The quote ‘Fall seven times and stand up eight”(Japanese Proverb) can be interpreted many different ways. Personally, I view this quote as never losing hope. Everyone has struggles in their life. Although some may be considered more challenging than others, everyone has had obstacles that they have had to overcome. This quote goes to show that no matter how many times you struggle, you will be able to succeed in the end. One thing in my life that I’ve struggled with is cheer. Being a flyer involves not only physical strength but also mental strength. When I was first starting to learn how to fly I had no experience and honestly no idea what I was doing. My stunt was constantly falling over and over again and it made me feel like I couldn’t do anything right. Instead of walking away as soon as I was struggling with this, I decided to keep trying. Although I did fall MANY times at first, I slowly began to be more consistent with staying up in the air to the point that eventually, I didn’t fall anymore. I think that this quote can resonate with each and every individual whether it be with sports, academics, or just experiences in life because there will always be challenges. It’s how you react to these challenges that shows your true character. Those that keep going even when things get hard will be the ones that ultimately succeed while those that chose to fall and just never get back up will get left behind.
word count: 263
August 24: Reflection in the Mirror
A large problem in our society today is social media and the effects that it has on teenagers and young people. The main reason for this is young people comparing themselves to others. There are so many different apps and websites out there that it makes it extremely simple for someone to change the way that they look. They can change every single thing about themselves without anyone even noticing. It seems that no one really knows what’s real anymore. Young girls will look up to the people that they see on social media with their “perfect” bodies and wonder why they don’t look like them. Social media has made it to where young girls will look in the mirror and feel sadness and guilt rather than confidence. Who created this standard and why does everyone feel the need to be perfect? What truly is perfection? Every single person has a different perception of perfection so who are we to decide it is only one thing. Some people may like blonde hair more than brunette while others might think the opposite. We as a whole shouldn’t have to all think and look the same. Social media was not created for us to mirror what others look like, it was created so that we could expand further outside of the box that limits creativity and expression. Social media should be a place where people find happiness and joy but it seems to only cause misery. People not only compare their bodies to others but also their lifestyles. From money to clothes to success, people will always compare themselves but really what's the point? All comparison does it make you feel bad for yourself. Even then, you never truly know what is going on with someone behind the screen. Someone may seem happy and successful when in reality they could be miserable with their life. When we look in the mirror each day we should feel fulfilled and know that social media is as far from real as it gets.
word count: 338
August 31: Forgive but Don't Forget
Forgiveness has very recently become an important part of my life. I used to think forgiveness meant forgetting the past and just starting over but it doesn’t always have to be like that. I tend to hold a lot of grudges, not necessarily in a mean way but it’s just hard for me to move on after someone has hurt me. I’ve gone through many different friendships where I thought that they were going to be the one that I could count on to stay by my side but every time something happened where we just sort of fell off. I think that might be the reason why I’m so hesitant to forgive. I am able to accept what has happened as the past but sometimes the past becomes the present. When things I try to move past keep getting brought up it makes me wonder if it will happen again. When someone hurts me I usually keep it to myself and just end up working myself up. I don’t like to confront others because I’m scared that it could cause a conflict. I’ve seen what has happened to other people’s friendships after confronting a problem. I know I should be able to have a mature conversation with someone but when you are the only person willing to come up with a solution it can be very difficult. In my generation it feels like people don’t know how to talk to each other. When there’s a problem it usually leads to someone talking bad about the other behind their back and then they aren’t friends anymore. I wish people were more open to having mature conversations and being able to talk about what’s wrong. When it comes to forgiving myself, I think I could use some work. I’m really hard on myself and over think a lot so knowing that I might have done or said something wrong consumes my mind. If I feel like I did something wrong I’ll think about it over and over for days wondering why I did it or how it happened. In the end I know that mistakes are made even if it’s hard to accept it at first. I know the person I am on the inside and that’s all that matters. If I did something that I know is not me it’s easier for me to self evaluate and then move on with my life. Things happen, forgiveness is the key to moving on with a less painful life. word count: 417
