Apologies. I totally used all these questions and this situation to rant.
1). The man, Ki Suk, had been pushed onto the tracks by a panhandler who was harassing people after trying to calm him down. The photographer says he'd tried to help, but when he realized he couldn't, he started taking picture with his flash in hopes of warning the operator about the person in their path.
2). To warn the operator about Ki Suk with his flash.
3). No. NO, he shouldn't have taken the photo. He should have kept trying to help, even if he'd thought it was hopeless. If the operator of the subway hadn't already seen the person, he wasn't going to anytime soon--people (such as tourist) probably take pictures of the incoming subway with their flash on all the time.
4). I don't think he did the best he could in this situation. Ki Suk was about to die, and the photographer got out his camera to take pictures with the illogical excuse that the operator would stop the train because he used his flash as a warning.
5). I strongly disagree with the decision to use this photo as the cover of the New York Post. This man, Ki Suk, is famous now--not because he tried to help the people being harassed by a panhandler, but because a picture was taken of him right before his death. He's now famous for being hit by a subway train. The cruelty of putting him on the cover of the New York Post is...unexplainable.
6). Stopping bad things from happening should be more important to a photojournalist than capturing pictures of bad things happening. This death might have been avoided if he'd just kept trying, instead of trying to take a picture of the event. Photos and stories of terrible things wouldn't have to be famous and making people nationwide sick to their stomachs if they'd never happened in the first place.
7). If something isn't going to end in death, a photojournalist probably shouldn't involve him or herself in the photos they're taking (such as, if they were taking photos of a presidential debate, or a person being interviewed for a news story). If something completely serious (such as this) is happening, they shouldn't be taking photos in the first place; they should be helping. I'm not saying they should have a reckless Harry Potter personality, throwing themselves into danger to help people--but they should try.
8). There are circumstances in which a photojournalist should probably try to avoid influencing events as they happen (such as, again, a presidential debate), or something that involves an environment that they could somehow ruin with either their cameras or their bodies. Something like this, though, isn't normal. It's special circumstances, like when your orchestra director says you can't miss more than two rehearsals unless you're lying sick in a hospital bed or got lost somewhere over the rainbow. With this, and anything like it, I find it almost disrespectful to the subjects of the photo if the photojournalist is taking pictures instead of helping. Imagine how terrified Ki Suk must have been when the photojournalist gave up helping him--seriously???
9). How does “taking pictures” tell a conductor to stop a train? Huh? Is this photographer guy a moron? Throw down your camera and run to help the guy. If you fail, at least you tried. Taking pictures isn’t trying. What conductor would think, “Oh, look, someone’s taking pictures…maybe I should stop the train.”
I completely agree with this (this was the point I made earlier). I can't make myself believe anything the photographer is saying about helping with the flash, and if he meant it...I seriously question the intelligence of today's society.
Thursday, December 17, 2015
Monday, December 14, 2015
Final Exam Review
1. Timelines
A- How recent a written story is.
2. Proximity
A- How close an event in a story happened to where it was published.
3. Human Interest
A- The appeal for a human to read the story.
4. Prominence
A- How important the story is.
5. Conflict
A- A story about a problem between two forces.
6. Interviews
A- A way for a journalist to gather information in order to write a story based off facts.
7. Research
A- Search done for facts about the topic of the story, so that the journalist can base it off of more than interviews.
8. Quotations
A- Something used in a story to repeat exactly how a person said something.
9. Yes-no question
A- A question that should not be asked during a review--it does not end up giving much information to the writer to work with.
10. Follow-up question
A- A question made to pursue a topic that the person being interviewed brings up.
11. Objective writing
A- Writing not influenced by personal feelings, opinions, or prejudice (bias).
12. Transition paragraph
A- A paragraph made to move from one topic in a story to another.
13. Hard news story
A- A news story based entirely off fact.
14. Soft news story
A- A news story with fact (because it is a news story), but also includes emotions and opinions of the people interviewed.
15. Inverted pyramid
A- A strategy to organize a story by level of importance.
16. Third-person POV
A- Writing without the use of personal pronouns.
17. 5 Ws and H lead
A- A lede for a story made to explain who, what, when, where, why, and how.
18. Editing
A- Going back over something to make sure every thing is factually and grammatically correct.
19. Attribution
A- Something that adds to the story, makes it better.
20. Paraphrase
A- Summing up a quote or idea into one sentence or small paragraph (no quotations).
21. Fragmentary quotation
A- A quoted incomplete sentence.
22. Direct quotation
A- Putting down exactly what a person said inside of quotations.
23. Partial quotation
A- Using part of what a person said in quotations (such as in the middle of a sentence).
24. Uses of quotations
A- They're used to repeat the exact words of someone. They're also put around unusual words of phrases that have been used be someone.
25. When to use quotations
A- Use quotations when you want to back something up in a story with words from an interview.
26. When quotations are unnecessary or not desired
A- Quotations should not be used in two consecutive paragraphs. Quotes should not be embedded into paragraphs.
27. Editorial
A- A piece written by a chosen person to convey the ideas or opinions of the newspaper staff.
28. Editorial page
A- A page of the above definition.
29. Columns
A- A recurring author giving their opinion.
30. Editorial that criticizes
A- The opinion of the staff that goes against or critiques something.
31. Editorial that explains
A- The staff coming together to try and help readers understand something (such as a why, or a how).
32. Editorial that persuades
A- The staff coming together to try and convince the readers of something.
33. Letter to the editor
A- A letter sent to a publication about issues or concerns from its readers.
A- How recent a written story is.
2. Proximity
A- How close an event in a story happened to where it was published.
3. Human Interest
A- The appeal for a human to read the story.
4. Prominence
A- How important the story is.
5. Conflict
A- A story about a problem between two forces.
6. Interviews
A- A way for a journalist to gather information in order to write a story based off facts.
7. Research
A- Search done for facts about the topic of the story, so that the journalist can base it off of more than interviews.
8. Quotations
A- Something used in a story to repeat exactly how a person said something.
9. Yes-no question
A- A question that should not be asked during a review--it does not end up giving much information to the writer to work with.
10. Follow-up question
A- A question made to pursue a topic that the person being interviewed brings up.
11. Objective writing
A- Writing not influenced by personal feelings, opinions, or prejudice (bias).
12. Transition paragraph
A- A paragraph made to move from one topic in a story to another.
13. Hard news story
A- A news story based entirely off fact.
14. Soft news story
A- A news story with fact (because it is a news story), but also includes emotions and opinions of the people interviewed.
15. Inverted pyramid
A- A strategy to organize a story by level of importance.
16. Third-person POV
A- Writing without the use of personal pronouns.
17. 5 Ws and H lead
A- A lede for a story made to explain who, what, when, where, why, and how.
18. Editing
A- Going back over something to make sure every thing is factually and grammatically correct.
19. Attribution
A- Something that adds to the story, makes it better.
20. Paraphrase
A- Summing up a quote or idea into one sentence or small paragraph (no quotations).
21. Fragmentary quotation
A- A quoted incomplete sentence.
22. Direct quotation
A- Putting down exactly what a person said inside of quotations.
23. Partial quotation
A- Using part of what a person said in quotations (such as in the middle of a sentence).
24. Uses of quotations
A- They're used to repeat the exact words of someone. They're also put around unusual words of phrases that have been used be someone.
25. When to use quotations
A- Use quotations when you want to back something up in a story with words from an interview.
26. When quotations are unnecessary or not desired
A- Quotations should not be used in two consecutive paragraphs. Quotes should not be embedded into paragraphs.
27. Editorial
A- A piece written by a chosen person to convey the ideas or opinions of the newspaper staff.
28. Editorial page
A- A page of the above definition.
29. Columns
A- A recurring author giving their opinion.
30. Editorial that criticizes
A- The opinion of the staff that goes against or critiques something.
31. Editorial that explains
A- The staff coming together to try and help readers understand something (such as a why, or a how).
32. Editorial that persuades
A- The staff coming together to try and convince the readers of something.
33. Letter to the editor
A- A letter sent to a publication about issues or concerns from its readers.
Friday, December 4, 2015
Feature Story
Name guide, because I don't want you going through the whole story pronouncing their names wrong in your head (and neither would they): Tena is pronounced as you would "Tina." Treva is pronounced "tree-vuh."
This is a recurring subject for our family. People even tend to pronounce "Laylah" wrong, somehow. And people call our dad "Richard Williams" instead of "William Richards" ALL the time.
Feature Story
This is a recurring subject for our family. People even tend to pronounce "Laylah" wrong, somehow. And people call our dad "Richard Williams" instead of "William Richards" ALL the time.
Feature Story
Bill Richards had first joined the military in order to pay for school.
It was, certainly, a very typical reason for joining, since the military pays up to 100% of college tuition while one is on active duty. After a lifetime of constantly moving from state to state, it had been time to settle down and go to college. The military had offered a simple-yet-not-so-simple way of paying for it, while finally getting to live in one place.
"I had come to terms with moving around so much a long time ago," Richards says. "It was kind of scary, at first. But it was kind of a relief."
Good things definitely came out of it. After quite a few years, he found himself working the same job as his future wife Tena Richards. Two years, they were married. And then, just a few years later, they had a daughter, Treva Richards.
It took a while for him to be deployed for the first time, but it hadn't taken too long for him to come back. The first deployment had been described as calm.
The second one came all too soon after.
"I was better prepared, maybe, than I was for the first time," daughter Treva said. "'Cause, you know, it's still hard. It's a big deal...emotionally."
Bill left soon after the news was delivered to him. His wife and two daughters stayed at home while he was deployed to Iraq for the second time. He arrived at an operating base just outside of a town called Tikrit in north-central Iraq.
Training took six months. The next year was spent actively working.
"It was all routine, business. We're all there to do a job; it's not like you're on vacation. We worked six days a week," Bill said.
On that one day off, all spare time was spent doing things that were both completely useless and beautiful. He went to the theatre to see movies, spent time in his room to watch as many episodes of NCIS he could make himself watch. His book of Sudoku was finished faster than he would've liked, but he wasted no time in buying another one...and another, and another.
On one night every other week, everyone serving would participate in a barbecue.
"Every other Wednesday night, we'd have a barbecue. You'd go to the PX and buy a steak, and you'd go to the barbecue and everybody would cook their steaks," Bill said.
Every night, he got to speak to his family over Skype.
"We just kind of talked about what we were doing--how the kids were changing, and what they were doing, too," Tena said. "It's also when you confirm those little questions that you need to know, such as...'Where did we put this?' or 'What did we use as the password for this file on the computer?' We could just catch up on the day."
He also continued to get closer to the people there, too. It's said that "being deployed makes you good friends" for a reason. Spending eighteen months with the same people does that. But, the whole time, getting home was a priority. There were many things to be missed back in Austin.
