SENIORS (Your final blog): Dead Poet's Society Testament
This is your last writing assignment. Post OR turn in a paper copy (if you would rather not have your response posted for others to read) before Thursday, May 19. This assignment is worth 15 points.
Each of the prompts requires at least 250 words of response. All of the prompts are inspired by The Dead Poets Society movie.
I am looking forward to reading the last words of wisdom that you'll impart at Schoolsville.
I cannot grade you on your opinion. You will be graded on your clarity of expression and your ability to support your opinion using specific ideas and examples. Better yet, refer to some of our readings this semester to defend or support your opinion.
I am looking forward to reading the last words of wisdom that you'll impart at Schoolsville.
I cannot grade you on your opinion. You will be graded on your clarity of expression and your ability to support your opinion using specific ideas and examples. Better yet, refer to some of our readings this semester to defend or support your opinion.
Choose any ONE lower case "letter" to respond to. NOT one in each part. Just any ONE letter.
Part 1 People Can Change (minimum of 250 words)
Part 1 People Can Change (minimum of 250 words)
a. Give me an example of how your opinion about something or someone changed as a result of changing YOUR point of view.
b. For you, what's the most "different" school or extra-curricular activity in which you've participated during your high school career, one that you would have never imagined yourself doing in a few years ago?
c. What person in the Class of 2016 has undergone the most positive change during his or her four years at St. Mark's? You need NOT mention a name.
Part 2 Institutions Can Change
d. What pages from what text that you had in high school what you like to rip out?
e. What's the most different, yet most powerful/significant high school class (period, activity, etc.) in which you took part?
f. What one thing would you change about St. Mark's to improve the school that would not change the basic educational and philosophical fabric of the school (e.g. in Welton, Charly wanted to admit girls)?
g. How can St. Mark's best discipline its students in order to promote proper behavior?
Part 3 "These are the things we stay alive for "
h. Words ARE important. What are the nicest words that someone ever said to you? Explain. Please, be able to quote, at least partially, these words.
i. What are the last words to live by that you wrote to yourself in a journal or otherwise?
j. How does your favorite song, band, singer etc. affect you (emotionally or rationally or both) in an important way?
b. For you, what's the most "different" school or extra-curricular activity in which you've participated during your high school career, one that you would have never imagined yourself doing in a few years ago?
c. What person in the Class of 2016 has undergone the most positive change during his or her four years at St. Mark's? You need NOT mention a name.
Part 2 Institutions Can Change
d. What pages from what text that you had in high school what you like to rip out?
e. What's the most different, yet most powerful/significant high school class (period, activity, etc.) in which you took part?
f. What one thing would you change about St. Mark's to improve the school that would not change the basic educational and philosophical fabric of the school (e.g. in Welton, Charly wanted to admit girls)?
g. How can St. Mark's best discipline its students in order to promote proper behavior?
Part 3 "These are the things we stay alive for "
h. Words ARE important. What are the nicest words that someone ever said to you? Explain. Please, be able to quote, at least partially, these words.
i. What are the last words to live by that you wrote to yourself in a journal or otherwise?
j. How does your favorite song, band, singer etc. affect you (emotionally or rationally or both) in an important way?
posted by JTF @ 10:02 PM
22 comments
22 Comments:
e. The most different class that I ever took at St. Mark’s was the Computer Science/programming class, and it influenced me greatly in what I decided to choose my major in and acclimated me to the type of work I would be doing later in college. The Computer Science class was an elective that was all self-taught; the teacher would hand out packets that had the lessons on it, and the students were expected to read and to complete the exercises/projects that were given as assignments and would be turned in for completion and correctness. Quizzes would be given after each lesson, and tests would be given after a certain grouping of lessons were completed. The only expectation or deadline was that by the end of the school year all 56 lessons and their corresponding projects, quizzes, and tests had to be completed. I was greatly influenced by this course because I had previously been introduced to Computer Science, but it was taking this class that I decided that I was truly interested in learning about how programs could be made. As my understanding of programming grew, I began to question and think about how I could program the different applications that I used, such as video games or web pages. Additionally, the course was much like a college class by having an overarching goal but allowing the students to do whatever they wanted/needed to do to before that deadline. Some days would be spent breezing through the lessons that taking the test on the same day. On other days, the entire period could be spent trying to solve a problem within an assignment. In college, most professors don’t really care what the students do as long as they do not disturb the others; the midterm or final date or deadline won’t change based on student readiness. Likewise, no matter how much or little time I spent on a lesson, I still had to finish all of the lessons by the end of the school year. The Computer Science class was the most different class due to the amount of freedom that was allowed, yet it was also the most significant because it influenced me in my decision for my major and it, along with my other AP classes, prepared me for what college classes and studying would be like.
