"We are a Democracy"

"We are a democracy…That’s the difference between America and Germany.  We are a democracy and Germany is a dictatorship.  Dictator-ship.  Over here we don’t believe in persecuting anybody.  Persecution comes from people who are prejudiced.  Prejudice."  (Lee 245)

This was what Scout Finch learned from her third grade teacher, Miss Gates, in 1936, when one of her classmates shared a story about Nazi efforts to eliminate Germany’s Jewish population.  Scout later overheard Miss Gates, leaving Tom Robinson's trial, ironically supporting the verdict.  Tom was guilty.  Harper Lee contrasted Miss Gates explanation about democracy and persecution with her condemnation of Tom Robinson possibly to criticize the hypocrisy or irony of American public education in the 1930s.  Teachers like Miss Gates preached, but did not in reality understand or practice, democracy.

One of the primary functions of any system of public schools, in any country, is to support, promote, and perpetuate that country's values - whether they be political, social, moral, economic, spiritual, etc.  As Miss Gates explained, "We are a democracy."  No one questions that.  Or maybe they do.  What then is the role of the public schools in the United States in relation to this democracy?  In a response of between 350-450 words, please explain your understanding or interpretation of the purpose of your education. In other words, what is the purpose of public education in American democracy?  

I ask because before we begin our lessons and discussions about  American literature, American history, and American rhetoric, we need to first determine the purpose of these lessons and discussions.  A student will never fully grasp a lesson until she understands why she is learning it in the first place. There is no wrong answer to this question.  There isn't even a right or wrong way to interpret what the question is asking.  I only ask that you reflect on, and then write about your understanding of the purpose of your education in relation to the nation's democratic ideals.  Although it is by no means required, you might even explore how you think your specific experiences as Milton Public School students relate - or do not relate - to this purpose. 

As I wrote, there is no right answer.  However, a good answer will be well-written, intelligent, and convincing.  
  

                  "Who am I?" is one of the most deceiving questions someone could ask themselves. Why? Because with a quick glance to the question, the majority of readers respond with a typical answer such as, "I am Caitlin Smith. I am sixteen years old." However, you must take a minute to consider the following: Are we a name and a number? No. That is WHAT we are not WHO we are. Discovering who we are requires an analysis of ourselves. We must dig deep within and answer the question with brutal honestly. It is essential to share our personality and our qualities because without those you are nothing but a soulless body. With that said, here goes: I am awkward, ambitious, argumentative, cautious, friendly, honest, sensitive, reliable, determined, competitive, emotional, tidy, indecisive, respectful, cooperative, caring, independent, humble, ambitious, gullible and much more. This is who I am. These are the qualities I am composed of.

                However, simply put, I am a sixteen year old girl who loves sports, shopping, and watching movies. I believe I am the stereotypical teenage girl. I don't mind getting my nails done every once in a while and a trip to the mall never hurt anyone. What seems to most consume my life is my love for sports. Playing lacrosse is when I am happiest. I play on a club team called Mass Elite. We travel throughout New England and play in competitive tournaments. Although I am not the best on the team, I love playing with others who are much better than me. Actually, I prefer that. I like to be challenged in athletics and also in school. I confront each challenge, each battle, with a energy and excitement.

          "Who are you?" should be one of the easiest questions since you are around yourself every minute of every day. It is often challenging though because the average student who answers the question tries to think to hard about it. 

          I am Denis McAuliffe and I have lived in Milton my whole life. I live with my mother, father, and sister. I enjoy playing and watching sports. I have a very competitive edge which is part of the reason I love sports. I also enjoy the mental aspects of sports like baseball, basketball, and golf which I play at the High school. It has always been hard for me to pick a favorite sport and I usually split my time equally with all three sports. Enough about sports, let's move on to academics. I enjoy learning new material and being challenged everyday. I cannot stand being in a class room and not learn anything. I feel like it is a waste of time that could be spent learning in other areas. I recognize the importance that high school has on the rest of your future and take learning seriously. 

          Other than sports and school I enjoy hanging out with friends, playing video games, and listening to music. I am a fan of mostly all types of music but I would have to admit that county music is my favorite genre. I also enjoy traveling with friends and family. My family has a great place in New Hampshire that my family spends many summer weekends together enjoying Lake Sunapee, our boat, and each others company. My grandfather owns the house and lets his children and their families to all use. 

