6- Ashley M - Success with Scraped knees

Quote: if you were born with the weakness to fall. You were born with the strength to rise. 

Many times as a child and even now a days I would think that failure didn’t lead to anything. Just a moment of sadness and giving up. Such as the times when I learned to ride a scooter yet when it came to making a turn I would always slip and fall on the concrete, leading to a scrapped knee with tears. 

Which led to me giving up easily. Only trying for the first time and if it didn’t come with success I would easily throw it away , in which case had my mom easily upset with the money she spent on things. All I could say in that case is that it wasn’t for me.

 It became a habit to give up , as if I were climbing a mountain , yet when I was half way there I would stop and not continue.I would easily think ‘why even bother to continue if I know I’m not going to be the best’. I never wanted to leave my comfort zone, but I wanted to overcome it. As I soon thought of the regrets when wondering about the possibilities I could have reached if I just kept trying.

So I decided to challenge myself by going to AP lang. It wasn’t an easy choice , as my original idea was to not be in it. It was a last minute choice , that I don’t regret. It does come with a little stress and a lot of hand cramps (due to the writing), but nonetheless it helped me learn that with failure could come great success. As with the challenges it helped me grow , overcome and know myself better.It’s not easy to break the habit of giving up.I still do in some occasions , but I continue trying.

As I could always fall and scrape my knees yet still rise to try again.

6- Katrina Smith: Embracing technology i$n't lazy

 The pandemic has undoubtedly changed the lifestyles of many. Not just preventing sickness, but how we socialize, how we learn, and above all, how we work. Covid has forced many to evaluate their lives and in turn, how they make money to survive. Financial help was given to many, and some in a well standing position have decided to change how they make their money. 

Younger generations have embraced untraditional jobs and utilized technology to aid in new sources of income. The past few years we have seen a rise in people who buy and sell stocks for a living instead of working a 9 to 5. Others have opted for a riskier mode, investing in cryptocurrency and NFTs. A few have gained popularity on social media and make money as an influencer with sponsorships and starting their own businesses. 

Older generations may not have a grasp on these new methods of making money and often write off the decline in traditional jobs as millennials and Gen z being lazy. Younger generations are not simply choosing these nontraditional jobs for quick cash or because there's any demand for the skill- but rather for reasons of passion. 

There have been messages of motivation for people to do what they love for many years, and the pandemic has shown young people that their careers don't have to be conventional. Although the job market is a tricky concept right now, older generations can learn from the younger generations that they don't have to work a job they loathe. If doing what you love means leaving conventional jobs then go ahead, it's never too late to start doing what you love.

Word Count: 227

6 - Raymond L- Strength of Life

 

Being strong is one of the most important aspects of life, not just pure muscle or being able to lift a lot. Sometimes being strong is being able to take on whatever life throws at you. Going through a tough time, for example losing someone or something you love, it takes strength to be able to get through it. 

Strength can be found in all kinds of places, sports, schools, jobs, and most importantly at home. In sports people have the strength to go throughout their days constantly working out and putting in time and effort to get better at the sport they love. At school kids are constantly there for 8 hours and are most definitely at school more than they are even at home. When they do get home they are most likely doing homework for another 2 hours. 

Now at peoples jobs depending on who they are and how old they are. Those working who are still in high school have to go through school for 8 hours, work for the 4 that they are allowed, and then come home with little to no time to do homework while trying to get enough sleep for the next day, then rinse and repeat. 

 

Every single day of everyone’s lives, it takes a great amount of strength to get through everyday. Strength is inside of everyone and those who think that they don’t have the strength do something do have that strength, and sometimes they might have already done it. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses, but the main thing to focus on is how well you are doing and focus on the positive. That is strength

Word Count: 277

6 - Ethan R - strength in service

During our teenage years we truly discover ourselves. We explore our interests, passions, and we discover our strengths and weaknesses. High school helps you find and channel your passions, whether it be athletics, academics, arts, or leadership.

Personally, I found my strength in becoming a leader and pursuing student government. When I was beginning my journey in finding who I am, I saw the good resume booster of student government. You know the drill, get something fancy on your resume and just let it be a nice fine tuner to make you look more applicable. Every school is now bearing away from its old timey strong man ways and trying to find the all around person that helps in every aspect of life. 