Part 2 Institutions Can Change (minimum of 250 words)
e. What's the most different, yet most powerful/significant high school class (period, activity, etc.) in which you took part?
I’ve taken many courses during my time at Saint Mark's High School, ranging from Italian to Anatomy to British Literature. Each one has positively influenced me. The most different, yet most powerful class I ever took, besides Mr. Fiorelli’s Modern American Themes and American Literature, would have to be Death and Dying taught by the highly respected Bruce Ingram. I actually took this during my first semester as a senior. It was different because the criterion was so unique from all my other religion classes. I have been going to a Catholic school since kindergarten. I know all the sacraments, saints, holy days, paschal mystery, sacred scripture, why we celebrate advent and lent, the beatitudes and more. I am well versed with my religion. Freshmen, sophomore, and junior year were like learning a repeat of everything I already knew. Death and Dying gave me a chance to really learn something interesting and divergent. It was new material and I would get excited to go to his class. We talked about a handful of interesting topics related to death, like the afterlife, near death experiences, and euthanasia. I do not think I will ever forget watching the actual Jack Kevorkian home videos he took of his patients. It was chilling to be able to see the last minutes of someone’s life. Ingram assigned us to fill out our own living will. It was weird to be writing my wishes once I’m in the tomb, but it made me think about if I want my body donated to a university or if I want to be cremated. Ingram also made us read Tuesdays with Morrie. Everyone should read this at some point in his or her life. It made me think. Not just think while I was reading it or in class, but I would catch myself thinking about some of the lessons in the book on my way home or on a run. I took some of what Morrie said to heart and it changed how I treated people. If I thought of something that someone did that hurt me or made me angry I let it go, and forgave them based on Morrie’s life is short mentality. This is just an example of how Death and Dying impacted me outside of the classroom. The fact that I actually retained valuable, trans-formative information that will stay with me for the rest of my life is why Death and Dying is the most significant high school class I ever took part in.
g. St. Mark’s, as well as every high school institution dealing with the rebellious nature of teens, could always use new ways of disciplining children. However, I feel that perhaps the traditional method of disciplining students has become less and less effective. Just as Mr. Keating teaches with a new method, I believe St. Marks could discipline with a new approach. The ways of strict punishment for set rules seem to not whip the children into form, yet only feed their rebellious nature. In “The Dead Poet’s Society”, Mr. Keating does not discipline his students like the other teachers at the school, yet he receives the utmost respect from his students who look up to and admire him. Why? When a child in Mr. Keating’s class speaks out, he turns it into a teaching moment, rather than yelling. When a child shows timidness, he helps pull them out of their shell. When a child needs advice, he gives it like it was for his son. Mr Keating shows genuine respect and care for his students, which only makes them reciprocate it. I think that maybe if some rules at St. Mark’s were more lax and strayed away from the traditional school disciplining, then maybe the kids would recognize this privilege of more freedom and responsibility and act accordingly. They would be grateful and in turn act with more care and respect. I believe that maybe if the students were granted more, they would give more. I’m a big fan of trying new, outside of the box approaches and believe that this may be a solution to the behavior of high school kids today.
