I remember when I first came to Cedar Shoals High School as a freshman. I really do not remember being scared to come to high school because I think that I was ready to come up here with my sister. I had plenty of relatives to come to the school also. It really was not that difficult to meet new people. However, there was something I really made a big mistake in, my grades. I had a bad attitude and thought that nobody could tell me what to do even though I had my sister and cousin to help me.
I remember that I use to come in to class, go to sleep, do no work, and get put out of my class, especially my one of my math classes. I use to think that my math teacher did not like me because he use to put me out of class because I did not want to do what he said. I had to really turn that lifestyle around and grow up because I knew that I would not make it in life like that.
I know how my family was very upset with me because of my grades and what was going on in school. I remember them trying to help me in school. They had the graduation coach, Mrs.Seay, watching me in most of my classes to make sure that I was doing my work and that I was not going to fail any more classes so I could graduate in ‘09. So I hope all you 9th graders see that your grades are nothing to play with because it seems like you have to graduate from high school to do something in life.
But trust me, you do not want to get behind in high school especially your 9th grade year. Just come up here, do your work and listen to your teachers, be= cause your the students and they are the teachers. Teachers have got theirs; they don’t have anything to worry about, but you are the one that have to get yours so that you can get up out of here and be something one day. The chance will come around for you to be grown and do what you want to do, but right now just do your work. I know that it not easy to do.
So far, I have learned from my bad choices that trying to be grown will not get anywhere. The reason why I say that is because of the situation I put my self in now and it is not a good one. I have learn from it so right now I have to play catch-up so that I can still graduate in 2009. At one point in time, I was going to drop out of school because I felt that school was not for me. This was because I did not want to come to school and do my work. I have learned from one of the biggest mistake I have made.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Fresh Meat by Timothy Riden
My ninth grade semester was a total tragedy. I mean, there were times when I’d be stuck in the middle of things, not knowing what to do with my situation. I never went to the counselor for advice and never asked my parents for help because they were too busy or I just wouldn’t ask them.
I never really had a positive eye on things because I was too hard-headed to listen to my own self. I wanted to do things different, but I would never put myself to it. I would look at the other students and wonder what can I do to get on a level like that or at least put myself in a good position, but I had no answer. Then after a while, I started to see things in a different way and that way was me starting to study and work hard and I also started tutoring myself. When that happened, I was on my toes and ready to go forward for whatever. I started going to my counselors and talking to them about my work ethic, and they put me on a greater path to get where I am now in school. However, I still wished I would have never messed up my ninth grade semester. I wish I could turn back the hands of time but sadly I can’t.
I had fun through all the good times and bad times. I never stressed myself on it though I just didn’t put myself up to it. Like with math, I never really understood it, and I didn’t want anything to do with it. I tried my best to get out of math, but the teacher told me to stay because I would be missing out on one of the most important things in life so I stayed but I didn’t pay attention until the middle of the semester. Then I started to like math but I still wasn’t really a math person. I was a reading person in my heart.
My advice to young ninth graders is to stay on your game and don’t act up just because you made it to high school. This is not a place where you can mess up and get another try because once you get behind, it’s kind of hard to get back on your feet. When you come to high school have a positive attitude about things, not a negative one because you want to go far. Don’t stop just because you have a broken tire. You can call someone and they’ll help you to get on your way to success. Being all you can be is one thing but living up to what your goals and dreams are is the right thing to do because anybody can tell you anything but your heart will really tell you what to do. No one has control over you but you, so do what you can to follow your heart by all means necessary.
Ya Digg….
I never really had a positive eye on things because I was too hard-headed to listen to my own self. I wanted to do things different, but I would never put myself to it. I would look at the other students and wonder what can I do to get on a level like that or at least put myself in a good position, but I had no answer. Then after a while, I started to see things in a different way and that way was me starting to study and work hard and I also started tutoring myself. When that happened, I was on my toes and ready to go forward for whatever. I started going to my counselors and talking to them about my work ethic, and they put me on a greater path to get where I am now in school. However, I still wished I would have never messed up my ninth grade semester. I wish I could turn back the hands of time but sadly I can’t.