September 7: Steve Lacy
My current favorite musical artist is Steve Lacy. I really enjoy his music because it is calm while still being uplifting. His songs tend to fit into the R&B/ Soul genre of music. I feel that with many artists they try to make their music positive to the point where it gets to be a bit much and over the top whereas Steve who takes a more pleasant approach. For example, in his song “Some” Lacy sings about wanting the love of someone over guitar strums and upbeat drums. Along with the vibe of his music, I also really enjoy Lacy’s songs because I feel that I can relate to them. His songs tend to be relatable to many people, not just teenagers. Most of them correlate with the emotions you feel when you realize that you like someone. This can be seen in “Bad Habit” which explains how Lacy regrets not admitting his feelings for a girl he was interested in. I was first introduced to Steve Lacy through an app, Titkok, as his song “Dark Red” began to gain popularity. From there I became more interested in his songs and the variety of music he had to offer. Some of my favorite songs by Steve Lacy include Some Girl, Bad Habit, Ryd, Helmet, Give You the World, and Sunshine. I would recommend Steve Lacy’s music to anyone that enjoys chill, calming music and has experienced some kind of possible love interest. If I was given the opportunity to meet Steve Lacy I would probably ask him what inspired him to write his songs and how he feels music has helped him throughout his life. word count: 280
September 14: What is a Good Person
The quote “Be a good person, but don’t waste time to prove it.” by AU hints that you don’t need the validation of others in order to know your true character. We all like to say that we’re good people but how do we really know? Is it the things that we say, the things that we do, the way we treat people, or is it based upon what others think of us? I believe that in order to be a good person you must be strong morals. If you have values and don’t stick to them then that means you can’t depend on yourself and if you can’t depend on yourself how are mothers supposed to depend on you as well? A good person doesn’t do what’s easy but does what is right. You aren’t always going to make the right decisions, the thought behind those decisions is what matters. If you go into something with malice thoughts knowing that something bad will happen you obviously don’t have good intentions or good principles. Based on the quote stated, you shouldn’t have to prove yourself to others. Only you know what goes on behind closed doors, that goes for other people as well. The only person that knows everything that goes on in one's life is them self. If you know that deep down you are a good person then you don’t need anyone else to confirm that for you. Validation from others comes from insecurities that people have, constantly feeling like they have something to prove. If you are comfortable with yourself and your values, meaning you subconsciously know you are a good person, you won’t even consider the thoughts of others.
word count: 284
September 28: High school Cliques
Highschool cliques are inevitable. No matter where you go there’s always going to be groups of people that are more drawn to each other than others. From what I’ve experienced it seems that most people become close with other people that have similar hobbies and activities for them. This isn’t because they only want to talk to people that do the same things as them, it’s because those things they share in common give them an outlet to get to know each other on a more personal level and build a stronger bond. For me, most of my friends are in cheer and leadership because I’m able to get to know them better at those events. Although I strongly believe highschool cliques exist I don’t agree that those people are binded to only be friends with them. I’ve seen people reach out to people outside of their “circle” ; it's just not as common. I would say that highschool cliques are mainly based on what you do. The categories I have witnessed would be the “popular” people, the people that play certain sports, the band members, the leadership members, the people in certain clubs, that people that play video games, the people in ag, the people in JROTC, and the people that aren’t involved in anything in the school. In many highschool movies I think that the idea of highschool cliques is portrayed poorly. The popular people are always the best looking and rude when in reality that’s not correct. I think that most people are considered popular by the amount of people they’re connected to. You’re not necessarily popular just by looks. Along with that it portrays highschool as selfish teenages that only care about themselve when in reality I’ve met many kind people that I may have not expected to be that way before.