i. There are so many words to live by, and there are so many unique people who may live by different words. Everyone marches to their own beat, and some words to live by may be too specific for certain lives. A very generic verse that may apply to many different people is something that my brother said to me just last weekend. It was Friday night after the first night of Counties and I was really discouraged because I knew I had a hard day ahead of me the next day with three challenging and important races. My family was not going to be there because my sister had her college graduation, so everything felt messy. I was having trouble focusing and getting positive thoughts to flow, so when Zachary came home, I asked him if he could help me get some focus, instead of fretting about what I had to do the next day. He told me very plainly, “Just live today well.” He said that was all I had to do. I didn’t have to worry about the next day or the next week, I just had to live that day well. I took those words with me into my races the next day, but I believe they will stick with me for my life. Any time I am feeling pessimistic or annoyed, I will remind myself to live today well, and that will refocus my attention on the fact that everyday in this world is a blessing. As I finish up my time here at Saint Mark’s, I have reflected back to see if I did live my days well. For the most part, yes, I believe I did. If I put aside all of the homework, studying, and grades, I did live everyday well at Saint Mark’s through the activities I participated in and the friends I made. Saint Francis DeSales tells us, “Be who you are and be that well,” and I have always repeated that mantra in my head when I seem to have lost my real self, but my brother’s words, “Live today well,” seem to almost echo in my mind. I will always strive to live the day to its fullest potential, no matter what the outcome, and move on from it when it ends. I will not dwell in the past or look to the future, I will live each day well. People in this world should strive to live each day as well as they can, no matter what “well” means to them, and happiness will follow.
One thing I would not change about St. Mark’s but wish was added to a yearly agenda would a class field trip. This would not only improve the school but most importantly improve the relationships among the students in each class. I know students are together in school all the time but are they really having fun? Class field trips are something you can look back on and they give you something to remind you about high school. In elementary and middle school, I think I went on a field trip like every three months. I went to Philadelphia in 6th grade, Washington, D.C. in 7th grade, and New York in 8th grade. However, my favorite field trip was in 6th grade when we as a class went to Ashland Nature Center and spent a night there in the barracks. It was a great bonding experience for my class and has helped me create memories that will last me a lifetime. Looking back on it, all these trips were a blast. Compared to all the field trips I went on in middle school I can only remember one I’ve been on in high school. That was the Go Ape trip, which sadly was about a month or two before my graduation. One trip in four years is not what I expected. The Go Ape trip was really fun though. Honestly, it was one of the best times I have had at St. Mark’s. Now, I’m not saying we have to go to Disney (that would be nice) but we should at least have one class trip a year so students can have a day off from sitting in desks all day. The sophomore class is going to Philadelphia to walk around and go to a Phillies game this week. I wish our class could have had that opportunity. Some may say what about “Sweek”? I would respond by agreeing “Sweek” is going to be a great time, but is that really a class trip? I wouldn’t say so.
B. Throughout grade school and middle school I was more on the quiet side, unless I was with my close friends. As I got to high school, nothing changed at first. Freshman year I tried to make friends and talk to people but I was so shy I sometimes couldn’t get up the nerve to just say hi. All my life I had played soccer, and I soon realized that it was not something I wished to continue in high school. I told myself that I would put myself out there and try something new, and what better way to do that than to try out for the cheerleading team. I was so nervous and scared that I would be terrible at it, and I almost quit right before tryouts. I felt out of place and way out of my league, but I am so grateful that I stuck with cheer. Cheerleading has given me a way to express myself and mature and grow as a person. I feel like my personality really shows when I’m on the sidelines cheering the players on, or performing a routine and tumbling across the mats. I’ve always been a happy and smiling person, and being able to perform in front of hundreds of people has given me a level of confidence that I never would have had if I had not cheered. Going from left defender in soccer for six years to captain and main flyer in cheerleading is probably what I least expected out of my high school experience, but I wouldn’t change a thing.
i.
As the school year has begun to wind down, it is becoming more and more apparent that there are people in this school I may not ever see again. I am not known for having the best temper in the world and I am the worst when it comes to holding a grudge over the littlest things. My future roommate is all about positivity and kind of but not really Buddhism. After talking to her so much I realized I needed more positivity in my life so I created a Pinterest board dedicated to being happy, and one quote that I really liked from it was, "holding anger to a person is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die" - Buddha. This quote has become a way to live for me. When you live your life angry at someone it does not affect them. One little fight should not be the end of a good friendship and just because something did not work out the way I thought it would does not mean i have to hate the other person for ever. I swear my grudge holding is hereditary. The proof is in my family. An aunt who holds a childhood grudge against her mother and a small political fight between brothers that ended with one no longer speaking to two of the others. I have come to realize though that just because there are people in my family like this it does not mean I need to be. The anger I usually hold on to is only poison for me, not the other person. So why live a life of anger and grudges when I can be happy and carefree?
