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Click for 2008 Essays
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CHARLOTTE AMALIE HIGH SCHOOL
Living Above the Influence
by Simfoni Nibbs, Grade 9
I’m on my way to a concert with a group of friends and someone pulls out a bottle taken from their dad’s liquor cabinet and starts passing it around. I don’t want to drink but everyone else seems to be doing it, and I don’t want to look like an outsider by refusing. Much like the incident mentioned above, I am of ten faced with a questions such as “When it comes to decision-making, do I go with my own choice or do I bend to peer pressure?” What do I do? Well, let’s first get closer look at peer pressure. A good definition for peer pressure is when people, my age, try to influence how I act or get me to do something. Decisions are hard enough make, but add peer pressure and suddenly the decision-making can turn into a nightmare! Most teens find peer pressure exceedingly difficult to deal with because not many are ware that peer pressure has a foundation, two types, and various effects. In my opinion, the more teens learn about and understand peer pressure, the more able they will be to stand up to negative peer pressure.
Much like a towering skyscraper, the foundation of peer pressure is its most important part! Peer pressure is centered around decision-making and consequences. It is quite obvious to me, but might not be to everyone else, that it involves weighing my consequences to make knowledgeable decisions due to the fact that all decisions carry with them a consequence, whether good or bad. Good decisions carry good consequences, but bad decisions can carry huge negative consequences.
When it comes to classifying peer pressure, peer pressure has two types – negative and positive! Peer pressure can be positive if the peers help in changing the person for the better. As I have often observed, positive peer pressure keeps youth participating in religious activities, going to meetings, and playing sports on teams. As a result, positive pressure usually has good consequences. Negative peer pressure, on the other hand, always has negative consequences! Negative peer pressure occurs when my peers have an influence on me in doing something negative, such as drinking alcohol or using illegal drugs.
Peer pressure has decisions and consequences; therefore, it must have several effects, particularly if we’re in a group. To begin with peer pressure causes loss of identity in groups due to the fact that we want to be accepted and fit in. Sometimes, peer pressure gets so intense that we forget we even have choices! More importantly, individual morals, values, or religious beliefs can be affected by peer pressure, but the good news is that research shows that parents have far more influence than friends when it comes to moral values. Consequently, while it is impossible for a parent to shield his or her child from the peer pressure of what clothes to wear or what music to listen to, it is possible to guide them towards making decisions that can keep them safe and out of harm’s way.
Conclusively, becoming better educated about peer pressure, such as being informed about its foundation, its two types, and the many effects that it can have on your physical, mental, and social life, gives one the ability to live above the influence! I’ll try to always think about my decisions and be prepared for peer pressure. Therefore, when I am faced with a question such as “When it comes to decision-making, do I go with my own choice or do I bend to peer pressure?” I’ll know exactly what to do!
Single Parenting
by Jeshurin Joseph, Grade 10
Single parenting is the act of raising one or more children without the assistance of another parent in the home. It may occur for a number of reasons which include divorce, adoption, artificial insemination, surrogate motherhood, extramarital pregnancy, death, or abandonment by one parent. The living and parenting arrangements of single parents differ between households. The most common is when parents separate, one parent usually takes care of the child or children a majority of the time but continue to share parenting to some extent with the other parent. So what are the effects of single parenting and are they detrimental to the welfare of the child? The effects of single parenting on children are influenced by many factors including the parent’s age, occupation, and whether the non-resident parent is available to help provide the stability in the home
First, of all, I would like to discuss the effect of the parent’s age. The most common instance would be teenage pregnancy where the parent if usually between the ages of 13-17. One study has shown that teenage mothers are less likely to stimulate their infant through affectionate behaviors such as touch, smiling, verbal communication or just being sensitive towards the needs of the child thus affecting the development of the infant. Therefore the occurrence of developmental disabilities and behavioral issues are increased in children born to adolescent mothers. Also children of teen mothers have been noted to perform quite poorly in their academics. Many of them are more than likely to fail to graduate from high school, be held back a grade, or score lower on standardized tests. While daughters of teenage parents are more likely to become teen mothers themselves, sons are three times more likely to serve time in prison.
Secondly, the occupation of the parent is directly associated with the family’s income. Divorce leads to creation of two households rather than one, with consequently increased costs of living. The woman often suffers more financially after a divorce due to obtaining exclusive custody of children after the divorce, reducing their ability to pursue high- paying employment. Thus child support becomes an option but its collection can be quite difficult. Some fathers believe they only have an obligation towards their children and not their mother, some may not want to meet their obligation towards their children, and others intend to meet their obligation but are not able to fulfill it. Therefore the family is forced to live on welfare thus increasing the chances of the child being involved in stealing to compensate for things they cannot afford to purchase.
Finally, the non-resident parent’s availability to provide stability in the home must also be examined. From the perspective of the children, the family is a place of safety, love, and togetherness. In society, the family serves to locate children socially, and plays a major role in the enculturation and socialization of the child. But without the presence of both parents some children become unstable emotionally. As a result these children are about three times more likely to commit suicide or end up in the hospital after an attempted suicide by the age of 26 than children living with two parents. Also without the presence of another parent the children are forced to mature much faster than other children living with both parents. For example they are very likely to share more household responsibilities, including looking after themselves or their younger siblings.
In conclusion, the discussed factors which affect single parenting are the parent’s age, occupation, and whether the non- resident parent is available to help provide stability in the home. These factors determine whether the result is adverse or positive. In some instances single parenting may appear to be an awful situation in terms of the welfare of the child but is sometimes the best alternative for dysfunctional and abusive marriages. Statistically, the most single parent homes are successful and only a small percentage of children experience the results of these effects but others seem to do fine. My advice to someone who lives in a single parent home would be that no one who lives with a single parent is automatically doomed to a maladjusted life. One example would be President Barack Obama who also grew up in a single parent home raised only by his mother with help from grandparents. He only saw his father once when he was 10 years old but yet he overcame all the odds and became the first African American president of the United States of America.
Who Gets the Credit?
by Krythemer Edmend, Grade 11
Lights! Camera! Action! The show begins. Starring is a young girl, who seems to be talented and intelligent. When you see her, you wonder about her teachers, her family, and her friends. You begin to wonder about all the people who support her and were influential in her life today. At the end of the show, everyone comes forward to claim some of the credit. They act as thought they were the ones who did it all, as if they were the ones who did all of the work. But what happens when the lights are dimmed and the cameras are turned off. Does everyone remain true to their word? Are they really deserving of all the credit that they claim? Most of the time, they are not. Over the years, I have come to realize, that we need other people for companionship, and to learn from, but as for success, or failure, we can only count on ourselves.
