As I enjoy my last two weeks as a "true teen" I have been thinking about the past 20 years of my life and I began thinking about how life is a series of "challenges."
Why is it that I am at an accredited college and yet others expect so little of me? Isn't life SUPPOSED to be challenging? Why is it acceptable to get by with the minimum number of credits, or the easiest classes offered? Just because some individuals choose to take the easy route, what makes my advisor, my professor, and my peers think that that's the route I want to take.
Maybe the expectation is different at higher level institutions, but if our country needs hardworking, highly motivated individuals, why does our country expect so little of us when it comes to education?
I'm beginning to think that "challenge" has many different definitions.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Sister Time
Far too often, I think that people take their families for granted. I know I am very guilty of this bad habit. So much has happened within my family that I often feel that it is better to stay away from all of the drama. Well, I went to lunch with my sister today, (something that hasn't happened in a very long time.) and I really enjoyed spending the time with her without others around. She's only 23, four years older than myself (although she'll be 24 this week!), and her son is just under a year a half, so for the past 17 months a lot of focus has been put on the baby and not my sister. I didn't realize how much had happened in our two lives during that time period. Today, we were able to share with one another what we have been doing with ourselves lately. I learned that she starts classes in two weeks to work toward a degree as an LPN. She learned that I am at the point in my life where I am stressing over post-college plans. (And as any older sister would do...she assured me that everything would work out just fine!) We were also able to talk about our plans for our futures. I learned that her dream is to one day work at St. Jude Children's hospital as a pediatric nurse (something I never imagined my sister doing, but something that made me so extremely excited to hear!) As we talked of course we laughed and made fun of each other a little bit, but all-in-all we had an awesome discussion! Sometimes I feel that I spend so much time with friends that I don't always take the time to be with my sister. I was very fortunate that we were able to "reconnect" today. Following the new year, I said that I wasn't going to make a new years resolution, but I think I'm going to resolve to spend more time with the person who knows me better than anyone, my sister!
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
"Imagine"
John Lennon was a very popular peace-activist throughout the 1960’s and 1970’s, and he still remains an icon to this day. While he was alive, his passion for peace was evident not only in his music, but also in his lifestyle. He wrote “Imagine” as a way of encouraging others to unite into one world, which is a powerful message about the way our society was at the time. Unfortunately, our society has not strayed far from the path within the past thirty years. We continue to deny the hatred within our country, and we fail to stand up for what we believe in.
“Imagine there’s no countries. It isn’t hard to do. Nothing to kill or die for, and no religion too. Imagine all the people living life in peace.” These are the words of Mr. Lennon that, to me, really say a lot about our society. What if we did not have countries to be at war with? Would our outlook on hate, crime and violence be the same as it is today? It seems as if our society views war as inevitable, as if there is absolutely nothing we can do about it. We see so much violence on the news, in television shows and in movies that we have become immune to it. In that same line, Lennon also mentions having no religion. Would having no religions help us to be civil toward one another? My personal belief is that people often use religion as an excuse for what is happening. Christians, who make up the majority of our country’s population, believe that “everything happens for a reason,” and that God has control over everything. By believing in this theory, those individuals accept war because it is “within God’s plan.” When people put so much faith in God, they tend to put less faith in themselves and in what they are capable of doing. Being immune to violence, as well as putting everything in God’s hands, puts our society in a place where very few people feel motivated to do anything themselves to bring peace into our country.
“Imagine no possessions. I wonder if you can. No need for greed or hunger. A brotherhood of man. Imagine all the people sharing all the world.” I find it very hard to dispute the fact that our society, in general, is very materialistic. We thrive on having things, and we consider ourselves unhappy when we do not have enough of something. This mindset leads to greed, hatred for other people, and a lack of awareness of those less fortunate. We get so caught up in ourselves and in our own successes that we do not think of “sharing all the world” with one another.
“You may say that I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one. I hope someday you’ll join us, and the world will live as one.” These are the concluding lyrics to the song, and they really leave the listener with a powerful message. When individuals try to be proactive and try to make a difference in our society, they are often looked down upon. Until lately, our society has not been one to embrace change. It is unfortunate that we do not support more efforts to bring about peace in our society.
“Imagine” truly captures the essence of the American society as one based on lack of motivation, acceptance of violence, dependence on faith, and submission to greed. To me, it will always be a very powerful song within our society, however, I hope that someday we will look back on the song and be able to say that we have accomplished what the lyrics promote us to do. That is to establish peace not only within our country, but also with other countries as well.