I had fun through all the good times and bad times. I never stressed myself on it though I just didn’t put myself up to it. Like with math, I never really understood it, and I didn’t want anything to do with it. I tried my best to get out of math, but the teacher told me to stay because I would be missing out on one of the most important things in life so I stayed but I didn’t pay attention until the middle of the semester. Then I started to like math but I still wasn’t really a math person. I was a reading person in my heart.
My advice to young ninth graders is to stay on your game and don’t act up just because you made it to high school. This is not a place where you can mess up and get another try because once you get behind, it’s kind of hard to get back on your feet. When you come to high school have a positive attitude about things, not a negative one because you want to go far. Don’t stop just because you have a broken tire. You can call someone and they’ll help you to get on your way to success. Being all you can be is one thing but living up to what your goals and dreams are is the right thing to do because anybody can tell you anything but your heart will really tell you what to do. No one has control over you but you, so do what you can to follow your heart by all means necessary.
Ya Digg….
Sunday, January 25, 2009
A New Town by Kerwin Gibbs
Entering my freshman year, there were some ups and some downs. First, my city was flooded, so I had to move from city to city. Meeting new friends was hard because I didn't know anyone. People I knew were in different towns, cities, and states. Moving to a different city was difficult but going to a different school was the real challenge. I was already depressed about the disaster but mostly upset because of not seeing my friends. I felt like I was an island all by myself.
Meeting new friends wasn't hard, but all my new friends kept asking the same questions: Where are you from? Did your house flood? Do you like it here? I wasn't shy. I just didn't want to talk because I was depressed and people kept talking about how I talked differently. Moving to a new city was crazy because people talked to me differently. They had a different slang, way of talking. They wore different clothes and had a style that I wasn't familar with.
One of the reasons I made friends (mostly girls) was because of how I talked and my swag. Girls really liked that. They said they loved the way I said "baby" but the boys liked me because they said I was cool and stayed to myself. The poeple I have met in Athens are different than my old friends. My friends in New Orleans were bad influences in my life, but my friends in Athens influence me to do something with my life. Meeting new people was different but crazy.
Even though it was hard for me to absorb my new friends and surroudings, I still reflect on other good times I had at home. Moving to Athens allowed me to change some. I moved to a new environment, got new friends, new habits, but best of all, I got the chance for a new start.
Meeting new friends wasn't hard, but all my new friends kept asking the same questions: Where are you from? Did your house flood? Do you like it here? I wasn't shy. I just didn't want to talk because I was depressed and people kept talking about how I talked differently. Moving to a new city was crazy because people talked to me differently. They had a different slang, way of talking. They wore different clothes and had a style that I wasn't familar with.
One of the reasons I made friends (mostly girls) was because of how I talked and my swag. Girls really liked that. They said they loved the way I said "baby" but the boys liked me because they said I was cool and stayed to myself. The poeple I have met in Athens are different than my old friends. My friends in New Orleans were bad influences in my life, but my friends in Athens influence me to do something with my life. Meeting new people was different but crazy.
Even though it was hard for me to absorb my new friends and surroudings, I still reflect on other good times I had at home. Moving to Athens allowed me to change some. I moved to a new environment, got new friends, new habits, but best of all, I got the chance for a new start.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Drugs and Weapons by Bryan Hudson
When I got to high school, I knew that it was going to be different, but I did not know that it was going to be that different. I thought it was going to be bad and kids were going to be mean. They would try to put other kids in lockers, fight a lot, and other bad stuff. When I was a freshman, there was someone that got caught with marijuana, and I think he got put out of school and went to jail. I did not know the boy, but I know that he was a junior. When I became a sophomore, I had a friend that got caught for bringing a knife to school, which was a bad thing. He got put out of school, and he went to jail for like a week or so. Because he was lazy, he did not try to go back to school to get a diploma or at least a GED.
As a freshman, I was not a bad student. Every teacher that taught me knew that I was a very good student. When a teacher saw that I needed help with something, they would do what ever they could to help me. I felt good, because I made it to high school with no problem, no trouble, and without getting held back. In my first year of high school, everything started off feeling easy, but I believe that I let that get to my head too much. I started messing up. As my freshman year kept going, I started having more trouble with my grades. They were dropping really badly. As I kept going, things started getting better for me. I was doing much better, and I started feeling better about myself. When it started getting really close to the end of the year, I realized that I had started failing some of my classes, and I started getting worried. When we got our report cards, I saw that I had failed some of my classes.
