Welcome to Grant County... our little piece of heaven nestled in the mountains of West Virginia.…
One day in a place far away from south Michigan, a kid named Evan was running in a long race. It was an estimated 26 miles. It was his first race that he has ever participated in. His nerves were racing and his relatives were too. This race was televised to the whole state of Michigan. He didn't practice and is coming into this with no running experience. The only thing that pushed him to do this was that his dad was a four time Olympic gold medalist in running.…
Monday- I am ready to stat week 4!! I like being in the office but I prefer being in the back. It entirely too much drama going on in here today. The woman training me is really on her last strike and she just seems to be getting on everyone nerves (including mines). I look forward to a better tomorrow.…
Over the past summer I had the opportunity to go to Deep Impact in Shelby, North Carolina. Deep Impact is a mission camp that is run by The Baptist Men that gathers youth groups throughout the state to help the needy and to spread the Word of Jesus. There were different mission teams at the camp and I was placed on a construction team. On my construction team, we helped elderly and disabled people by building wheelchair ramps for them.The construction team had three supervisors, and they made the kids on the team do most of the work. We would do different kinds of work like digging out holes for posts, saw boarding, or screwing in decking boards. I really enjoyed this kind of work and it really made me feel good that when we finished, we were…
The Civil War legacy still has an impact on Americans today. Today, most Americans look at the Civil War in an awe-inspired perspective. People try to skip over the blood and ugliness that resulted because of it, and instead try to focus on the courage and heroic deeds that soldiers performed. Many today are more likely to view the war as a fight for black freedom instead of for state’s rights, which is what it had previously been known for. The South still seems proud of the Confederate flag, even though it is the cause of a lot of controversy. Some people view it as part of their heritage. Certain topics of the Civil War are still well-known throughout society. Abraham Lincoln, the Gettysburg Address, and the Emancipation proclamation are all examples of what people associate with the Civil War. People try to remember iconic people and images like these, instead of the blood, gore, and hate that took place.…
My political viewpoint has changed dramatically since I was first introduced to politics. I come from a democratic family, where it is strongly believed that it is the government’s responsibility to care for all people and that the government knows what is best for all people. Every voting season, my parents vote for a democratic president and explain to me the reasoning behind their decision. It was not until I was in the tenth grade that I realized that I did not hold the same political beliefs as my parents. After taking several political quizzes and extensively researching the bevy of political parties, I now know that I am an independent. What is an independent? An independent is an individual politician not affiliated to any political…
My Carolina story is one of perseverance. I grew up in a prominently white and underrepresented area, being a multicultural male it was very hard to fit in. However, with the backing of family and friends I was able to overcome many of the obstacles that plagued my area. Through hard work and dedication, I believe that anything is possible. It can be said that as long as you believe in yourself nothing is out of reach. For me this was the key to my success, however, upon applying to UNC-CH I was waitlisted. This greatly hurt my confidence as I felt as if I wasn't smart enough, but to my surprise I made it off the waiting list and enrolled in UNC. Nevertheless, the effects of being waitlisted lingered over me a long period of time. I found myself contemplating whether I was smart enough to attend such a prestigious university. Although soon enough I began to get involved on campus and through this I realized UNC was the best place for me and that no matter what I could make it at a esteemed university. The diversity that UNC offers was a vital key in helping to understand my place, I heard that "diversity creates identity" and this has been one of the strongest statements I have ever heard. My Carolina story is one of struggle and perseverance to fit in, yet, with hope and hard work you can accomplish anything.…
A certain childhood place always takes me back whenever I flip through my family’s dusty photograph books, and that place is an apartment area in which my family used to live in Arlington, VA. Honestly, I do not understand why this place is the first place to attest in my mind as beautiful. I doubt anyone could consider an apartment beautiful. What is more, I know there were times I despised the place; particularly, since I was the baby in my family, everyone left the apartment for either school or work, and I felt lonely. Nevertheless, perhaps, Arlington, VA was beautiful because I made it so in my mind.…
My mother, “Regina Hopkins,” has been a positive influence in my life. She has raised 6 kids all by herself as well as earned a Bachelor’s degree in nursing from a City College in Gainesville, Florida. My mother has been through pretty much everything a person can go through outside of war and was still able to be there and provide for all 6 of her kids. In high school, my mother wanted to play football and couldn't because she was a girl and back-in-the-day women were not allowed to play football with the guys. However, she remained strong by raising 6 kids and independently took care of all of us on her own. My mother has several qualities that I would love to develop. The first quality she has is balance; she certainly knows how to make…
“You should try cross country.” My mom said to me one day while I was in sixth grade. We had been talking about what I sports I should do during my seventh grade year of school.…
With ever story of victory, comes a drowning idea of failure. Throughout our live, these battles are fought, taking not only mental strength, but physical as well. Some of these battles are chosen, while the rest flank from behind. With this in mind, a story of victory must be told, on behalf of my Aunt, Joenell. Her battle took place in April, of 2009, she went to the Suttee Delta hospital, in Antioch California for a doctor’s visit, for fear that something was wrong, during this visit she informed her doctor that she felt a not on her left breast. Soon after, she had a mammogram, and an ultrasound done, revealing three cancerous lumps. As the doctor went into detail, she started to realize the gravity of the situation. For the first time; at the age of 59, she was confronted with the most life threating event she had ever faced. So for a second opinion, she went to the Epic Cancer center, also in Antioch California. Certainly, the last thing anyone would like to hear during a doctor’s visit, she knew there would be some decisions to be made, time to study up.…
What is your vision for America? In my vision for America I think we could change and improve many things. My vision for America would be my ultimate utopia. First, I think that in america there shouldn’t be any people who are suffering from not having a home or not being able to afford something that is a necessity. Secondly, We would have a cure for all diseases for anyone who might have something simple like a cold or for anyone who might have something as severe as cancer. Lastly, In my vision for America there would be an unlimited amount of jobs for anyone and everyone. Those are a few of the things I would change to fit my vision of America.…
The fake grass was deeply green like usual, the sun continued to shine like it did everyday till 7 o’clock sharp, and as everyone wore their dull white shirts, I thought to myself “why did our society end up so euphoric?” Was I the only one who thought about the world before “The great crisis” or did someone else think the same way as me? It was 5080 and “the great crisis” happened about 300 years ago way before I was born, no one ever speaked of the old America, because it was considered a crime to think of such evil. But tomorrow was every girl in the 10th grades birthday, we were all turning 15, this meant that 10 out of the 43 girls would be picked as interns to the woman elders who society called the wise women. One of…
Five years ago, I wasn't sure what path I wanted to take. My life was at a pause. Trying to balance as being a mother of three (my youngest, only two months old at the time), a good wife, and still keep hold of the person I was before moving to America. I had no time to figure out what I wanted for myself. I had uprooted my family and left my home to explore the American Dreams. However, once we arrived; the "American Way" seemed so hard for me to understand. Everything was so different.…
I’m from the decent suburbs of interlocked communities that would be willing to help each other in time of need. I’m from the splash and whish below me as the scent of Ocean breeze carries me across the endless Golden Gate Bridge. I’m from the cheerful sound of conversation littering the atmosphere and giving joy to any Californian that comes across it. All the sorrowful yet friendly goodbyes helped my family and I overcome our fears of starting new lives in Virginia Beach.…