word count: 308
October 5: “Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do``..." – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Actions speak louder than words. You may say one thing but what do you do to show how you feel? Words can be only surface layer. Yes words can be used as a strong way of expression but sometimes you should be able to show how you feel without needing to say it. Showing a person that you are dependable and trustworthy are things that may not be able to be stated outright. They are things that must be proven to someone else. Your actions are a reflection of yourself. What you do may not always represent the things that you say but your actions are people’s physical view of you. The way that you act and the things that you do give others a glimpse into who you are. We each have different personalities and those are displayed by both the things we do and say however action is what most take notice of meaning that people’s actions show their real attitudes rather than what they say. If you really care about someone it’s nice to let them know that but after awhile it may become repetitive and eventually less meaningful. When you don’t show someone that you mean what you say your words can become purposeless and hollow. If you want something to know something then why not show that? Some actions and words may cause hypocrtitcal behaviors as well. When you say one things but then do the complete opposite of that you are showing that you don’t actually mean what you say.
word cout: 277
October 12: Underrated Character
A movie and book character that I believe to be very underrated is Hermione Granger from Harry Potter. Although she is a valued character I feel as though she deserves more recognition and praise compared to what she is given. Hermione is a Muggle-born witch. She has bushy brown hair and brown eyes Hermione becomes best friends with the main character, Harry Potter along with Ron Weasley. She, too, is in Gryffindor house. However much Ron and Harry tease her, they both depend on her intelligence for their continuing success in academics. She is the most sensible of the Trio and is usually the one to solve the mysteries they are faced with. Without Hermione I don’t believe that the other wizards would have been able to eventually beat Voldemort. She was able to solve Severus Snape’s riddle, one of the many obstacles to prevent anyone from taking the Philosopher's Stone whilst it was hidden at Hogwarts. In Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Hermione proved her worth by solving the quandary of what was haunting Harry in the pipes. She managed to figure it out from only a handful of clues and saved her life along with the lives of many others. She was also able to brew the highly-advanced Polyjuice Potion and she was the first person ever to figure out what kind of monster was being kept in the Chamber of Secrets: a Basilisk. Along with being the intelectual support in the series, Hermione also overcame many challenges herself. Since she was a “Muggle-born”, meaning that she had two parents that weren’t wizards, she was often the target of unprovoked malice from Slytherins such as Draco Malfoy.
word count: 281
October 19: Impactful Teacher
A teacher that has changed my life was my librarian, Mariam Soto, at Weston Elementary School. I had known her for most of my elementary years with our monthly library visit where we got to play games and listen to a short story. She was one of the many people that had an impact on my love for reading. She always had something good to recommend and was able to help me find whatever I was looking for. When I was in eighth grade I was the technology commissioner for Weston’s student council. This meant that I read the announcements everyday. Although I wasn’t the greatest at it, I still enjoyed it. Mrs. Soto was the one that arranged the announcements as she had all the papers I needed and the phone used to connect to the entire school was right next to her library. Everyday as soon as I got into the classroom I would drop off my things and go meet up with Mrs. Soto. Seeing her every morning made us closer as we talked about the different things going on in her life. She told me stories about her daughter and husband and I talked to her about my parents and sister. I’m not normally very open about my family situation but I talked to her about it more than anyone. Mrs. Soto and her library gave me a safe place. When my dad couldn’t pick me up from school I would spend at least an hour with her doing homework, talking or just playing games. Mrs. Soto never complained when I was the last one in the library past when the school closed and was always willing to help me and for that I am very grateful for her. Mrs. Soto showed me what true kindness is.
word count: 304
October 26: Build your own dreams or someone else will hire you to build theirs
The quote “Build your own dreams or someone else will hire you to build theirs” by Farrah Gray encourages those to to take action when it comes to their goals. Everyone has dreams. A lot of times, we feel that our dreams are not practical and will not provide our loved ones with a “good life” or sacrifices may need to be made to have dependability. Starting at a young age we are told we need to get a college degree and 9-5 job with good pay and good benefits. These are easy options just to get by. However, dreams take a lot of hard work and determination. If you do not build or pursue your dream, then you will find yourself working for someone who has built theirs. Many times it requires a person to persevere through life challenges and even have set backs to get to their ultimate goal. It may include blood, sweat and tears with a sense of accomplishment as you grow through each phase in your life. In other words, if you don’t step up, someone else is more than willing too. Because of this you will then think that if you had not let your passion go, life might have turned out to be very different. It is not really wrong or anyway unacceptable to work for someone else but it’s important to make sure that your goals are aligned. When what you are doing in your life is based on the values of someone else you aren’t living your own life. You’re living for someone else.