The most different class I have ever taken at Saint Mark’s was Sewing Machine Crafts. Although this class doesn't have a typical academically based curriculum, I still learned practical life skills in a relaxed classroom setting. Sewing is something that can be used throughout life. When I am an adult I cannot come crying to other people every time I need something sewn. Instead, I will have the skills to be able to fix the problem myself without having to get the help of my mother or paying an expensive seamstress to fix the problem. Sewing class was also a stress reliever. During a day filled with multiple exasperating, work-filled classes, sewing was a chance to de-stress and complete a task that let you unwind and calm down. Ms. Keefe always said, “There is no stressing in sewing class.” Likewise, sewing was an opportunity to be creative. You had to choose fabric colors, patterns, and designs in all of your projects. This class is a prime example of creative kinesthetic learning in a fun-filled setting. Steve Jobs said, “The only way to do great work is love what you do.” Although Sewing isn’t everyone’s idea of “work”, the final product is something to be proud of as long as you love the process of completing it. Despite sewing not being a typical class with lessons taught then immediately tested in a written format, you still learn the sewing techniques then complete the tasks on your own at your own pace.
J. My favorite band is called Man Overboard. They have affected me in a way that no one else ever could. There was a point in my life when I felt the lowest of the low, as bad as I have ever possibly felt in my life. I felt extremely alone and I felt like no one understood me. Then I discovered Man Overboard. When I listened to their music, I truly felt like they understood how I felt and understood the pain that I went through. In the song S.A.D, they have one part that made me cry because it made me feel utterly understood. The bridge said: is it selfish? Well, if so, fine! I've always been selfish. And that's just one of the many problems that I have never been able to fix. I believe I am making everyone's lives around me worse. Increasingly worse. I'm a disease to my friends and family. Please, leave me alone. Those few sentences made me feel a way that nothing else ever allowed me to feel. I felt all of the things that they said and it allowed me to know that I wasn't alone in my fight. I have seen them in concert many times and to this day when I see them I sing my heart out and sing right to them, hoping that they know that they were able to help somebody with their words and with their passion. Because without them, I may not have realized that I didn't have to be alone.
g: Discipline is an essential thing needed to keep the structure of schools intact and school rules and values going strong. Without discipline at St. Mark's, students would be free to do what they wanted to do. If this were the case, there would be innumerable problems because teenagers are still developing. They do not always make the right decisions, and there are parameters put into place at St. Mark's to help guide the students into well-behaved young adults. In order to promote proper behavior, I would change some current things about how our school does things. First and foremost, I would encourage our school to rely more on positive reinforcement. This would mean rewarding more students who do the right thing, instead of punishing those who do wrong. For instance, I think St. Mark's should get rid of detentions all together. Do students really care that much about sitting in a short detention enough in order for them to change the bad behavior that put them in there? Personally, I don't think so. I think students would be more likely to follow the rules if there were rewards for doing so, instead of punishments. Afterall, students really don't learn much from sitting in a room after school for an hour. The fact that the same faces always end up in these detentions proves this claim. I think students would be willing to change their negative behavior if they had some incentive to work for somewhere along the way. Not only would there be more positivity, but there would be fewer students causing trouble. We should have students lose the opportunity to gain something worth value instead of taking away something from them. This would promote a much healthier, independent environment in which students can thrive in.
2. e.
Over the last 4 years, the one class that really stood out to me was Psychology. Although Ms. Culnane did not teach the way Mr. Keating did, this class became very significant to me. I have always had a love for English, and it was always my favorite subject even though it may have not been my strongest grade wise. Psychology was the first class I was very interested in, yet very good at. The strangest part was that I would actually like to study for it. Strange, I know. I personally love the importance it has on everyday life and its relevance. Taking this class showed me what I want to pursue a career in, and I now know I want to be involved with leaning about the mind. Psychology allows me to pursue my interests in writing and experimental thinking. Within this field, you can never stop learning. It is a never ending journey about thinking and has taught me the ways we are and why we need to grasp the perception and cognition that shaped the ways we are. I have a real interest in people and why they do what they do, why they think how they think, and why they feel the way they feel. This class made me go beyond my regular thoughts. For example, like I might notice someone consistently being scared of something and my mind would immediately be thinking about whether that person has some sort of a phobia. Overall, this class was very powerful to me and was the start to the rest of my future and career.
b. I’m not the type of girl who likes to explore the forest or camp outside. I never have and I probably never will be. This past weekend, all of that changed. Some students from Ms. Esbitt’s AP Environmental Science (APES) classes took an overnight trip to Ashland Nature Center. Although we stayed in a lodge, the experience was very much outside of my comfort zone. We hiked through the forest for nearly two hours, constantly checking ourselves for crawling caterpillars. We lifted up rocks and dug through leaves to find bugs and insects. We used nets to catch reptiles and amphibians in a river and transferred them by hand to a container. Even though I may have still been slightly grossed out, I allowed myself to be fully immersed in the experience.
