covering the government and what happened to those discussions in school? They vanished. I find it ironic that the head of the KONY campaign was not in the next video, just because he made one mistake. Unfortunately we live in a world where “celebrities” are our role models, and as soon as one of them makes a single mistake we turn our backs on them. If this were to happen to someone in Alden, nothing would occur. I think what some people forget that everyone is only human. Yes we all make mistakes, we all have screw ups, but we all learn from them. Jason Russell made a single mistake. He was under the influence of alcohol. He is legally allowed to drink; he was not driving intoxicated, or endangering anyone. He did make a bad choice to consume too much alcohol, and now he lost everything.  I do agree that he should take full responsibility but for everyone to turn their backs on someone, who is only human, I think it horrible. Now, we no longer hear anything about KONY, we moved on to something else.

Overall, I think we are all just needed to be reminded that everyone is only human, we have flaws. So the next time someone makes a mistake in the public eye, remember that they are just human.

O4- My Mother Is...

My mother is the sweetest person I know. I have always looked up to her and see her as a role model. Growing up she taught be so much, she taught me to be a good person, to be responsible, and to stink up for yourself. She is the type of person who will tell you how she feels, and always be honest with you. I don’t think I have never seen her not speak her mind. I personally that is a good or bad thing. I believe that it is good when someone needs the honest truth, but no one is willing to say it. However sometimes people don’t want to know your opinion and want you to mind your own business. She has such a great work ethic. I always see her going above and beyond what her job requires and doing it with a smile on her face. But sometimes it stresses her out, my mother is a perfectionist and when it isn’t done to the way she want, she will let you know as she is redoing it herself. My mom is always doing everything she can do for her family. She was at every one of my cheerleading competitions, science fairs, and dance recitals. She always so caring in the way she wants to know about your day and can’t wait to hear all about it. She sacrifices so much, to make me and my sister happy, even if that involves staying out late to see a movie or sitting threw a concert for a band that she doesn’t like. My mom is always trying her best and that’s anyone could ever ask of her. I love my mom so much and I can’t wait to be a mom myself so I can follow her in footsteps.   

O3- Generation Gap

We have all heard it from our parents at one time or another, “you wouldn’t last one day in the adult world.” But things have changed since our parents have been high school, and I think it is more difficult then they believe. During the 80s when most of our parents were in high school, there was barely any technology. There were pay phones, computers were this new age creations, and cell phones- forget it. However in high school today I believe things are ten times more difficult than before. Our world is centered around the internet and media. Things such as Facebook and Twitter have become our source of entertainment. Nothing is private anymore, we live in a world were secrets aren’t secrets anymore. Anything we say to our friends, or text, or post, is instantly everyone else’s business.  Rumors spread like wildfire, and people you don’t even talk to, you know everything about them. Not to mention it always seem like everyone is judging.

                Back in the 80’s people didn’t have computers in their pocket, like we have today. Skype was something some people thought was impossible. When you told someone your secret, it was kept. There weren’t curfews for driving, or being at the mall without supervision.  I’m not saying that there were some of their own issues, but everything was not so public. Everyday teenagers are looked down upon as rebels, crazy, or a bad influence. However I think most people underestimate us. There as much on our plates as adults, but it just different. We are in school seven hours a day, five days a week. That’s not including homework and study time. We are sometimes forced to get a job, try out for a sport, and we still try to have a social life. As well as the typical teenager things such as drama with friends, relationships, money and trying to establish a good relationship with your parents; the list is endless.  

In conclusion, I think we as teenagers are underestimated, with how we live our life. I personally believe that most of the teenage population behaves really well dealing with the circumstances. So the next time you hear that line, say “times have changed and our generations are different.”  But remember to say it in a nice way, or risk being grounded.

O2

After reading this article I realized that the unemployment rate wasn’t just affecting the United States. We are constantly talking about how high the employment rate is, but we are lucky compared to other countries from around the world. It is all over the news and media about our unemployment rate. We ask the government what they will do once elected to try to fix this issue. The people that have jobs always have to suffer from that constant worry and being fired, due to cut backs.

After graduating from college, most students have a dead end job to support themselves until they can get a job in the career they chose.  It is common for many students to not have a job lined up after graduating college, but I never thought that there are some places that people will never get a job. It is truly shocking that some places have been stuck at 20% unemployment rate for nearly two decades. However, even though the unemployment rate might be high, it is still proven that in this day in age everyone is required to have a college degree for jobs that pay more. Back 30 years ago college was something that most people did fine without, unfortunately if you don’t attend college then the jobs you can apply for cut by almost half.

Even though this artic says that college might not be the best idea, I disagree. Yes, it is expensive but the doors it can open are priceless. With a college degree so many things are at your disposable, such as, a life time career and a higher salary. When it comes down to it, college is an investment in your furfure and if it was up to me I would not take that gamble. College can cause mass amounts of debt but the payoff is worth it.