word count: 265
November 9: Greek God
After taking the Greek God quiz I received Dionysus. Dionysus is the god of wine, general merrymaking, chaos, debauchery, and festivals. He also goes by the name Bacchus, from which we get the word "bacchanal”. I feel as if I’m not very similar to this Greek God so it’s very interesting to me that this was my quiz result. Although I do like to have fun and enjoy life it’s more with the little things in life. I don’t really enjoy parties or hanging out with big groups of people. I’d rather be surrounded by the people I feel comfortable with. Instead of Dionysus I feel more similarities with Hera, known as Juno in Roman mythology, who was the goddess of women, marriage, family, and childbirth. She is widely seen as the motherly figure of Greek mythology. In ancient Greek art, Hera is typically depicted as a beautiful, serious woman who is often seated on a throne. She is often surrounded by the animals that are sacred to her, such as the cow, lion, and peacock. Often, she holds a pomegranate, a symbol of fertility, in one hand. I feel like I tend to pay more attention to others before myself. I naturally feel compelled to look over others and take care of them. One of the most important things to me is family just as it is valued by Hera. Although I’m not always very serious I know when it’s okay to goof around and when it’s time to take things seriously. Another similarity between us is that she surrounds herself with the things that she holds sacred and I find myself surrounding myself with the people that I feel safe to be myself with.
word count: 286
November 28: Amelia Earhart
Amelia Earhart, Amelia Mary Earhart, (born July 24, 1897 in Atchison, Kansas, U.S. and disappeared July 2, 1937, near Howland Island, central Pacific Ocean), was an American aviator, one of the world's most celebrated, who was the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. Ever since she was little Amelia has been defying gender roles. Earhart played basketball, took an auto repair course and briefly attended college. During World War I, she served as a Red Cross nurse’s aid where she began to observe pilots in the Royal Flying Corps train at a local airfield. After the war she enrolled at Columbia University as a pre-med student. In 1921 Earhart started taking flying lessons and later purchased her first plane. Earhart became the first woman to fly different flights as she consistently worked to promote opportunities for women in aviation. Earhart also helped to form the Ninety-Nines, an international organization for the advancement of female pilots where she later became the first president of the organization. On June 1, 1937 Amelia Earhart took off from Oakland, California on an eastbound flight around the world. It was her second attempt to become the first pilot ever to circumnavigate the globe. Earhart and Noonan departed Law for tiny Howland Island—their next refueling stop—on July 2. It was the last time Earhart was seen alive. She and Noonan lost radio contact with the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Itasca, anchored off the coast of Howland Island, and disappeared en route. While Amelia Earhart is very well known for being a pioneer in aviation, she was also influential in breaking boundaries for women. Throughout her entire life, she worked to fill roles that were previously only occupied by men. She drove and played sports, among holding jobs such as an assistant photographer, social worker, and international pilot. She was also financially independent which was not common for women of this time period.
word count: 321
November 30: Competition Quick Write
Dance Moms, a popular reality reality show in the 2010s, follows the lives of a group of preteen competitive dancers, their moms, their dance teacher, and the drama involved with competing in dance competitions. Abby Lee Miller, a passionate but also short tempered instructor works with the young girls each week perfecting everything in their performance in order to win. This leads to many tensions and competitiveness as each of the girls are not only competing against different teams but also each other within the solo category. Girls at the top of the pyramid, meaning that Miller considers them better than the other girls at that time, are awarded these solo performances. These girls put so much pressure on themselves to be perfect while be criticized on everything that they do causing more stress than happiness. In season 5 episode 2 of dance moms two sisters were forced to compete against each other. They began to be irritable with each other and weren't getting along because they want to be the better dancer. In the end the younger sister, Maddie, unexpectedly won the competition leaving her older sister Maddie to feel as if she wasn't a good enough dancer. If girls don't win they consider themselves failures. With competitions there will always be someone at the top while someone else is stranded at the bottom questioning their worth. Competition can lead to "winning" at the expense of others meaning that in order for you to be successful someone else must fail.