When kids get to high school, they should at least try to act like they have some sense and have a little bit of maturity. They don’t have to have a lot because, they are just freshmen, and most people know that freshmen are going to be a little wild so that’s ok. Freshmen are supposed to have at least something to show, even if it is just respect.
As a freshman, I was not a bad student. Every teacher that taught me knew that I was a very good student. When a teacher saw that I needed help with something, they would do what ever they could to help me. I felt good, because I made it to high school with no problem, no trouble, and without getting held back. In my first year of high school, everything started off feeling easy, but I believe that I let that get to my head too much. I started messing up. As my freshman year kept going, I started having more trouble with my grades. They were dropping really badly. As I kept going, things started getting better for me. I was doing much better, and I started feeling better about myself. When it started getting really close to the end of the year, I realized that I had started failing some of my classes, and I started getting worried. When we got our report cards, I saw that I had failed some of my classes.
When kids get to high school, they should at least try to act like they have some sense and have a little bit of maturity. They don’t have to have a lot because, they are just freshmen, and most people know that freshmen are going to be a little wild so that’s ok. Freshmen are supposed to have at least something to show, even if it is just respect.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Math is Challenging by Tajia White
When I first came to Cedar Shoals High School I didn’t think that it was going to be so hard. I was a little scared at first because I was a freshman. I was expecting to be more mature. I thought math was my favorite subject and I still think it is, but I see that it’s not so much my best subject. The math department at Cedar Shoals is very successful. I don’t do to well on tests. I think that they are challenging. In math class, I sometimes feel like they teach it one way in class but on the test it’s a different way. In math class, I pay attention. I do everything that the teachers ask for me to do and how he/she asks for it to be done. The night before the test I study. When it’s time for me to take a test, I think I am very focused. Once I start taking my test I think I know it until I get my score back. When I get my test score back I am very disappointed. Why? I would have thought my score would be better than what it is because math is my favorite subject. Even though I don’t do well in math class, I still strive to do my best.
From these experiences I’ve learned to never give up. Although I wasn’t the best in math I worked my hardest to succeed. Math is very challenging. It’s all of what you make of it. Freshmen, learn from this to never give up and never doubt yourself. You can do all things. Always set your goals high and have high standards. Start off on a good foot so that you won’t have anything to worry about when it’s the last days.
It helps to have something or someone that can motivate you. I think my mother is my motivation. She always tells me to do my best and never give up. My mother is very motivational because she always tells me that she never wants me to follow in her foot steps. She tells me all the time that she’s been through a lot in life and to make my own decisions. I have made it this far in high school, to the 12th grade. Between my motivation in telling myself that I can do all things through Christ, he who strengthen me, I am blessed. If you put God first, you can do it.
From these experiences I’ve learned to never give up. Although I wasn’t the best in math I worked my hardest to succeed. Math is very challenging. It’s all of what you make of it. Freshmen, learn from this to never give up and never doubt yourself. You can do all things. Always set your goals high and have high standards. Start off on a good foot so that you won’t have anything to worry about when it’s the last days.
It helps to have something or someone that can motivate you. I think my mother is my motivation. She always tells me to do my best and never give up. My mother is very motivational because she always tells me that she never wants me to follow in her foot steps. She tells me all the time that she’s been through a lot in life and to make my own decisions. I have made it this far in high school, to the 12th grade. Between my motivation in telling myself that I can do all things through Christ, he who strengthen me, I am blessed. If you put God first, you can do it.
Don't Mess Up by Adonis Allen
It was fall of 2005, I had just entered as a 9th grader, and I didn’t feel like doing anything. My first period class was Communication Skills and I passed it with ease. 3rd period was different because I had World History and my brother told me that I wouldn’t like the teacher. She taught this class like it was an ACP class, and I was keeping up until it got boring. I started not doing my work, and I slept all day. I failed the class with a 60. Next semester, I had 3 credits, and it was alright. I had Algebra 1b and the first thing I did was go to sleep. I slept for the rest of the year and because of that I didn’t know how to do algebra and I failed it again next year. Physical science was the hardest class I had as a freshman. I was never good with equations. When I asked the teacher if I could use the bathroom she said no. I told her I was not going to do my work, and she said that’s on my grade. I wasn’t thinking, stopped working, and failed the class. I wish I didn’t do those things because it messed up my credits and now I’m taking the classes again to graduate on time. I wish that I could start over I do my work and everything.