"I missed home-cooked food," Bill said. "Pot roast. The food there was all contractor meals. So, it was--it wasn't bad, but it wasn't home-cooked food."
Going back home, though, ended up being one of the hardest parts for both the people back home, and Bill himself.
"There was kind of an adjustment period," Bill said. "So in some cases, it was kind of scary."
Due to terrorist problems, they all flew home in civilian clothes. After a roughly fifteen-hour flight, they finally arrived back home at the Austin airport.
Tena and Treva hadn't been able to get past security, so they had to wait at downstairs near baggage claim. After waiting at baggage claim for what felt like forever, he finally showed up at the top of the stairs.
"We went to the airport and we made the signs...'Welcome home,'" Tena said. "We stopped at Denny's on the way home for a grilled-cheese sandwich and chocolate milk."
Tena and Treva had built a routine around themselves while they had waited for Bill to get home. The sudden arrival of Bill had been disorienting for the whole family. It didn't take long to get back into their old habits, though.
"It seemed like he...like they all fell right back into their regular routines fairly easily," family friend Jackie Smith said. "It was nice--I could tell they were all generally less agitated, worried...They went back to doing those little things they always did--Treva and Bill playfully arguing about something or other, things like that."
Treva and Bill most definitely continued to argue about the small things. Bill and his friends went back to having dinner with each other every week.
"You do what you have to do to get by, and you have friends that help," Tena said.
It was, certainly, a very typical reason for joining, since the military pays up to 100% of college tuition while one is on active duty. After a lifetime of constantly moving from state to state, it had been time to settle down and go to college. The military had offered a simple-yet-not-so-simple way of paying for it, while finally getting to live in one place.
"I had come to terms with moving around so much a long time ago," Richards says. "It was kind of scary, at first. But it was kind of a relief."
Good things definitely came out of it. After quite a few years, he found himself working the same job as his future wife Tena Richards. Two years, they were married. And then, just a few years later, they had a daughter, Treva Richards.
It took a while for him to be deployed for the first time, but it hadn't taken too long for him to come back. The first deployment had been described as calm.
The second one came all too soon after.
"I was better prepared, maybe, than I was for the first time," daughter Treva said. "'Cause, you know, it's still hard. It's a big deal...emotionally."
Bill left soon after the news was delivered to him. His wife and two daughters stayed at home while he was deployed to Iraq for the second time. He arrived at an operating base just outside of a town called Tikrit in north-central Iraq.
Training took six months. The next year was spent actively working.
"It was all routine, business. We're all there to do a job; it's not like you're on vacation. We worked six days a week," Bill said.
On that one day off, all spare time was spent doing things that were both completely useless and beautiful. He went to the theatre to see movies, spent time in his room to watch as many episodes of NCIS he could make himself watch. His book of Sudoku was finished faster than he would've liked, but he wasted no time in buying another one...and another, and another.
On one night every other week, everyone serving would participate in a barbecue.
"Every other Wednesday night, we'd have a barbecue. You'd go to the PX and buy a steak, and you'd go to the barbecue and everybody would cook their steaks," Bill said.
Every night, he got to speak to his family over Skype.
"We just kind of talked about what we were doing--how the kids were changing, and what they were doing, too," Tena said. "It's also when you confirm those little questions that you need to know, such as...'Where did we put this?' or 'What did we use as the password for this file on the computer?' We could just catch up on the day."
He also continued to get closer to the people there, too. It's said that "being deployed makes you good friends" for a reason. Spending eighteen months with the same people does that. But, the whole time, getting home was a priority. There were many things to be missed back in Austin.
"I missed home-cooked food," Bill said. "Pot roast. The food there was all contractor meals. So, it was--it wasn't bad, but it wasn't home-cooked food."
Going back home, though, ended up being one of the hardest parts for both the people back home, and Bill himself.
"There was kind of an adjustment period," Bill said. "So in some cases, it was kind of scary."
Due to terrorist problems, they all flew home in civilian clothes. After a roughly fifteen-hour flight, they finally arrived back home at the Austin airport.
Tena and Treva hadn't been able to get past security, so they had to wait at downstairs near baggage claim. After waiting at baggage claim for what felt like forever, he finally showed up at the top of the stairs.
"We went to the airport and we made the signs...'Welcome home,'" Tena said. "We stopped at Denny's on the way home for a grilled-cheese sandwich and chocolate milk."
Tena and Treva had built a routine around themselves while they had waited for Bill to get home. The sudden arrival of Bill had been disorienting for the whole family. It didn't take long to get back into their old habits, though.
"It seemed like he...like they all fell right back into their regular routines fairly easily," family friend Jackie Smith said. "It was nice--I could tell they were all generally less agitated, worried...They went back to doing those little things they always did--Treva and Bill playfully arguing about something or other, things like that."
Treva and Bill most definitely continued to argue about the small things. Bill and his friends went back to having dinner with each other every week.
"You do what you have to do to get by, and you have friends that help," Tena said.
Wednesday, December 2, 2015
Current Events 3.3
1). Zuckerburg said he'd commit 99% of their Facebook stock to causes such as fighting disease, improving education, and "building strong communities."
2). To lower class sizes, to improve teacher quality, and to encourage the state to fund full-day Pre-K.
3). The Independent will be 58 stories. It would end up being the tallest building in Austin, and the tallest residential building west of the Mississippi River.
4). David Price will make $217 million in the next seven years.
5). I would not eat Texas Trash, mainly because I don't like nuts, or pretzels.
6). Homeboy Industries is an organization that works to give second chances to those just out of prison and to former gang members who want to change their lives.
This was definitely a compelling story--reading about Medina's life, in particular, and how he was determined to move on from his old life was kind of inspiring, and I could see it giving hope to a lot of people.
When I first starting reading, I had thought it would be like all the other stories I'd heard like this, but none of the others had given a story--only an explanation. Putting Medina's story in there, including his transition into Homeboy Industries and getting comfortable there, made the story compelling and convinced me that Homeboy was a good, well-working place.
2). To lower class sizes, to improve teacher quality, and to encourage the state to fund full-day Pre-K.
3). The Independent will be 58 stories. It would end up being the tallest building in Austin, and the tallest residential building west of the Mississippi River.
4). David Price will make $217 million in the next seven years.
5). I would not eat Texas Trash, mainly because I don't like nuts, or pretzels.
6). Homeboy Industries is an organization that works to give second chances to those just out of prison and to former gang members who want to change their lives.
This was definitely a compelling story--reading about Medina's life, in particular, and how he was determined to move on from his old life was kind of inspiring, and I could see it giving hope to a lot of people.
When I first starting reading, I had thought it would be like all the other stories I'd heard like this, but none of the others had given a story--only an explanation. Putting Medina's story in there, including his transition into Homeboy Industries and getting comfortable there, made the story compelling and convinced me that Homeboy was a good, well-working place.
Thursday, November 19, 2015
Feature Story Brainstorm
1). My dad.
2). My mom, older sister, family friend.
3). My dad's deployment to Iraq.
4). Historical Feature.
5)
1- Where did you serve?
Cob...Contingiency Operating Base, Spcicaer, outside of a town called Tikrit, central-northern Iraq.
2- Has anyone else in your family been deployed?
No.
3- How did you feel when you were deployed? --
4- Did you know anyone you served with before you left?
Yes. A lot of people, actually.
5- How was the atmosphere during your stay?
It was all routine, business. We're all there to do a job; it's not like you're on vacation. We work six days a week.
6- How was the weather? --
7- What did you do in your spare time?
Well, sometimes we'd work out, sometimes I'd go to a movie, sometime's I'd go to the MWR and hang out. A lot of times I'd just watch TV in my room. Sudoku. I did a lot of Sudoku. I had a whole book.
8- Was there something you did to keep you going? --
9- How was the food?
It was all contractor meals. So, it was--it wasn't bad; it just wasn't home-cooked food.
10- How often did you get to talk to the people back home?
Every day.
11- What was the worst part about the war? --
12- Why did you join the military?
To pay for school.
13- Was it your first time out of the country?
No.
14- Was it any different from your first deployment?
Oh, yeah. Much different.
16- How long were you there?
One year. Twelve months. Plus six months train-up. So I was gone for a year and a half.
17- Was there anything good about your stay?
Well, I mean, you make--you make friends.
18- What did you miss most about home?
Home-cooked food, meals. Pot roast.
(Pot roast?)
Well, yeah.
19- How did it feel, coming back home?
Well, it was kind of--there was an adjustment period. So in some cases, it was kind of scary.
20- Is there anything that sticks out to you?
We used to do...every other Wednesday night, we'd have a barbecue. You'd go to the PX and buy a steak, and you'd go to the barbecue and everybody'd cook their steaks.
6) Treva
1- How did you feel when he had to leave?
Mmm...Well, this is his second one, so, I mean...I was better prepared, maybe, than I was for the first time? Cause, you know, it's still hard, It's a big deal, you know, emotionally.
2- What was it like without him at home?
Mmm...Um, I guess, at that point, it was really just Mom and I at the house. It was, uh...she and I just got into a routine of things, of just the two of us at home. We always sent emails and letters and stuff...kept in contact.
3- Do you remember how his arrival back home played out?/How did his arrival back home play out?
4- What did you talk about over the phone?
Um, just kind of caught up, I guess. He would tell me about what was going on, and I would do the same.
5- How did you feel when he returned?
It was always emotional, you know? I always cried everytime he came home...but it was always exciting. Happy-joy-joy.
Mom
1- Um, well, a little proud of the service he was doing. A little worried for how he would get things done here while he was gone. A little worried about the challenges that would come up. This one was a little easier than the one before, though, because Treva was old enough to drive, and could help with the transportation piece--for getting everybody where they needed to be.
2- Well, it's not easy, but...you do what you have to do to get by. And you have friends that help--and you hate to call on folks, but you do when you have to call them. Treva could help get you (Jaye) to and from school, since my job takes me out of down somewhat regularly. I just take care of whatever needs to be done here--cause it's hard enough for him there without having to worry about stuff here. He has plenty to worry about there--so, this is not a worry he needs to worry about.
3- We went to the airport and we made the signs..."Welcome home." He flew in to the Austin Bergstram Airport. We weren't allowed to go past security, so we had to wait for him downstairs at baggage claim. He'd had a layover, and because of terrorist things that were going on, they didn't travel in uniform, so he was in civilian clothes. We had to wait until we saw him at the top of the stairs on the landing. Then, it was...we stopped Denny's on the way home for a grilled-cheese sandwich and chocolate milk, and it was kind of late.
4- Really, just kind of...what we were doing. How the kids were changing, and what they were doing. It's also when you confirm those little questions that you need to know, such as..."Where did we put this?" or "What did we use as the password for this file on the computer?" Just kind of catch up on the day.
