The Final Blog Post

This year has been so great in my opinion. I have been excited for Composition class since I heard about it last year. My previous English classes in high school have not been enjoyable. I never liked being forced to read a specific book and then fill in reading comprehension worksheets. I never felt like I was learning very much, and it was frustrating to be forced to read a book that I didn't really enjoy. Whenever I was enrolled into the Composition classes, I was so happy. Finally, a class that seemed more beneficial for college and I class where I could just write. I loved this class.


I like the first semester of this class a lot. The reading responses were not my favorite, but I think they taught me a lot. My favorite assignment from first semester was the last one about personal research. I think throughout first semester, I grew as a writer and second semester I just enjoyed writing. The different assignments we did in second semester were unique and fascinating. Especially the service learning and letter to China. Typically, I don't think high school students get the opportunity to experience something like our class did. I am extremely thankful for what we had the chance to do.  Thank you Ms. James for working so hard to get us these chances!!

Global Perspectives

 

The trip that we took last Thursday to MSU for the Global Perspectives conference was very eye opening and a great experience for all of us. I think it ended up being a very enjoyable time for everyone and not just because we all had the opportunity to eat a ton of food!


   The first session that I attended was "Can the utopia of the world without poverty be achieved?". I was very amazed at the amount and variety of people that were attending this first session. If I remember correctly, there were 4 speakers during this first session and they were all great. There were many different things that were presented and discussed and I would like to share
some of that information. The first speaker first informed us the actual definition of poverty which is "the state of being extremely poor". She then informed us that we can end poverty in the world by 2030, but it doesn't just happen on it's own. She said that we can't just believe it, that is not enough, but we must also get loud and act upon it. The next speaker talked about what kind of situations we face when trying to end poverty. There were four traps that he mentioned including: the conflict trap, natural resource trap, land lock trap, and bad government trap. All of these things become an obstacle when trying to accomplish something such as poverty.

   The second session that I believe all of us attended was "The One Who Builds" film screening. For anyone that was unable to attend I recommend and direct you to this website so that you have theopportunity to learn more about "The One who Builds". This film is 37 minute documentary about Dr. Omer who is the director of refugee resettlement organization. At first, I had no idea what to expect from the film, but I was truly amazed by the information that was presented to us. to is very humbling to see how these people have to leave everything they have including their family and physically run away. I find it very hard to even imagine putting myself in their shoes.

   After working on our own service learning projects in class and attending the conference, I believe that it all comes to together to give us a new, unique, humbling, and eye opening experience that students don't typically get in high school.

Letters from China

I was really excited to receive the letters from China. I honestly didn't think I would receive so many plan  esponses to my autobiography. I think it is so amazing that they took the time to individually respond with such in-depth letters. I have already read through all of my letters, but I have only responded to one, Sandy. I sent her email yesterday, the 23rd, and I have already received a response today from my email. Her and I are both extremely excited to have the opportunity to talk back and forth and we plan on continuing this for as long as we can. Sandy began by explaining her family life so we could get to know each other a little more. Then she talked about her dorm room and school life. She then asked me a few questions like what I meant in my autobiography and more about my life. For example I used idioms like "I want a man to sweep me off my feet", so I then explained to Sandy what it means.

 Many of the students said in their letters that they envy the life that I have which is humbling to me. Sometimes I think my life is so lame and that I wish I had a more fun life. After reading what they said, I was humbled and realized I should be thankful for the life that I live. They said they envied that I had my own car and that I was able to work a part time job while I am in still in high school. To me, working a part time job is just a hassle and not really a privilege, but it when I think about it, it really is.

  I love that our class has the opportunity to communicate with people in China. This a unique opportunity to have in high school. I think it is important for us to learn about different cultures, especially one that is so different from ours. Sometimes we think that our lives are so boring and ordinary, but compared to others that aren't in America, our lives are full of joy and bright fun times. Our experiences are just different from their experiences, but it is great that we are able to find common ground and talk about our lives together.

                                            

Project #2- Proposal

  When I was first asked about what my passions are and what interests I had,many different things
came to mind. I thought of dental hygiene, kids in general, Harmony House, nursing homes, poverty, and patients at St. Jude in Mercy. I have a desire and passion to help out in all of these different areas, but for right now, I have specifically focused in on the patients at St. Jude.

   Lately I have been eager to make a difference in their lives. At first, I was scared because I had no idea what I could possibly do to help. After doing some research, thinking on my own, and speaking with the lovely ladies from MSU, I have come up with several ideas.

   My initial idea was to simply go visit the patients so I could hopefully encourage them and just give them someone to talk to. I thought I could play games, do puzzles, and watch TV with them if they were going to be there for a long period of time. I thought this was an 'okay' idea but didn't feel as if it was very impactful.

   Then the MSU ladies spoke to me about the possibility of having some people from school make cards for the patients, doctors, and nurses that I could take to them. It could simply say something like, "I hope you're having a good day! Thinking about you!" I feel like this could really bring a light into some of their lives.