What you can learn form this is not to mess up your years at Cedar Shoals or at any other high school you go to. Do your work non-stop. If you get stuck on something, don’t give up and stay quiet. If you get in the mood that you don’t have to do it, that’s how you mess up. Always ask questions if you don’t understand and teachers will help you until you get it. Always listen to the teacher because most of the time they are right. Try not to pick a class that you know you not going to pass; pick one you are going to pass. Come to class every day and when you leave high school, you should be able to remember every thing you learned from the teacher.
What you can learn form this is not to mess up your years at Cedar Shoals or at any other high school you go to. Do your work non-stop. If you get stuck on something, don’t give up and stay quiet. If you get in the mood that you don’t have to do it, that’s how you mess up. Always ask questions if you don’t understand and teachers will help you until you get it. Always listen to the teacher because most of the time they are right. Try not to pick a class that you know you not going to pass; pick one you are going to pass. Come to class every day and when you leave high school, you should be able to remember every thing you learned from the teacher.
Skipping Class by Javier Solis
I want to share my experience when I was a freshman. Well, first of all when I left middle school and entered high, many rules changed and that kind of affected me. Skipping, getting to class late, and getting passes to do some other stuff are most likely things that freshmen have trouble with these days. When I used to skip, I thought it would be fun and that nobody would find out, but the thing about skipping is that it makes your classes harder because of the fact that you are not getting the information from the class for the day that you were skipping. Also if you skip class too much you will not get any credit for it. Most of my friends used to skip in the bathrooms for hours, and it’s not even fun. Taking classes might be a little boring, but if you pay attention to it, you are going to get interested in that class.
Now that I’m a senior, I realize that doing that stuff like skipping is not going to help you out in your future. Today's high school students say they are bored in class, because they dislike the material and experience inadequate teacher interaction. When I used to skip, I got caught several times and it was for a stupid reason, being in the bathroom wasn’t a good idea since I could have been learning and talking to my friends at the same time.
If I could go back to those classes and learn what I didn’t because I chose to skip I would, but most students do not think like that. Now, students drive to school and it’s easier to skip and not go to school and not get caught. To me skipping is not a good idea because you are going to fail your classes just because you have too many absences. For example, some students do really well in some classes but don’t even get the credit for it only because of too many absences and for me that’s dumb. High school is a really good experience for every freshman so there is no reason to skip classes and not get credit for having too many absences. Also if you get caught skipping there are some punishments that you have to deal with just because of your mistakes.
One of the punishments is ISS. ISS teachers don’t let you sleep nor are you allowed to do anything fun. ISS is really boring and a bad experience. I have been there a couple of times and believe me, I prefer to stay in my classes more than being in ISS. There is a lot of stuff I could tell you about skipping and why it’s bad, but most of the freshmen are going to find out for themselves, and they will realize that skipping classes is not good for their own future. I shared my experience with them so they can know that skipping classes has several punishments all of which are not fun. I just want to tell all the freshmen to get on track since it’s their first year in high school so they can get used to it. High school is a really good experience and we in high should notice that.
Now that I’m a senior, I realize that doing that stuff like skipping is not going to help you out in your future. Today's high school students say they are bored in class, because they dislike the material and experience inadequate teacher interaction. When I used to skip, I got caught several times and it was for a stupid reason, being in the bathroom wasn’t a good idea since I could have been learning and talking to my friends at the same time.
If I could go back to those classes and learn what I didn’t because I chose to skip I would, but most students do not think like that. Now, students drive to school and it’s easier to skip and not go to school and not get caught. To me skipping is not a good idea because you are going to fail your classes just because you have too many absences. For example, some students do really well in some classes but don’t even get the credit for it only because of too many absences and for me that’s dumb. High school is a really good experience for every freshman so there is no reason to skip classes and not get credit for having too many absences. Also if you get caught skipping there are some punishments that you have to deal with just because of your mistakes.