His first deployment, we could call--use the cell phone, and call, but texting was the big communication. Second deployment, we did a little more of the email, and cell phones...and the third, we Skyped--all the time. Which was great. We could actually see each other's faces, versus just talking.
with the computer, he could get online and order stuff that he needed, or wanted
5- Happy he was home safe, and then one of the biggest challenges was...having him fit back into our new routine. It was nice to have the extra set of hands there.
Jackie
1- Concerned, worried that he had to go in harm's way, and sad that he was gonna miss his family while he was gone.
2- (What were your observations of the Richards without him?) The three of them worked really well together, making sure they were all where they need to be at the right time, and they were all taking care of each other.
3- (How did you feel when he returned?) Relieved. Anxious to get together with him, to get find out how it went for him, to get his impression. Ready for him to join us for our weekly dinners again.
4- (What were your observation of the Richards family after he got home?) It seemed like he...like they all fell right back into their regular routines fairly easily. It was nice--I could tell they were all generally less agitated, worried. Life went back to normal really quickly. They went back to doing those little things they always did--Treva and Bill playfully arguing about something or other, things like that.
7). The military will pay up to 100% of college tuition.
8). Probably around the weekend after Thanksgiving for my mom and dad, and in the week after for my sister and friend.
9). At home, and in Waco.
10). Take notes.
Current Events 3.2
1). He requested to prevent attorneys and witnesses from speaking publicly about the case.
2). They're protesting, demanding that the president of the university (and whomever else might be involved) improve the social and academic experiences of black people on campus.
3). Clemson, Alabama, Ohio State, and Oklahoma State are the four current teams that are predicted to play in the college football play-offs.
4). The five platinum "biker-friendly" cities in the United States are Madison, Wisconsin, Fort Collins and Boulder, Colorado, Portland, Oregon, and Davis, California.
5). The Hunger Games was compared to four other movies: "Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi," "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King," "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, Part 2," and "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2" (which I strongly protest to - although a part of me agrees).
6). I think adding a layer of scrutiny to the textbooks before they make it to the classroom is a very good idea. Textbooks affect the way students learn, and they keep these things with them for the rest of their lives (and/or it's really hard to get rid of something they've kept in their minds forever). Also, incorrect facts in textbooks are an excuse for people to make a big deal out of things, and we don't need that kind of chaos over something so small.
I don't find the slaves being described as "workers" acceptable - at all. It dulls down what they went through way too much, and makes it sound as though they were paid, or treated cruelly. This kind of mistake in a textbook isn't something small like a factual error, either. It was a very bad decision by the person who wrote it in the first place, and very offensive.
Honestly? It should be a mixture of all of them. Experts are needed to check facts, and regular people are needed to check for offensive comments, or things that could hurt anyone emotionally.
I have no idea if my textbooks are accurate, but I trust them to be - which is why it's a big deal that they really are accurate. We depend on our textbooks for information, information that we keep with us.
2). They're protesting, demanding that the president of the university (and whomever else might be involved) improve the social and academic experiences of black people on campus.
3). Clemson, Alabama, Ohio State, and Oklahoma State are the four current teams that are predicted to play in the college football play-offs.
4). The five platinum "biker-friendly" cities in the United States are Madison, Wisconsin, Fort Collins and Boulder, Colorado, Portland, Oregon, and Davis, California.
5). The Hunger Games was compared to four other movies: "Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi," "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King," "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, Part 2," and "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2" (which I strongly protest to - although a part of me agrees).
6). I think adding a layer of scrutiny to the textbooks before they make it to the classroom is a very good idea. Textbooks affect the way students learn, and they keep these things with them for the rest of their lives (and/or it's really hard to get rid of something they've kept in their minds forever). Also, incorrect facts in textbooks are an excuse for people to make a big deal out of things, and we don't need that kind of chaos over something so small.
I don't find the slaves being described as "workers" acceptable - at all. It dulls down what they went through way too much, and makes it sound as though they were paid, or treated cruelly. This kind of mistake in a textbook isn't something small like a factual error, either. It was a very bad decision by the person who wrote it in the first place, and very offensive.
Honestly? It should be a mixture of all of them. Experts are needed to check facts, and regular people are needed to check for offensive comments, or things that could hurt anyone emotionally.
I have no idea if my textbooks are accurate, but I trust them to be - which is why it's a big deal that they really are accurate. We depend on our textbooks for information, information that we keep with us.
Friday, November 13, 2015
Feature Writing Preview
1). A hard news lede tells who, what, when, where, why, and how (or as many as it can), while this one had more of a story-telling aspect to it.
2). Who- Paragraph 2.
What- Paragraph 2.
When- Paragraph 2.
Where- Paragraph 2.
Why- Paragraph 5.
How- Paragraph 7.
3). Yes.
4). No.
5). Kevin McLoughlin, Doral Chenoweth III, Ken Andrews, Tony Florentino, Shane Cormier, Frank Willson, Patrick Harris.
6). Florentino saying that Ted Williams has no idea how big this is going to be.
7). 33 paragraphs
8). 762.
9). The first and last paragraphs connect (and they're also vague-ish and very story-like).
10). People always say that a lead and a conclusion should connect to each other, so...
11). Yes.
12). Yes.
13). Hearing the voice after reading the story kind of enhanced how good he really was.
14). Maybe a little, but not too much.
15). Yes.
16). He described the voice as a "smooth baritone," along with a bunch of other people describing how good the voice is.
2). Who- Paragraph 2.
What- Paragraph 2.
When- Paragraph 2.
Where- Paragraph 2.
Why- Paragraph 5.
How- Paragraph 7.
3). Yes.
4). No.
5). Kevin McLoughlin, Doral Chenoweth III, Ken Andrews, Tony Florentino, Shane Cormier, Frank Willson, Patrick Harris.
6). Florentino saying that Ted Williams has no idea how big this is going to be.
7). 33 paragraphs
8). 762.
9). The first and last paragraphs connect (and they're also vague-ish and very story-like).
10). People always say that a lead and a conclusion should connect to each other, so...
11). Yes.
12). Yes.
13). Hearing the voice after reading the story kind of enhanced how good he really was.
14). Maybe a little, but not too much.
15). Yes.
16). He described the voice as a "smooth baritone," along with a bunch of other people describing how good the voice is.
Tuesday, November 10, 2015
Peer Reflection #2
1). Claire
2). Allowances
3). "I do not think that parents should give their kids allowances."
4). Yes.
5). No.
6). No.
7). First.
8). It was a straight commentary piece.
Comment: Comment.
1). Emily
2). Sounds Good Feels Good by 5 Seconds of Summer
3). "The response from their fans that blindly follow them was overwhelming, but unfortunately, the album wasn't." She didn't think the album was very good.
4). No.
5). No.
6). No.
7). First.
8). It was a straight commentary piece.
Comment: Comment.
2). Allowances
3). "I do not think that parents should give their kids allowances."
4). Yes.
5). No.
6). No.
7). First.
8). It was a straight commentary piece.
Comment: Comment.
1). Emily
2). Sounds Good Feels Good by 5 Seconds of Summer
3). "The response from their fans that blindly follow them was overwhelming, but unfortunately, the album wasn't." She didn't think the album was very good.
4). No.
5). No.
6). No.
7). First.
8). It was a straight commentary piece.
Comment: Comment.
Friday, November 6, 2015
Current Events 3.1
1). They want to ban the Confederate flag from the parade this month because it's a "political symbol for hatred and racism."
2). He discovered his real identity because of a discrepancy while dealing with his social security number when applying to college.
3). If they didn't climb the ladder over the wall, they would have to walk about 1.5 miles every day to school.
4). 1- Whole Foods sells specifically organic foods to people. 2- Amplify Snack Brands is the marker of popcorn and tortilla chips for health-conscious consumers. 3- HomeAway charges property owners to list on sites right now.
5). Donio is trying to make tech more appealing to women. She carries them out by mentoring MBA students at the University of Washington.
6). This is an opinions piece (judging by the way there's background information on the subject, and then an argument/opinion for the subject).
David Brooks was trying to show that throwing things out can help you learn more about yourself than buying more things. He says "many people these days are apparently learning who they are by choosing what they can do without." I agree that a lot can be learned by choosing what you can let go of, or what can be thrown out without a huge amount of remorse. It's a sort of cleansing.
I'd say the article is termed "from the right" at the top because David Brooks writes for the New York Times, while E.J. Dlonne Jr., who wrote "Tuesday's election shows we still have two Americas," writes for the Washington Post. These two places are on the opposites sides of the country, New York being on the right and Washington being on the left.
He didn't really convince me of his point, because I already knew this...I felt like his opinion was really vague, and hidden somewhere among his amazing format of writing.
2). He discovered his real identity because of a discrepancy while dealing with his social security number when applying to college.
3). If they didn't climb the ladder over the wall, they would have to walk about 1.5 miles every day to school.
4). 1- Whole Foods sells specifically organic foods to people. 2- Amplify Snack Brands is the marker of popcorn and tortilla chips for health-conscious consumers. 3- HomeAway charges property owners to list on sites right now.
5). Donio is trying to make tech more appealing to women. She carries them out by mentoring MBA students at the University of Washington.
6). This is an opinions piece (judging by the way there's background information on the subject, and then an argument/opinion for the subject).
David Brooks was trying to show that throwing things out can help you learn more about yourself than buying more things. He says "many people these days are apparently learning who they are by choosing what they can do without." I agree that a lot can be learned by choosing what you can let go of, or what can be thrown out without a huge amount of remorse. It's a sort of cleansing.
I'd say the article is termed "from the right" at the top because David Brooks writes for the New York Times, while E.J. Dlonne Jr., who wrote "Tuesday's election shows we still have two Americas," writes for the Washington Post. These two places are on the opposites sides of the country, New York being on the right and Washington being on the left.
He didn't really convince me of his point, because I already knew this...I felt like his opinion was really vague, and hidden somewhere among his amazing format of writing.
Wednesday, November 4, 2015
Social Media: How it Affects the Life of a Teenager
Social media has started to become an extremely significant part of the average teenager's life. 95% of teens are online in some way - whether on Tumblr, Facebook, Instagram, etc. While these things are definitely fun, and can keep people our age updated on what's going on with the region, not many people seem to think of the negative effects social media can have on teens. Social media lessens a teen's ability to communicate with people in their society face-to-face.
Many teens admit to feeling uncomfortable when they don't have their phones on - or close to - them; I see this as a result of fearing a lack of communication between a teen and their friends online. Talking to people online can be easier than speaking to someone in real life - it means they don't have to be self-conscious about the way they look, and they have time to think everything through before they say it.
In a face-to-face confrontation, a person is under pressure to give an answer or response to something in a limited amount of time before it becomes "awkward" or "weird." Constantly communicating with people online lessens a teen's ability to think fast, or to put together the ideas they want to convey without word-vomiting. Being online is comforting because they can go back and correct their mistakes, or erase and we-write the words they say before they send it. The reality is, this luxury isn't granted in real life.