Spotify Wrapped is a viral marketing campaign by Spotify. Released annually in early December since 2016, the campaign allows Spotify users to view a compilation of data about their activity on the platform over the past year and invites them to share it on social media. My Spotify wrapped results were not exactly what I expected. Most of my top artists seem pretty accurate. My number one music artist was Drake followed by Frank Ocean, Tyler The Creator, Steve Lacy, and the Weeknd. I personally enjoy these artists because their songs tend to be more mellow, varying in a range of emotions. If someone were to analyze my results I would say that they would think I was laid back and easy going. I tend to gravitate towards slower songs in the pop and rap genre because whenever I feel like listening to music it is because I’m also doing something else. For example, doing my homework, driving, or taking a shower. This probably accounts for my 38,520 hours of listening which is more than 82% of other listens in the United States. However, my results for my top played songs were less predicted. My results displayed that my top song was Ivy by Frank Ocean, followed by, Losin Control by Russ, Infrunami by Steve Lacy, N Side by Steve Lacy, and Are We Still Friends? By Tyler, the Creator. This year I have really enjoyed observing my Spotify Wrapped because it gives me a look into the person that I am and how I have changed so much in the past year.
word count: 267
December 14: Having a Rock
Everybody needs a rock in their life, someone that is always there to support them through thick and thin. Social support and social interaction have a positive influence on your physical and mental health. Research has shown that having a strong support system has many positive benefits, such as higher levels of well-being, better coping skills, and a longer and healthier life. Supportive friends, family, professors and colleagues will celebrate your successes and help you learn from your failures, providing the encouragement that you need to meet each challenge with determination and a positive attitude. My rock ever since I was born has been my mom. She has had a huge impact on me and my character. Ever since I was little she's been my role model. I did everything that I could to be just like her. I would go to work with her, rummage through her closet, and always offer to go with her to run errands. My mom has taught me so many life lessons growing up that I won’t forget. She taught me to have confidence in myself, be kind to everyone, and that my actions affect others. She has shaped me into the strong person that I am today. My mom is one of the wisest, most caring people that I know. At times where I felt like I had no one, she made sure I knew she was right by my side. I have always looked up to my mom and I hope that when I grow up I can have the impact that she had on me with other people in the world. My mom’s constant support for me is what has driven me to want to be the best version of myself.
word count: 290
January 11: Taking Action
"Hard work spotlights the character of people: some turn up their sleeves, some turn up their noses, and some don’t turn up at all." — Sam Ewing, author. Throughout our life we go through many different struggles. The way that we react to these obstacles is what defines our character. Those that choose to preserve and overcome these struggles will be the ones that prevail and ultimately succeed in life. The ones that selflessly do things that others are not willing to will stand out. Those that choose to feel bad for themselves and dwell over things that cannot be controlled will be left behind. Finally, there are those that are lazy and choose to do nothing, making no impact on their life expecting change to happen without action. They’re too good to do what needs to be done. Whatever it might be, they just aren’t going to do it.This quote reminds me of a TEDTalk that we recently watched in class by Cordae. He spoke about having a high level of thinking which will ultimately unlock your fullest potential. This is achieved by removing negativity and focusing on the things that matter to you and your values. When you are willing and ready to put in the necessary work to thrive in life it shows. People are drawn to you and come to you for assistance or aid because they know that you will be reliable. What are you willing to do? Be a stand-up kind of person and let people know so they know what to expect. Hard work is a great way to build character, and to get a reputation.
