Check Please!

It's been a while and all I can say is I'VE BEEN BUSY. Being a part of the crew of the play and everything else I've had to handle has had almost overwhelmed. I must say, though, that I'm glad that I decided to become a part of the play.It seems that I'm always thrown in tech. I audition and I don't get cast but Mr Campbell decides I'll be the perfect stage manager or sound director. My ego can't help but be hurt, but then I realize that tech is just as awesome.
Just like The Fantasticks, Check Please was priceless. I have to say, though, my favorite scene was Alenson's. (His facial expressions are absolutely hilarious). Despite this, everyone was amazing. I could tell they completely emcompassed their character. Sometimes while watching I forgot it was my classmate on the stage. I love how the play was short and simple but comedic as well. I think everyone who watched it was very pleasesd by the performance. I know I was. And, to be honest, I wasn't extremely eager to attend dress rehearsals for three hours, but it was worth it. Even though my job was extremely simple, it was also fun, and I love how the song choices brought the play and characters to life even further. (Cheers for Mr. Campbell, the actors, and the crew for the song suggestions).
It was also cool that Glee, which I happen to be a part of, sang Seasons of Love. I thought it was genius that the night began with, and in a sense ended with it.
I hope the musical is just as, if more, fun. And hopefully I'm actually an actor instead of someone in the crew (just saying Mr. Campbell and Ms. Rose).
Oh and a standing ovation for Kevin, the best stage manager I have ever seen. I really believe he was born for that job. I wonder, what would the play be without him?

Today I was supposed to go stay for the Stress Workshop but there was a family emergency and I had to leave. I still want to say what stresses me out, though, to admit that I do beat myself up about a lot of things. So here goes: I'm constantly stressed out about math classes and whether or not will succeed. The worry is not whether or not I will pass. I know I can pass with at least a meager 75 even if I don't exert 100% effort and barely try. But what is that? That's not going to to get me into Syracuse. Not a chance. The fact the I don't really always understand Algebra and that I have to always try harder than everyone else does, and half the time I don't exceed over an 80 is frustrating. It's always been math. I'm someone who aces essays and the humanities. Writing is my passion and I can read a Harry Potter book in about a week if I really want to. The fact that there are times where people believe math is more important than English, being that it is in everything that you lay your eyes on really stresses me out.It's not one of my strengths and I can't help but freak out when I get a quiz back, or my homework answers turn out to be wrong. I hope it will get easier, but I doubt it since it never has ever since I can remember.

I probably should have written a reflection piece on the trip the tenth graders have recently taken but what can i say? I've been really busy. One thing that this trip has caused is a motivation for all of us to pick ourselves up and get our act together. I feel like Quarter one is always the time where the majority of us slack off. Personally, my mind is still in the summer and the thought of me being back in school hasn't fully registered. That's why I think that the time of the trip was an eye opener for all of us. Initially, I cringed and moped at the thought of us going Upstate in November where it's cold and gray. I thought, this trip will be a very beneficial-in May. But now I'm actually glad that the trip was scheduled when it was. Because of it, I know at the moment that my college will be Syracuse university.The tour caused me to really visualize myself there, being a writer for Jerk magazine and a resident of the Newhouse School. Knowing that I have to push myself at the top of my game to get to Syracuse in a few years has really motivated me to do all the stuff that no one really wants to do. I find myself get extra credit whenever I can, writing everything in my planner, studying rigorously on my days off because of my insatiable hunger to be at Syracuse. Now I know that there is a chance that I will change my college choice in the coming years, but the way I see it, that school will have to be just as good or better than Syracuse. Either way, I'm going to have try my hardest in everything i do. For me, Syracuse is the first college that I have visited that makes everything I've been working towards since the fifth grade actually real. I commend Ms. Guzman, Ms. Cartwrite, Ms. Algozo, Ms. Roth, Ms. Gala, and everyone else who planned the trip. really enjoyed it and it's safe to say that the majority of the people who went did as well. Because of it, we have a new surge of determination to have the pleasure of opening that acceptance letter to the college they truly see themselves at.

Just keep going

I'll be honest: I didn't try very hard in the beginning of the school year. I didn't really want the summer to be over and i was slacking a bit. I mean, I still tried and did what I had to do, but I could have been doing better. See in my family, I need to do better than everyone else. It isn't enough to be average or mediocre. I need to constantly push myself and I need others to push me as well. It's always a challenge, especially when you get tired or you let your confidence get in the way of doing your best. You just need to kepp on going. Continue to give life your all and be proud of yourself. At the same time, never become too satisfied with where you are and always strive for more. Take what you want in life and remember that hard works is what accomplishes goals. Only you can really change your life.

It's a Challenge

Writing for the newspaper reminds me of what Eminem says in his song white America. It's like someone is going through my words with a haired toothed comb, and it's not something I'm used to. My initial reaction is to get upset and complain how i can't write exactly how i want to. To say that they are forcing me to write what they want. But that isn't true. It's just really different from blogging, where it's encouraged to write exactly what's on your mind. It doesn't matter what they think of it because this isn't their blog, it's yours.But even a column isn't like that. It's not like writing articles. To me it seems harder. Because you have more freedom, and you have the power to voice your opinion. But the thing is, you need to learn to use it. Just writing it out doesn't do anything if it's just there.You have an audience now. With great power comes great responsibility.

Farewell

Farewell my friend I barely knew
you gave us hope to strive for more
your jokes funny intentions true
it was your class that we adored.
I'll never forget these things I've learned
forever you'll be a part of us.
It was a hard choice to leave we heard
no matter what happens it is you we love.
You taught us the meaning of reading the lines
through laughter and happiness we never knew
it was all the others that we left behind
because of the lectures that had us enthused.
A part of our family you'll always be
no matter what happens we're here open arms
we'll miss you Ms. Old like a tree misses leaves,
it is here that you'll stay-
in our minds and our hearts.
-Dedicated to Ms. Old <3

It will get better

What Mr. Baker spoke to us about today at Common Ground was very moving and influential. I want to say that I respect him for his amazing courage. By telling us something that personal willingly shows how much he trusts us and that he is not ashamed of his orientation. We were exposed to diversity and differences and I think one of the steps to changing the epidemic of intolerance is getting rid of it our own community first. We can make a difference with each other and outside of our school if and I think Mr. Baker began the cycle. Like he said, and all the others who made a video did as well, it will get better. Thank you, Mr. Baker for being honest and exhibiting bravery and leadership today that will surely stay with us forever and motivate us to be apart of the change that WILL make it get better.