           One thing that I am not is a quitter. I cannot stand giving up on a task that I have already embarked on. Quitting is never the option and is not a successful way to go about life. I am looking forward to learning new material in English this year and I am ready to take on the challenge. 

     The question that is "Who are you?" is such an easy task that can be daunting at the same time. Whenever I see a questionnaire to describe my hobbies and my personality, the question of "Who are you?" lurks in the back corner of my mind, waiting to be answered. I don't think I can answer this question to its fullest capability but I shall try.
     My name is Matthew Wong. I am sixteen years old and I have been living in the town of Milton for about 6 years now. My previous residency was in the city of Quincy where I spent all of my childhood. When my parents told me that we were moving, I couldn't bear to think of the idea of leaving the one place I called home. Despite my mixed emotions, we moved and by the time summer was over, I was entering a new town, new school and a new chapter in my life. Enough about moving, I like to play video games, browse the internet and watch T.V. Technology is important to me and I get interested whenever a new thing is going to be released in the tech industry. The Music program has played a big part in me gaining confidence. I joined Chorus in the 6th grade accidentally due to it being the only elective open when I entered middle school. I have been in Chorus ever since and because of an involuntary choice, I discovered new things about myself. I am also lazy and I admit it but now that my choices are going to have a bigger impact on my future, I most likely will have to change that lazy part of me.
     Those are just some of the things I realize about myself. Some people might see me differently but this is how I see myself. Will I change in the future or will I remain the same? I guess that is up to me to find out.
     

  

    "Who am I?" I have asked myself that probably ever since I moved to Milton from Dorchester in 2nd grade. When I was a kid, I was a little devil of a child who was always getting into trouble. And I loved all the attention. But suddenly, I was suddenly without the friends and surroundings that I had grown up with. No longer would I live alongside my family in a loud, but surprisingly cozy, little 2 story house near Boston, but a strangely quiet and eerie house in the suburbs.

    After the sudden change in my environment, my personality started to change. I became more quiet and reserved around others, and started to spend time alone rather than going out with friends. And I found that I rather liked my quiet seclusion. It allowed me to become more aware of my surroundings and enjoy the moments in life more. However, I'm I am usually open to new things and like to try things at least once.

   I have my strange little quirks. I enjoy working long into the night, with the sound of crickets chirping through my window. And I think I'm strange in the way that I really don't have a definite aim in life. I'm not really striving to make the most money I can, and become a really successful person; I'm more of an impulsive person. I just have a vague vision in my head; to be happy and enjoy life. Who knows, maybe I'll change, but as of now, I think life should be enjoyed in the moment. Life is short!

 

"Who are you?" at first glance, can be a very intimidating question. However, after thinking for a few minutes I realized that contrary to cliché movies I am not a teenage girl "trying to find myself". I already know who I am, and I like that.

I am Kendall. I am very outgoing, confident, and friendly. I love socializing and think of myself as quite an extrovert. It is rare for me to be alone on a Friday or Saturday night.  My friends are practically sisters to me.  They have the same ridiculous humor as I do. At least once a day, we laugh so hard that tears stream down our faces. As silly as we can be, if I ever had a issue, they would help me in any way possible. We share everything with each other.

I am a athlete. Sports have always been, and will always be a huge part of my life. At times, I can get a little too competitive. I love competing, and I love winning even more. I spend the majority of my free time playing soccer. Soccer is what I am best at, and is what I love the most. I play all year round, on a team that travels up and down the East Coast playing in tournaments and showcases. I would not give it up for anything in the world.

I am a sister and a daughter. I love my mother, father, and older brother to death. My brother is honestly my best friend, and I wouldn't have it any other way. My mother and father are the best parents a girl could ask for. They are inseparable, and I hope to one day have a marriage like theirs. As crazy as the four of us are, we complement each other perfectly.

I am Kendall. I am an athlete. I am a sister. I am a daughter. I am a typical sixteen year old girl who is excited about life.