word count: 273
January 25: Disconnecting
We as a society have become accustomed to the use of technology 24/7. These little devices have drastically changed the world in ways never imagined. Yes, we are able to be interconnected at the click of a button but we are also able to disconnect from the real world with that click. Technology is addictive. As soon as you get a little piece of it you just want more. Technology can be used for things as broad as gaming, online shopping, social media use, video watching, and much more. These endless possibilities can make it hard to take breaks from our technology. When spending time with other people it can be rude to use your phone. Of course this could be circumstantial however. If you are casually hanging out with your friends and you guys aren’t actively doing something then I think it’s completely fine to be on your devices. Personally, I sometimes use my phone as a way to continue or start a conversation with things like “did you see this on tiktok” or “look at this picture look”. Our phones can ease social anxiety by providing an outlet of topics to discuss, when used in the right manner. In more formal situations such as dinner with your family, while someone is speaking, or speaking with an authoritative figure. When you are on your phone in these situations it’s rude because you’re disrespecting the other person by not listening or even trying to listen. I’ve seen couples and families out to dinner, staring at their phones not even acknowledging each other’s presence and to me, that is sad.
February 1: Artificial Intelligence
Throughout the evolution of Earth, humans have had to evolve in order to strive. One of the largest societal advancements being technology. Technology has permanently altered the way that humans live. Some may claim that technology has made our lives easier while others may claim that all it does is cause havoc and replace the responsibilities of humans. Technology is all around us. You start off your day with your phone alarm going off, you rely on a small device for something as important as making sure you wake up on time. What happens if this malfunctions and you miss the most important job interview of your life? Is it your fault or the fault of the device you blindly trusted? Let’s say you wake up on time and then on the way to the business your car breaks down with no help around? Whose fault is it? Technology has become one of the most trusted creations among consumers even with the growing list of negatives. So what leads people to believe that robots, humanized pieces of technology, should be trusted to carry out the duties typically carried out by humans. So much goes into executing a task that I don’t believe can be comprehended and predicted by robots. In this political cartoon a robot is seen receiving a position by another robot while other people are sitting waiting to also receive that job. A man states “**** artificial intelligence” showing his anger towards the unfair situation. As more and more robots are filling the jobs of humans, less and less people have opportunities for a steady income. Even though the use of technology in occupations has its benefits like no salary and the opportunities to work 24/7, it strips people of their ability to support themselves and their families.
word count: 300
February 8: Clara Barton
“You must never think of anything except the need, and how to meet it.” Born on December 21 in 1821 Clara Barton was the daughter of a veteran of the “Indian Wars”. His tales inspired her throughout her younger years whereas her mother was a distant figure in her life. Clara Barton changed the game for the medical field by funding the American Red Cross. Clara began her career in teaching where she then moved to Washington D.C. In D.C. she then worked in the U.S. Patent Office. Barton was a fierce, independent woman that faced down societal expectations, governmental agencies, and the very nature of war itself to do those things she felt honor-bound to accomplish. Her heroic journey began when she provided aid to soldiers which gave her the nickname Angel of the Battlefield. With permission from President Lincoln, she opened the office of Missing Soldiers, helping to reconnect more than 20,000 soldiers with their families. Clara volunteered with the International Committee of the Red Cross, providing civilian relief during the Franco-Prussian War which later inspired her to bring the Red Cross Movement to America. Clara founded the American Red Cross on May 21, 1881 which currently helps people from all around the world and continued in the organization for 23 years as the president. To this day Clara’s legacy lives on, reflected in the spirit of Red Cross volunteers and employees. Because of one woman, Clara Barton, the American Red Cross brings help and hope across the nation and around the world.
word count: 261
February 15: Social Fences
Throughout our lives we will experience highs and lows, hardships and happiness, and struggles and success. In many of these cases we many feel isolated or alone. when you experience hardships it's important that you avoid building a fence, isolating yourself from the world. Isolation is a result of anxiety and depression in that some individuals use it as a self-induced coping mechanism to deal with excessive worry and avoid human interaction. For others, isolation is a key driver of anxiety and depression, craving the support and stimulation that socialization provides. When you are struggling you may feel as if you are a burden reaching out for help or finding someone to talk to, leading to forcing yourself to become more and more “alone. Although during these times it may feel like all hope is lost however we must remember that there will always be people more than willing to lend a helping hand to help you. We are sometimes so focused on our own lives that we don’t notice those that are seriously struggling. That’s one of the reasons why it’s so important to reach out and check in with those that you care about. We have all felt along at some point throughout our life so it’s important to ensure that others don’t also feel that way if there’s something that we can do about it. Just having someone express that they care and are worried is powerful. Understanding and making it clear that you aren’t there to fix your friend or tell them what to do. Check in, listen, and be compassionate, not judgemental. Sometimes all people need is a listening ear.