As well as communication issues, social media leaves us with a severe lack of emotional connections to the people around us. Even at restaurants, when families are sitting together at a table, you're likely to catch them all on their phones if they're not eating their food. Social media distracts us from what's right in our faces - the people that matter most. We allow our own personal worlds to steal our attention away from the people we care about, which can lead to lacking or destroyed relationships between teens and their families or friends.
Social media also distracts us from what's going on globally, and not just in their country or in the life of a famous person. On a weekly basis, teachers will mention something in class about a problem happening somewhere in Africa or India, and we will never have heard of it before. Despite these problems being all over the news, teens' social medias lean toward news that ultimately don't affect the world, such as Justin Bieber getting arrested or rumors of a break-up between Kim Kardashian and Kanye West. Social media doesn't let us focus on problems that need to be fixed in order to save lives or reputations.
On a different level, social media can also be the cause of anxiety in teens. If a teenager has one bad experience with the internet, getting notifications or messages from any social media websites can tend to make a person nervous about looking at it (Will it be something terrible again?). The resulting anxiety leads to a teen developing distrust in the physical world around them - causes them to think that people could possible be so cruel in person, too.
The truth of that one is: Most people don't have enough guts to say something cruel to someone else's face, which is why they use social media to hide behind.
Sometimes I wish that Instagram, Twitter, Flickr, and everything else had never existed - we'd be better off without them. I no longer see this as a fixable problem - the damage has been done, and there's no way to convince any company to shut down their websites when they're making so much money off of them. Social media has affected the life of teens in a terrible way, and definitely in more ways than I've tried to explain. And while it's understood that social media is a fun way to waste time we have nothing else to do with, I'd rather we sacrifice that than our communication skills, or our emotional connections.
Monday, November 2, 2015
Editorials and Personal Columns
1- Teachers requiring students to turn their phones in before class
2- Dress code
3- Internet efficiency/the school's transition to the internet
I don't read a specific personal column (or any personal columns) very often. There are a few in general that post their views of an episode of a TV show I share an interest with every week. The only thing that keeps me coming back is: I like being able to read about what other people saw that I missed, or what other people think about what happened that week.
2- Dress code
3- Internet efficiency/the school's transition to the internet
I don't read a specific personal column (or any personal columns) very often. There are a few in general that post their views of an episode of a TV show I share an interest with every week. The only thing that keeps me coming back is: I like being able to read about what other people saw that I missed, or what other people think about what happened that week.
Peer Reflections
"Dress Codes: Why They Should Be Banished"
1). Alyssa
2). Dress codes
3). She thinks they should be banished. "Everyone should be allowed to express themselves through what they wear without being called out."
4). Yes.
5). Not wishy-washy. Her opinions stays firm throughout the whole story, even while addressing the other side's arguments.
6). No.
7). First.
Here's the comment: Comment.
"Same Sex Marriage"
1). Autumn Steinle
2). Same-sex marriage
3). How same-sex marriage isn't treated as good as it should be, and how being judged for being gay shouldn't be a problem in anyone's lives. "Same sex marriage is okay and should be treated like it is okay."
4). Yes.
5). Not wishy-washy. The opinion stays strong throughout the whole story.
6). No.
7). First.
Here's the comment: Comment.
1). Alyssa
2). Dress codes
3). She thinks they should be banished. "Everyone should be allowed to express themselves through what they wear without being called out."
4). Yes.
5). Not wishy-washy. Her opinions stays firm throughout the whole story, even while addressing the other side's arguments.
6). No.
7). First.
Here's the comment: Comment.
"Same Sex Marriage"
1). Autumn Steinle
2). Same-sex marriage
3). How same-sex marriage isn't treated as good as it should be, and how being judged for being gay shouldn't be a problem in anyone's lives. "Same sex marriage is okay and should be treated like it is okay."
4). Yes.
5). Not wishy-washy. The opinion stays strong throughout the whole story.
6). No.
7). First.
Here's the comment: Comment.
Thursday, October 29, 2015
Commentary Article
Missing one assignment, especially as you get further into high school, is the kiss of death for most students, whether in the teacher's eyes or the student's own. Teachers tend to get insulted if a student does not finish or turn in a paper on time, and they have no right to. Sometimes, students have so much work that they - in a literal sense - cannot get all of their work done.
I can understand where teachers come from, giving us all this work. They believe it helps us learn, and helps us receive a better understanding of the concepts we are learning in class. But giving us so much work hurts our brains us much as it helps us - with more work, we get less sleep, leading to more headaches and a whacked sleep schedule. It also makes us constantly worried about getting everything done on time.
We do not like to disappoint our teachers, but our teachers constantly disappoint us. Their attitude toward our workload seems to send the message: "School is more important than mental health." According to some students, maybe it is. The thing is, though, our teachers should not decide this for us. We should have the right to decide our own ratio of mental health to schoolwork.
This needs to be fixed. Students should be able to regulate the amount of work they get everyday. We are not able to assert any sort of influence in our schools, and the workload is never considered among things we should get a say in. Yes, some people would say that students would just vote for no work at all, but not all students are like this. There is a breaking point somewhere in the amount of workload we get, and all we would have to do is find it.
A survey could be created in order to find the approximate amount of work a teenager can do before they simply can't do any more. Overall, the lessening of the student workload could help improve both their grades and mental health, while simultaneously creating an even better reputation for Bowie High School.
People are always saying that students need to enjoy their "high school experience," but how can we when we're constantly sat down poring over our work? If the amount of work we get changes, we would finally be able to gather some enjoyment from these four years of our lives.
Current Events 2.3
1). The new speaker of the House is Paul Ryan, and he's with the Republican party.
2). According to Texas law, failure to identify becomes an offense if the person "intentionally refuses to give a name, residence address, or date of birth to an officer who has lawfully arrested the person and requested the information."
3). The Mets and the Royals are playing at the World Series.
4). Two Do's are: Do purchase seasonal items in unexpected color combinations; do purchase high quality decor items. Two Don't's are: Don't go overboard with seasonal decor; don't buy seasonal items you don't expect to actually use.
5). I'd like to do the UMLAUF Sculpture Garden and Museum's Haunted Garden. I don't really like Halloween much, but it seems like a peaceful sort of setting.
6). My initial opinion, after finishing this story, is that all of it is just really, really stupid. Everything was started over stupid decisions - not handing over a phone, manhandling a girl because she wouldn't hand over a phone. Honestly, if we were actually civilized people, none of this would have happened.
Police brutality is definitely a problem in this country, and it seems to be getting more attention recently. The number of people committing crimes in the U.S. is probably extremely huge, but the number of people handling the perps in the wrong way are extremely huge, too. There is definitely racism behind these issues - whether they're on the spectator side or not is up to anyone. Assuming a problem is a problem because of racism is just as racist as the problem actually being racism (it makes sense to me).
People film what interest them, or what concern them. For a lot of people, taking out a camera or a phone and filming as one of the first instincts they have when something troubling is about to or is occurring around them. These being exposed on social media are a good thing because it helps get then people caught, or bring attention to the problem in the first place.
2). According to Texas law, failure to identify becomes an offense if the person "intentionally refuses to give a name, residence address, or date of birth to an officer who has lawfully arrested the person and requested the information."
3). The Mets and the Royals are playing at the World Series.
4). Two Do's are: Do purchase seasonal items in unexpected color combinations; do purchase high quality decor items. Two Don't's are: Don't go overboard with seasonal decor; don't buy seasonal items you don't expect to actually use.
5). I'd like to do the UMLAUF Sculpture Garden and Museum's Haunted Garden. I don't really like Halloween much, but it seems like a peaceful sort of setting.
6). My initial opinion, after finishing this story, is that all of it is just really, really stupid. Everything was started over stupid decisions - not handing over a phone, manhandling a girl because she wouldn't hand over a phone. Honestly, if we were actually civilized people, none of this would have happened.
Police brutality is definitely a problem in this country, and it seems to be getting more attention recently. The number of people committing crimes in the U.S. is probably extremely huge, but the number of people handling the perps in the wrong way are extremely huge, too. There is definitely racism behind these issues - whether they're on the spectator side or not is up to anyone. Assuming a problem is a problem because of racism is just as racist as the problem actually being racism (it makes sense to me).
People film what interest them, or what concern them. For a lot of people, taking out a camera or a phone and filming as one of the first instincts they have when something troubling is about to or is occurring around them. These being exposed on social media are a good thing because it helps get then people caught, or bring attention to the problem in the first place.
Friday, October 23, 2015
SNO Online Experience
"Should School Start Earlier?"
1). Mahad Rehman
2). Whether school should start earlier (in the day) or not.
3). They think that, rather than pushing school to end later to give students more time for work, they should start earlier. They also think that pushing the start or end time of school doesn't solve any problems - the real problem is the amount of work we get outside of school, thus affecting our sleep. "Maybe instead of pushing school times back to give students more time to work, schools should work to minimize the amount of work that is necessary for students to do outside of school so that they can come to school with adequate rest and a better mindset geared toward learning."
4). Yes.
5). Sort of. Their opinions are clear, but it changes a little at the end.
6). No.
7). Third.
"New Principal's Dress Code Emphasis Draws Mixed Opinions"
1). Lindsey Fast
2). The new dress code at Brazoswood assigned by the new principal.
3). This person obviously is against the new dress code, but it isn't stated directly anywhere.
4). Yes.
5). The opinion isn't straightforward, but it's pretty clear...does that make sense?
6). Yes.
7). Third.
"Fear Should Not Breed Ignorance"
1). Kaylin Jones
2). Terrorists, and how we (teens) are ignorant to them.
3). She thinks we're stupid to let our fear breed ignorance in ourselves, and our ignorance gets us hurt. "As a direct result of this ignorance, innocent Muslims in America and around the world after feel the consequences of the extremists."
4). No.
5). No.
6). No.
7). Third.
1). Mahad Rehman
2). Whether school should start earlier (in the day) or not.
3). They think that, rather than pushing school to end later to give students more time for work, they should start earlier. They also think that pushing the start or end time of school doesn't solve any problems - the real problem is the amount of work we get outside of school, thus affecting our sleep. "Maybe instead of pushing school times back to give students more time to work, schools should work to minimize the amount of work that is necessary for students to do outside of school so that they can come to school with adequate rest and a better mindset geared toward learning."
4). Yes.
5). Sort of. Their opinions are clear, but it changes a little at the end.
6). No.
7). Third.
"New Principal's Dress Code Emphasis Draws Mixed Opinions"
1). Lindsey Fast
2). The new dress code at Brazoswood assigned by the new principal.