Who am I? Staring at my computer screen, I struggle to find words. How can someone possibly define themselves on a single piece of paper? The truth is, I have no idea who I am. After all, I am still a teenager trying to figure myself out. But what I do know is this: I am Micaela Keating. I have lived a sheltered life. From the moment I came home from the hospital on November 13, 1996 I have lived in the same house on the same quiet, family-friendly street. I grew up with both of my parents around and I have been going to school with the same kids since kindergarten (well, some of them). But that's just the beginning.

I am a sixteen-year-old girl. I am a younger sister, a friend, a daughter, a niece, a student...the list could go on forever. I am a very dedicated student and although I don't like to admit it, I hate seeing a B+ taint my otherwise perfect report card. I know that I should be thrilled to get a B+, but the perfectionist inside of me wants to scream. Oddly enough, even though I am a perfectionist, I am also a procrastinator. As you can guess the two don't mix well together. I tend to wait until the last minute to get things done (like this post right now, which I am writing at 10:34pm). The problem with my procrastination is that because I am a perfectionist I can't just quickly whip up an essay at the last minute and call it a night. I have to make it something I am proud of which is very time consuming. Next time I'll get this assignment done straight away, I'll say to myself. And time after time I find that I am yet again waiting until the last minute.

I am the type of person who tends to sit back and watch rather than get in on the action. I am an introvert and it takes me a long time to fully open up to others, which is why I find this assignment so difficult. I secretly wish that I was an outgoing person who could go up and talk to anybody and everybody without being afraid. But for now I'll just settle for being me. The quiet, studious, perfectionistic, introverted, sheltered Micaela.

When someone asks me "Who are you?" I would say I'm a sixteen year old student going to Milton High School. But I think about the question over multiple times and many people can say the same thing but they are not the same as me.  How do I answer that question? Do I just answer with general information like my age, height, name, heritage, my favorite activities, my occupation, etc.  People say you are who your friends are but many of my friends are polar opposites with very little in common.  Do I answer that question with what matters to me the most like friends and family? What truly defines me as me and nobody else?  I will start with I am a dedicated student at Milton High who works hard and yet at times very lazy.  I was born and raised by two parents from China who came to the Americas to look for new opportunities.  They want me to succeed and understand the steps for me to become successful. My passion is playing soccer.  I started playing while I was younger and never stopped.  I work as a soccer ref on the weekends. Although soccer is my passion I also enjoy playing video games, and watching basketball.  I am currently a 5'7 teenager and my name is Vincent Chan but my friends call me Vinny.  I am completely Chinese.   I am also an older brother.  I have a younger brother named Justin.  We fight constantly but nothing serious.  I love comedy movies, Italian food, going out with my twenty four year old cousins.  What matters to me the most is family and friends.  My friends and parents have been with me through though times and the good times.  I love to laugh and both my dad and my friends make me laugh constantly.  My favorite class in school is science and math.  I enjoy shopping for new shoes even though I always have more than I can wear.   Mostly I grew up in Milton since I was around six or seven and before then I lived with my grandparents in Quincy.  I like all types of music but my favorite artist is Eminem.  Every time I think about this question I get a different answer.  What makes me unique? What makes me stand out?  

Who am I? At the beginning of each year I attempt to answer this question. And each year it takes me a while. I know who I think I am but that may not be accurate. The easy answer would be: I am Rebekah Sloan Mondelus. I am 16 years old. I am one of the three black families who live on the East side and I like being different. That is the easy answer but if that was all I wrote it wouldn't do me justice. So allow me to explain. Yes, I like being different. I play the oboe, I'm in color guard, I like math and I like to learn on certain occasions. But I still don’t think that answers the question. Naturally I think I'm a good person. I've served the poor, I'm friendly and include others but sometimes I feel as though that isn't enough. I guess when I'm asked the "who am I" question the only answer I can come up with is what am I living for because I believe what you do is what defines you. Every day I wake up and all I want to do is make a difference; make some kind of change. But in reality I'm lazy and often give up easily. My goal is to be a light and a source of hope for anyone who needs help. But that isn't an easy job. I wouldn't even know where to begin. So who am I? I guess I’m just a girl with a dream of making a difference, a girl who wants to stand out and change the world. 