I found my passion in leadership but not until my freshman year. I was like every other kid getting a quick a and a nice college buff but as I came to high school's student government. I saw the brilliance of every mind in that class, it inspired me. It was a class that worked like a clock every part worked together and coherently it was beautiful. Every person played to their strengths and passions and inspired me to explore myself. I saw the pride every person had and i wanted it so ive worked my butt of in asb for the past 3 years and im about to lead it next year. I came as a wide eyed freshman, found my strength, and now everything has panned out perfectly.

Word count 253

6 - Preston K: Truth of Strength

 

Everyone is born into the world with a special trait to themselves. Let that be something seen as useful or not; their trait allows for them to have a special strength in something that others may not or a stronger strength that rivals another's. 

In the world of sports whether it be Track and field, Bull riding, Nascar, or even tennis. Each and every last player has a special strength that is special to them that others may not have. Some have the strength to endure the long and brutal race of the 400 Meters sprint while others have the power and explosiveness to dominate in the 100 Meter dash. Some have the strength to hold on to a raging Bull while others only have the strength to watch as they attempt to Hold onto the Bull.

Strength also can be found in every carrier. From blue collar men all the way to business owners. The blue-collar workers have the strength to wake up every day and do the same brutal job for hours upon hours upon hours for years just to provide for their family. While business wonders have the strength to keep finding remedies or investments to manage and keep a business up and running bringing in a steady income. 

Kids in school have to have the strength to endure 8 hours a day of schooling knowing we have to complete multiple assignments and pay attention in class. Enduring everyday knowing we have to perform not just for our futures but for the parents too. Always knowing in the back of your mind that if you don't do a certain task and you drop your grade, all the things you love to do outside of school will be yanked from your reach. Showcasing each and every kid's strength in school and how some may not even realize just how strong they are. Strength isn't just about how much weight you can lift or who can pull the most weight, but more of how mentally strong someone is. How willing they are to fight and persevere through the hard time when even no one is looking. That is True strength 

6- Jenna K: All Things Must Come to an End

When I was younger, I thought my childhood best friend would always be my best friend. For years we were inseparable, and I couldn’t imagine life without her. But people change, children grow up, and paths diverge. We were fortunate enough to be able to go to Disneyland together multiple times over the years, and we always looked forward to riding the Matterhorn together because it was one of our favorite rides. I didn’t know it at the time, but our friendship would be coming to a close soon after our final trip to Disneyland. The final day of our trip, we made it our goal to ride the Matterhorn one last time. As we approached the mountain, we could see the line of people waiting to get on the ride, and it seemed like that line would never end. It was over 90 minutes long, but we were determined. We stood in that line for over an hour, talking, laughing, people- watching, eating snacks, and taking turns holding our place in line when one of us ventured to the Alice in Wonderland bathrooms nearby. Although we spent a very long time standing in the line and slowly advancing to our destination, I don’t remember ever feeling bored. I was just happy to be in my favorite place with my favorite person. Obviously the ride was a fun experience in the moment, but looking back, I don’t have any memory of it. The part I do remember was the 90 minutes I spent in that line with my best friend. Just like the line eventually ended, the friendship did as well, but I will always cherish the memories like these that we shared together. Word Count: 284

6-Khaleah A: The Ice cream mold and disher

 Alfred L. Cralle was an African American inventor and businessman who is known for inventing the ice cream scooper in 1897. He was born right after the civil war in 1866 in Lunenburg County Virginia. He worked with his father in the carpentry trade where he soon found an interest in mechanics.

He attended Wayland Seminary, a branch of National theological Institute. It was an American Baptist home where they helped educate newly freed African Americans.

Cralle spent his early adult years working at a Hotel in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. While working he noticed that the icecream servers had difficulty trying to serve the customers. Ice cream would stick to the spoons and ladles. Along with the bent spoons that would come out of it due to the icecream being really frozen and stiff. 

His invention was originally called the “Ice cream mold and disher.” It was designed to keep icecream and other spoons from sticking. Addition to being easy to use and and constructed as a mold with no delicate parts to prevent bending or breaking. He made many designs such as a cone a cube and what we commonly use a sphere shaped molder for his design. On Febuary 2nd of 1897 he received a patent #576395. 

Unfortunally he didnt become famous for his invention. It spread so globally and quickly people forgot that there was an inventor behind it and saw it as an everyday use. Therefore he never received any profit.

(happy black history month)

252 words