3). This person obviously is against the new dress code, but it isn't stated directly anywhere.
4). Yes.
5). The opinion isn't straightforward, but it's pretty clear...does that make sense?
6). Yes.
7). Third.
"Fear Should Not Breed Ignorance"
1). Kaylin Jones
2). Terrorists, and how we (teens) are ignorant to them.
3). She thinks we're stupid to let our fear breed ignorance in ourselves, and our ignorance gets us hurt. "As a direct result of this ignorance, innocent Muslims in America and around the world after feel the consequences of the extremists."
4). No.
5). No.
6). No.
7). Third.
Personal Essays
1). The most helpful thing there for starting topic ideas is when he said, "Give them the opportunity to say, 'Ah! Yes. I've never been there or done that, but I can relate to what the author's talking about.'"
2). "Make the emotions real and specific by noting specifics and details that draw the reader into the experience, rather than just setting them aside as observers.
3). Three I'll probably use as a write are: Letting the reader walk away from the article with a good idea of why I felt the way I did about my opinion; Write as evocatively as possible; Avoid philosophical rants which make no connection to your reader's experience.
2). "Make the emotions real and specific by noting specifics and details that draw the reader into the experience, rather than just setting them aside as observers.
3). Three I'll probably use as a write are: Letting the reader walk away from the article with a good idea of why I felt the way I did about my opinion; Write as evocatively as possible; Avoid philosophical rants which make no connection to your reader's experience.
Current Events 2.2
1). One possible cause is an "intentionally set" burn pile in violation of the country's burn ban. Another is an overheating shredder.
2). Because he's awesome and has a natural passion for it, and he knows what he's doing.
3). Lewis Hamilton is the favorite to win the race at Circuit of America.
4). Ginger Gold, Honeycrisp, and McIntosh.
5). "Real vanilla" sounds like something I would try - a love for vanilla anything runs way back in our family, so...
6). We haven't purchased a hard-copy textbook to make up for the online ones, but the online ones definitely aren't reliable. Yes, the online textbooks have hurt my grades, however minimally: some nights I can't get the online textbook to work, and I'm not able to do the questions assigned to me, and I have to turn them in late (which is 30-50% off our grades).
Going digital wasn't a good decision - if real textbooks are a hassle, it shouldn't matter, because it's our work and grades that should matter in the end. Digital also isn't really an option for everyone, and it doesn't seem like this was considered among the people who made the decision to go completely online.
This trend (sadly) probably will continue in the United States. The majority of people will think it's easier or faster, but when it comes to school, it can't be a majority - it has to be all. Some students shouldn't benefit where others suffer when it comes to materials. Textbooks may be heavy or hard to distribute (which is probably why they decided to get rid of them), but they're tangible, and everyone is able to use them. For the internet, this isn't totally true.
2). Because he's awesome and has a natural passion for it, and he knows what he's doing.
3). Lewis Hamilton is the favorite to win the race at Circuit of America.
4). Ginger Gold, Honeycrisp, and McIntosh.
5). "Real vanilla" sounds like something I would try - a love for vanilla anything runs way back in our family, so...
6). We haven't purchased a hard-copy textbook to make up for the online ones, but the online ones definitely aren't reliable. Yes, the online textbooks have hurt my grades, however minimally: some nights I can't get the online textbook to work, and I'm not able to do the questions assigned to me, and I have to turn them in late (which is 30-50% off our grades).
Going digital wasn't a good decision - if real textbooks are a hassle, it shouldn't matter, because it's our work and grades that should matter in the end. Digital also isn't really an option for everyone, and it doesn't seem like this was considered among the people who made the decision to go completely online.
This trend (sadly) probably will continue in the United States. The majority of people will think it's easier or faster, but when it comes to school, it can't be a majority - it has to be all. Some students shouldn't benefit where others suffer when it comes to materials. Textbooks may be heavy or hard to distribute (which is probably why they decided to get rid of them), but they're tangible, and everyone is able to use them. For the internet, this isn't totally true.
Wednesday, October 21, 2015
Opinion Writing Preview
"Student sharing, too much change or great opportunity?"
1- Editorial
2- The decision made after the vote over having FIT everyday or two days a week. Also about how students should have a say in their schedules, not just teachers.
3- They think that students should be taken more seriously and have a say in their schedules- "This vote done only by the teachers illustrates a larger problem at our school: students not being taken seriously and given the right to have a say about the schedule."
4- Yes.
5- No.
6- No.
7- First.
"The office welcomes the dawn of the technology age"
1- Kelsie Stella
2- The office's choice to use more technology for its many businesses
3- Kelsie thinks it's a good idea. She says, "I think that moving toward a more technology-based system for these two documents, especially at a school like this, is going to prove to be extremely successful."
4- Yes.
5- No.
6- No.
7- First, although she didn't need to use personal pronouns until the very end.
"I scream, you scream..."
1- Nya Martin
2- Blue Bell ice cream and Listeria mococytogenes.
3- She believes that Blue Bell is at fault, and they were wrong for raising the prices. She says, "This company will forever be responsible for this scary mishap and I believe the victims should press charges."
4- Yes.
5- Not at all.
6- No.
7- First.
"The problem with pep rallies"
1- Annika Holm
2- How pep rallies are counter-productive.
3- She believes pep rallies should only be held for home games, or before/after school. She says, "The problem with pep rallies is that they don't inspire pep, nor do they rally support for the school...pep rallies aren't doing anyone any good."
4- Not really.
5- No.
6- No.
7- Third.
"A call for athletic equality"
1- Amaya Marquez
2- Equality in the school sports-wise.
3- She believes some sports are underrepresented, and should be able to get just as much attention as basic sports, too (such as basketball, football, soccer, etc.). She says, "Some of those sports are represented as 'clubs,' those sports teams should be able to have classes just like the others."
4- No.
5- No.
6- No.
7- First.
"Emotional learning effective?"
1- Melissa Weprin
2- How emotional learning classes are pretty much ineffective, and how freshmen learn it in world geography without realizing it.
3- She thinks S.E.L. lessons are helpful, but the way they teach it is ineffective.
4- In a way.
5- Yes. She first said that S.E.L. lessons are ineffective, but if they changed the way it's taught she would think they're helpful.
6- No.
7- Third
-
A) A hard news story is factual, while an opinions piece has more emotion to it. Opinions pieces are also very biased. A lot of them are written from first point of view.
B) Interviews and events didn't happen to cause these articles to be written, so there was nothing to take pictures of.
C) School/mental health; High school credits; the length of lunch (especially for seniors, who are allowed to leave campus but barely have enough time to do anything with that privilege).
Earthquake Story
On Monday morning at 8:12 a.m., an earthquake hit the San Francisco Bay area. It hit hardest at Hayward Hills, which is right over the "Hayward Fault."
"I was eating my breakfast when the room started rolling," Hayward resident Mike Beamer says. "I dove under the table just as I heard an explosion outside and a chunk of cement flew through my kitchen window. That's when the screaming started across the street."
Across the street, at McHenry's Auto Supply, two people were killed and six were injured (names of the dead or being withheld pending notifications of families). Three of the injured people were bad enough to be hospitalized.
Jennifer Vu, a public information officer from the Hayward Fire Department, said they were hospitalized at Hayward General Hospital. She also reported that no further injuries had been reported.
It was found that Hayward Hills was the epicenter of the earthquake.
"The epicenter of the earthquake, which had a magnitude of 6.4 on the Richter scale, was under the Hayward Hills," Penny Gertz, a scientist from the U.S. Geological Survey in Menlo Park, says. According to her, it was a "strong one."
Directly after the earthquake and explosion, twenty-one fire personnel, twelve police, and five American Red Cross workers responded. The firefighters used ropes to stabilize the building before conducting a search and discovering a gas leak. The gas leak was immediately capped.
"People as far south as Los Angeles and as far north as Redding felt the quake," Vu says.
"I was eating my breakfast when the room started rolling," Hayward resident Mike Beamer says. "I dove under the table just as I heard an explosion outside and a chunk of cement flew through my kitchen window. That's when the screaming started across the street."
Across the street, at McHenry's Auto Supply, two people were killed and six were injured (names of the dead or being withheld pending notifications of families). Three of the injured people were bad enough to be hospitalized.
Jennifer Vu, a public information officer from the Hayward Fire Department, said they were hospitalized at Hayward General Hospital. She also reported that no further injuries had been reported.
It was found that Hayward Hills was the epicenter of the earthquake.
"The epicenter of the earthquake, which had a magnitude of 6.4 on the Richter scale, was under the Hayward Hills," Penny Gertz, a scientist from the U.S. Geological Survey in Menlo Park, says. According to her, it was a "strong one."
Directly after the earthquake and explosion, twenty-one fire personnel, twelve police, and five American Red Cross workers responded. The firefighters used ropes to stabilize the building before conducting a search and discovering a gas leak. The gas leak was immediately capped.
"People as far south as Los Angeles and as far north as Redding felt the quake," Vu says.
Monday, October 19, 2015
Huntington Story
At about 10 p.m. Wednesday, 53-year-old Janice Jones was shot in the leg while sitting in her motor home eating pork chops. Her dog knocked her 9 mm handgun off a seat, and the weapon discharged, going straight through her leg and into the vehicle.
"It could have been worse," Rye says. "The bullet hit two inches from the gas tank."
Jones was transported straight to Huntington Beach Hospital for treatment, and then to Irvene Medical Center. Meanwhile, the dog, a Pomeranian named Tambo, was taken in by the Huntington Beach Animal Control officers, where it was discovered he was malnourished and had fresh cigarette burns on his head.
"It could have done with a little less abuse and a few more of those pork chops," Janet Ngo, one of the animal control officers, says.
Ngo suggested that her office would explore filing animal abuse charges against Jones. It was also discovered that Jones did not have a permit for the handgun she had been carrying.
Thursday, October 15, 2015
Lone Star Dispatch #1
1. "Age old battle still on going" :/
Who: Parker Smith
What: Dress code.?
When: September 4, 2015
Where: A school
Why:
How:
Summary: After being dress coded, Parker Smith says that the way the school handles dress code makes people feel uncomfortable with themselves. The administration of the school got involved; nothing changed with the dress code, but it's now clear that there are people who are willing to stand up and speak out against the way school handles dress code.
Quoted people: Parker Smith (direct quote); Marley Neth (direct quote); principal Stephen Kane (direct quote); Jennifer Smith (direct quote); Brandon Smith (direct quote).
The whole thing was impressively unbiased and factual. (No opinions.)
The headline doesn't sufficiently summarize the story or give any hint as to what the story is about. There are plenty of age-old battles that could still be ongoing.
Yes.