One of the punishments is ISS. ISS teachers don’t let you sleep nor are you allowed to do anything fun. ISS is really boring and a bad experience. I have been there a couple of times and believe me, I prefer to stay in my classes more than being in ISS. There is a lot of stuff I could tell you about skipping and why it’s bad, but most of the freshmen are going to find out for themselves, and they will realize that skipping classes is not good for their own future. I shared my experience with them so they can know that skipping classes has several punishments all of which are not fun. I just want to tell all the freshmen to get on track since it’s their first year in high school so they can get used to it. High school is a really good experience and we in high should notice that.
Failing 9th Grade by Omar Arechiga
When I first got here to Cedar Shoals, well to tell you the truth, I really didn’t care. I didn’t care about my classes, I didn’t care about my grades, and I didn’t care about graduating. Really, I didn’t think that I was going to graduate. I really didn’t want to go to college. I thought that school was stupid; I didn’t think that I could be anything. I thought I new where I was going and that’s all I could do. I had it all planed out. I was going to work at Pilgrims Pride, a chicken processing plant, and that’s the best I could do. I came in my freshman year with all that in mind.
I remember my freshman year like it was yesterday. First block, I had J.R.O.T.C, second I had Lit/Comp 9, third I had pre-algebra, and fourth I had world history. Out of all four classes I only passed two. I remember telling myself that wasn’t so bad. Actually I thought that it was pretty good. My whole 9th grade year, I only passed 5 classes. I knew I wasn’t going to pass the grade, but I thought it was still pretty good. Little did I know that it would come back on me and make my high school career almost impossible.
I was one of the more fortunate ones thanks to my counselor. She took care of me. Every month all my teachers, my parents, and I would meet up after school and talk about how bad I was doing in school. At first I thought it was all stupid, but the more they talked about me, the more I realized how bad I was doing. I knew I could do better but I just didn’t feel like it. After a couple of meetings, I realized that I was letting a lot of people down not just myself. I saw how disappointed my parents and teachers were at me. I decided to show everybody what I was capable of and decided to work as hard as I could to pass all my classes. My second time being a freshman, I only failed one of the eight classes. I did so good that I skipped the 10th grade. My 11th grade year, I passed all the classes, and now my senior year I have passed all my classes, and I am just waiting to graduate this May.
What I learned from this experience is that your freshman year is one of the most, if not the most, important year of your high school career. It is really important that you start your high school career on the right foot because it can make your life a lot easier. Maybe you have heard this a thousand times, but it is very important that you do well your first year because you will regret it for the rest of your life if you don’t.
Fighting by Taranesha Zellars
It all started in my 1st period class. Two girls were arguing about “she said and he said” stuff andon the way to lunch the girls got to fighting which was dumb to me. They got suspended for 10 days and were talked about around the whole school about how one girl got her hair pulled out and the other was winning. These were just a bunch of rumors to me and more drama. Because of the suspension, the girls had to repeat all of their classes and will be late to graduate.
I have not had an experience of fighting in my freshmen year, but I have seen others fight and what consequences they got. I learned that fighting in school is ridiculous and nonsense. I also learned that if you want to graduate on time, you should prevent fighting during your freshmen year. I have had my name in some situations that could have lead to fighting, but I ignored the situations and laughed at the ones that said it. The things that lead to fighting are talking about a person to others which if you are so-called “real,” you are supposed to go to that person and tell them what is the problem. Another problem that would lead to fighting is your attitude of dislike towards this person and showing it every time the person walks by. When they do, you got something smart to say or you roll your eyes. My opinion on that is you are being fake and you are a hater.
To me fighting can result in not graduating on time because you will be out of school for 10 days which is over the limit of absences. Also, fighting could result in not earning credits for your classes which could make you fall behind in your learning. My advice to freshmen about fighting is to try to prevent fighting at school by walking away. I know that doesn’t sound easy but it will help you in a lot of ways. Also the 2 ways to prevent fighting in freshmen or your later years of high school is do not let your emotions take control of you and also try to stay calm.
