October 30

Swimming

 

 

Well, it isn’t that easy for me to answer that. All I can really say is that it is almost everything to me and who I am. I grew up on music, listening to it as much as I can. Since I have parents from the 60’s it was all about Led Zeppelin, Rush, and Bob Segar. At that time I just listened to it because it made me feel good and enjoyed the sounds it created. The older I got the more I discovered my own taste of music and I found to literally enjoy every genre except country. There is just something about it that just makes me stay away from it. When I hit 12 years old, my brother introduced to my first rap song. It was called Donald Trump by Mac Miller, since that day I haven’t stopped listening to either rap or Mac. The older I got, the more I understood his music and paid close attention to his lyrics. This is a big reason to who I am today, I listened to what he would have to say in his songs and I would apply that in my real life. He was a huge influence on what I’m doing today and why I do it. He always believed in the fact that everyone needs to follow their dreams and do what they believe is right. People will listen to his lyrics and I can’t lie, he is similar to many other rappers but he somehow manages to create a really sincere underlying message. On August 3rd, 2018, he came out with one of my favourite albums he’s made, Swimming. He brought out his more sensitive side and talked about the troubles of being rich and famous. The more I listened to it the more I sympathized for him and made me want to help others around me. Unfortunately, a month and 4 days after the release of his album, Mac Miller died of an apparent overdose, committing suicide. If you listened to Mac regularly you knew of his problems and what he did to “fix” them. He was a troubled man, with a vice that killed him. Since his death, I have done nothing but talked to all of my friends and family around me. I made a promise within myself that want to continue to spread Mac Miller’s vision and help those who surround me. Now that I’m in Grade 12, it’s been hard to catch up with people but I’ve managed to grow closer and talk more often with the people I care about most. This is for you Mac, hope you found your wings.

Category: Josh, Uncategorized | LEAVE A COMMENT
January 2

Persuasive essay: zero tolerance policy

To the Prosper School Board, my name is Kelly Smith and I am a grade 12 student at the Prosper High School. It has come to my attention that the members of the board are deciding on the idea of whether or not to place a no tolerance policy upon the High School. I have taken in consideration all the possible outcomes if either a situation is to occur and from this I have come to a realization that it would be good idea to proceed with the idea and publish the policy of no tolerance upon the school. I believe that by placing this policy upon my school will not only establish a sense of community but also a sense of protection and safety. Not only that, but each and every student will have the opportunity to feel welcomed in this school, as they will not have to live in fear of any bullies or harmful actions.

One of the main issues in this High School, is that some of the students do not feel safe or do not have the feeling of closure as they have been victims of bullying or other harassing actions. In fact they are suggesting that that they would feel more comfortable in a school where the students who commit such harassing act are punished accordingly. By doing so, it allows the bullies to acknowledge that their actions will not go without notice making the message clear that there will be consequences if inappropriate actions are being acted upon. This will also allow the bullies or the students who proceed to cause violence to not only acknowledge but to learn from their mistakes as well as grow as students who value respect and loving kindness. Our High School, being one of great character and virtues, also connects with the idea of harmony, due to the fact that as students harmoniously converse and communicate, it is not only enforcing our title but also building upon it. Students will be able to respectively coheres with one another without the fear of being judged or unwanted. As a community the staff and students will be able to allow themselves an opportunity of freedom as well as politeness.

This leads me to bring up my second reason. Growth of an individuals persona, state of mind, as well as state of being. Most people who attend school, not only have been victims of bullying or harassing actions but have also been the cause of it. Intentionally or unintentionally, once a person is hurt by another’s actions, whether it be physical or emotional, it is considered to be a form of bullying. By placing the policy on this school, it is not only allowing students to learn from their mistakes but is also preventing future harassing actions. The students causing such inappropriate behaviour will have the opportunity to grow from their past and use it as a tool of guidance in order to make better choices in the future. By establishing the policy, bystanders would begin to acknowledge what they could also improve on and how they could help another in the future. This policy would not only allow for the growth of those who cause harmful actions but allow other such as the victims, bystanders, and the staff to develop a new understanding of respect and discipline.