2. "Building a better education thanks to AISD bond"
Who: Students
What: New training room and kitchen
When:
Where:
Why: For the benefit of students
How: Help from bond package passed by voters
Summary: A new athletic training room and kitchen have been built on campus. The training room, which has more room than the previous/current, will not be ready until the spring, possible January. The kitchen is done, but cannot be used to its full potential. Both of these are to help students have a better experience at school.
Quoted people: athletic trainer Pablo Riera (direct quote); trainer Brittani Thibodeaux (direct quote); chef Richard Winemiller (direct quote); Janelle Seay (direct quote).
There is one sentence that says, "It think that this is so students can read the time easier while in a rush to class." The "It" is probably supposed to be an "I," which would make it an opinion.
The headline does summarize the article nicely.
No.
3. "SAT and ACT will change in March"
Who:
What: SAT and ACT
When: March 2016
Where:
Why:
How:
Summary: The SAT and ACT-s to be taken after March will be different than the former. Reading for 30 minutes everyday - no matter what it is - will help get a better score on the tests. The students stress out about the test.
Quoted people: Judd Pfieffer (direct quote); Isabela Doberenz (direct quote); Ricky Ramirez (direct quote).
The story is not opinionated.
The headline summarized the article...pretty much perfectly.
Yes.
4. "Fit bell schedule remains the same after proposals last year"
Who:
What: Bell schedule
When: Ongoing
Where:
Why:
How:
Summary: The school's bell schedule is better than what had been proposed the previous year. Alternating Fridays would have been "ridiculous." Some changes made, though, weren't okay with the students. The six-minute passing period is too short.
Quoted people: Emily Heim (direct quote); Nicole Moore (direct quote); Kalia Aquino (direct quote); Patricia Conroy (direct quote); Matt Saucier (direct quote); Lili Benitez (direct quote); Sahaj Mann (direct quote).
The story is not opinionated.
The headline mostly summarized the article.
Yes.
5. "AISD gives school bond for campus renovations"
...wasn't this the second story?
Who:
What: 16.5 millions dollar bond
When: 2013
Where: Bowie
Why: To make renovations to the school
How:
Summary: Bowie was given a 16.3 million dollar bond for renovations to the school, and everyone is noticing. Bowie had been low on the fund list for quite a while, and now that the ACs are suddenly working perfectly and there are new clocks and TVs and people are noticing. There are still issues with the Fine Arts departments and in a few classrooms, but it's better, overall.
Quoted people: Vicki Hebert (direct quote); Tanner Howell (direct quote); Robert Rasmus (direct quote).
The story is not opinionated.
The headline summarized the article.
No visual.
Who: Parker Smith
What: Dress code.?
When: September 4, 2015
Where: A school
Why:
How:
Summary: After being dress coded, Parker Smith says that the way the school handles dress code makes people feel uncomfortable with themselves. The administration of the school got involved; nothing changed with the dress code, but it's now clear that there are people who are willing to stand up and speak out against the way school handles dress code.
Quoted people: Parker Smith (direct quote); Marley Neth (direct quote); principal Stephen Kane (direct quote); Jennifer Smith (direct quote); Brandon Smith (direct quote).
The whole thing was impressively unbiased and factual. (No opinions.)
The headline doesn't sufficiently summarize the story or give any hint as to what the story is about. There are plenty of age-old battles that could still be ongoing.
Yes.
2. "Building a better education thanks to AISD bond"
Who: Students
What: New training room and kitchen
When:
Where:
Why: For the benefit of students
How: Help from bond package passed by voters
Summary: A new athletic training room and kitchen have been built on campus. The training room, which has more room than the previous/current, will not be ready until the spring, possible January. The kitchen is done, but cannot be used to its full potential. Both of these are to help students have a better experience at school.
Quoted people: athletic trainer Pablo Riera (direct quote); trainer Brittani Thibodeaux (direct quote); chef Richard Winemiller (direct quote); Janelle Seay (direct quote).
There is one sentence that says, "It think that this is so students can read the time easier while in a rush to class." The "It" is probably supposed to be an "I," which would make it an opinion.
The headline does summarize the article nicely.
No.
3. "SAT and ACT will change in March"
Who:
What: SAT and ACT
When: March 2016
Where:
Why:
How:
Summary: The SAT and ACT-s to be taken after March will be different than the former. Reading for 30 minutes everyday - no matter what it is - will help get a better score on the tests. The students stress out about the test.
Quoted people: Judd Pfieffer (direct quote); Isabela Doberenz (direct quote); Ricky Ramirez (direct quote).
The story is not opinionated.
The headline summarized the article...pretty much perfectly.
Yes.
4. "Fit bell schedule remains the same after proposals last year"
Who:
What: Bell schedule
When: Ongoing
Where:
Why:
How:
Summary: The school's bell schedule is better than what had been proposed the previous year. Alternating Fridays would have been "ridiculous." Some changes made, though, weren't okay with the students. The six-minute passing period is too short.
Quoted people: Emily Heim (direct quote); Nicole Moore (direct quote); Kalia Aquino (direct quote); Patricia Conroy (direct quote); Matt Saucier (direct quote); Lili Benitez (direct quote); Sahaj Mann (direct quote).
The story is not opinionated.
The headline mostly summarized the article.
Yes.
5. "AISD gives school bond for campus renovations"
...wasn't this the second story?
Who:
What: 16.5 millions dollar bond
When: 2013
Where: Bowie
Why: To make renovations to the school
How:
Summary: Bowie was given a 16.3 million dollar bond for renovations to the school, and everyone is noticing. Bowie had been low on the fund list for quite a while, and now that the ACs are suddenly working perfectly and there are new clocks and TVs and people are noticing. There are still issues with the Fine Arts departments and in a few classrooms, but it's better, overall.
Quoted people: Vicki Hebert (direct quote); Tanner Howell (direct quote); Robert Rasmus (direct quote).
The story is not opinionated.
The headline summarized the article.
No visual.
Wednesday, October 14, 2015
Car Accident Story
This afternoon at 4:45 p.m., three people were injured in a car accident when two vehicles collided at the intersection of First Street and Slaughter Lane.
"It happened really fast - the fastest car on the street sped into the slowest car on the street out of nowhere," says eyewitness Patty Jones.
Roger Clementine, 13, was driving at 60 miles per hour down a road with a speed limit of 45.
"The boy kept coming up behind people and passing them by at a crazy speed," one person at the scene says. "When he passed me and I saw that he barely looked 13, I can honestly say I panicked."
Clementine was treated for minor cuts in the hospital, and then released. He was arrested shortly after for driving without a license, speeding, and driving in the wrong lane.
"The boy kept coming up behind people and passing them by at a crazy speed," one person at the scene says. "When he passed me and I saw that he barely looked 13, I can honestly say I panicked."
Clementine was treated for minor cuts in the hospital, and then released. He was arrested shortly after for driving without a license, speeding, and driving in the wrong lane.
"The moment saw some person in a Studebaker driving like a maniac down the wrong lane, I knew something bad was bound to happen," another eyewitness says. "And something bad did happen not too long after that."
The people in the other car, however, were not entirely free of fault either.
"People were piled up behind the Yugo, honking and screaming at the driver. He must have been going 10 miles per hour or something," Patty says.
The Yugo was, in fact, going 10 miles per hour. The driver, 91-year-old John Jacob Jingleheimer-Smith, was committed to the hospital with a serious head injury.
"He's still at the hospital," his wife, Melba, says. "He will be okay. It was a disconcerting accident, but nothing too grievous happened."
Melba, herself, was treated for only a nosebleed before she was released from the hospital.
"I just want this mess to be over," Melba admitted. "The accident was just that - an accident, and it's done now."
"He's still at the hospital," his wife, Melba, says. "He will be okay. It was a disconcerting accident, but nothing too grievous happened."
Melba, herself, was treated for only a nosebleed before she was released from the hospital.
"I just want this mess to be over," Melba admitted. "The accident was just that - an accident, and it's done now."
-
302 words (I really struggled with writing a lengthy story to go along with a minimal amount of facts).
Friday, October 9, 2015
Current Events 2.1
1). They felt uncomfortable taking the passes, because it would make them feel as if their presence at ACL would be an $800 expense to the city.
2). He's saying that people that work with the law care the most about money, when they should be caring the children of the country.
3). The possible law that students could carry handguns in dorms or classes would make him feel uncomfortable or unsafe.
4). A new online marketplace featuring handmade items from more than 60 countries.
5). This new game is mission-based without interruptions for exposition.
6). This industry has grown this much because it's fast, and it's efficient. My family and I don't generally use mobile delivery (we just procrastinate going to the store until it's almost too late), but mobile delivery makes sense to me. They shoot for millennial shoppers because they're "impatient" - if they want something, they aren't going to wait for it. This industry would obviously be successful with these people because they're super fast. I, personally, probably won't use the services on a regular basis, but I can comfortably predict that a lot of people will - it will become a new thing, and then a cool thing, and then a normal thing, and then people will come up with something faster, and it will repeat.
2). He's saying that people that work with the law care the most about money, when they should be caring the children of the country.
3). The possible law that students could carry handguns in dorms or classes would make him feel uncomfortable or unsafe.
4). A new online marketplace featuring handmade items from more than 60 countries.
5). This new game is mission-based without interruptions for exposition.
6). This industry has grown this much because it's fast, and it's efficient. My family and I don't generally use mobile delivery (we just procrastinate going to the store until it's almost too late), but mobile delivery makes sense to me. They shoot for millennial shoppers because they're "impatient" - if they want something, they aren't going to wait for it. This industry would obviously be successful with these people because they're super fast. I, personally, probably won't use the services on a regular basis, but I can comfortably predict that a lot of people will - it will become a new thing, and then a cool thing, and then a normal thing, and then people will come up with something faster, and it will repeat.
Monday, October 5, 2015
The Big Day
The groom of a wedding is late - very late. He runs into so many complications - slow cars in front of him, a train. The bride, meanwhile, is anxious and worried. Once the groom finally arrives at the wedding place, he sprints through the open door - only to find that the bride is getting married to someone else because he had been too late. He blames the car, and his former best friend. But mostly the car.
Factual Story:
On July 23rd, 2014, Antonio Valez and Madison Paige were to be married in Italy - until she spontaneously married Valez's best friend, James Byrne, because Valez was a few minutes late to the wedding.
"The look on his face was devastating," says Valez's mother. "None of us had expected this to happen - especially not Antonio."
Apparently, something had been going on with Madison and James for quite a while. This, combined with Valez not showing up on time, seemed to push Madison to make the switch.
"Three minutes until the wedding, and he still hadn't shown up," Madison says to reporters. "And I thought he had changed his mind. So I changed mine, too."
Although Madison harbors no ill-will toward Valez, Valez certainly feels betrayed, especially upon discovering Madison and James had been together before the Big Day.
"My suit ripped at the elbow, and I couldn't get married with a ridiculous tear in the fabric. So I left to get it fixed last minute," Valez explains. "On my way back, I got stuck on the wrong side of a passing train, and I was a few minutes late."