In the beginning, when God created heaven and earth He created Adam, a man who was created in His own image and had the whole Garden of Eden in his possession. One could imagine how good it felt to have so much in one’s possession and to be acquainted with such a Divine being. However, Adam still needed more; he needed a human companion to share it with; therefore, he was given Eve. Hence, my belief is that we all need people to relate to, to learn from, and to share with. One must agree that we rely on other people on a daily basis. What we learn, how we feel, and how we survive, all depend on the people around us and how we interact with them.
Although, we rely on others, I believe that that the decisions we make and how we behave, are examples of self- reliance and independence. Several, if not all, adults who take part in the raising of a child, try to instill certain morals and beliefs in the child. They teach them how to think and how to act. However, every child has a mind of his or her own and is to held accountable for the actions he or she takes.
As a child my father and I had a close relationship. Everything he told me to do, I did, because I trusted and loved him. I would laugh at his jokes and cry when we were apart. As I grew older, I began to interpret my parents’ actions and their disagreements, as a sign of an uprising divorce. It was during these times I realized that if I wanted to achieve great things, I would have to depend on myself. I could not depend on my father because I was not sure if he would always be around to fix everything, as he did countless times when he kissed my “boo boos”, or carried me when I was tired. I could no longer depend on his loving arms and his gentle face. Now, I could only depend on myself and what I knew was to be true.
It was then, that I stopped laughing at his jokes and began to stray from the inseparable relationship that we once shared. I began to doubt everything he ever told me and only believed in what was proven to be true. I no longer needed someone to kiss my bruises, or tuck me in at night, but I started doing these things for myself. It was at that time I decided to hear, only what I wanted to hear, and to see only what I wanted to see. I blocked out all other images and did everything for myself. Realizing, then that I was the only one that I could ever trust or count on.
Furthermore, I learned that I was not only responsible for choosing what to believe in or what to feel, but I was also responsible for my education. At first, I thought that my accomplishments in school were because of my family’s influence and the influence of my teachers and school. However, that was not so. My ability to excel educationally was based solely on my willingness to learn and my aspirations to do my best. Yes, my family was there behind me, every step of the way, but they were not there during school hours, nor were they there in times of temptation. They were merely supports and onlookers and would remain there, whether I passed or failed. It was my decision to choose the path that I wanted to take and I thank God that He helped me to choose the right one.
As for my teachers, they served as channels or messengers. Their jobs are to pass on a message and I thank them for their knowledge and their ability to pass on what they learned. Though, their messages were only words. I was to interpret, I was to apply to memory and I was to draw inferences from it. As my teachers would always say, “We can teach you all we know, but what you learn depends on you,” and “We don’t give you a grade, you get what you earn”.
Moreover, I have also learned that my success in life rests on what I want and how much I am willing to do to obtain it. Some people may say that, whether or not one is able to acquire a successful job, is based on his or her potential employers. But I beg to differ. If an individual really wants something he or she will work hard to attain it. In the future, I wish to won one of the leading law firms in America and that is what I believe my purpose in life. Ii plan to achieve this goal by doing all that is necessary. Presently, I am a junior and have been working hard academically, for as long as I could remember, and I hope that my academic success can help me obtain a scholarship to college. However, I know that a full scholarship is unlikely and I plan to do whatever it takes to get me where I want to go. From working my way through college, to joining the Army, I have thought of it all and I am willing to take the necessary steps to achieving greatness.
All in all, I have come to realize, that we need other people for companionship, and to learn from, but as for success or failure, we can only depend on ourselves. We need other people to accept us, to teach us, and to provide us with a way of survival. However, how we choose to deal with acceptance, knowledge, and survival is based on who we are and how we interpret the world around us. I interpreted my parents’ inconsequential disagreements as means for a divorce. I was later proven to be misguided in my theory of divorce, but I was happy that I was able to learn much from that assumption. I was able to reestablish the connection, I once had, with my father but I retained the lessons I gathered during our time of separation. Overall, one could say that I plan to make my own decisions, no matter what others think I should do. Because with God as my pilot, I am the only one who can steer the ship and face my consequences.
A Lesson in Maturity
by SheRea Delsol, Grade 12
“Boy, geh a life and take responsibility fo yo actions! Yo tink I gon support you fo da rest of yo’ life? Go back in schoold. Fine yoseld ah job. Do something boy and stop stayin home doing nothing whild I wukking so hard to support yo lazy behind! ” screamed my mother in her thick St. Thomian accent as she delivered another loud and resonant lecture to my brother. This was the subject of one of her many weekly lectures and the question was always the same, “When are, (referring to my brother) going to learn how to be mature?” I was once baffled by such a question and so I asked myself that very question: What is maturity? “To be mature means to face, and not evade, every fresh crisis that comes,” as stated by author and psychoanalyst Fritz Kunkel. In my seventeen years of existence, I have found that maturity is not reflected by age, but is the act of taking responsibility for one’s actions and finding oneself by growing and learning and not remaining stagnant. Ironically, my brother has made me learn to take responsibility for myself and has taught me a valuable lesson in maturity, one that I will cherish for a lifetime. The lesson that maturity is not being reflected by age came to me because, tough my brother is nineteen years of age and two years older than I am, her himself has failed to demonstrate maturity.
First, my brother has dropped out of school and refuses to work; yet he had galvanized me to attain a high school diploma, further my education in an institution of higher learning, and become an influential member of this global society. His behavior created my first lesson in maturity; Chapter 1: Maturity, Section 1: Self Reliance. My brother has succumbed to the streets and has become another statistic of the black race, a stereotype which characterizes African Americans as unwilling, ignorant, and dependent. I refuse to succumb to these low expectations, so I have challenged the social norm and have risen above the negative aspects of my community that is plagued by drugs, violence, and crime. I continue to maintain exceptional grades, serve my community by participating in many organizations, and hold leadership roles in an effort to be the very best that I can be. I concur whole-heartedly with the statement that, “It is not where one is from, but where one is going that is most important.” Men have been killed a few feet from my home; I have heard the sound of guns blazing in the chilly night air; and I have felt the bitter grasp of poverty. Yet I have relied on myself and on my ability and capacity to achieve. As they say, “Your attitude determines your altitude.” With a positive mindset, tenacity, and determination, I can and will achieve my goals and turn my dreams into realities; the first step being, believing in myself.
