Too Cool For School

 Chapter 3: Write a narrative from your school experience that encapsulates an important lesson you and perhaps others were able to learn. How did/has this experience shape(d) you?

I have always been very interested and passionate about my schoolwork. Always striving for the best and never settling for average, until I reached the ninth grade that is! My ninth grade year I attended a public school with more than 1,000 students. My ninth grade class alone had about 500 students! Coming from a small private catholic school  with a class of about 40, I was so not ready for this experience. I quickly became overwhelmed and lost. My priorities were placed on friends and socializing. I did my work but it was mostly mediocre work and I would spend most of my time texting in class or skipping class all together. I wasn't failing but my grades were not so hot. I went from being the president of my National Junior Honor Society and vice president of my eight grade class to an average mediocre student. It didn't matter to me much then but as I was approaching my senior year and getting ready to fill out college applications and class transcripts I saw how badly my grades had affected my GPA. What was most important was that I realized my mistakes and was trying to correct them before I left high school. I did a lot better my junior and senior year and even participated in AP classes. Looking back I can say that I have learned that no matter what, my academics and education should always be a priority in my life.

WC:246

Fun in the Sun

Chapter Two: Write a memory of a family event or scene that had an impact on your growth and development. Think about the importance of the event, and what you learned from it that stays with you today.

With the everyday hustle and bustle of today’s society most families rarely sit down to talk or even eat a meal together. I have experienced this first hand with my family today. Growing up was a different story, as my family made sure that we would always spend time together. Every Sunday we would go to the beach, the big, the small, the old, and the young. The kids would enjoy making sand castles and holding contests of who could swim out the farthest. The laughter and chatter of the adults could be heard over the sound of them loudly slamming down dominoes and greenies. Everyone seemed to be oblivious to their everyday problems; they just lived in the moment. All of us together, as one. Those moments helped me to appreciate my family and the time we have together. Now I always make sure I take out time to do different activities with my family even if it’s not every day.

WC:162

Anything Boys Can Do Girls Can Do Better!

Chapter One: Write the memory of a childhood event that recounts a story related to your own identity as a boy or a girl and a moment of realizing gender differences. Think about the importance of the event, and what you learned from it that stays with you today. 

 

Growing up I was always skinny and tall. I had really long legs and loved playing outdoors. When I was in the first grade I thought I was the fastest runner ever. There were these boys that were always racing each other during lunchtime to see who could run the fastest. I never saw any girls run so I thought I would give it a try and impress my classmates. The boy that raced me was hesitant but I was determined to prove myself. We stepped up to the same rock which was supposed to be our starting point and we took off. I was running with all my might, and I seemed to be giving him a run for his money until I tripped on a rock and busted my knee. The boy kept running past me and won the race. He came back to help me up but he let me to know that there were just some things that were meant for boys. That memory still crosses my mind today and it reminds me of how strongly gender differences are promoted in our society. Needless to say, there are girls out there doing the same things that men do and they do it even better!

 

WC:207

Brave New Voices: " That Girl" (HBO)

One of my favorite poems! Just wanted to share! :)