     I'm a nerd. This general fact is recognized by pretty much everyone who knows me. I'm one of "those people," the ones who legitimately enjoy their Chemistry tests and spend their free time reading books on Math Philosophy. While all this is definitely true, I do like to think that there is a little bit more to me than this short and rather unsatisfactory title.
     I grew up in a household with two parents who value education extremely highly and a sister who has excelled in every field she touches. Not the easiest act to follow.
     Though she may have made my life difficult at times, my sister has absolutely had a positive influence on me. I love to argue and debate about pretty much anything (not in an organized way mind you, I have no desire to join a debate team or the like. Too many rules.) My sister usually has a completely different opinion on topics than I do, and that's certainly helpful whenever I'm feeling too confident of my view on the world. My sister's also good at the whole "being a sister" thing: encouraging her brother, setting examples, being there to talk to, etc.
     I've been playing trombone for the past seven years now and it has certainly been beneficial for me. I've never been particularly creative when it comes to visual arts, so I feel as though music has been a way for me to balance that out. It's fun, but it isn't nearly as important in my life as it was a couple of years ago. This is probably due to the fact that crew practice takes up a lot of what used to be trombone practice time.
     I am a huge fan of word play, and this journal is surprisingly lacking in puns. I'm also really sarcastic and at times I can definitely come across as antagonistic to people who aren't my close friends.

Honestly, the question "Who are you?" is one of my least favorite questions in the world. Really anything having to do with "getting to know you"' exercises have always been my least favorite parts of school, making the first few days of school very painful. I'm pretty shy and mostly keep quiet during class. 

My name is Julia and I'm sixteen. Although I am shy, I'm also loud and obnoxious when I'm with my friends. I spend way too much time talking about nerdy TV shows I watch. I guess I would call myself a nerd. 

Aside from nerdy TV shows, I love to listen to music. Good music, though. I can get pretty picky. I also love to read although I never seem to have enough time. The problem is that I'll read a great book that will basically consume my life, causing me to put off all other things I have to do, which can be a problem during the school year. 

I've been dancing since I was three years old. I often get asked if I will dance when I'm older and I always say no, as I only do it for fun and wouldn't want to ruin it by turning it into a job. In fact, as far as future plans go, I don't have any. It seems like more and more people are figuring it all out, which baffles me considering we're only sixteen. I'm just more focused on the fact that we still have half of high school to get through. It seems far away but I'm told it will go by quick. Part of me wants it to but I'm also really anxious about it ending. I just hope it will be a great next two years. 

Who I am depends on who is being asked. You'd probably think this question was being asked directly to me, but what if it wasn't? Does everybody know exactly who I am? No. In fact, they probably have a very specific view on a person--and me--able to be  summarized in a single word. Friend? Enemy? brother? Or maybe just a single way to describe you, a single adjective for an entire person, based only on the experience you've had with the person asking. In somebody's mind, I might not be Corey, maybe somebody knows me better as, for instance, 'annoying'(probably several). This sort of idea makes you wonder what you will be remembered for, what impression you leave. Simply describing myself with a few words doesn't change peoples opinion, and such simple words could become meaningless, especially in comparison with people we actually recognize by single adjectives. Some average joe could say he was funny, nice and tall, then stand next to a comedian, a peace corps agent, and a basketball player, and he would just be there. At least that's how i believe some people might look at others. In all this time I've pretty well avoided the simplest response to this question. I am Corey Handy. I'm 16, go to Milton High, plan to go to college, and get a job. I'd be more specific but that would contradict one of the adjectives I guess I could use to describe myself pretty accurately, paranoid. Not the kind of schizophrenic type paranoid, thinking your family works for the government and is trying to kill you, more like, well, have you ever thought that somebody might be able to read minds and is hearing your thoughts. that kind. Well anyway, goodbye.