Second, my brother’s nonchalant and lackadaisical attitude towards life has indirectly instilled in me the importance of having ambition and determination to achieve one’s goals. This was the second lesson in maturity, Section 2: Self Determination. I can recall when I told my brother that I was planning to attend an Ivy League university, specifically Princeton University, he replied, “Girl, forget about it! you ain’t getting in to none ah them schools! Only really smart people ge’ into them! You better look for different colleges.” I was not hurt that he questioned my intelligence, but was hurt by his inability to support his sister. I could have listened to his uninspiring words and terrible advise and not apply to the school of my dreams, but I remained persistent and adamant about proving him wrong. I continued on that course, which led to interview with an alumnus of the university, which is commonly a sign of interest and intrigue in the applicant. He may not care about where he will be in the next fifteen years, but I am sure that I will fulfill my dream of being a television show host. “We ask ourselves who as I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually who are you to be? You are a child of God,” as stated by Marianne Williamson. Why can’t I be great? Why can’t I achieve my goals? The second step in maturity is accepting and believing that one can achieve as long as one is ambitious and determined.
Furthermore, my brother is not only my mere sibling, but has been as unexpected inspiration and a well appreciated teacher who has taught me the importance of maturity. The final Lesson is Section 3: Accepting that Learning is an Ongoing Process. I have grown strong where he has grown weak; I have proved to be proficient where he has proven to be deficient; and I have succeeded when he has accepted failure. He has taught me why one must not give up. If one does, one will remain dependent on other individuals and never learn to take responsibility for him/her self. There is not always going to be someone to provide clothing, shelter, food and financial assistance. Sometimes, one must strive, work hard, and obtain these things for him/her self. As stated by Paul J. Meyer “Whatever you vividly imagine, ardently desire, sincerely believe, and enthusiastically act upon…must inevitably come to pass!” As I grow both academically and socially, I become a better individual, one who takes responsibility for her actions and is comfortable with herself. I can never be perfect, but I can be persistent. As long as one is not complacent with mediocrity, one can exert his/her optimal potential. As a see that is planted in fertilized soil and nurtured with love and care, I will continue to grow and learn. By accepting the need for improvement, I have wandered closer to the goal of maturity.
Ultimately, with the lessons of self reliance, self determination, and the acceptance of learning as on ongoing process, I feel that I am attaining maturity. At only the tender age of seventeen, I have learned the importance of taking responsibility for my actions and accepting that there is always room for improvement. Though my brother has failed to demonstrate maturity, I hope that he will one find himself and realize that stagnancy and complacence is the first step to failure. Unlike my brother, who has ironically taught me how to attain maturity, I am tenacious and determined. With unwavering values and indomitable will, I will succeed. The first step to success is to attain maturity and I am thankful that I opened the book and wandered beyond the prologue. Lesson completed. Class dismissed.
Ivanna Eudora Kean High School
Peer Pressure
by Brianna Grant, Grade 9
Peer Pressure is when your friends or people in the same age group try to convince you to do the wrong thing. It is very easy for someone to give in to peer pressure. Children are not the only ones who can be affected by peer pressure; adults can be affected by peer pressure also. When someone tries to make you do the wrong thing, and supposedly say that they’re your friend, the truth is that they are not. A real friend convinces you to do the right thing, not the wrong thing. Often people think that they can’t stand up to their friends because they are afraid of what their friends might say or do. I found out from my own life experience, that you can stand up to your friends.
I have gone through peer pressure before but I did not give into it. When I attended B.C.B. I had these friends, who wanted me to fight a girl that attended the school that they didn’t like. Every day they came to school telling me that they hated this girl and that they want to jump her. They tried to convince me to help them fight the girl, but I told them no. I told them no because the girl they wanted to fight was my friend, and because she did not do anything to me. I tried to talk them out of it, but they did not listen. They went ahead and fought the girl anyway. I also did not fight the girl because I thought about the consequences that come after the fight. Every day I went to school begging them not to fight her. I told them if they fight her that they will get suspended, and they might fail. I told them they might fail because when you get suspended, you get suspended for ten days, and every assignment you miss you get a zero. But none of my advice worked.
After they fought the girl they got suspended. When they came back to school from suspension they could not make up any work because since they got suspended, their absence was recorded as an unexcused absence. At the end of the school year they ended up failing and had to attend summer school. In the long run they felt bad and they were disappointed in themselves that they did not think of the kind of effect that incident might have on them and on their education. They understood that I was trying to keep them out of trouble.
Today we are all friends and have tried to keep each other out of trouble. We have a closer friendship now than we did then.
When you don’t want to do something your friends want to get you involved in, it is acceptable for you to tell them no. I did, and everything turned out well. From what you have read in my essay you see what kind of effect fighting has on you and your school work. And if they are really your friends they should not be convincing you to do something that they know is wrong.
Single Parent Families
by Jarvon Stout, Grade 10
I look at this little boy growing up seeming glad
But in his eyes I can see that deep inside he’s sad.
I look at this little boy asking mommy where is dad.
I look at this little boy and his face spells sad.
I look at this little boy getting teased every day.
Kids telling him he has no father, kids telling him to go away.
I look at this little boy standing all alone.
On the basketball court waiting for dad to come home.
I look at this little boy furious asking “Mommy where did he go”?
Her answer “Just know he left a long time ago”.
I look at this little boy trying to figure out.
What his dad must look like, but his mind is filled with doubt.
I look at this little boy trying so hard to see
The day he might once meet his dad, oh what a joyous day it would be.
I look at this little boy counting the days
His bright spirit dying, his soul beginning to fade.
I look at this little boy slowly giving up hope
Wondering to himself if he will ever learn to cope.
I look at this little boy trying so hard to fill
The empty void in his life, always standing still.
I look at this little boy living without his father
But every single day it gets harder and harder.
I look at this little boy no longer himself
From the hole in his heart left by someone else.
I look at this little boy who tries to forget
The man who left him, never giving him a second guess.
I look closely at this little boy, and what do I see?
I’m looking at this little boy and that little boy is me.
Self Reliance
by K’nyshau Cameron, Grade 11
The best place to find a helping hand is at the end of your own arm. – Swedish proverb
I can remember when I hurt my knee for the third time, knocking the bone out of place. I was at my second ballet rehearsal and everyone who belonged on the scene was there. We were basically crowded into this small room that felt as though it was a walk-in clothes closet. Everyone tried to do his or her part trying not to bump into the next person. It was total chaos. The director tried to get to the actual place where the recital was to be held, but there was a function going on.
