Study Like a Boss
Americanism, Boy, Caste, Ethnic Identity, Female, Minority, Modern Society, Nation, Nation Building, Woman, American Dream, Cultural Identity, Discourse Community, Diversity, Friendship, Gender Roles, Man, National Honor Society, Racial Profiling, Stereotypes, American Identity, Animal Cruelty, Citizenship, Communication, Community.
Just like most civilized people I dislike bugs. Actually I really hate them! Just thinking about them gets me all itchy and uncomfortable, and yet one summer evening I would find myself sticking my hands right into their dark slimy lair. I swear God has a weird sense of humor at times. But I guess … Read more
Augustus Waters from The Fault in Our Stars once spoke, “I’m on a rollercoaster that only goes up my friend. ” At one point in my life, I found this quote to be totally insignificant. Now that I look back on my teenage years, I see it. The rollercoaster only went up from the point … Read more
“Individual commitment to a group effort – that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work. ” Vince Lombardi, Green Bay Packer coach. This quote has been the foundation for my father’s belief that team sports teach commitment. When I started middle school my father insisted that I … Read more
Around five, I drive to meet Mark at a restaurant in San Francisco. I chose to go across the Golden Gate Bridge despite a third phobia of mine – a fear of heights. This fear I discovered the hard way when I walked with Mark and some friends across this same bridge for a charity … Read more
My first trip the rocky mountains in colorado was amazing. I had so much fun! It all started when a few days before summer break began last year when I overheard my step-dad and uncle talking about a hiking trip in Colorado that we were going to take sometime in the month of early July. … Read more
When I woke, the waning light of day had become total darkness; it consumed the entire room. At first, I did not know where I was and then felt Louis’ body against mine and remembered that he and I had made wonderful love before falling asleep. I could hear his even breathing; feel the warmth … Read more
I am a communicator because everyday single day I ask questions and talk to people. Mostly questions to teachers because sometimes I don’t get it, but sometimes my friends because they might be confusing. One of my goals is to not wait until the last minute to do all my homework because sometimes there are … Read more
There was a knock at the door. It was my roommate from college. I was finally riding on an airplane for the first time in 11 years. I had finally saved up enough money to go to Hawaii this Winter. The shuttle had arrived and we loaded our bags onto the van. I looked back … Read more
I was in at Save-A-Lot a couple of weeks ago and while I was in line to check out, I overheard a lady talk about a man that was following her on the walking path behind my house. She was talking about how this man would follow her for a couple hundred feet then stop, … Read more
Ever since my mother had me she always talked about California and how she used to live there and how much she loved it there. She was always talking about going but we never got around to it. During my freshman year, about one week after the second quarter ending and over four years of … Read more
Most people have moved before sometime in their life. For me, it was only two times. The first move was an international move from Vietnam to the United States of America, when I was barely 8 months old. At the time, it was just my mom, dad, and me, moving across the world to start … Read more
As a child, I remember laying on my twin-sized bed. On one side, all my stuffed animals lined up by size and importance, then me and my mother on the other. Each night, smelling like strawberry shampoo, I would line up my cotton menagerie, wiggle under the covers, and rest my head on my pillow, … Read more
Chapter 1 Awaken My name’s Michael and this is my story. This all started when I went to sleep in my home in New York. I had a dad, my mom had disappeared when I was five. Life was great until I turned 15. This is the year when my worst nightmare began. I was … Read more
It was a simple beginning to a beautiful day in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The dry morning air brought a wealth of warmth to my tired skin. “Today is a day of opportunity,” I thought. I would hopefully be entering the work force after a long battle with unemployment. I was excited because my days were … Read more
Having the luxury of great health and family, it can be difficult for me to see outside the realm of comfortability and see the daily hardships people experience. There are so many people without housing, stability, and monetary resources, and these people often find themselves wondering where they can find help and figure out what … Read more
High school is one of the biggest transitions in a person’s early life. You go from being at the top in your school to the bottom. For me, it was very hard to adjust to this change. On my first day of high school, I walked into first period so nervous I thought | was … Read more