Before this class I never would have considered going on a trip like that. I am terrified of snakes and spiders and I hate the idea of bugs crawling all over me in the middle of the night. If someone had asked me freshman year if I would spend two days outside touching bugs, I wouldn’t have given it a second thought. However, taking APES this year has helped me to become more comfortable with the outdoors. APES has given me a better appreciation for the rest of the living species on Earth and the surrounding environment. I was truly able to recognize the value of protecting our Earth. If I could go back and do it all over again I would. The experience also allowed me to talk to people I normally wouldn’t have and make new friends. I truly hope that this becomes an annual tradition for the APES classes because you learn more from actually being in the environment and you’ll most likely never get the opportunity to do something like this again.
g. First of all, the idea of cracking down on disciplining the students at the school should never be the main priority of the school. Second of all in some cases the rules at St. Marks can be very general or vague (in the case of hair styles and even shoes you can wear). There certainly isn’t a “best way” to discipline students. There will always be rule breakers and anarchists that want to break away; no use in trying to corral people who just don’t care. The Dead Poets Society actually proved this fact, where in such an unforgiving atmosphere dispute with the rules was growing. Granted, the discipline at St. Marks isn’t as intense, but in some cases it may in fact just be plain wrong. In my honest and whole-hearted opinion the best was to promote proper behavior would be to lessen the punishments for little things and instead have those doing the punishing take a look at what they’re really teaching the kids by doing it. For example: a student is bad about bringing their lanyard in. For one reason or another they forget it and incidentally receive a demerit and in some cases, a detention. The only thing being promoted there is a fear of failure and forgetfulness. Also, what is that teacher gaining from being so overbearing to the student? That kind of oppressive behavior is exactly the kind of thing that promotes rebellion. I’m not trying to pick on any teacher or student with this article, but at some point someone needs to realize that sometimes forcing rules down a person’s throat doesn’t promote the behavior they desire.
c. When I read this prompt, a single person did not come into mind, but rather multiple qualities that I think most of the graduating class acquired within the past four years. As freshmen, we all entered St. Mark’s with an idea of who we wanted to be. Some may have made their idea a reality while others may have went down a completely different path. Either way, I think everyone became someone completely new and different. High school is a rough time where we all go through multiple changes and are introduced to many new things. If you found yourself during the past four years, then I think that is a really positive change. One of the qualities I had in mind includes being able to speak up for yourself or making your voice heard. I can think of many people who were extremely shy freshman year that are very outgoing now. Numerous people also let others talk for them if they did not want to rebel from the rest of the group, whereas now a great deal of those once conformists voice their opinions and do not settle for less than what they believe in. I think being able to speak for yourself and for your beliefs is an extremely important and positive change. Another quality I think most people gained during high school is confidence. This sort of goes along with the previous quality, but many people in the senior class are very confident in what they do. Whether it be with academics, sports, or theatre, everyone has sort of found their place and are not afraid to show off their best characteristic. Of course there are a few people who are shy and worried about what others may think, but they still choose to pursue what they enjoy, even if it is in private. Finally, the last quality that I think the senior class of 2016 acquired during the past four years at St. Mark’s is being able to seize the day. I know that term is very cliche, but I believe that everyone has come to realize how fast time goes by and that making the most of every moment is absolutely necessary to live a fun and happy life. Living in the moment assures a good time and almost 100% guarantees having no regrets. I never believed people when they said high school goes by in the blink of an eye, but I think that the senior class has made every spirit week, every homecoming, every dance, and every other school event worth its fullest. Every single quality I named is what Mr. Keating taught his boys in the film: to make your barbaric yawp heard, to not be afraid to stand up, and to “carpe diem.”