With flips, tricks, and splits, I knew that sooner or later someone was bound to get hurt. I did not think that the person would have been me. The scene with the three dolls was on set. I was one of the dolls, the Arabian doll to be exact. The other two dolls were friends of mine, the joker and the Marsupial. I was placed between them. My turn came to do the dance. I was fine until I came to the part where I had to spin and jump around the two dolls. I tried to avoid kicking my friend, the joker, and the table that was a prop for the scene. There was not enough space for me to pass between the two and I ended up on the table. Because my costume was slippery and the table was smooth, I slid, hitting my knee on the edge of the table and landing directly on my pelvic bone as I reached the floor. The music for my piece was not finished, so I tried to continue dancing, when really, I was limping instead of jumping and leaping. My leg could not continue on to the end of my song so it gave out on me, me crashing, once again, to the floor.
Everyone gathered around me asking all kinds of questions. It was as though they spoke a different language because of all the pain I was in. I could not understand a thing, except that my knee started looking like a pumpkin and my back was aching. My eyes brimmed as I felt the throbbing of my knee and the burning sensation on my lower back. Everyone was in my face, trying to get me to stand up. Chico, my friend’s father, told them to leave me alone and he picked me up and placed me on the nearest chair that was available. I could not raise my right leg, the one that was injured, and I screamed as he raised it for me. As my leg was elevated, I sat on the edge of the chair trying to straighten my back. My knee grew larger as if it was being blown up like a balloon by a clown. My entire leg felt numb, but it was then that I felt as though I had to get up and try to walk. I fell on the floor with a thud, as I tried to get off of the chair. Everyone rushed my way, trying to help me, but I pushed them off and told them that I can get up by myself. As I struggled, I glimpsed Chico coming towards me with a bag of ice. He was surprised to see me on the floor again. He too tried to help me up and put me back in the chair, but I refused.
I knew that I had to walk some way or the other, I remembered the last time I hurt my knee, the guy who fixed it told me that I should walk on it to decrease the swelling and circulate the blood. I told my Chico and the others to stand aside. I crawled, military style, toward a pillar and I grabbed onto it like a child grabs onto his or her parent’s leg and slowly made my way up until I stood. Everyone’s eyes watched me in amazement, eager to see what else I would do. I stumbled onto a wall, and on the wall had a ledge. I clasped the ledge until my knuckles cracked. I walked along the wall, step by step, in pain.
My Knee eventually got smaller and I became tired. Mr. Vanterpool, one of the cast members, ran towards me and lifted me up. When I caught myself, I was back in the chair, but this time, I had an ice pack on my back and on my knee. Everyone squirmed around me again giving their remedies of how to make me feel better. One of my friends got me a sandwich and told me to eat, but I was in too much pain to eat. Before I knew it, I was on a bed, and the EMT’s were strapping me down. I stared at the straps wondering why I had to go to the hospital. That was the first time I had ever ridden in an ambulance. The EMT’s were funny. They told me that no one who rides in their ambulance comes out crying, and they were right, because as I was rolled to the room, I was smiling.
I was settled on the bed in the hospital room and my friend was by the door, staring at me. She was telling me that I had “guts” and that she liked how I was determined to stand up by myself. I smiled and closed my eyes. As I did this, I heard a door in the hall fling open and a mouth saying, “Where is she?” The person I heard was my mother, she came through my door panting slowly, awed at what she saw. She rushed towards me asking me if I was feeling alright. She told me that she called someone who was at the practice just to see how my little sister and I were doing, until the person told her that I was at the hospital. The doctor came in requesting that I take a drug that would make me sleep and numb the pain. My mother refused and told me that sometimes the drug can make a person addicted. I took an x-ray a couple minutes after and the doctor said that my pelvic bone was just bruised and that he did not find anything broken in my knee. However, he said that I might have torn a timey ligament in the knee that cannot be seen via the x-ray. I was worried and felt like I was a real drama queen. He told me to calm down, but how could I? The show was the next day! I had been practicing for months, especially on point, just for the show. Point ballet was something that I personally believed I could not do, and now that I finally got to do it, I was deprived of it.
My mother wanted me out of the hospital as soon as possible because she did not like how they wanted to drug me. The doctor placed a cast my knee and gave me crutches. I was signed out of the hospital and was rolled out in a wheel chair to the car. My mother carried me to her friend, an herbalist and chiropractor. This was my third time going to him for my knee. When I walked into his room, he smiled at me and shook his head. He had me sit to the edge of my chair and grabbed my foot. Before I knew it, I was standing up. He told me to walk towards the door and I did. I limped a bit, but the pain was gone! He called me back and placed a mat on the floor so that I could fix my back. My back cracked as if it was a chocolate nestle crunch bar being eaten. It did not hurt a bit and he smiled, telling me that now I was fixed. He also told me that I could not dance for the show the next day and that I needed to rest my knee from all the hard work I had put it through.
The next day, I went to the place where the show was being held. I went early enough to see the props being set up and the girls and boys practicing their parts one last time. The stage gradually became free of dances. I walked onto the floor slightly limping. I thought everyone was back stage, but really they were to the sides of the stage whispering and watching me. I ignored them and tried to do my first dance. I was in pain as I tried to do the steps. My dance instructor rushed onto the floor telling me that I did not have to dance if I didn’t want to. She also told me that she would just have to leave my play because no one could fill my spot. I personally felt that would have been tacky for my music to play and no one dancing. I told her that I would dance and that I would do it even if she told me no. I knew that she was scared for me, but I felt that I needed to perform. This was my first time doing point ballet and I invited many people. I could not let them down.
The evening of the recital began, and everyone was getting ready to start the show. My mother helped me to get ready. All the other parents told her to not let me dance, but she told them that she could not do that because I would go ahead and dance anyway. As I put on my back brace and my knee brace, my little watched me. She seemed scared and proud at the same time. I smiled at her assuring her that I would be okay. My costume showed the outline of my braces, but I did not care, for once, how it looked.
As I came out, I got a standing ovation. I was shocked because it was if everyone knew my situation. The part when I had to spin and jump around the two other dolls came and everyone who was there when the accident happened was on the edge of the seats. I improvised and spinned in front of the two dolls. I looked behind me and I saw my dance instructor smiling as if she had gotten gift for Christmas. I smiled back and assured her that I was okay.