Usually when you tell someone you don’t want to do something, you expect them to just understand and walk away. Even though I had been asked multiple times if I had read “The Hunger Games” the answer was still no. And then I continued on saying that I didn’t want to read it… ever. It … Read more
I hear the doorbell jingle as I add a scoop of chocolate fudge to this kid’s ice cream cone, causing me to poorly place the scoop and causing all three scoops to topple over. I mutter a cuss word under my breath and apologize to the chubby redhead standing in front of me looking slightly … Read more
One of the worst injuries that has ever occurred to me was having my fingers burned by extremely hot water. It was a cold, dark day at 7:31pm, and it was just me, my older brother, Gideon, and my younger brother, Theodore. I was 9 years old, Theodore was 2 years old, and Gideon was … Read more
Fall had just begun, but with so many trees in our yard and around the neighborhood – the yard was already brimming over with autumn leaves. To make things even more interesting (some would say worse) we live at the end of the block. Every breeze guides whatever debris it finds (including neighbor’s leaves) right … Read more
Hi my name is Cecilia Mairea Bjorn, funny name for a German girl right, I am eleven years old today, that means it’s my birthday and my best friend Angie Lofkin is coming over for my birthday party. We’ve been best friends for eleven years now so our whole life we’ve always spent our birthday’s … Read more
Growing up in a diverse city, the culture around me has always been different. Every person that I see always has a different type of belief than me. I’m a 17 year old Muslim student who lives in Southeast Texas. My father is from the Middle East, and my mother is from Western Europe. My … Read more
Growing up in a war torn country, I always dreamed of living in the United States. Every person in our small town talked about how exciting and full of opportunity America was. Play dates, cartoons, and trips to Disney land made the top of every little kid’s birthday wish. Unlike most children, my birthday party … Read more
My Dearest Carlo, As you know, I went through a series of events to get to Ellis Island and my experience there is worth telling. I will tell you about my voyage there, the very maddening inspections, and all my little experiences in-between and after. Let me tell you about my journey to get to … Read more
The first time Monsieur came to call, I was nervous, but vowed to Angelique that I would not show it. Mon pere invited Monsieur de Lafontaine to our last barbeque of the season, which was usually a small affair with twenty to thirty invited guests. I alone, was to entertain Louis de Lafontaine in the … Read more
People always say that in a near death experience, your life always flashes before your eyes. I waited for that moment to happen, but all I saw was the series of decisions that led me to the situation I was in. I remember this morning clearly, the day I had been waiting for, When I … Read more
We were almost through the state of North Carolina as we traveled on Interstate 95. It was rush hour and you could tell everyone was antsy and excited to get home. Cars traveled at 80 miles per hour, and some were even traveling faster than that. I could now see why it was ranked the … Read more
It is 5:30am on a rainy day on a reserve high up in the mountains of Costa Rica. I’m lying on the twin mattress of the top bunk that I’m sharing with another girl. We had gotten to the reserve two days ago and spent the day before digging a 2 metre deep septic tank … Read more
Throughout the years, billions of individuals have inhabited the Earth, each with their own lives and their own particular choices. With every choice made, these individuals have started to compose their legacy, which is the exemplification of who they are and what they have accomplished. I, like the majority of the rest of the world, … Read more
The warm ocean breeze blows across my face as we are loading onto the cruise ship. It is the summer of 2016, and my very first cruise. I brought my friend, Mariah, along with me for my first experience. We are on our way to Puerto Rico from Florida, which means we will be going … Read more
Most people measure success monetarily. We spend the majority of our lives working towards success (“Defining success”). The word “success” is defined in the Merriam Webster dictionary as the attainment of wealth, favor, or eminence. Individuals who would be considered successful in this generation are Kim Kardashian or even Justin Bieber. These celebrities simply live … Read more
Every morning I wake up to the annoying sound of Abigael’s alarm clock and the smell of my own leather. Don’t get me wrong; I love waking up to the song, “Endlessly” by the Cab, but does it have to be at six-fifteen in the morning every day even on weekends? I mean, does she … Read more
One sunny day my 65 billion brothers and I were eating our way through the jungle of South Africa looking for food when we stumbled among a plantation. A man named Leiningen owned this plantation. Since us ants eat everything in our line of vision it looks like Leiningen might be in some trouble later. … Read more