Every night at French camp, everyone in our pavilion sits in a circle on the floor so that all sixteen of us can look each other in the eye. That setting is warm and comforting all in itself. We sit in this circle and go through the daily activity of “conseil du soir” which translates to “night counsel”. That sounds much more formal than what actually happens in that little circle. This is also the only time that our counselors speak in English to us. During conseil du soir, we also talk about our “bonne chose” (good thing) of the day. We would go around, one by one, telling what we most enjoyed that day and usually we would pick something that would make our cabin laugh. I mostly enjoyed when I would be mentioned in someone else’s bonne chose. I loved being a part of someone’s favorite moment that day. However, it would usually be something funny that we did as a group. It was not until the last day of camp, when we were all dressed up for the dinner and dance last night, I saw my friend Anastasie looking distant and obviously upset. She was sitting on the stone step and I approached her, asking if she was excited or anxious that this was our last day here. She replied telling me that she did not want to leave but that was not the reason she was upset. She was self-conscious of all aspects of herself: her French capabilities, her future, her life at home, and her own appearance. I told her that she was the smartest,nicest girl I have ever met. I did not think much of it because I was so excited for the upcoming events that night. Later that evening, everyone finished their showers, changed into their pajamas, and sat in that welcoming circle. Anastasie was the first to say her bonne chose. All she talked about was me. She talked about how nice I was to her that night and throughout the entire four weeks we had spent together. I have been called nice before but it was the way she said it with a sincere look in her eyes that has stuck with me ever since.
With only two more days in high school I continue to have no regrets about my decision to attend St. Mark’s. But just like Charlie wanted to admit girls at Welton I believe St. Mark’s could definitely make some changes for the better. I decided to write about this prompt mainly because my brother will be an incoming freshman next year and I know that with a few minor changes he could have an even better experience here at St. Mark’s. First off, at least one class field trip every year would really improve class bonding while giving each student a chance to enjoy him or herself. This year I was lucky enough to go on the Junior Ski Trip and I had a blast. It was my first time on the slopes and by the end of the day I could snowboard down the hardest mountain without falling. I really enjoyed the trip with the few senior leaders that were allowed to go and wish we had been able to go my junior year. I also went on the Go Ape trip this year for physics and once again really enjoyed myself. It was an entertaining day going through all the obstacles with my closest friends. Looking back on high school I will always remember those field trips and the memories that come with them. Secondly, I think a senior lounge should make a comeback. I also think the seniors should decorate it every year which would encourage creative and collaborative interactions similar to Google offices. Having part of the school that is just for you and your class would be very special. Lastly, I heard that students would have wiffle ball games or football catches outside during frees when the weather was nice. I think students should be able to do this again. Students from all grades have frees and interaction like this would be fun for everyone. I think St. Mark’s takes away our freedom with all the signing in and signing out and limiting us to certain places in the building when simple stuff like a wiffle game is very possible to accomplish. There is much more that St. Mark’s can do to prepare us for college other than our education which includes a little bit more freedom.
C. One person who comes to mind when asked who has had the largest positive change over the past four years at high school is a certain boy. When he first came to St. Mark’s, he was deathly shy. If someone spoke to him, he’d just shrink away, close himself off, stutter, and his voice would falter. Being the only student from a faraway school, he did not come to St. Mark’s with any friends, and being that he was shy, he did not make many friends easily. He was constantly made fun of by his peers, and he immediately hated St. Mark’s purely because of the trash attitude exemplified by the other students. However, he did not let this deter him. He was driven by a desire to succeed. He batted away the insults and rumours that were crafted to sate the schadenfreude of the other students. As the years went on, he eventually learned to be more open, and he became more comfortable with his words. His confidence grew, and he embraced everything he did at St. Mark’s. The other students stopped making fun of him, realizing that he was just as capable as they were. Teachers now comment about how he acts so differently from the shy boy from freshman year who would barely utter a word. He went from hiding on the bus to singing cheesy Christmas songs in front of the entire school. He has become more confident in himself, and has learned that not everybody will accept you, so might as well live life to its fullest in whatever way makes you happy. He now loves everything St. Mark’s and everything it has to offer, and his only regret is that he wishes he were more confident in the past.