The entire show was over, and I was in the most pain I had ever been in my entire life. Only my mother knew what I was feeling because I pretended to be fine when everyone else cam around me. My mother watched me and smiled. She told me when we entered the car that I was one determined girl and that everyone thought that I would not have performed. She said that the other parents were saying that I am one true performer, no matter my situation; I always try to put it past me and do what I have to do. Personally, at that time, I felt that I was just being loyal to my dance team and my supporters, but really, I was being loyal to myself. I learned that lack of loyalty is one of the major causes of failure in every walk of life.
No one can really pull you up very high-you lose your grip on the rope. But on your own two feet you can climb mountains. – Louis Brandeis
The Web
by Alejandro Prince, Grade 12
“All things are connected
Whatever befalls the earth
Befalls the son of the earth
Man did not weave the web of life:
He is merely a strand in it
Whatever he does to the web
He does to himself” – Chief Seattle
Each human is gifted with the ability to have a positive effect on the world and it is our choice whether to live up to that ability or not. If we do not release our potential then the earth’s opportunity to improve will have passed, for there is no one else on the planet that could do what we could have done in our own unique way. If the web of life is to remain effective and strong, then it is our responsibility to live up to what we are capable of. Responsibility is our efforts to be all that we can in order to fulfill our duties as strands of the web so that our existence as a race will not fade.
Mahatma Gandhi once said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” I’ve found these words to be true; nothing gets done just by someone wanting it to be done; we must make it our responsibility to see that it comes to pass. To sit down idly and watch the world happen around us is what makes us into the strands that weaken the web. Think about it, a spider’s web that is missing strands will not be able to catch food because it is not tight and sturdy. If we find no sense of responsibility in living, then the web loses the purpose for which it was created for in the first place because of apathy towards duty. The lack of responsibility of a few people may not seem like much, but we never know how much greater an outcomes can be if those few people embrace their responsibility. Think of it this way. There are many parts to the human body, one of which is the hand, think of what would happen if someone was to lose a finger, dexterity would diminish and many functions of the hand may be out of reach. If one were to lose two or three fingers the effect would be greater and the hand as a whole could possibly be left useless. If we are to grasp and take hold of a better world, we need each finger, each strand to work responsibly.
A body that does not maintain each of its parts goes through the worst kind of suffering- the kind that goes unnoticed until it’s too late to stop the consequences. Lacking the understanding of us all being tied together is what causes the majority of all disputes between people and nations. Whether the difference is in beliefs, race, gender, or tangible possessions, we must overcome it and build a new foundation that is based on support for one another. We are all part of this earth; the things that we do or do not do affect it. The purpose for which we live and the goals we all have tie together. Different tasks and jobs need to be completed to maintain the earth’s balance. We operate in a bee-flower relationship.
To demonstrate social responsibility takes both boldness and selflessness. I say this from experience. One year at my school, there was a conference where a group of people spoke to us about the risks of sex and STDs. There was one speaker in particular that caught my attention. Her story is that in the act of having sex for the first time, she contracted AIDS. Her story touched me, and I felt that since I have a gift to inspire others and reach people’s hearts with my words, it was my responsibility to have a conversation with her. I knew that she was already doing good with herself in that she was sharing her story to help keep others from trouble, but I wanted to assure that she herself was not empty inside. My goal in speaking to her was to keep the fire inside her burning. As we spoke I dared her to have faith. Faith that her life still has meaning and reason, faith that her hope for something more is not lost yet. Call me naive, but I didn’t see the point in her accepting the disease given to her without believing that one day she can be free from it or at least live a life that is not limited to the boundaries the disease may demand. Her facial expression changed. I knew it was a bold and probably foolish thing to do, but it seems as though me walking in what I believe my responsibility has turned out for the better. She grew from my words. Rather than her getting upset, she thanked me. She did feel encouraged and I could see in her face that she would continue to bring others hope at an even greater level. The decision I made was to be a strand in the web that would help to strengthen another.
The idea of the web of life is not just that what a man does to himself he does to the whole we, or vice-versa, but the true essence of the idea is life itself is not maintained unless the inhabitants of the earth realize the importance of the connection we share. If we can all work to “be the change you wish to see in the world,” then change will surely some. However, is we fail to take hold of our responsibilities, we progress nowhere. It is against human nature to do nothing; we breathe for a reason, let’s make each breath count.
St. Croix Educational Complex
Peer Pressure
by Laura Oscar, Grade 9
How do you recognize peer pressure? When is it a negative thing and when is it a positive thing? How can you change it from negative to positive?
At some time in your life, your peers intimidated you to do things which you did not want to do. This is called peer pressure. The American heritage College Dictionary defines peer pressure as pressure from one’s peers to behave in a manner similar or acceptable to them. Peer pressure can also be defined as the pressure received from your peers or others around you to follow their standards of conduct, way of thinking, and values in life. Most people go through peer pressure at some point in their life. However, others go through peer pressure all of their life.
How might you know if your friends are going through peer pressure? It is surprisingly easy to recognize peer pressure. One of the many ways in which you recognize peer pressure is through a change in a person’s behavior. This person may start to dress, talk, and act differently. This person may also begin to spend time with new crowds or friends. When a person’s behavior changes it is usually because that person has low self –esteem and is being influenced by others to change their ways. You can recognize peer pressure by observing a person’s behavior and the people with whom they spend time.
Peer pressure is often viewed as a negative thing. This is true in most cases. Peer pressure is a bad thing when it endangers your health, you and the others around you. Bad or negative peer pressure is often the result of being involved with the wrong kinds of crowds. You might start to lose your real friends because of negative peer pressure. Things, which you were once ecstatic about, will start to seem wearisome and tedious to you. Here is an example of negative peer pressure from my experience. My underage friends and I were invited to a party where liquor would be served. At a point in the evening an inebriated adult offered an alcoholic beverage to us. My friends chose to take the drink. I however refused the drink. By refusing the drink I showed as act of self-control and overcame negative peer pressure. Don’t let others make choices for you. All decisions carry with them a consequence. Remember peer pressure does not always have to be negative; it is just what you make of it.
Peer pressure can be positive, as well. You like many people did not even know that such a thing exists. Positive peer pressure is exactly what it implies; peer pressure with an upbeat feedback. When your peers or those around you encourage you to do the right thing it is considered positive peer pressure. You and others around you benefit from positive peer pressure. Here is an example of positive peer pressure. “My friends and I gathered around a table to say goodbye to our friend, who would be leaving for college soon. We encouraged her to continue going to church and keep up her studies. ” This was an example of positive peer pressure. You will all be happy and safe if you choose to do the right thing.