The first thing I thought when I was asked to identify myself was an old NCIS episode that I watched a few years back. The detectives were searching for a killer when a suspicious man dressed in black went into a alley. The detectives immediately grasped the holster of their guns and proceeded down the alley yelling, "identify yourself"! I think this question or demand will never have a complete answer because even a 80 year old man is probably finding out something new about himself. On the outside I think most of our identities are alike. We are high school students stressing about the next test and fighting with our parents about anything from a curfew to who was suppose to take the dog out. Simply put we are teenagers. The things that make us different from each other, those little untold facts are our identities. By week I am a student doing home work and participating in clubs and sports. By weekend though I am getting up at 4 a.m to deliver the Sunday Globe to the residents of Marina Bay. As weird or pathetic that may sound, i feel as though it is my haven. My place where I can think as I throw the paper to apartment # 903 who always tips me three weeks late. It has been the place where I come up with new ideas to write about or a solution to a problem. Does this make me the paper girl? Is this my identity? Hardly, I guarantee the things that identify us now is not what is gonna identify who we are in 10 years.  I am the younger sister of Christopher and Katelyn Kourtelidis. Sometimes I am identified as Little Kourto or Kourta and this makes me feel like I am constantly walking in the shadow of my brother and sisters past. I know though that the shadow will fade away as I get to know myself more. So, for now I suppose my identity is the paper girl, Little Kourto, or Kourta because who I am is never written in stone.

Ah... Another one of those mind-bending, headache-inducing, deep existential questions. Who are you... I could answer by saying Oceane, but my name is not who I am, but merely a group of squiggly lines that form letters. So what do I say? Well, I believe a person is defined by their past, their present, and their future. Or more precisely, their background, their actions, and their ambitions, so I guess I can start there.

I'm a Franco-Chinese-American who was born in the state of sunshine, Florida. As far as I can remember, my mom and dad have always been separated, and the first few years of my life were spent in the wonderful company of my Cantonese grandmother. I then proceeded to move four times in ten years from Florida to Washington to France to Florida until finally settling down in the little town of Milton, Massachusetts. These moves, along with the fact that my mom has been married and divorced four times, have made me hard to become attached to people and places, and adaptable to change.

As of right now, my present, I am the nerd that sits in the front of the class with the answer to everything. I regret to inform myself that the center of my life is school. My actions consist of doing homework, practicing my instrument, and reading for the fun of it. These actions define me as a person. I am a scholar, I am a musician, I am a violinist, I am music, I am a book worm and a fiction fanatic. However, I still occasionally have time to be a loyal friend, a worthy fencing competitor, and a loving daughter.

I am the person who wants to be successful. Who wants to get married, have kids, and grow old. My future consists of going to college, getting a dog, and planting a tree. I am the girl who wants to see the world and travel. I know what I want with my life, and my ambition defines who I am today. 

 The one thing that has been, and will be, consistently there for me is my family. In my past, my present and (hopefully) my future they encourage me in everything I do. My dad always tells me to be myself, but what does that really mean? Actually, it means to be him, because out of all the people in the world, my dad is the person who has made me the person that I am today. So honestly, if you really want to know who I am, don't ask me, because I haven't got a clue, ask my family.

Who am I? Well, my name is Shannon MacLeod, I'm sixteen, and I have to say that this question stumped me for quite some time. My first thought was, "Well, I'm nothing really." But after staring blankly at my computer screen desperately trying to string together a few sentences about the person I've spent my entire life being, I realized that I'm actually quite a lot of things.

I'm a daughter (well, what girl isn't?) and a sister. I'm a flutist and a proud marching band, jazz band, and concert band member. I'm a former volleyball and tennis player. I'm a student who's currently juggling four AP's and is probably in over her head. That being said, I've never been one to give up when things get difficult. Most people see me as a quiet and reserved person and I'm trying to break away from that. Even though I tend to keep my opinions to myself, that doesn't mean that they don't exist. From a young age, I've been very opinionated. When I was about eight and found out how circus animals were treated, I refused to go when my family bought tickets. To this day I've never been to the circus.

I'm also someone who is interested in a lot of things, but has yet to find her passion. Yoga. Books. The human body. Art. Music. Baking. Travelling. Feminism. Nature. Animal rights. I'm interested in it all. I've always been curious and open to learning and trying new things. I love when people recommend things to me, be it a book or a band or a TV show. I attribute my curiosity to my grandmother, who always encouraged me to try new things. In fact, I am who I am today because of my family. My mother always told me to do the best that I could possibly do. My father encouraged me to listen to different genres of music, from classical to rock. My grandfather taught me to think for myself and stand by my principles. My family has played a major role in making me the person that I am today, and however cliche it may sound, I wouldn't want to be anyone else.