Last but not least, my third reason that supports the idea of establishing the no tolerance policy upon Prosper High School is reputation. Prosper High School’s reputation. When a school’s logo consists of character, kindness, and loyalty, it is necessary that the students as well as the staff to live up to these standards. However, when these standards are not met, especially when the school is noticed to be of such character, it results in a reputation that people see as lazy and unattainable. By using these virtues everyday, our school becomes recognized as the school who values the virtues written in our logo. This leads to a reputation that is recognized throughout our environment, which allows for positive feedback and positive opportunities within our school. Not only will the responses be positive but also more parents who live in the community would like to send their children to our school. As a repeating cycle, this allows for the reputation of the High school to further and prosper.

These are just a few of the reasons that support the idea of establishing the policy of no tolerance on Prosper High School. It is necessary to initiate positive behaviour that reflect upon the virtues of our school to not only help guide respectable relationships among the students and staff but to also create a reputable status for the school that is noticed by many families in the community. With all these reasons in mind, I hope you take establishing the policy in Prosper High School in consideration as it would allow for the community of the school to come together as one as well as create virtues of respect and honour. If you have any question or concerns, please feel free to contact me on my email: kellysmith@gmail.com or on my phone number: 111 222 333. I would also love to talk further on this subject if possible. Thank you for taking the time for reading this letter as well as taking the time to view my side of issue. I would just like to conclude that establishing the policy will allow for the school to grow and prosper.

Thank you,

Kelly Smith

 

 

 

Category: Neha, Sept 2017, Uncategorized | LEAVE A COMMENT
November 9

My Rant on Graduation Night

If I was given the honor of speaking at my graduation about my life this would be my rant.

 

Oooooo man! Never thought I would have the opportunity to do such a thing. Standing here. On the stage. In my grad gown. Standing in front of you all. First of all, for those of you who don’t know me, I’m surprised, but Hi my name is Zaha!

Before I start talking about anything I would like to quote my one and only, Drake, “ Starting from the bottom now we here….” Who ever thought that we would actually make it here. Because honestly I would have never thought that I would be here. I didn’t even think I would get past middle school. But I’m glad I did.

I came to this school in grade 5. The beginning of middle school was rough. But honestly middle school is never easy, and it made me who I am today. Everyone that I met is incredible in some way, but there are on some people that I really connected with. Honestly, there are some people that I just wish I got more of a chance to get to know. But I feel like I’m not the only one who feels like this. Then high school came along. This is a topic that I can talk forever about but I won’t. I will just talk about the main things. DRAMA. DRAMA. DRAMA. I think that’s it. Just kidding. Yea some things happened in middle school, some things happened in high school and are still occurring. But does it all really matter. I don’t really think I’m going to remember the bad things, just the good things. For me its the good times that I will remember. The bad stays where it should be, in its place, in the past. Where it started is where it ended.

One of my friends ended up leaving the school last year. I only got to know her for a year, but we made some great memories together. I still stay in contact with her and whenever we talk it feels like we’ve known each other forever. Together we reminisce on the good times that we had together, with all of our friends. I miss her yes, but I  know that she is happy where ever she is.

High school is where i made majority of my incredible memories and this where I found my TRUE friends. ALLOW ME TO EMPHASIZE THE WORD TRUE. People that I can go to for help. The friends that I can tell anything and know that they won’t open their mouth. The people who can rely on me and I can rely on them. People who can be myself around and not be afraid to be judged. Those people I found in high school and are all my really good friends.  You all know who you are. Thank you!

In the beginning I never thought that high school would be like the movie series high school musical. But in some ways it was. I think everyone can agree with that. However it wasn’t as exaggerated.  

I would like to thank all of you for many things. This is where the list begins. Thank you for being who you are. Thank you for accepting one another. Thank you for accepting me. Thank you for not being fake to my face. Thank you for being some what honest. Thank you for your help. Thank you for standing up for what you believe in. Thank you to all of the teachers you all made learning a lot easier, especially by using Quizlet Live. Learning became a game. Thank you. 

We all are incredibly talented people, and different too. I personally hope to stay in contact with you all in the future. I am hopeful to see us all successful, and I wonder where time will take us all.