I have not had an experience of fighting in my freshmen year, but I have seen others fight and what consequences they got. I learned that fighting in school is ridiculous and nonsense. I also learned that if you want to graduate on time, you should prevent fighting during your freshmen year. I have had my name in some situations that could have lead to fighting, but I ignored the situations and laughed at the ones that said it. The things that lead to fighting are talking about a person to others which if you are so-called “real,” you are supposed to go to that person and tell them what is the problem. Another problem that would lead to fighting is your attitude of dislike towards this person and showing it every time the person walks by. When they do, you got something smart to say or you roll your eyes. My opinion on that is you are being fake and you are a hater.
To me fighting can result in not graduating on time because you will be out of school for 10 days which is over the limit of absences. Also, fighting could result in not earning credits for your classes which could make you fall behind in your learning. My advice to freshmen about fighting is to try to prevent fighting at school by walking away. I know that doesn’t sound easy but it will help you in a lot of ways. Also the 2 ways to prevent fighting in freshmen or your later years of high school is do not let your emotions take control of you and also try to stay calm.
A Letter 2 Freshmen by Myisha Harris
Dear freshmen,
When I was in middle school, I loved math, but that all changed when I hit algebra. Algebra was my last class of the day. I was tired by the time I got to class. I also had all my friends in the class with me, and we played around, went to sleep, and never paid attention. I finally tried to focus and pay attention once the semester was coming to an end and I realized that I had a thirty six as my average grade in the class. I had never passed a test in the class, and I knew that I was going to have to take that class over. When that semester was over, I talked to my counselor and she told me that I was going to have to take pre-algebra before I could take algebra again. Not only did that knock me off track but I had to take a lot of academic classes the next semester. That became very stressful because I had to pass all of them. I also took a social studies class that I did not need to take, and I had to take two social studies class back to back.
My whole point of writing this to you is because ninth grade can make or break you. There is no need to play around. Learn from this and never take a class over that you could have passed the first time. There is no one in high school to push and make you do your work. It’s your choice so make the best of it.
In August 2005, I entered high school a little scared, but at the same time excited. I am very short and the majority of people are taller than me. The atmosphere in high school is very different from middle and elementary. You are more free and relaxed; some get a little too relaxed. You make your own decisions and choices, but you got to make sure you make the right ones in ninth grade. Ninth grade is like the foundation of high school. In other words, what I am trying to say is that ninth grade determines your path for the next three years. Take my experiences and learn from them. I messed up but you have the chance to take school serious and make the right choices. Take everyday in high school seriously and do your best the first time. Life is hard and you need an education to be successful in life. No one is going to hand you anything in life you have to get your own. Pretty looks, popularity, and being starting quarterback will not get you anywhere in high school. Don’t be a failure take school seriously.
Sincerely,
A concerned senior
P.S. Life is a lesson learned.
When I was in middle school, I loved math, but that all changed when I hit algebra. Algebra was my last class of the day. I was tired by the time I got to class. I also had all my friends in the class with me, and we played around, went to sleep, and never paid attention. I finally tried to focus and pay attention once the semester was coming to an end and I realized that I had a thirty six as my average grade in the class. I had never passed a test in the class, and I knew that I was going to have to take that class over. When that semester was over, I talked to my counselor and she told me that I was going to have to take pre-algebra before I could take algebra again. Not only did that knock me off track but I had to take a lot of academic classes the next semester. That became very stressful because I had to pass all of them. I also took a social studies class that I did not need to take, and I had to take two social studies class back to back.
My whole point of writing this to you is because ninth grade can make or break you. There is no need to play around. Learn from this and never take a class over that you could have passed the first time. There is no one in high school to push and make you do your work. It’s your choice so make the best of it.
In August 2005, I entered high school a little scared, but at the same time excited. I am very short and the majority of people are taller than me. The atmosphere in high school is very different from middle and elementary. You are more free and relaxed; some get a little too relaxed. You make your own decisions and choices, but you got to make sure you make the right ones in ninth grade. Ninth grade is like the foundation of high school. In other words, what I am trying to say is that ninth grade determines your path for the next three years. Take my experiences and learn from them. I messed up but you have the chance to take school serious and make the right choices. Take everyday in high school seriously and do your best the first time. Life is hard and you need an education to be successful in life. No one is going to hand you anything in life you have to get your own. Pretty looks, popularity, and being starting quarterback will not get you anywhere in high school. Don’t be a failure take school seriously.