word count: 277
February 23: College Athletes
College athletes can now be paid. However, not all of them are seeing money. I believe this to be fair. Colleges are not directly paying their athletes, they are endorsed or sponsored by big brands and corporations. Although yes each athlete is putting in lots of time and dedication and sport, some go above and beyond to stand out which is what draws companies to want to use their names. This is no different from professional sports. Athletes like Lebron James, Shaq, and Serena Williams can be seen featured in a wide variety of products or commercials and the reason for this is because of their legacy. Corporations choose these athletes because of their influence among society and want them to represent their product. This is just the same with college athletes. I believe that if companies are wanting college athletes to represent them then they must have such a large following that they have earned the compensation. When you originally decide to do a sport outside of highschool it is most likely because you have a passion for the sport and you are wanting to continue it, so by only getting paid through endorsements it prevents students from choosing to do sports just for income from their college. If you really think about it, some colleges are already “paying” athletes when they provide them with full ride scholarships to their school because it means way less money that needs to be paid by the athlete to attend there. Along with this, playing a sport can be extremely expensive with all of the gear and equipment needed along with the endless expenses that come with college life so why shouldn’t we reward those that have worked to go above and beyond.
word count: 291
March 1: Everything Happens for a Reason
I truly believe that everything happens for a reason. Our experiences and lives are what shape us into the individuals we are. Although in the moment struggles can be difficult, they ultimately will lead to a sort of lesson or time of growth that is needed. I think originally the statement “everything happens for a reason” resulted as a sort of comfort to those confused as to why they were experiencing hardships but it has transformed into a mindset of letting go of the old and being open to new opportunities and experiences. People change so that you can learn to let go, things go wrong so that you appreciate them when they are right, you believe lies so you eventually learn to trust no one by yourself, and sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together. I had a time in my life where I was questioning why I had felt so alone. I didn’t have many friends and the friends that I did have would ditch me for other people and honestly just treat me badly. I thought that I had done something wrong. That time of loneliness gave me the opportunity to become more satisfied with myself. I learned that I’m worth more than people that didn’t value my presence. Although being friends with people that didn’t appreciate me sucked, I learned to hold myself and the people I surround myself with to a higher standard and gave amazing, supportive friendships. Everything happens for a reason without the lows of life there wouldn’t be the highlights, filled with joy and memories made. word count: 280
March 8: Confrontation
I feel that I am more comfortable with holding back from telling people when they have hurt my feelings mainly because I don’t like for there to be conflicts. I grew up with parents that never got along. They would always argue and I would get put in the middle of it. Feeling like I had to choose a side gave me so much anxiety and stress that now I do everything in my power to avoid confrontation. I believe that you should be able to have mature conversations with others in order to find a resolution but that may not always be the case. When someone hurts me I usually keep it to myself and just end up working myself up. You would not believe the amount of times someone has hurt me and I chose to say nothing to them. I don’t like to confront others because I’m scared that it could cause a problem. Especially, if I feel like saying something could cause a tear in our friendship because I don’t want to feel alone. I’ve seen what has happened to other people’s friendships after confronting a problem. I know I should be able to have a mature conversation with someone but when you are the only person willing to come up with a solution it can be very difficult. In my generation it feels like people don’t know how to talk to each other. When there’s a problem it usually leads to someone talking bad about the other behind their back and then they aren’t friends anymore. I wish people were more open to having mature conversations and being able to talk about what’s wrong because the entire situation could be avoided in the first place if people were accountable and understanding.