     When the caterpillar from Alice in Wonderland questions Alice about who she is, she nervously blurts out, "Why, I-I-I hardly know, sir. I've changed so many times since this morning, you see." Reading this prompt, I was immediately drawn to this Disney movie reference. I wracked my brains until I remembered this quote, which is one of my favorites. I was probably a little too happy when I checked and found out I recited it perfectly in my head. And I believe that alone says a lot about me. I am very much still a kid. I love Disney Movies. I love princesses (I still hope to be one some day). And I love happily ever afters. But I am also much more than that.

     I grew up very close to my big, very Italian family. I live in a house with my mom, dad, two sisters and brother. I won't even begin to count how many cousins, aunts and uncles I have. But I love them all dearly. My family has always been a huge part of my life. They're loud, they're crazy, and they make amazing food. I love every party, dinner, and get together that I spend with them. I look forward to continuing this close bond with my family throughout my life. 

     In many ways, I would say that I'm your stereotypical girl. I love shopping and getting my nails done. I look forward to every summer so I can work on my tan. I'm not the most athletic, or very coordinated for that matter. I get exited to go out with my friends on a friday night and silly things like flowers will make me happy. I wouldn't have it any other way. 

     I've always been passionate about music. I do every school musical and I'm involved in every chorus group. I love to preform and sing. I am very appreciative of the opportunities that the music department at Milton High School provides their students. I can pretty confidently say that I would have never ran around dancing in a giant wig and stuffed suit if it wasn't for last year's production of Hairspray. And most importantly, I love the people in that department more than anything. 

     I'm a kid. I'm very family oriented. I'm a girl and I'm a performer. I'm Jacqueline Ruscito and I am sixteen years old. Much like Alice, I am changing every day. I don't think that there is anything wrong with that. Change is good. The people, and the things that I love have shaped me into who I am today. But I believe that I am growing and changing as a person everyday. 

     

     

I am a strong believer that everything that happens in life makes you the person you are today. But when I am asked "Who are you?" I seem to draw a blank. So here goes, I am Emily Hutchinson, I have an older sister that I love to death and do not want to go back to college tomorrow. I have a dog named Abby that I treat a little too much like a human. I two loving parents who would do anything for me; when I have kids I hope to be as good of a parent as them. I love art; I live for school projects that require some paint and glitter. My favorite sport is lacrosse; if I could I would play it year round. Like any girl, I love clothes. I think they are a good way to express yourself. I love the beach and the ocean; I desperately want to see a shark in Chatham. I wish every weekend was Harry Potter weekend, but then I would never leave my house so I guess it's a good thing it isn't. Christmas time is my favorite time of year; it brings people together. I really want to travel the world. There's this whole other world outside of Milton that seems so interesting. So I guess you can say I'm an adventurist. Most people don't like change but I absolutely hate it. I love tradition, if we watch a certain movie every Christmas Eve then I have to watch it every Christmas Eve or all hell with break lose.I tore my ACL three years ago. It was really hard to sit and do nothing for nine months. But I guess it was a blessing in disguise because it made me value everything I have and not take things for granted. It was tough to answer, "Who am I?" at first but when I looked at everything that makes up my life the answer became much clearer than before I started writing.

With a question as profound as “Who are you?” I never know where to start. A basic introduction is usually the easiest starting point. For example, my name is Emma Pred-Sosa and I’m sixteen years old. I live with my parents and cat in the same house that I have lived in my entire life. I have an older sister as well, but she now lives in Washington D.C.

All of that information, however, doesn’t really mean much. It’s true, my name is part of my identity. It’s my label. I don’t really consider myself to be a very complex person, but there is definitely more to “me”. My whole life, for instance, I’ve been an introvert. Though I truly enjoy the company of other people, I have no qualms with being by myself and when I was younger, there was nothing I enjoyed more than curling up in my room and reading for hours on end (to the point where my most common response to any request would be, "Just let me finish the paragraph!"). I also started playing cello at the age of six, and I’m so grateful for the role music has played in my life. It’s given me a chance to make friends and improve my self-confidence through performance.