E. My art class in Junior year was one of the best classes that I had ever taken at St. Mark's. I had Mrs. Connair and as long as we were working on our projects, we could talk to our friends the whole class period. That class felt more like a productive free than an art class, and it's the reason that I had an art class for all four of my years here. That class had a kind of "flow" that made the periods seem short and I never dreaded going to that class because of how boring it was going to be, not that it was ever boring. It was actually refreshing with my schedule of AP Psychology. In that class, if you didn't like your seat, then you'd move it; didn't like your project, then you'd start over; didn't like your day, then you'd turn it around. I also learned that I was fairly good with painting with colors and shading with an ebony pencil. That class was honestly one of my favorite all time classes because of how loosely she taught it and I was distraught when she announced that she was leaving next year. I felt so open in her class that I actually sang while working on my project, which I'd never do in any other class. Her class last year was the only class I could open up in and just be myself and some of my favorite memories came from her class. I think that I'll always remember Mrs. Connair and I'll always carry the memories of her liberating class with me.
b. The most "different" extra-curricular activity in which I took part during high school has to be Model UN Club. I never even knew what the UN was or what it really did, but when I saw the club at the showcase freshman year I randomly decided to join. I can't what my high school experience would have been without Model UN. In addition to teaching me important lessons about how nations in this world attempt to diplomatically resolve disputes, it taught me how to think differently. By adopting the viewpoints of countries around the world on various social, political, economic, and security issues, both modern and historical, I have greatly expanded my personal view of the world. I have learned how to approach an argument or dispute and genuinely take into account every perspective, and attempt to reach a solution. I feel that this is a hugely important skill in today's world, and it wills serve me incredibly well going forward. The reason I say it is the most "different" activity is because while it does encompass some academic knowledge, it is really outside of anything else I would have thought of as the "typical" high school experience. It is totally outside of everything we learn in class, it has nothing to do with music or sports, and it is something I couldn't have even imagined before joining it. I feel that it is one of the most fun, rewarding, and expanding experiences I have had during my school experience, and is definitely the most "different" activity in which I participated.
- [ ] Having gone through twelve years of Catholic education (almost), the pages I would joyfully rip out would be the theology textbook pages. For me, there is no purpose to these textbooks. I understand it's part of the curriculum for Catholic Education to learn about the church, but the material is so cut and dry that it is just a drag to get through. How come we don't study the bible stories where we can actually learn life lessons and morals. Instead of learning the wisdom of Jesus's teachings, we learn about the levels of the Church. I'd much rather learn from the teachings of arguably the most influential man since the beginning of time than learn about the kinds of vestments priests wear. In a catholic school, shouldn't teaching faith and love be more imperative than teaching the liturgical calendar. Sometimes I just think school gets away from giving opportunities to students to learn what is really important. To me and to Mr. Keeting, passion is power. Teachers who teach with enthusiasm provide a medium or a bridge for students' interests to transform into passion. I've had many teachers who teach with passion and I've had many teachers who don't really show it that much. At the top of the list are Ingram, Baldino, Fiorelli, Esbitt, and Culnane. For Mr. Ingram, you can literally see his passion for his work as he closes his eyes and boisterously preaches to the class with swear trickling down to his face. Just his animations, let alone his extensive vocabulary, are enough to grab your attention. Although I dreaded hand writing his notes everyday, I always carefully listened to the words he would proclaim each day. Mr. Baldino is definitely not your typical math teacher. It seems like he puts everything he has into teaching his classes. From slamming a club down on the table to make a point to claiming to retire because of the bad tests, Mr. Baldino had a passion for teaching math. He doesn't walk through the book when he shows a problem like most math teachers, when he wants to teach something, he goes, "let me show you something neat." And then he will explain something with such detail and suspense that he will actually have you looking at Calculus in awe. I never would've imagined that happening. I always loved Fios classes because there was always interesting discussions. Ranging teachings of Uncle Walt to Malcom Gladwell, Fio never fails to keep my attention. Before Fio, I never had much of an appetite for literature. One of things I like most about his classes, is that his shows his passion for the things in his life and then he will let you reflect your unique and individual passions on Schoolsville. Ms. Esbitt taught me to respect the environment because she showed her love of the earth when she taught her class. It may seem like a small change in behavior, but now I always make an effort to recycle. Ms. Culnane teaches with such enthusiasm and depth that to seems like everyone gets a five on the AP Psychology test. Not only did I do well on the final test, but Ms Culnane really taught me a lot of interesting things about psychology. It seems like every other day that I connect an action that I did to something I learned in psychology last year. I am every grateful for the teachers that show their passion in their classes because it inspires me to find my passion and think for my self. So the pages I actually want to tear out aren't subject specific, I want to tear out the "metaphorical pages" of the classes where the lessons are dull and indolent. Tear out all the pages that put the students mind in shackles, students need become free thinkers.
