I sit in the dimmed auditorium of my high school, peering up at the students on the stage with a boulder in my stomach. Clutching the three pages of my poem in my sweaty palms, I tell myself that I …
When I first heard the song âRoyalsâ by Lorde, I didnât care why it was written. All I knew was what I was seeing when I closed my eyes. Not the official music video, but mine. There was a neon …
Magnanimous chunks of ice paint obituaries in the Arctic sky, epitaphs of mountains that once rose proud into the skies. Perhaps a reflection of this very sight led environmentalist Robert Swan to reach his epiphany. “The greatest danger to our …
Transitional Birthday I stare blankly at myself in an old and dirty mirror. Every year I somehow end up in my parentsâ bathroom on the day of my birthday. Today is my 13th birthday. As I stare into the mirror, …
There are many stories about brave firefighters and policemen who gave up their lives on that fall morning. They were prepared for the tragedy that was at hand. It was the average men that acted so bravely, were not trained …
As I scooped the last bite of warm spaghetti into my mouth one October evening in 1994, I heard a voice from the next room. âCome on Tracy, I want to teach you some five-letter words tonight.â âOkay Daddy, here …
I sit at the table, palms sweaty, fingers tingling, tentatively hovering over the colored cards placed in front of me. My directions seem simple, choose the most important or impactful things in my life based on categories, special things, places, …
Have you ever done something good and gotten rewarded? Or done something bad and gotten punished? Weâve all been there, good and bad, this is why I believe you get what you give. A time in my life that made …
Itâs the one word that I never thought would be applied to me. This time it wasnât the neighbor or the relative or even the co-workerâŠit was me. That one phone call from my oncologist. That one sentence my parents …
âHumanitarianism consists of never sacrificing a human being to a purpose.â Albert Schweitzer once said this. This quote mirrors how I see myself as a philanthropist in need of an education. With education I can reach my prosperity by using …
Apprehension flooded my stomach as the plane touched down in Panama. I had visited the country before and loved it, but this was not a vacation. We were moving here for an entire year. My uncle would be living here …
I am a naturally neat, organized, and meticulous person. I enjoy sorting my books and make up into different containers and shelves according to size, color and type. The beginning of school is one of my favorite times of year …
Before I could even read, I was read to. When I was young, my dad seemed determined to introduce me to the fantasy and sci-fi that he’d loved in his youth (and I mean die hard fantasy and sci-fi. Those …
In sixth grade, I wrote my first autobiography. It was a school project, in which I had to write about my life and glue on some pictures and artifacts. I put it together with enthusiasm, received an A, and filed …
Imagine monkeys and dogs crying out in pain, rabbits bleeding from the eyes because of chemicals, and three or four animals crammed into tiny cages. This is what scientists that test on animals see everyday. In America, 30 million animals …
To give a reader the feeling of being in Florida, there are many different aspects of Florida culture that could be described. In some stories, writers have used orange agriculture to help give the reader the feeling of being in …
You will find me at the site of a terrorist attack as I will be the key to whether or not you know the victims. You might see me on TV testifying in court. People will approach me regarding information …
We all search for acceptance. Whether it be social acceptance, acceptance from our parents, or even self acceptance, we all want it. And we all deserve it. But I think we all have felt like we don’t really fit in …
I’ve heard thatsometimes God has to knock us on the head to get our attention, but I never expected Him to actually do it.In my case, though, He knocked on my left knee. I wasn’t really sure what I wanted …
Iâve been through a lot of challenges in my life. Most of the challenges I faced, I faced as a small girl in elementary and middle school. But those challenges didnât leave any scars. The day before I was supposed …
In the beginning all I wanted was a research opportunity with adequate pay. The job I received gave me so much more. My job became a way of life. Here are the things I must tell you for the sake …
Born and raised in Hawaii, I, like the majority of locals, am a classic example of racial diversity. The cultural mixing pot that is Hawaii has prompted many culturally diverse experiences not unique to my own Filipino-Chinese-Caucasian heritage. I’m able …
Miley Cyrus is one of the most rumoured pop singers as of today. Her provoking, careless acts have left much to talk about. Miley Cyrus started out as a Disney star, at the age of twelve. She grew up in …
Senior Capsule âSo, has anyone figured out what they want to put in this yearâs time capsule?â Coach Hardesty asked his StuCo students. âCoach, I got an idea for how we can decorate it,â answered Abbey. âYou already know that …
âAs I dodge the rocks on the travel-beaten path, I let my steps fall heavy and my pack settle back. I am moving forward but moving blindly all the same. Mind blank, my attention wanders as my feet fall into …
The sound of opening brand new tennis balls fills my ears with a powerful pssht. Today is another game day, this time we â the girlsâ tennis team – are up against our rivals from Oak Ridge. I am playing …
Flying anxiety? That is a term I will never be able to comprehend. I’ve never been nervous on a plane. In fact, my experiences in the air have been spectacular. The moment I step on board, I give up control …
Wouldnât it be nice if everyone was as dependable as you wanted them to be? Well that isnât the way things go people will always let you down and no matter how good of a friend you are to them, …
âDonât try this at home!â announced the slouched second grader who proceeded to thrust her arms toward the sky before cartwheeling into the misty, green pool. I had gaped at my childhood friendâs daring ways from the opposite side of …
The presence of stress and sweat fill the air. Student government election season is the time for the ambitious to come out and fight for a position. I only looked at the title and did not consider how much responsibility …
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There are few events more conducive to making a 14 year old boy have an anxiety attack than putting him on a pitcherâs mound in a game in front of 30 of his very attractive female peers. I learned this …