“Imagine there’s no countries. It isn’t hard to do. Nothing to kill or die for, and no religion too. Imagine all the people living life in peace.” These are the words of Mr. Lennon that, to me, really say a lot about our society. What if we did not have countries to be at war with? Would our outlook on hate, crime and violence be the same as it is today? It seems as if our society views war as inevitable, as if there is absolutely nothing we can do about it. We see so much violence on the news, in television shows and in movies that we have become immune to it. In that same line, Lennon also mentions having no religion. Would having no religions help us to be civil toward one another? My personal belief is that people often use religion as an excuse for what is happening. Christians, who make up the majority of our country’s population, believe that “everything happens for a reason,” and that God has control over everything. By believing in this theory, those individuals accept war because it is “within God’s plan.” When people put so much faith in God, they tend to put less faith in themselves and in what they are capable of doing. Being immune to violence, as well as putting everything in God’s hands, puts our society in a place where very few people feel motivated to do anything themselves to bring peace into our country.
“Imagine no possessions. I wonder if you can. No need for greed or hunger. A brotherhood of man. Imagine all the people sharing all the world.” I find it very hard to dispute the fact that our society, in general, is very materialistic. We thrive on having things, and we consider ourselves unhappy when we do not have enough of something. This mindset leads to greed, hatred for other people, and a lack of awareness of those less fortunate. We get so caught up in ourselves and in our own successes that we do not think of “sharing all the world” with one another.
“You may say that I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one. I hope someday you’ll join us, and the world will live as one.” These are the concluding lyrics to the song, and they really leave the listener with a powerful message. When individuals try to be proactive and try to make a difference in our society, they are often looked down upon. Until lately, our society has not been one to embrace change. It is unfortunate that we do not support more efforts to bring about peace in our society.
“Imagine” truly captures the essence of the American society as one based on lack of motivation, acceptance of violence, dependence on faith, and submission to greed. To me, it will always be a very powerful song within our society, however, I hope that someday we will look back on the song and be able to say that we have accomplished what the lyrics promote us to do. That is to establish peace not only within our country, but also with other countries as well.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Sharing Knowledge with Others
Last week, I had the privilege of staffing at a week-long advanced leadership workshop along with nine other incredible staff members. Fifty-three high school juniors and seniors from all over the state of Pennsylvania attended the workshop to celebrate leadership through their selves, their student councils, their schools, and their communities. For me, this was an experience like none other. For once, I was on the other side of the fence as an advisor, not as a delegate. My being there was not about me or about what I could take back to my council, instead it was about sharing my knowledge with others to hopefully aid them in their own accomplishments. If you have never taken a step back and focused on encouraging others to do what you did for four years of your life, I encourage you to do so. It was as if my time in high school as a member of student council and of other activities really came full circle. I have always viewed my experiences as learning opportunities, but last week really reinforced my way of thinking. Had I not been so involved throughout school, I would have never had the opportunity to give back to other student leaders.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Looking Back
SCHOOL IS ALMOST OUT!!!
As exciting as those four words may sound...I must admit that I would prefer to be a high-schooler for a couple more months. I'm not saying that I want to keep writing papers, or spend more time studying and completing homework assignments, but if I could stay in school just to be involved in all of my extracurricular activities I would be in favor of school year round!
It's hard to imagine what my life will be like next year. No more getting up early so that I can be at school by 7:15 to make sure student council is on track with everything. No more hectic homerooms of announcements and motions and attendance and pep talks. No more staying after school to finish up some last minute class officer necessities. Instead, I will be completely on my own working with different individuals, with different advisors, and with different goals in mind.
However, I must say that as I look back on my 13 years of public education, I could not be happier. Elementary school was rough for me because I was so shy and had a hard time making friends, but by the end of fourth grade I was performing in the talent show, offering to read to the class, and even had my first boyfriend. Two of my favorite teachers were from my elementary school years. Then I went on to middle school where things took a downhill slope. I refer to those four years as the "awkward years." Everyone was both physically and mentally awkward. I made friends but little did I know that I wouldn't keep those same friends through highschool. The minute I became a freshman I knew that I wanted to begin defining myself as an individual. Just like most freshmen, I became more independent and got myself involved with as many activities as I could. I joined the girls' tennis team, sang in the choir, performed in the school musical, danced with the showchoir, became a leader within my class as class Historian, and was elected by my class as a representative in student council. As my 2 million minutes in highschool ticked away I made many choices. I went from class Historian to class Vice President, I took on the position of choreographer for the musical and showchoir, and I quit the tennis team so that I could fulfill my duties as Student Council President. However, I also made tough choices about dating, friendships, which classes to take, how hard I was going to work in those classes, and how I was going to treat those around me. I made it my responsibility to talk to as many of my peers as possible so that when I graduated I couldn't say that I didn't know everybody. Well let me say, as I look forward to graduation this week I can honestly say that I atleast recognize all 318 of my classmates. It just makes the whole experience so much more meaningful knowing that I am not just graduating as myself but I am graduating as a part of the class of 2008!