If you realize that you are inflicting negative peer pressure on someone the best thing you can do is try to change that. There are a number of ways, which you can reverse it. One way in which you can turn negative peer pressure into positive peer pressure is by encouraging the person being influenced to more of an independent thinker. You can also make a difference in his or her and you life by making the choice to do the right thing when a problem presents itself. This is only one of the many ways in which you can change peer pressure into positive peer pressure. Another way in which negative peer pressure can be converted into positive peer pressure is through admitting that you have been a negative influence to whomever you have affected. Then you can work out whatever problems you have. The first approach would probably be more acceptable to making the person an independent thinker, because it encourages self-reliance.
Many teens and people around the world go through peer pressure. Teenagers are the age group most likely to be pressure. A person who is being pressured will most likely have low self esteem, will power and self –confidence. There are two types of peer pressure, positive peer pressure and negative peer pressure. Positive peer pressure is being an encouraging friend, while negative peer pressure is being deleterious. You can help people who are going through negative peer pressure by being a real friend by allowing them to make their own decisions. People who pressure are most likely to have issues themselves such as problems in the home. Peer pressure is not a joke and it should be taken seriously. Many people end up scared because of this. Have respect for yourself. Remember say “NO” to negative peer pressure. Stick up for yourself and your values. We are all empowered by our good choices.
Single Parenting
by Carina Felix, Grade 10
Single parenting is increasing rapidly in today’s world. With single parenting, there are many disadvantages, but there are still some advantages. Being a single parent can also be difficult, yet joyful. Single parents have much to adjust to being that they take care of the child by themselves. Being a single parent does not mean that not help will be available.
Most single parents today are not prepared. Sometimes, becoming a single parent is unexpected and the parent does not know who to adjust to taking care of their child by themselves. Single parents need to establish strong support networks, personal friendships, and positive parenting skills. They need to learn how to synchronize the demands of both work and child-care. Single parents also need to be able to enforce limits, rules, and boundaries in order to raise respectful children. These are but a few challenges facing single parents.
Single parents may also go through emotional issues that may be difficult to deal with. Not only do the parents struggle emotionally, but the children of the single parents struggle too. Single parents also need to have patience in order to understand and tend to their child. A single parent must be able to fulfill the roles of a mother and a father. Being a single parent may be frustrating at times, but that parent must be there for their child at all times.
With the many disadvantages, being a single parent also has its advantages. One advantage is a closer bond with the child. Also, in most single-parent families, children tend to be more mature. The children are more mature because they often have to be more responsible for themselves. Also, children of single-parents, in some situations, have to be responsible for taking care of their siblings or other close relatives. Children who grow up in single-parent households are more mature, realistic and independent.
Great single parents are those who can be disciplinarians as well as nurturers; and those who can put their child’s needs first. Single parents must also be able to manage working and parenting by somehow fitting 30 hours worth of responsibility into 24. Great single parents are those who can be a role model for their children, maintain a healthy relationship with the other parent, and encourage their child to do the same. Single parents are involved in their child’s life and play and active role in their education. I am a part of a single parent household and it may be difficult at times, but everything plays out well.
Independence – Ability Not Necessity
by Shelsa Marcel, Grade 11
This was the opportunity of a lifetime. This was my chance to branch out from under the comfortable wings of my family and fly free. It was finally time to go out into the world and put all that I had been taught to the ultimate test. “Me against the world” – the moment had come to asset my independence and see what I was made of. This summer I had the opportunity to truly put my character to the test. Up until now, I Shelsa Marcel, had thought of myself as an independent individual, independence in my view, meant being adequately capable of handling whatever life could throw my way. Like many of my adolescent peers, I felt completely self-reliant and was simply awaiting the moment to affirm my ever declared independence. Yet, as I was about to learn, although a valuable trait, complete and total independence can never take one as far as they aspire to go.
The independence of others had always astounded me. The strength, determination, and ingenuity of those around me never failed to spark awe within me. I, too, desired to be independent, which meant for me, freedom from reliance on others. Even as an older sister, when others would say “There is the big girl, the big sister”, I would always smile proudly thinking, yes I can take care of everything myself. Growing with a personal sense of self-reliance I considered myself to be extremely self-sufficient. We all smile at the toddler who is able to get himself dressed for school. We praise the independent leader of various groups. Our nation treasures the great American stories of people who were able to overcome trials and hardships and achieve their dreams, even when they had to stand alone. They were known as revolutionaries such as the pilgrims, Martin Luther King, Jr. and even Barack Obama. We like to think that these heroes rose on their won to become great. That was the kind of independence I longed for. The ability to make it on my own if need be. Why? For self-reliance is valued as an essential quality in our culture today. However, I had a mistaken mindset concerning my personal self-reliance and that of my role models.
While admiring all the great independent leaders, I had overlooked an important factor. It seemed to me that they had made it on their won, but this was not the case. Yes, their independence gave them the ability to prevail and provide for themselves, but behind each of these greats were others who encouraged them and pushed them to keep on moving. The pilgrims survived through the help of the God- sent Indians who helped them through the winter. As a youth, Barack Obama was given a moral foundation and taught by his grandparents and his mother to work hard and value his education. Martin Luther King, Jr. put His faith in God, and with the support of the blacks in the nations, brought about change. All these heroes of independence were not alone, but rather were motivated not to give up when times got difficult. They did not solely relay on themselves, but rather leaned on invaluable support systems, their family, supporters, and friends.
I was finally here, living my independence to the fullest at my summer program in California. However, my freedom wasn’t exactly how I had imagined it. By the second week into the program I became aware of an important fact. I had made it halfway through the program miles away from home successfully, but I had not done it alone. Every step of the way, I had to ask for directions, depend on my roommates and classmates, and work with others to optimize my every opportunity. Most importantly, I was dependent on God as my source of strength, stability, and joy. Looking back at my experience in California, I came to realize that one is truly and completely independent for being independent means being dependent on yourself and using skills instilled in you as you were raised and taught throughout your life! Thus, I finally concluded that, whether it’s striving for financial independence, working to take care of your family, or making every effort independently to make our individual educational dreams come true, everyone is indirectly dependent on others.