- [ ] Having gone through twelve years of Catholic education (almost), the pages I would joyfully rip out would be the theology textbook pages. For me, there is no purpose to these textbooks. I understand it's part of the curriculum for Catholic Education to learn about the church, but the material is so cut and dry that it is just a drag to get through. How come we don't study the bible stories where we can actually learn life lessons and morals. Instead of learning the wisdom of Jesus's teachings, we learn about the levels of the Church. I'd much rather learn from the teachings of arguably the most influential man since the beginning of time than learn about the kinds of vestments priests wear. In a catholic school, shouldn't teaching faith and love be more imperative than teaching the liturgical calendar. Sometimes I just think school gets away from giving opportunities to students to learn what is really important. To me and to Mr. Keeting, passion is power. Teachers who teach with enthusiasm provide a medium or a bridge for students' interests to transform into passion. I've had many teachers who teach with passion and I've had many teachers who don't really show it that much. At the top of the list are Ingram, Baldino, Fiorelli, Esbitt, and Culnane. For Mr. Ingram, you can literally see his passion for his work as he closes his eyes and boisterously preaches to the class with swear trickling down to his face. Just his animations, let alone his extensive vocabulary, are enough to grab your attention. Although I dreaded hand writing his notes everyday, I always carefully listened to the words he would proclaim each day. Mr. Baldino is definitely not your typical math teacher. It seems like he puts everything he has into teaching his classes. From slamming a club down on the table to make a point to claiming to retire because of the bad tests, Mr. Baldino had a passion for teaching math. He doesn't walk through the book when he shows a problem like most math teachers, when he wants to teach something, he goes, "let me show you something neat." And then he will explain something with such detail and suspense that he will actually have you looking at Calculus in awe. I never would've imagined that happening. I always loved Fios classes because there was always interesting discussions. Ranging teachings of Uncle Walt to Malcom Gladwell, Fio never fails to keep my attention. Before Fio, I never had much of an appetite for literature. One of things I like most about his classes, is that his shows his passion for the things in his life and then he will let you reflect your unique and individual passions on Schoolsville. Ms. Esbitt taught me to respect the environment because she showed her love of the earth when she taught her class. It may seem like a small change in behavior, but now I always make an effort to recycle. Ms. Culnane teaches with such enthusiasm and depth that to seems like everyone gets a five on the AP Psychology test. Not only did I do well on the final test, but Ms Culnane really taught me a lot of interesting things about psychology. It seems like every other day that I connect an action that I did to something I learned in psychology last year. I am every grateful for the teachers that show their passion in their classes because it inspires me to find my passion and think for my self. So the pages I actually want to tear out aren't subject specific, I want to tear out the "metaphorical pages" of the classes where the lessons are dull and indolent. Tear out all the pages that put the students mind in shackles, students need become free thinkers.
As I conclude my last days of my senior year here at St. Mark’s High School I've been thinking of all of the classes that I took throughout my four years. At least 27.5 credits over four years of classes. While at St. Marks I participated in a wide range of courses designed to prepare me for college; however, the one that made the most impact on me were the culinary elective courses I took sophomore and junior year. I knew for sure that I liked to eat and when I heard this class gave you the opportunity to eat during the day I had to sign up. Sophomore year with Mrs. Diubaldo in Foods class changed me forever. Intro to Foods were the very basics and the building blocks to cooking and baking, but I realized it was something I loved. After sophomore year it was like an itch that couldn't be scratched, I had a joyous desired and passion for cooking and I wanted to learn more on how to get better. Junior year came around and so I had signed up for the secondary course called Culinary Arts. This class was a blessing in disguise. It got me up and out of my desk for a period during the day and I got to do something that was enjoyable. During the class I realized that I had a natural inclination for cooking, but the class developed my passion for cooking. I look back now and realized that those two classes really unlocked a hidden passion of mine and that has made a huge difference in my life. Now at home that passion burns on because I am constantly making meals not only for myself but for the rest of my family as well. The culinary elective courses I took sophomore and junior year are my “different” classes that I took at St. Marks and they have changed my life forever.
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