One of my main goals in life is to find my greatest passion and pursue it. Therefore, I make it my duty to myself to try out any new interest, even if it might seem scary. For that reason, I decided to study abroad in Tokyo, Japan for my sophomore year. My family loves travel and I’ve had the bug ever since my first trip to Europe when I was five years old. I know that I never get more excited than when I’m learning about a new culture or a new language. And as for Japan, I can easily say that it was the best experience of my life. I met some amazing people and learned some important lessons on maturity and connecting with others. My time there has transformed me into a new person, ready to take on life and all its challenges.

Truth be told, I am still forever changing. My concept of “me” could change in a year, or maybe even a month. But I will always stay to stay true to myself, no matter who that may be.

     Who am I? Many people see me differently than the way I see myself. Many people see me as a shy and quiet girl. But I know who I really am. My name is Lisa Yuan and I am 16-years old. My personality is very unique. The way I view unique is a positive thing, because it is a simple adjective that can define who I am; different. I tend to over think and become extremely nervous over the smallest things that can possibly happen to me. Sometimes, it feels unnecessary to over think things. But that is who I am.
     I am the type to worry about everything; my future, my family, my friends, myself. Most importantly right now, is my education-my future. I hope to major in the science/medical fields. My dream career is to become a forensic nurse. Although it is a challenging goal to achieve, I know very well that, nothing is impossible. There is no "impossible" when trying to attain a goal that you really want. It just requires commitment, hard work, and effort. But, I like to see my goal not as a dream, but as a destination.
     I began thinking about my future at a very young age. When I was in the 6th grade I was given a lot of pressure from my family because they wanted me to get into one of Boston's top three exam schools. Luckily, I was able to get into Boston Latin Academy. At the time, my family and I believed that getting into an exam school was a chance to improve my education so that I can have a brighter future. They wanted me to have a better life than they did. They had faith in me. For that reason, in the future, I want to give my family a chance to experience the luxuries in life by working hard.

                 I'm sure many of the students in this class can agree that questions like, "who are you?" can be very intimidating. In fact, today I think I filled out maybe three or four "get to know you" worksheets, dreading each one more than the last. I'm not even sure what makes them so hard to answer. I think I've just noticed over the years that I prefer to gradually allow people to find out more about me, than in an instant. I need to warm up to people before I share a lot of things about, but that's just who I am.

          Apart from being shy at first, I am a lot more things. First of all, I am Julia. I'm 16 years old. Many people would probably disagree if I said I was shy, but I find that very true. Although I can be the loudest of all my friends at times, I also enjoy keeping to myself a lot. A perfect day for me includes relaxing at home by myself and listening to my favorite bands OneRepublic, Coldplay, and The Fray. I spend way too much time on my computer but I honestly don’t care because it’s what I like to do.

          But I’m not a complete couch-potato either. I have a very small group of friends, that I hang out with probably too much. I play volleyball at the high school and I enjoy it a lot. I’m relatively new to it, but I already love it, which I know is a good sign.

          I also feel like I’m one of the very few students who cannot wait for college to start. The majority of the people I know are terrified to go. I know it will be scary but I could drop everything and leave now if that were possible. I just want to get started on my career, studying what I’m really interested in—neuropsychology, or any other types of psychology. I’m eager to get through the next two years, successfully, and finally do what I would love to do.