I look forward to a new beginning but I will forever be grateful for the opportunities and experiences I had through elementary school, middle school, and especially high school!
As exciting as those four words may sound...I must admit that I would prefer to be a high-schooler for a couple more months. I'm not saying that I want to keep writing papers, or spend more time studying and completing homework assignments, but if I could stay in school just to be involved in all of my extracurricular activities I would be in favor of school year round!
It's hard to imagine what my life will be like next year. No more getting up early so that I can be at school by 7:15 to make sure student council is on track with everything. No more hectic homerooms of announcements and motions and attendance and pep talks. No more staying after school to finish up some last minute class officer necessities. Instead, I will be completely on my own working with different individuals, with different advisors, and with different goals in mind.
However, I must say that as I look back on my 13 years of public education, I could not be happier. Elementary school was rough for me because I was so shy and had a hard time making friends, but by the end of fourth grade I was performing in the talent show, offering to read to the class, and even had my first boyfriend. Two of my favorite teachers were from my elementary school years. Then I went on to middle school where things took a downhill slope. I refer to those four years as the "awkward years." Everyone was both physically and mentally awkward. I made friends but little did I know that I wouldn't keep those same friends through highschool. The minute I became a freshman I knew that I wanted to begin defining myself as an individual. Just like most freshmen, I became more independent and got myself involved with as many activities as I could. I joined the girls' tennis team, sang in the choir, performed in the school musical, danced with the showchoir, became a leader within my class as class Historian, and was elected by my class as a representative in student council. As my 2 million minutes in highschool ticked away I made many choices. I went from class Historian to class Vice President, I took on the position of choreographer for the musical and showchoir, and I quit the tennis team so that I could fulfill my duties as Student Council President. However, I also made tough choices about dating, friendships, which classes to take, how hard I was going to work in those classes, and how I was going to treat those around me. I made it my responsibility to talk to as many of my peers as possible so that when I graduated I couldn't say that I didn't know everybody. Well let me say, as I look forward to graduation this week I can honestly say that I atleast recognize all 318 of my classmates. It just makes the whole experience so much more meaningful knowing that I am not just graduating as myself but I am graduating as a part of the class of 2008!
I look forward to a new beginning but I will forever be grateful for the opportunities and experiences I had through elementary school, middle school, and especially high school!
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Reflection on NSLW
After a week of hard work, inspiration, and active involvement I feel confident saying that National Student Leadership Week was a success at South Western!
One of the elements to the week that made it really come to life was our leadership breakfast. At the breakfast the student leaders were recognized for their hard work and dedication to the high school. Our former Principal was also invited to give some words of encouragement. Let me just say, he was an inspiration to the entire group.
Mr. Quashnoc opened with a reflection on South Western's "Legacy of Leadership Development."He not only spoke about the development of our school, but he also spoke about the development of leadership within our school. He told us stories of ordinary South Western graduates doing extraordinary things for the betterment of their colleges, communities, and professions.
Mr. Quashnoc also shared with us the core values of the South Western Culture in terms of "CAP."
1. Commitment- He focused on the difference between being involved and being committed.
2. Attitude- He encouraged us to always have a positive attitude no matter what challenges we come up against.
3. Persistence- He told us we must never give up, and we must be courageous in all of our endeavors.
As Mr. Quashnoc began to wrap up what he was saying his intensity grew, his passion came to life, and his focus was strictly on the students. He concluded with four very powerful words, "Keep the Legacy Alive!!!"
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Why Student Leadership?
National Student Leadership Week is approaching. April 14th-18th leaders all across the country will be celebrating the power of student leadership. But why?
Recognition:
Students are continually working to improve their schools and communities, and they should be recognized for that. When someone is designated "a leader" it becomes easy to get accustomed to the work they do and in turn, fail to recognize their accomplishments and successes. Everybody appreciates a "thank you" here and their or a random act of kindness; but, leaders, especially, won't persist on being acknowledged. They're the ones making things happen, so they're the ones who should be commended.
Encouragement:
Being a student leader, I know how it feels to have everyone just assume you will take care of everything. This could get dangerous at times when student leaders begin thinking that they aren't really contributing as much as they would like because everything just becomes routine. Being a leader becomes a chore when students don't take the time to embrace their accomplishments. More encouragement from peers, teachers, parents, and community members is needed when leadership becomes more of a job versus a service. Encouragement can help student leaders to realize the impact they really do have on their schools and communities.
Motivation:
Participating in National Student Leadership Week is also a way to motivate other students to become active leaders. By seeing how appreciated leaders really are someone might want to step up to the plate and make considerable contributions themselves.
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