The whole thing, according to almost everyone attending the wedding, was a huge misunderstanding.
"Madison misinterpreted Antonio being late, and Antonio misinterpreted Madison marrying somebody else when he finally showed up. James is the only guilty one here, if you ask me," Madison's best friend, Sarah, says.
Despite everything being a misinterpretation, James and Madison are still married.
"The switch was very sudden," Madison's father says, "but I could tell even before that day that James and Madison had been together. If James makes her happy, then she can do what she wants."
Valez jokes about the incident with his family.
"I blame the car," he says. "If it would have gone faster, I would be married now. It's the car's fault."
Factual Story:
On July 23rd, 2014, Antonio Valez and Madison Paige were to be married in Italy - until she spontaneously married Valez's best friend, James Byrne, because Valez was a few minutes late to the wedding.
"The look on his face was devastating," says Valez's mother. "None of us had expected this to happen - especially not Antonio."
Apparently, something had been going on with Madison and James for quite a while. This, combined with Valez not showing up on time, seemed to push Madison to make the switch.
"Three minutes until the wedding, and he still hadn't shown up," Madison says to reporters. "And I thought he had changed his mind. So I changed mine, too."
Although Madison harbors no ill-will toward Valez, Valez certainly feels betrayed, especially upon discovering Madison and James had been together before the Big Day.
"My suit ripped at the elbow, and I couldn't get married with a ridiculous tear in the fabric. So I left to get it fixed last minute," Valez explains. "On my way back, I got stuck on the wrong side of a passing train, and I was a few minutes late."
The whole thing, according to almost everyone attending the wedding, was a huge misunderstanding.
"Madison misinterpreted Antonio being late, and Antonio misinterpreted Madison marrying somebody else when he finally showed up. James is the only guilty one here, if you ask me," Madison's best friend, Sarah, says.
Despite everything being a misinterpretation, James and Madison are still married.
"The switch was very sudden," Madison's father says, "but I could tell even before that day that James and Madison had been together. If James makes her happy, then she can do what she wants."
Valez jokes about the incident with his family.
"I blame the car," he says. "If it would have gone faster, I would be married now. It's the car's fault."
-
313 words.
Thursday, October 1, 2015
Current Events Quiz 1.5
1). The Pope meeting with the Kentucky clerk is in the paper because it's a recent event - and her story has been all over the news for quite some time. It's also an emotional topic for many people, and it's relevant to their interests and concerns.
2). The Texas population support of same-sex marriage has increased 29%, and support of marijuana legalization has increased 13%.
3). Nearly 2/3 of respondents said they supported the state Legislature approving $800 million for border security. 65% said they supported the federal action to stop the deportation of immigrants in the country illegally who are attending college or in the military. 17% of Texans say they have been discriminated against by police.
4). They surveyed most of the state's adult population, rather than just registered/likely voters.
5). Spieth won several different tournaments all in one year, and all at the age of 22.
6). A wearable is a piece of technology that you wear on your body. We're seeing more and more of them these days because they're convenient (such as fitbits and bluetooth ear pieces). Google Glass was the wearable that appealed to me the most, if only because they remind me of spy movies. I think we, most definitely, will see more of these things in the future, because technology is growing, and if this is the new thing, then it's going to be around forever. I, personally, don't think that these would go far - it may be just me, but it would make me feel uncomfortable. A lot of people, though, will think it's cool, and take it as far as they're willing to work for.
2). The Texas population support of same-sex marriage has increased 29%, and support of marijuana legalization has increased 13%.
3). Nearly 2/3 of respondents said they supported the state Legislature approving $800 million for border security. 65% said they supported the federal action to stop the deportation of immigrants in the country illegally who are attending college or in the military. 17% of Texans say they have been discriminated against by police.
4). They surveyed most of the state's adult population, rather than just registered/likely voters.
5). Spieth won several different tournaments all in one year, and all at the age of 22.
6). A wearable is a piece of technology that you wear on your body. We're seeing more and more of them these days because they're convenient (such as fitbits and bluetooth ear pieces). Google Glass was the wearable that appealed to me the most, if only because they remind me of spy movies. I think we, most definitely, will see more of these things in the future, because technology is growing, and if this is the new thing, then it's going to be around forever. I, personally, don't think that these would go far - it may be just me, but it would make me feel uncomfortable. A lot of people, though, will think it's cool, and take it as far as they're willing to work for.
Tuesday, September 29, 2015
Student of the Month Lede
Who? -Joey
What? -Student of the Month
When? -This week
Where? -Bowie High School
Why? -Exemplary grades
How? -Teacher selection
This week, the teachers at Bowie High School chose Joey as Student of the Month for his exemplary grades.
What? -Student of the Month
When? -This week
Where? -Bowie High School
Why? -Exemplary grades
How? -Teacher selection
This week, the teachers at Bowie High School chose Joey as Student of the Month for his exemplary grades.
Story:
This week, the teachers at Bowie High School chose Joey as Student of the Month because of his amazing grades.
"His grades are exemplary, and he participates in many extracurricular activities," says Joey's parents.
The teachers at the high school nominated several students to be chosen for Student of the Month, and then got together in order to decide on the one that would win the award.
"There are many other students who try to take my place," Joey says, "and I believe that they are worthy, but I am superior."
The choosing process for the school usually take a while because of all the difficult choices. This one, apparently, didn't take very long.
"It took the school board only a few minutes because it was obvious that I was to be chosen," Joey admits.
Joey's grades are a result of his hard work and determination in class, according to him and his associates.
"If he hadn't been happy or determined throughout his years at school, he would never have gotten the award in the first place," Joey's parents say.
Joey's awarding of Student of the Month also seems to lead back to the amount of extracurricular activities he excels at. His best friend, parents, and himself have all said he participates in many clubs and sports.
"I do all the sports here, and I participate in all of the clubs," Joey says.
Nobody seems surprised that Joey won the award, either. It seems that his charisma in classes and his standout grades made everyone expect him to be chosen.
"We were both very proud, but obviously unsurprised," Joey's parents say, while his best friends says something similar.
Being chosen as Student of the Month can also be recognized by places further out in life than high school (such as colleges and jobs), which Joey says is the best part of being chosen.
"Colleges recognize it," Joey says. "I'm very proud of myself and I believe that, in the future, I'm going places."
Joey's favorite class, according to him, is Journalism.
"My favorite class is Journalism because I get to write about interesting things that are happening, and it's a subject that important to my future."
Joey also says that he's good at writing, which is a part of why he likes Journalism so much.
"The class I am best at is English, because I enjoy writing and it's something that come to me very easily."
Bowie High School has been a great school for many years, but Joey says it is lacking in academic qualities by his standards.
"Bowie High School is a good school for the average student, but I'm not an average student and they need to up their standards."
The teachers at the high school nominated several students to be chosen for Student of the Month, and then got together in order to decide on the one that would win the award.
"There are many other students who try to take my place," Joey says, "and I believe that they are worthy, but I am superior."
The choosing process for the school usually take a while because of all the difficult choices. This one, apparently, didn't take very long.
"It took the school board only a few minutes because it was obvious that I was to be chosen," Joey admits.
Joey's grades are a result of his hard work and determination in class, according to him and his associates.
"If he hadn't been happy or determined throughout his years at school, he would never have gotten the award in the first place," Joey's parents say.
Joey's awarding of Student of the Month also seems to lead back to the amount of extracurricular activities he excels at. His best friend, parents, and himself have all said he participates in many clubs and sports.
"I do all the sports here, and I participate in all of the clubs," Joey says.
Nobody seems surprised that Joey won the award, either. It seems that his charisma in classes and his standout grades made everyone expect him to be chosen.
"We were both very proud, but obviously unsurprised," Joey's parents say, while his best friends says something similar.
Being chosen as Student of the Month can also be recognized by places further out in life than high school (such as colleges and jobs), which Joey says is the best part of being chosen.
"Colleges recognize it," Joey says. "I'm very proud of myself and I believe that, in the future, I'm going places."
Joey's favorite class, according to him, is Journalism.
"My favorite class is Journalism because I get to write about interesting things that are happening, and it's a subject that important to my future."
Joey also says that he's good at writing, which is a part of why he likes Journalism so much.
"The class I am best at is English, because I enjoy writing and it's something that come to me very easily."
Bowie High School has been a great school for many years, but Joey says it is lacking in academic qualities by his standards.
"Bowie High School is a good school for the average student, but I'm not an average student and they need to up their standards."
-
This story was 453 words.
Additional Student of the Month Interviews
Student of the Month's parents:
1. What were your first thoughts when you found out your son made Student of the Month?
"We were both very proud, but obviously unsurprised."
2. How would you describe your son?
"He is very generous, and very proud of his achievements. He works hard at everything he is assigned."
3. How do you think you helped your son in becoming Student of the Month?
"We get the job of keeping his spirits up. If he hadn't been happy or determined throughout his years at school, he would never have gotten the award in the first place."
4. Why do you think your son was awarded Student of the Month?
"His grades are exemplary, and he participates in many extracurricular activities."
5. Is your son the same at school as he is at home?
"I should like to think so; he is very polite and sweet at home."
Student of the Month's best friend:
1. Why do you think your friend was awarded Student of the Month?
"He has really good grades, and he's in a lot of clubs and sports."
2. How did you feel when you found he was chosen?
"I was happy for him; he works hard enough to be chosen. It's weird walking around with everyone congratulating him left and right."
3. Do you find that he works very hard?
"Yes, he does. He's always doing work or clubs, and if he's done with either, he gives himself more."
4. How did you meet him?
"I met him in class on the first day of school in sixth grade."
5. What was your first impression of him?
"He seemed very...eccentric to me, at first."
1. What were your first thoughts when you found out your son made Student of the Month?
"We were both very proud, but obviously unsurprised."
2. How would you describe your son?
"He is very generous, and very proud of his achievements. He works hard at everything he is assigned."
3. How do you think you helped your son in becoming Student of the Month?
"We get the job of keeping his spirits up. If he hadn't been happy or determined throughout his years at school, he would never have gotten the award in the first place."
4. Why do you think your son was awarded Student of the Month?
"His grades are exemplary, and he participates in many extracurricular activities."
5. Is your son the same at school as he is at home?
"I should like to think so; he is very polite and sweet at home."
Student of the Month's best friend:
1. Why do you think your friend was awarded Student of the Month?
"He has really good grades, and he's in a lot of clubs and sports."
2. How did you feel when you found he was chosen?
"I was happy for him; he works hard enough to be chosen. It's weird walking around with everyone congratulating him left and right."
3. Do you find that he works very hard?
"Yes, he does. He's always doing work or clubs, and if he's done with either, he gives himself more."