Sincerely,
A concerned senior
P.S. Life is a lesson learned.
Making the Team by Tobias Wade
In August 2005, I became a freshman at Cedar Shoals High School. I was a little scared to come because I had never been to high school before, but when the first day came I was over it. When I walked into the building, it was a whole new atmosphere. My friends and I were walking around the school to see people that we knew. The bell rang, and we had to go to class. I was late to my first period, because I got lost but the teacher didn’t mind because it was the first day. A couple of days later, I was talking to a friend about playing basketball, and he told me that tryouts were coming up. Three weeks later tryouts came. I tried out and made the team. I was doing good on the court but not in school. My coach told me that if I did not pass three out of four classes at the end of the semester that I would be kicked off the team. The end of the semester came, and I passed two out of four classes. The coach called my house and told me that I was kicked off the team. I had to tell my mother that I was kicked off the team for not passing my classes. She was not so happy about that, and she did not talk to me for three days. I felt bad that I let her down.
The second semester came around, and I was not doing so good in my classes. I was hanging around the wrong crowd, skipping class, and I didn’t care about school much because I was not playing basketball. Towards the end of the year, I was back to my normal self and passed two out of four classes once again. I went to summer school so that I could get some credits that I did not get from the first semester. I failed the ninth grade and kept getting into trouble with my teachers because I was mad that I didn’t play basketball. The three following years I changed my attitude towards school and got back on track to graduate.
Now that you have read the story about my freshman year in high school, I hope that you understand how important your freshman year is. If you don’t pass your classes, you will spend most of your time trying to catch up with your classmates and like me you won’t be able to play sports until your grades are up to par. When you are acting out in class trying to make your friends laugh, you should remember that your work is more important than your friends. Finish your work, then talk to them but not so much that you will get in trouble and get kicked out of class. What I am trying to say is just do your work and stay out of trouble. If you show respect to your teachers, they will show you respect back and the same goes for your classmates.
The second semester came around, and I was not doing so good in my classes. I was hanging around the wrong crowd, skipping class, and I didn’t care about school much because I was not playing basketball. Towards the end of the year, I was back to my normal self and passed two out of four classes once again. I went to summer school so that I could get some credits that I did not get from the first semester. I failed the ninth grade and kept getting into trouble with my teachers because I was mad that I didn’t play basketball. The three following years I changed my attitude towards school and got back on track to graduate.
Now that you have read the story about my freshman year in high school, I hope that you understand how important your freshman year is. If you don’t pass your classes, you will spend most of your time trying to catch up with your classmates and like me you won’t be able to play sports until your grades are up to par. When you are acting out in class trying to make your friends laugh, you should remember that your work is more important than your friends. Finish your work, then talk to them but not so much that you will get in trouble and get kicked out of class. What I am trying to say is just do your work and stay out of trouble. If you show respect to your teachers, they will show you respect back and the same goes for your classmates.
A New School by Devin Hudson
When I was a freshman I had to move from New Orleans to Athens because my town was flooded. I had to meet new friends. I didn’t want to do that because I wanted to graduate with my friends that I grew up with. It was a learning experience for me. When I received my schedule, I didn’t know where to go until I was assisted by this girl. She walked me to my class, and I was asking her how the school was and she said it’s fun so I was like I’m straight once I meet some new friends, but I really didn’t want to talk to nobody.
When I walked in class, people were talking to me and asking me about New Orleans. They said they had another dude from New Orleans named Lionell in the class, but I really wasn’t fooling with that boy because I heard he was fake. There were a lot of girls wanting to talk to me because of my accent, and I made a lot of friends quick. I was not doing my work most of the time, as I only passed like three classes my whole freshman year.
I think that the freshmen can learn a lot from me because of all the mistakes I made when I was a 9th grader. I can encourage them to do everything they can to pass as many classes as they can. I can tell them to do all their work and try not to engage in bad activities like I did. It is important as a freshman to get as many credits as you can because you can fall behind early and that can lead to not graduating on time or not graduating at all.