While self-reliance truly is a great necessity, someone can only take themselves a certain distance. I learned that in order to accomplish my dreams and live life to the fullest, I had to be able to trust and rely on others to help me. One may seem to think that they have the strength to go on alone, but at some point in our lives we come to the realization that people need to be able to have a level of trust and reliance on others. As social beings, there is a need within us to have someone to trust in and turn to for help and encouragement. I had finally come to the realization that could not fully rely on myself. No one can. To finish the race, acquire the strength to preserve, and find a trust that would never disappoint, I had to fully rely on God. Yes, we can carry ourselves so far, but with the guidance of God and help of others, we may be able to go on an extra mile
Do I consider myself independent? Yes, but not according to the previously defined definition. Independence is having the essential ability to take care of one’s self without reliance on others, but it is not the sole necessity. Not only must one acquires the ability to take care of themselves, but must also have a level of trust and reliance on others. Having the humility to look to others for help and encouragements is also fundamental. As we travel on through life, we will have burdens to carry, goals to accomplish, and loads to bear; sure we could carry them alone, and at times we will have to. However, if we trust others, and carry one another’s burden, we will reach much farther in life that we could on our own. As for my decision, I chose to put my trust in God. In Him, I’m never alone. Once one has come to the realization of this fact, they truly learned an important law of life.
Life's Prime
by Tahyna Jules, Grade 12
I can faintly remember the days of my childhood. The days of Barbies, crayons, writing on the wall, trips to the park, visits to the ice cream man, games of hop scotch and jump rope; all distant memories. I wish that I could bring those memories back but like they say, “Once you lose something, it’s gone forever.” My childhood is gone, my childish manner-gone, my playful spirit and young tender mind, is gone. All things immature are gone. I do sometimes feel myself fighting relapse, wanting to back my childish ways, like using my imagination for one. Isn’t that a characteristic of immaturity? Or is it? How can maturity be classified or defined? Is it simply a mind frame or way of like?
Take my friend Antsy Pantsy for example, she works, pays her bills, and takes her kid to school each morning. Yet, every week when Saturday night comes around, she is everywhere but home with her child. She never refuses a drink or misses a party. She has no concept of what being a parent or responsible adult entails, but she is mature according to most dictionaries, which define maturity as, “the state of quality of being fully grown or developed in mind frame and bodily structure.”
Let’s not forget that father. That dad, who can’t seem to keep a job or get his “act” together. The daddy, or rather yet, the sperm donor who can’t pay his child support or even see his kids once in awhile. Yet, he can afford to have that drink at the bar every single night. Is he mature?
And what about the mother? The mom who refuses to give her children the attention they so avidly yearn for, but would rather run after men. A mommy whose main hobby is staying hip with the latest styles and fashion, while her kids go without descent clothes and shoes. What about her? Is she mature?
What about me? A young lady forced to “grow up” quickly at the tender age of seven, after her parents divorced. Whose mother became a single parent raising three girls on her own. A kid learned that being independent and smart was inevitably a must for survival. Could I possibly be classified as being mature?
Ironing clothes, helping my sisters with their homework, cooking and cleaning became my daily rituals; while other kids my age enjoyed camping trips and “Family Fridays” with mom and dad at Chuck E. Cheeses. Reading became my only comfort and one of the ways I could connect with my mother. Despite her rigorous schedule, she always had time to read a good book and often times I would employ myself in reading her novels after she’d finish them so we could have light conversation about them. These in-book adventures satisfied me more that running outside with the kids my age could ever do, or so I thought at the time; and because of it I turned my back on adolescence and forcefully push my way into the world of “adulthood”.
There is no doubt in my mind that I have “grown up”, but mature I am not. No one can be completely “mature”. Not until the day of extinction, the day we take our last breathes, will we ever understand what true maturity is. It is a process, learned over time through experiences, good and bad. It is developed by out observations and the lessons we learn each day. Only after our full lives have been lived will we understand who we and ultimately be “fully grown and developed in mind frames and bodily structure”. Age brings forth maturity which is, without a doubt, life’s reward, administered by death.
St. Croix Central High School
Peer Pressure Among Adolescents
by Gregory Bodley, Grade 9
What is peer pressure? Peer pressure, in my opinion, is when your peers influence you to do something that you do not want to do. Peer pressure is one of the oldest and probably one of the main factors why students do wrong things. Even though peer pressure is understood as a negative influence, it can be positive influence, as well.
A few years ago when I had just began middle school at Seventh Days, a fellow classmate tried to force me into doing something I knew was wrong. The student who was sitting on the left side on me asked me to thief the cell phone that was in the pocket of another student’s backpack and both he and I will share it. He asked me because I was sitting closer to her. He and I were friends but we were not close. Keep in mind that I was a new student and I had no friends at the school. I was so uncomfortable and wanted to belong so badly, I considered doing it. When reality hit me and I started to think about the consequences I will face, I decided not to do it. After I told the student, “No, I am not going to do it,” he started calling me all kinds of names. After the incident, the experience of being a new student at a new school became harder because the name-calling got worse. I tried my best to ignore him and within a few weeks he stopped. Not too long after, I made fiends and things became more comfortable.
That experience was only a tip of the iceberg. As time went by and I got older, the influences became more serious. For example, I was told that I should try drinking alcohol because it makes you feel awesome. One of my peers was even willing to thief some rum from his mother’s cabinet for me. On many occasions, I was tempted to give it a try but when I think about the cost, I refused.
One of the most uncool things I was faced with was to go in the girls’ restroom. I really wanted to be in on that one but once again, I thought about the consequences. I am not saying that I did not give in at any time in the past because I did, but those situations were not serious. They were considered jokes. I am nowhere close to perfect. When I am approached with something that is really negative, I start to think about what my parents taught me, not to follow bad company and to choose right friends.
Peer Pressure is not easy to deal with, but I am learning to cope with it. When I am faced with a difficult situation, a situation I cannot handle on my own, I would sit and speak to my parents. If it is a situation where I am uncomfortable to speak to my parents about it I would speak to another adult.
ALWAYS REMEMBER NO MEANS NO.
Socio-Economic Status
by Chantel Ible, Grade 10
How would you respond to the homeless man on the street that gives you a big smile and a wave? That being said, how would you respond to the man who pulls up in a Mercedes Benz and does the same? Many people would not hold them up in the same regard and would favor one over the other. It would not matter to some that the pauper was a man of good deeds, and the rich man was the contrary. I strongly believe that people in our society are judged by their socio-economic status, rather than their merits.
First off, individuals with money are often held in high esteem. They are often seen as “driven” or “successful”, whether or not they have worked to get where they are. Take for instance celebrity socialites such as Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie. They have no major accomplishments, but people look at them and see the stylish clothes, expensive cars, the money and power, not the individuals. This should never be the case because money truly does not make the person.