I became a sophomore just one year ago and I have enjoyed every bit of the High School. I’ve met new friends and I have seen some old good friends. I have appreciated what I have right now in school, grade and teacher wise. All of the teachers have been extremely helpful throughout the time … Read more
In 2013, My parents and I went to the Philippines for vacation, to visit family from the mom’s side. We had a blast visiting there. We only go to the Philippines every four to five years. Davao is the city where we usually visit because my mom’s side of the family is from there. Usually … Read more
Seeing my grandma again is always fun. The first couple of days with just my family in Florida were okay. On the way to Florida my mom told me that my cousins were coming to visit too right after they stop by Texas first to see their other grandma. I couldn’t understand why they would … Read more
AMBERGRIS CAYE, BELIZE Ambergris caye, Belize would be our destination. This is Belize’s largest island is not an overdeveloped place to go. We would stay in San Pedro since is the only town located in the island. We would fly an airplane from Seminole, Tx to Ambergris Caye, but we would make a two day … Read more
Have you ever wanted something so bad that once you have it you kind of sit back and reevaluate everything that just happened and you just need a small breather to take everything in? There’s just something about nature that takes my breath away and takes me to a different dimension. It makes feel so … Read more
Most children develop pretty similarly. They are born, they learn to crawl then walk and then run. My life didn’t start that way. I was born in February of 1994 in Redwood City, California to two loving parents. My parents were in their late twenties when they had me and were anxious to start a … Read more
“Yes! ” Today was the day of my first golf tournament. I was tingling with emotion and excitement. Personally, I didn’t know what to expect. I knew this day was coming, hopefully one of many tournament days. On the first tee, I was as nervous as an athlete competing in the olympics. I met my … Read more
Most people dream about what kind of car they want to get when they start driving. First cars are really special. Like most teenagers, I had to settle for a used car even if it was not my dream car. My first car was my most memorable car because I got my license in it, … Read more
Let’s take a ride (featuring 1967 Shelby GT500 A. K. A- The cloud factory): Today is starting off to be a wonderfully beautiful day. The cold morning air is rich with both oxygen and moisture, which smells like the recipe for power to me! As I, Sandra Sandpile, am waiting to watch the sun rise, … Read more
It was back in December of 2013 during fifth grade. My dad had set up a trip to go to Senegal. Senegal, Africa; which is on the western side and also where he was born. We were going to visit family members on my dad’s side of the family and it would be my first … Read more
I’m glad I was able to push myself to get to that point! It was my mission to change everything about me, that I could change with exercise. Whenever I started talking to people about it, they talked as though it was impossible to do. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I knew that … Read more
There is nothing more menacing, more intimidating, more alluring than the prospect of conquering a mountain. At 1:15 a. m. I emerged from my tent with my boots laced, my ice-axe stowed, and my headlamp glowing. I was ready for this mountain, rearing to begin the ascent up its face. Before leaving base camp, my … Read more
I was sitting in my freshman geometry class, talking to some friends about injuries. We were talking about how none of us have ever gotten injured in our entire life. I had been playing sports since I was in the sixth grade, and nothing ever happened. In my life I had never broken a bone. … Read more
Lunch was over and students were filing into the classroom. As soon as we got inside the atmosphere felt really uncomfortable. I looked to the second row of desks and saw Katrina, a long-time friend, digging through her desk, Mrs. Nakigawa, our homeroom teacher, looking over her shoulder with concern. “… but, it was here … Read more
When one thinks of summer, it immediately comes to mind the sight of sandy beaches, amusement parks and hot sunny days. Coney Island, an extravagant vacation playground to visit especially for the summer. I have recently had an opportunity to come to such a wonderful place that the sights are still engraved in my mind. … Read more
Catholicism has always been the central religion in my family heritage. Each of my family members, originating back to my great grandmother have been raised Roman Catholic. Both on my mother and father’s sides of the family they practice Catholicism. My entire life has been centralized around faith and believing in one God. I attended … Read more
Boom! The vicious, metal monster clasped down on its next victim, drawing the helpless people further into the depths of its massive body. The monster slithered like a ravenous snake as it pulled its prey along. The beast flew high above the clouds nearly touching heaven and then bolted like lightning towards the ground faster … Read more