     "Who are you?" It seems like an easy enough question at first glance, right? But to my dismay, as I sat at my desk looking at the question I could not answer right away. I guess I am a lot of things. I am Chrissy Stafford, a daughter, sister, cousin and a friend. I am a junior who plays clarinet and who listens to everything from classical music, to alternative rock, to hip hop.
     I am also a person who considers herself an introvert. Even though I like talking to people and can be outgoing, I have always cherished the quiet moments in my life. I like being alone with my own mind. I am someone who would rather curl up with a good book and some hot chocolate on a cold winter day by myself instead of going out to play in the snow with the other kids.
     I also am a girl with big dreams who also knows, thanks to her parents, that sometimes- in life you have to be sensible and realistic. I am someone who dreams of going to New York City and working in fashion, but who knows her parents would rather her be something more sensible and stable, like a nurse or a teacher.
     I am also someone who wants to travel the world but feels constricted by her small town. I am adventurous, well I hope to be. I have been in this town for 16 years and the thought of getting out and going to college exhilarates me. I am the type of person who has been looking at colleges since my freshman year. I have been creating an image of what I want my life to look in my head since I was a kid. I am a person who, instead of living in the moment, lives for the future.
     I am also someone who has a few close and amazing friends. In some way I am my friends. I am my family. Both my friends and family have, in some part, shaped who I am today. Both of them make up my backbone, they are my support. People in my family have given me some advice that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. They have shown me how to be a hard working, strong willed individual and without them I would be nothing.
     This is who I am today. But who knows how that will change in a day, a month, a year, or a decade. As Henry David Thoreau once said in his famous book Walden, "Things do not change; we change." Right now though I am just a 16 year old trying to figure life out. Who knows what I might be tomorrow?

I'm different.  I'm unique.  I'm Eric Hale.  I'm sixteen years old and I live with my Dad, my Mom, and my brother when he's home from college.  I was born September 22, 1996 with a birth injury effecting nerves in my right arm.  My first surgery happened when I was only five and a half months old to give me mobility in the arm.  To this day, the scars still remain.  But I've never let that hold me back or be an excuse for something challenging.  That's just the way I am. 
I have grown up for all sixteen years of my life in Milton.  From a young age, my injury made me have to work harder for things I wanted to do; and I wouldn't have it any other way.  I have enjoyed going to school, playing sports/videogames, and hanging out with my friends since I was little.  Also, hip hop music has always interested me and still does today.  My favorite sport is basketball and it has been that way for some time.  I like watching, playing, and basically anything basketball related.
My family is another big part in my life.  I look forward to going to Cape Cod every year in August with my Mom's side of the family.  We share laughs, joy, and stories.  My Cape house has been a part of my life forever.  My immediate family is also huge for me: my Dad, Mom, and brother.  My Dad and Mom have always been there for my; through thick and thin.  And I wouldn't trade them for anything.  They have made so many sacrifices I am grateful for.  My brother and I fight sometimes, but generally we get along.  I also credit my brother with helping me grow up.
Today, I am a hard working, determined 16 year old.  I am still rehabbing from a second surgery I had in May.  This is me, and I'm proud.

Welcome

Welcome back to school and welcome to AP Language and Composition. I hope you are as excited about this course as I am. I look forward to a challenging, but intellectually stimulating and rewarding, year. During the year, I want to incorporate several journaling exercises. These will allow you a chance to practice your writing without the stress of formal composition. Ideally, you will quickly learn that journaling can also be an excellent way to stimulate your thinking. Writing is thinking - trust me, you'll see.

We will conduct all of our journaling online. My reasons are many, but primarily, I want all of you to be able to see and respond to each other's work. I want each of you to feel the responsibility of writing for an audience larger than your English teacher. Your classmates and I will depend on you for clear and concise, insightful commentary. Ideally, I will ask you to provide two types of responses - one that answers a direct question from me and one that allows you the freedom to write about topics that interest you.

I will respond to each of your "posts" with short, but constructive feedback. I hope that you will respond to your classmates' posts as well. Please know that this "blog," which I will refer to as our "online journal," will be shared only with our class. No other visitors, teachers, or parents, will be invited to join. You should feel completely comfortable sharing your ideas, just as you would in class. I will discuss my plan for this journal and the grading policy tomorrow in class.

 Tonight, I would like you to add your first post to the journal. Like the Caterpillar from Alice in Wonderland, Doctor Manette from A Tale of Two Cities, Tom Bombadil from The Fellowship of the Ring, or even Pete Townsend and Roger Daltrey from The Who, I am curious "Who are You?" Using between 300-400 words, please identify yourself. 

A couple rules: When posting please use the "New Post" function and NOT the "Comment" function. We will use the "Comment" function to respond, briefly, to the "posts." Also, please do NOT title your posts. The "Title" is really the only aesthetic way to differentiate between the assignments I write and the responses you write. If everything is titled, then everything will look the same, and this will quickly get confusing. 

Thanks, and let's get to work,

 Mr. Fitzgerald