word count 292
March 15: Planes
I've been lucky enough to have many different experiences with planes. Ever since I was little my family has always had some big vacation planned over summer and with my parents being separated it meant being able to explore at least two completely new places each year. I’ve been to places like Canada, Hawaii, St. Thomas, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Florida, New Mexico, Arizona, Wyoming, Oregon, New Jersey, New York, Washington D.C., Tennessee and much more. Traveling is something that I enjoy because I always see something new. My dad always has us go visit a National Park or Museum when we travel. When I was younger I thought they were boring but now I really enjoy learning about history and nature. Being in a new environment feels like an adventure with so many different possibilities. One of the reasons that I travel so much is also to see family. Two of my aunts live in Pennsylvania so I usually go there about every other summer which is really fun because I get to hangout with my cousins and we get to go see monuments and memorials that are in that area. I know that not everyone has the opportunities that I do so I’m really grateful that my family has been able to travel so much because it has allowed me to explore pieces of history and have a stronger gratitude for the past. I especially enjoy trips with my mom because we always do something unique that we wouldn’t be able to do at home like snorkeling, scooting underwater, going to amusement parks, riding a horse, and a lot more. Overall, I really enjoy traveling because of the time I get to spend with my family and the memories that I am able to create and I’m so glad that I’ve been able to see so many different things in the world.
word count: 313
March 22: Emilia Casanova de Villaverde
Born in 1832, Emilia Casanova de Villaverde was born into a wealthy family. Her father was one of the wealthiest sugar plantation owners in Cuba. Cuba was a Spanish colony and Emilia’s Spanish family benefited from colonial rule. However, Emilia agreed with the Cuban revolutionaries who wanted Cubans to rule their own country. She believed that Cuba should be independent and was not afraid to speak out about her beliefs. In 1852, Emilia met Cuban exiles. Their desire for Cuba to be independent only furthered her passion towards independence. Cuban exiles gave her documents that promoted a revolution, which she smuggled into Cuba. Emilia and her brothers distributed the documents in Cuba to inspire more Cubans to support independence. Emilia and her family moved to the United States in 1854 because they believed it to be safer. They were worried that their family would be arrested or punished for their protests. In Philadelphia, Emilia married the famous novelist Cirilo Villaverde and she eventually gave birth to their son, Narciso. Emilia was able to meet up with the Cuban exiles she met during the earlier visits and became an active member of their community. Her home became the gathering place for the supporters of Cuban independence. In 1866, the Spanish government increased taxes and made it illegal for Cuban reformers to gather hoping that it would discourage the independence movement however tensions led to the outbreak of the Ten Years war for Cuban independence in 1868. This led to Cuban revolutionaries declaring independence and writing a new constitution that ended slavery and aimed to annex Cuba to the United States. Emilia Casanova de Villaverde’s involvement in the Cuban independence movement greatly contributed to the ultimate independence of the Cuban people.
word count: 289
April 4: Fire and Water
If I were to be a part of nature, the element that I would be is either water of fire. Now, at first I wouldn’t consider myself to be a “fiery” person however it does correlate with my zodiac sign, the leo. Leo is a fire sign, meaning that Leos are warmhearted and in love with life. After some research I learned that their energy and charm are both visible, and they truly know what they want in this life…and they don't mind other people's praise and attention along the way. This I can find applicable in most aspects of my life. I’d say that I do stay pretty calm most of the time but when it comes to something I’m passionate about I can become very driven and I will not be afraid to take initiative. I also sometimes need validation from others to encourage that I am doing everything right. Although this is a quality of mine that I possess, I can also be the complete opposite. Some days I honestly just want to sit around my house and do nothing all day. Now this leads me to the opposite of fire, water. I’m not sure exactly what it is but ever since I was little I’ve always been drawn to the water. It’s where I have felt the happiest. From sprinklers to pools, to the beach it’s where I’ve always wanted to be. When I first visited Hawaii I immediately loved it and the warm water was one of the main reasons as to why I continued to keep coming back different years.