Secondly, people who are less fortunate are often deemed “lazy” or “bums”. They may work twice as hard as the people who make twice as much, but to some, that does not matter. Twenty-six percent of veterans are left on the cold streets at night. Just imagine that these men are depicted as “beggars” because they suffer economically. They are not being judges on their bravery and strong character, but on the current conditions that affect their economical status.
Lastly, sometimes the best people in life are those who do not have any money. The poorest man in the world can be the most charitable. This is why I try to treat those who are not on the same socio-economic level as my equals. There is a shop that I frequent that is down a hill from my home. One day I entered the shop and greeted good morning to everyone there; my eyes turned to a man I knew was homeless. He was dressed the part, in tattered clothing and shoes that had seen better days. After perusing the shelves, I gathered my items for purchase and placed them on the counter. My total came up to $20.25. I held in my hand $18.00. Unbeknownst to me, the prices had gone up. I was about to put back the sweets that I had picked up, when the homeless man approached the counter and put down three dollar bills. I was about to resist, but somehow I felt that I would be fighting a losing battle. I said, “thank you”. As I made my way out the shop’s door, I looked back, and we shared a smile. This incident has always stuck with me. He helped me fit my bill and so much more in the same instant. He taught me to non-judgmental by his simple act of kindness.
In this society, people are being estimated on socio-economic status, instead of merits. This should not be. People with money are often held to a high regard. People without money are looked down upon. Many a times, it is those who are less fortunate that are the most charitable. I sound like a cliché, but one should never judge a book by its cover.
Self Reliance and Independence
by Nyal Oscar, Grade 11
We are each other’s keeper and people need people I have heard. According to Webster’s dictionary, self-reliance is dependence on oneself. The American Heritage dictionary defines independence as, “freedom from the influence, guidance, or control of others,” in short it is being self- reliant. Taking these two definitions into consideration it is clear that self reliance and independence mean the same. The question remains do I need others or am I independent in all the following aspects such as economic needs, intellectual progress and even in terms of emotional impact. Taking into consideration the statement I mentioned in my opening sentence, it tells that I need others, which means I am not totally independent.
Being a 16 year old in the 11th grade speaks for itself. It says that I am dependent on my parents for the basic necessities of life, namely food, clothing, shelter and even emotional needs. Even if I were out of school and have a job I still would be dependent on someone to give me that job. I would also need references from someone in order to help me get that job that I am looking for. Having a job would definitely give me a certain sense of independence and I would be able to provide my basic needs.
Learning is an ongoing process. You are never too old to learn. Therefore, my intellectual progress and learning is dependent on others to a certain extent. My parents first and foremost influence my intellectual p capacity. It is said that you parents or the family are the first teachers of one’s life, which means that children get influenced by what they experience in the home and their environment. They are the ones who instill certain beliefs and behavioral traits in you. All of this is part of the learning process. I am heavily dependent on my teachers, mother, and friends to influence my learning progress. By attending class on a regular basis, reading the material, enhances my intellectual capacity.
One would instantaneously think that you the individual determine or control your emotions. On many occasions it seems that our emotions just take control. How many times have we cried with our family when they cry, or laugh when they laugh, feel hurt when others are hurt and feel happy and share in the joys and successes of others. Even when we get embarrassed and tell ourselves that we won’t cry or let it bother us, it still shows in our facial expressions and behavior. Outside forces definitely impact us emotionally be it in sadness or happiness.
We are all human beings and we need each other. In all aspects of life at every age and every stage of life we are dependent on others. Be it for our economic needs, intellectual needs and emotional needs. First and foremost we cannot become trained in all aspects or profession of life. We cannot all be our own bankers, teachers, writers, parents, psychologists, nurses, car manufacturer’s, gas station owners, miners, electricians, policemen, firemen, soldiers, the president just to name a few. It is evident that we are all dependent on each other and we can never be self-reliant or independent in all aspects of life.
Laws of Life Essay
by Maria Ghirawoo, Grade 12
Maturity is a challenge everyone faces at some point in life. You really do struggle through the process, because not only are you becoming mature, but it starts to become an expected thing of you. If you ask about me in that subject, I never had a problem with it. In my case, I was forced to become mature very early in life. To answer simply, I had to! The situation that changed most of my life happened ten to twelve years ago when I was either six or eight years old. Things weren’t going well with my parent’s relationship and they finally decided to get divorced. That decision caused me to grow up very fast. I was left with two younger sisters to take care of and an older brother. Even though he’s older he still needed help with a lot of things. I understand that it was not my responsibility to take care of everyone, but no one can deny that my dad needed help, so I had to do what I could. I would get up early in the mornings and get my sisters ready for school and help my dad prepare for work. Work always kept my dad so busy and stressed out, so I would try to do what I could so that he would not have to worry about the house or anything. I was not very good at cleaning the house and I didn’t know who to cook either. My dad hired a friend of the family name Kenya. I asked her to teach me simple things to cook so that I would be able to make food for my dad and sisters and brother. My trials of growing up didn’t end there, for it was not only house work that I had to worry about, I soon realized that I would have to bear the emotional stresses of the divorce. My sisters would always come to me crying, frustrated because they didn’t understand why mom and dad could not make up, well neither did I. I would often comfort them, my brother would get frustrated sometimes, but he could handle it way better that me, he understood the situation more that I did, but I tried to. The hardest part of the divorce was the switch from dad’s house to mom’s house. My sisters would always start crying and then everyone would get emotional. It was really hard. Later on, my dad moved to a new house and us with him. I got pretty good at cleaning and cooking. Oh yea, my mother was also me with everything when we went over by her house, and sometimes she would come over to my dad’s house and help me get my sisters ready for school. My father and mother never ceased to tell us how much they loved us, and that they are really sorry about the situation, but they needed some time apart. GOD really became my best friend during that time, and I could only remember getting through all that because he was right there guiding us through it all. A year or two, my mother and father remarried and renewed their vows. I am always grateful to GOD for that. That experience in my life helped me grow up, passed through maturity and I’m able to understand a lot and am capable in a lot more areas than most people. Maturity basically increased my understanding, patience and experience. For that I am also very grateful. I’m able to council my friends and give them the right advice. I’m able to understand a lot of people’s feeling and help them in their situations. I’m able to push myself and others in the areas we need. I can do so much more than before. So if you ask me do I regret going through that experience? No, I don’t, because in every area even without me knowing it right at that time, I benefited in all areas. In other words I’m truly blessed. I thank GOD for molding me into the person that I am today.
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