 I loved both of these ideas combined, but I was still curious as to what I could do. I searched St. Jude service projects and there were many things that came up! The first one I ran into was a story about Anna Stephenson. Anna also wanted to help St. Jude by raising money for the organization. It cost a ton of money to keep the facility and organization going. Anna designed a T-shirt that had her school colors on it and said, "Give to Life" on the front with the St. Jude design. On the back it has "It's what you do for others." She sold them for $15 and donated the money to St. Jude. Here is a link to see the rest of the  story. 

     The next thing I saw online was the St. Jude website that had an entire section for volunteer opportunities including things like participating at the facility and at home activities. The at home projects included things like making craft kits that you can send to the kids so they have a fun activity to do. Or waiting room bags that include fun things such as crayons and coloring books, stickers, or play dough. The last idea for at home activities they had was to make mask straps. These mask straps are used to improve the comfort for the patients when they have to wear plastic masks. They provide

a picture and instructions on how to make them. All of these things can be put together and then sent through the mail to St. Jude. There are other opportunities besides the at home activities. One big thing that people can get involved in is called Volunteen. It's a volunteer opportunity for 16, 17, and 18 year old in the summertime. It is a time of learning, personal growth, and creative fun for the teenagers and the patients. Here is a link for anyone interested in reading more into the opportunities.

60 Minutes

   I sat and watched the majority 60 Minutes: Amazing Kids. And I would have to say that these definitely are some amazing kids. As we begin thinking and writing about our own passions and desires in life, it helps to see what others have thought of. I think it becomes easy for us to think of the simple, or small passions we may have that are local to us, but the ideas these kids have come up with are absolutely incredible. As cheesy as it may sound, they shoot for the stars! At such a young age, these kids have big and bright ideas for the world, and they are ready to make a difference.



   The first student they introduced was Jack Andraka. He developed an early test for pancreatic cancer at the age of 15. Andraka said that he believes that he is not incredibly smart and full of knowledge. He said that he knew many
people that were far smarter than him. The benefit that Andraka had was the creativity behind his knowledge. This allowed him to create and develop the test. Andraka has become a regular at
the White House, and has visited many places to give speeches and presentations of what he has accomplished.He has visited places such as Canada, England, and Australia. He maintains a GPA of 4.0 and has begun looking into different universities including Cambridge. Andraka's family has been very supportive of him throughout the entire process. They do their best to keep everything at low pressure for Andraka and at a
high sense of humor. I applaud his parents for what they have done to help him throughout this process whether it was to drive him up to the lab or traveling with him.







   I truly am thankful for and proud of the kids in this video who took some initiative and made a difference in the world. They knew form the start that it wasn't going to be easy, but with some courage, knowledge, and the help from others they were able to accomplish great things.

Passions

As I was searching through the different winners of the Do Good award, I found myself quite amazed with the creativity and drive these people have. I think it is inspiring to read the stories, and it makes me think about the different drive and passion I have. There are a few stories that really stuck out to me.

The first organization is called OAK, which stands for Ordinary Acts of Kindness. First of all, I absolutely love the name it has been given. Sometimes we believe that our acts of kindness have to be big and blown out like this organization has done. They can be very simple and ordinary, yet make a difference. OAK produces what they call an OAK high quality backpack. A purchase of this backpack results in a donated backpack and school supplies for those that are need of it. They are focusing on passing the backpacks on to homeless children in the United States and impoverished children in Rwanda. They believe that this backpack will send the message of,"We believe in you. You can be successful."

 The second organization is called Half 4 the Hungry. I find this idea quite interesting and creative. Their mission is to have a restaurant where meals are designated as "half4thehungry". The customers will order the meal, paying full price, but actually receive half of the portion meal size. At least $4 will be donated by the restaurant to a charity that feeds hungry children. Their mission quote is, " Save calories, while saving lives."

           The last organization that I focused on is called Good Spread Peanut Butter. They want to help

children suffering from malnutrition. The idea is for every time they sell a package of the peanut butter, the profits are used to provide the children with a Therapeutic food consisting of peanut paste, milk, and vitamins. 

 I enjoyed reading these stories because I think they are different and interesting. They make it seem very simple, but it was a unique and fascinating idea. I love working with children very much so these stories clicked with me. As for my near future in education, I plan on going onto college and to dental hygiene school. Most people may think it is absolutely crazy that I might want to work in what they say "nasty" peoples' mouths, but that is what I am going to do. Change and clean the "nasty" mouths and turn them into beautiful, white smiles. I am looking forward
to this career very much, and I am ready for the different situations and tasks it will bring me. One thing that I may encounter in this field of choice, is going on a mission trip somewhere around the world to do dental work.

 Besides having a drive and passion of becoming a dental hygienist, I have a passion for the children of St. Jude. Anyone can watch a commercial or see their title placed anywhere and feel a soft spot in their heart for the patients, but it's different for me. I have been a patient their before so I know what it is like.
Although, my case is nowhere near the severity of what other patients go through, I understand the process and how discouraging it can be. I would love to have the opportunity to just go visit with the patients. We could play games, watch some TV, do a puzzle, or simply talk. I not only want to build connections with the patients, but I also want to build connections with the nurses and doctors their. I know that this may not be the easiest thing to accomplish or go through, but I have a passion and a heart for those at St. Jude.