4. How did you meet him?
"I met him in class on the first day of school in sixth grade."
5. What was your first impression of him?
"He seemed very...eccentric to me, at first."
Friday, September 25, 2015
My Top Story of the Century
World War I begins in Europe. 1914.
This is one of the top-three most interesting (or most terrible) because this date marks the start of the first World War. World War I was the cause of the 20 million deaths of soldiers, women, and children alike. The start of the war is something to cringe at, for exactly that reason - it was the first moment when people knew that they were pretty much...klunked.
First jet airplane takes flight. 1941.
On the fifteenth of May, 1941, the first jet airplane took flight. Before this plane, all airplanes were propeller-based. The flight of this jet airplane is the beginning of modern-day airplanes.
This is one of the top-three most interesting because I see this as the beginning (as you can see, I see to really like beginnings) of something we still use in the modern day. Humans use jet-based airplanes everyday for extensive transportation, and it's seen (for a reason that I can't fathom) as the safest form of transportation. The flight of this jet airplane is the first flight of the safest form of transportation. (!)
Germany invades Poland: World War II begins in Europe. 1939.
One day in 1939, Germany bombarded Poland both on land and from the air. Hitler had been seeking to regain lost territory and take control of Poland. Thus, World War II had begun.
This is one of the top-three most interesting because it's the beginning (one again) of World War II, which brought about the death of over 60 million people total. A genocide was committed by a dictator. Everyone was pulled into the war. And this was the start of it.
School Uniforms
1). -students
-teachers
-counselors
2).
1- What is your opinion on the concept of school uniforms?
2- Why do you think school uniforms have been imposed?
3- What hinderances do school uniforms cause among students?
4- What hinderances do school uniforms cause among teachers?
5- Why do students generally not like school uniforms?
6- What is your opinion on these particular school uniforms?
7- Are the teachers going to have a dress code, too?
8- Do you believe that uniforms actually "boost people self-esteem?"
9- What are some good things about dress codes?
10- What will happen to people who don't follow dress code?
11- How strict is the dress code?
12- Do you believe a school has the right to control a student's choice of clothing?
13- What does dress code have to do with students' grades?
14- Will school uniforms make students feel more equal to each other?
15- Do you think students will protest to school uniforms?
16- Will the dress code affect ear piercings/hair colors?
17- Should dress codes affect ear piercings/hair colors?
18- Are students allowed to personalize their uniforms in any ways?
19- How will you get students to follow the dress code in the first place?
20- Do you feel that schools have more important things to worry about?
-teachers
-counselors
2).
1- What is your opinion on the concept of school uniforms?
2- Why do you think school uniforms have been imposed?
3- What hinderances do school uniforms cause among students?
4- What hinderances do school uniforms cause among teachers?
5- Why do students generally not like school uniforms?
6- What is your opinion on these particular school uniforms?
7- Are the teachers going to have a dress code, too?
8- Do you believe that uniforms actually "boost people self-esteem?"
9- What are some good things about dress codes?
10- What will happen to people who don't follow dress code?
11- How strict is the dress code?
12- Do you believe a school has the right to control a student's choice of clothing?
13- What does dress code have to do with students' grades?
14- Will school uniforms make students feel more equal to each other?
15- Do you think students will protest to school uniforms?
16- Will the dress code affect ear piercings/hair colors?
17- Should dress codes affect ear piercings/hair colors?
18- Are students allowed to personalize their uniforms in any ways?
19- How will you get students to follow the dress code in the first place?
20- Do you feel that schools have more important things to worry about?
Wednesday, September 23, 2015
Student of the Month
Questions:
1). Which teacher do you find has helped you the most?
"The teacher that I've found has helped me the most is my English teacher."
2). Do you consider yourself a role model for other students?
"Yes. I consider myself a perfect human being that others should be like."
3). How does it feel to be Student of the Month?
"It feels great to be Student of the Month. It makes me feel superior."
4). What keeps you trying to be the best student you can be?
"I like to rub it into everyone else's faces, and I like the feeling of arrogance."
5). What is your favorite class?
"My favorite class is journalism because I get to write about interesting things that are happening, and it's a subject that's important to my future."
6). Do other students compete with you for Student of the Month?
"Yes. There are many other students who try to take my place, and I believe that they are worthy, but like I said before, I am superior."
7). What class are you best at?
"The class I am best at is English, because I enjoy writing and it's something that comes to me very easily."
8). What are you extracurricular activities?
"I do all the sports here, and I participate in all of the clubs."
9). How do your guardians feel about your achievements?
"My parents feel very happy that I'm the best at the school and that I'm finally being recognized for it."
10). How difficult was it to be chosen?
"It took the school board only a few minutes because it was obvious that I was to be chosen."
11). How hard do you find yourself working daily?
"Compared to others, it'd be a lot of hard work, but for me it's easy and I'm holding myself back."
12). Do you believe that people should respect you?
"Yes. Everyone should respect me. It shouldn't be a choice."
13). Have people congratulated you?
"Yes. My friends, who I forced to be my friends (with money)."
14). How do you feel when people congratulate you?
"I feel great, and it makes me feel superior and more worthy of the school's affection than others."
15). How much homework do you have daily?
"A good amount of homework, and I give myself more to be more fit for college."
16). What do you think is your best quality in work?
"My intelligence and athleticism for my age."
17). What is the best part of being chosen for Student of the Month?
"Colleges recognize it. It makes me feel good when I'm congratulated, too."
18). How do you, personally, feel about your general achievements?
"Quite good. I'm very proud of myself and I believe that, in the future, I'm going places."
19). Why do you think you were chosen?
"Because I'm the best student at Bowie High School in every way possible."
20). What is your opinion of Bowie High School?
"Bowie High School is a good school for the average student, but I'm not an average students and they need to up their standards."
1). Which teacher do you find has helped you the most?
"The teacher that I've found has helped me the most is my English teacher."
2). Do you consider yourself a role model for other students?
"Yes. I consider myself a perfect human being that others should be like."
3). How does it feel to be Student of the Month?
"It feels great to be Student of the Month. It makes me feel superior."
4). What keeps you trying to be the best student you can be?
"I like to rub it into everyone else's faces, and I like the feeling of arrogance."
5). What is your favorite class?
"My favorite class is journalism because I get to write about interesting things that are happening, and it's a subject that's important to my future."
6). Do other students compete with you for Student of the Month?
"Yes. There are many other students who try to take my place, and I believe that they are worthy, but like I said before, I am superior."
7). What class are you best at?
"The class I am best at is English, because I enjoy writing and it's something that comes to me very easily."
8). What are you extracurricular activities?
"I do all the sports here, and I participate in all of the clubs."
9). How do your guardians feel about your achievements?
"My parents feel very happy that I'm the best at the school and that I'm finally being recognized for it."
10). How difficult was it to be chosen?
"It took the school board only a few minutes because it was obvious that I was to be chosen."
11). How hard do you find yourself working daily?
"Compared to others, it'd be a lot of hard work, but for me it's easy and I'm holding myself back."
12). Do you believe that people should respect you?
"Yes. Everyone should respect me. It shouldn't be a choice."
13). Have people congratulated you?
"Yes. My friends, who I forced to be my friends (with money)."
14). How do you feel when people congratulate you?
"I feel great, and it makes me feel superior and more worthy of the school's affection than others."
15). How much homework do you have daily?
"A good amount of homework, and I give myself more to be more fit for college."
16). What do you think is your best quality in work?
"My intelligence and athleticism for my age."
17). What is the best part of being chosen for Student of the Month?
"Colleges recognize it. It makes me feel good when I'm congratulated, too."
18). How do you, personally, feel about your general achievements?
"Quite good. I'm very proud of myself and I believe that, in the future, I'm going places."
19). Why do you think you were chosen?
"Because I'm the best student at Bowie High School in every way possible."
20). What is your opinion of Bowie High School?
"Bowie High School is a good school for the average student, but I'm not an average students and they need to up their standards."
Current Events Quiz 1.4
1). The Pope will be in the U.S. for six days and will be visiting three cities: Washington, New York, and Philadelphia.
2). No more than an assembly of six people in a short-term rental house.
3). Many of the vehicles contain software that evades mission controls, which will cost A LOT of money to fix.
4). The Dallas Cowboys signed Matt Cassel as a back-up Quarterback.
5). Samsung and Texas Lehigh might not expand their business if tough new emission rules are passed.
6). Students from a Houston high school wrote a legal brief over the summer about how their lives could improve if Texas was forced to spend more on schools, since they realized that there had never been a student voice involved. This really did bring more attention to school funding.
These students, in my opinion, are extremely intelligent. Having students write to the court about school funding was bound to bring more attention to the problem, due to the fact that no student had ever had a say in it. Their efforts definitely meant something; they helped.
I didn't really learn much about the system due to the fact that I find the music playing in the classroom EXTREMELY distracting.
2). No more than an assembly of six people in a short-term rental house.
3). Many of the vehicles contain software that evades mission controls, which will cost A LOT of money to fix.
4). The Dallas Cowboys signed Matt Cassel as a back-up Quarterback.
5). Samsung and Texas Lehigh might not expand their business if tough new emission rules are passed.
6). Students from a Houston high school wrote a legal brief over the summer about how their lives could improve if Texas was forced to spend more on schools, since they realized that there had never been a student voice involved. This really did bring more attention to school funding.
These students, in my opinion, are extremely intelligent. Having students write to the court about school funding was bound to bring more attention to the problem, due to the fact that no student had ever had a say in it. Their efforts definitely meant something; they helped.
I didn't really learn much about the system due to the fact that I find the music playing in the classroom EXTREMELY distracting.
Thursday, September 17, 2015
Current Events Quiz #3
1). The Republican party presidential debate was held as the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley, California.
2). The greatest concern is that the hours of the terminal aren't beneficial for the residents of the apartments.
3). Uber wants to extend the opportunity to have transportation no matter who you are or where you live to drivers of all backgrounds.
4). 1- say thank you. 2- keep the trains moving. 3- mend fences with the Texas eyes. 4- embrace the coaches. 5- finish the Nike deal.
5). The sculptures are not of a specific person. They're not of a specific object. They're creative and abstract, and they are appealing to the eyes of humans. The sculptures are also intended to send a message about the region's water needs.
2). The greatest concern is that the hours of the terminal aren't beneficial for the residents of the apartments.
3). Uber wants to extend the opportunity to have transportation no matter who you are or where you live to drivers of all backgrounds.
4). 1- say thank you. 2- keep the trains moving. 3- mend fences with the Texas eyes. 4- embrace the coaches. 5- finish the Nike deal.
5). The sculptures are not of a specific person. They're not of a specific object. They're creative and abstract, and they are appealing to the eyes of humans. The sculptures are also intended to send a message about the region's water needs.
Friday, September 11, 2015
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