 

Category: Sept 2017, Zaha | 3 Comments on My Rant on Graduation Night
October 21

Perceptions Of Relationships

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Perceptions Of Relationships

           When analyzing relationships between family members especially between a father and his son, we mostly see the significance of respect, and the drive to follow our elders footsteps, and the desire of wanting to make them proud. In the film A river runs through it, the idea of fishing has always been an important aspect in terms of bonding and personal values. Rev Mclean and his two sons are identified in this picture as all enjoying a day of fishing. The father is closest to the image as he is taking a higher position, and followed by him are his two sons who are on lower levels compared to the father. This shows how the two sons Norman and Paul look up to their father, and portrays respect by being at a lower level. Even between the two sons there is a difference because one seems more superior than the other showing the younger son, Paul looking up to his older brother Norman. From the positions of the three men an inference can me made upon what kind of characters the three pose. The father and his eldest son seem to be standing on rocks, and have their fishing poles pointed down into the water from above,whereas the youngest son is standing in the water and has his fishing net pointed directly straight in front of him. The eldest son appears to be more like his father as his way of fishing resembles closely with his father but the younger one seems to have found his own style of fishing. Paul standing in the water also illustrates him having a closer relation to nature as that is where he grew up his whole life. The father and older son also have a similar posture because they both have their backs straight, whereas the younger son has his back bent over. The father and younger son both having distinctive positions manifests how the son does not quite follow in his father footsteps. This is an important appearance in the photograph because we see the difference in the kind of relationship the father has with his older son versus the younger son. The way the three characters are positioned is important in terms of identifying hierarchy and the respect for the father from the two sons. Also the different levelling of the sons shows the considerations the two have for each other and creates a pyramid for the three.

Another important element in this picture that relates to relationships and values by the three men is implied through their fishing attire which is wearing dark brown hats and satchels on the side. Sons, Paul and Norman are visualized wearing darker colours such as brown and darker blue which is going well with the environment they are surrounded by. There are not many bright colours around them as they seem to be standing amongst dark green Everest trees so the two blend in well.This portrays how the two brothers have a close relationship with nature because of the colours chosen to wear that fit well with the setting they are in. The father on the other hand stands out as he is wearing clean ironed clothing and a bright white shirt. The father choosing to wear the colour white also makes a direct correlation to him being pure and having strong connections with his faith.He seems to be better dressed perhaps according to the kind of profession he has outside of fishing which is, being a minister. From the father’s cleanliness an inference can be drawn that he prefers to be suitably dressed at all times because of the hierarchy in the family and the respect he receives from the family and society. An assumption can be made from the father’s straight posture as a sense of strictness and having decency at all times. Also the father and older son choosing to stand on the rocks while fishing depicts that they promote being proper and clean apposed to Paul choosing to stand in the water and not care about what happens to his clothes. This contrast is essential in relationships because we see that the father and older son are more kin in behaviour and values but Paul chooses to be the opposite and not obey most of his father’s strict rules. This was important in the film because Norman was always getting more than Paul in terms of better education and strong career. Norman seemed to always lean towards his father’s footsteps and share the same values such as fishing, strictness, and education.

Considering the lighting in the picture, one can see that the sun’s rays are focused more on the father’s face and then the older son, Normans but less on the younger son. This can be interpreted as a light from god shining on the two for having strong connections with their faith and beliefs. Paul is lower than the two and has minimum sunlight gleaming on his face supposedly due to the fact that he has chosen his own direction to follow, and not the one his father suggested which is considered appropriate in society. Going to church and praying is an imperative value shared by all three, but the father and older son signify being on the path of god more closely than Paul,therefore, the light is shawn directly on them. Another reason as to why there is more light focused on the two of them is because they have a brighter future and more achieved. The father being a highly respected minster with well education now has a son who chose to get better education and the opportunity to take up a professional career. This is an important value held by Norman which was passed down from his father.This presents the two binding to their beliefs and achieving much success. This contradicts Paul’s style of living because he chooses the dangerous and fun life which later leads to not much success and darkness. Paul starts drinking uncontrollably and plays poker with a debt that becomes the reason of his death at an early age. In a sense the light being on the father and Norman foreshadows the future and what is coming up for Paul. This is an example of Paul not upholding to his beliefs and values and a distinction between him and Norman having different views and expectations in life.

All in all from this image depicted a clear understanding of respect, values, and character traits are observed. From the father and older son a perception of proper men and strictness is distinguished, whereas Paul is shown as a free bird going on his own path. From the positioning of the three the hierarchy in the family and respect is recognized. The sunlight remarks who is closer to the light of god and in upholding their values and beliefs. This image comes across as an ideal father son bonding through fishing but when closely analyzed the differences between each character and their way of life are revealed. We are able to breakdown which character is closely related to which and from posture and lighting their background and future are determined. From afar this image comes across as a pleasant  relationship but closely we are able to make out the flaws which is important to identify.  Every alliance is not perfect but comes across as one, so taking the time and viewing the little details helps in understanding people better and the bonds they have with others.

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