When you are coming to a new town as a freshman, it is very hard to stay focused and it’s a big transition. For example, in New Orleans we wore school uniforms to school and when I moved to Athens we had to wear regular clothes! I didn’t have that many clothes because I left most of them in New Orleans because I thought we would be back in like 3 days. Come to think about it, I never went back except to visit. Another big transition was making friends. In New Orleans, I thought that the people I was with were the people that I was going to graduate with. I was wrong!
When I walked in class, people were talking to me and asking me about New Orleans. They said they had another dude from New Orleans named Lionell in the class, but I really wasn’t fooling with that boy because I heard he was fake. There were a lot of girls wanting to talk to me because of my accent, and I made a lot of friends quick. I was not doing my work most of the time, as I only passed like three classes my whole freshman year.
I think that the freshmen can learn a lot from me because of all the mistakes I made when I was a 9th grader. I can encourage them to do everything they can to pass as many classes as they can. I can tell them to do all their work and try not to engage in bad activities like I did. It is important as a freshman to get as many credits as you can because you can fall behind early and that can lead to not graduating on time or not graduating at all.
When you are coming to a new town as a freshman, it is very hard to stay focused and it’s a big transition. For example, in New Orleans we wore school uniforms to school and when I moved to Athens we had to wear regular clothes! I didn’t have that many clothes because I left most of them in New Orleans because I thought we would be back in like 3 days. Come to think about it, I never went back except to visit. Another big transition was making friends. In New Orleans, I thought that the people I was with were the people that I was going to graduate with. I was wrong!
5th Year by Justin Lindsey
Freshmen,
I’ve been in school for 5 years now. It completely sucks. While you still have the chance to affect your graduation date, do so! There is absolutely no need to spend an extra year in this place. There are some perks to the extra year, but it is completely not worth it. When taking your classes do your best. As a freshman you have the chance to ‘choose’ if you want to graduate after seven semesters or you can ‘choose’ to graduate after the regular eight or if you mess around too much in school, you can graduate somewhere near ten semesters after you started. Looking at it that way you could get out of school a year and a half earlier if you do you work compared to when you just mess around.
Justin Lindsey
I’ve been in school for 5 years now. It completely sucks. While you still have the chance to affect your graduation date, do so! There is absolutely no need to spend an extra year in this place. There are some perks to the extra year, but it is completely not worth it. When taking your classes do your best. As a freshman you have the chance to ‘choose’ if you want to graduate after seven semesters or you can ‘choose’ to graduate after the regular eight or if you mess around too much in school, you can graduate somewhere near ten semesters after you started. Looking at it that way you could get out of school a year and a half earlier if you do you work compared to when you just mess around.
Justin Lindsey
A Letter to Freshmen by Monte Stephens
Dear freshmen,
I am a member of the class of 2009. I am very excited to chat with you guys about all of the responsibilities there will be and about the number one thing that will get you very far--respect.
Freshman year is the year that you should make sure you are very focused and determined to go far. Your education is very important. You need to be aware of all the consequences and challenges that you will face. You should always remember that your number one goal is to exceed in all that you do.
You should be sure to tend to your responsibilities. Responsibilities are very important, and I’m sure if you are mature about everything and responsible period, then you will know what to do. Taking care of your responsibilities is a big part of your education, because in order to succeed, you have to be responsible for your work. You have to make sure your school work is done, not copied from a friend. If you do copy, then basically you’ll only be dumbing yourself down. If I were you, I’d take note of that. An example of that is from my ninth grade year. I dumbed myself down. I forgot to do my homework one night, and I thought that it was okay to copy a friend of mine. But what I didn’t know is that we were going to be quizzed on it at the start of class. You shouldn’t depend on your friends for your work. You should be responsible for yourself.
Respect is the key to life. With respect, you can go very far with your education and also your life. Having respect for yourself and others is very important for your well-being. When you respect and treat others the way you want to be treated, than othersr eturn the favor on your behalf. You shouldn’t worry about all of the chaos and drama that is very common during your 9th grade year. Just have the heart to walk away from it, or handle situations by taking on your responsibilities. Respect your education, also. By respecting your education, you are proving that you are able to take on new things and to take on what the world lays out for you. Respect is a big deal. To show respect and give respect is like a token and through respect you learn to get along with others and learn from your mistakes. Just be ready and prepared and have those two clues in mind.
Sincerely,
Monte Stephens
A senior that cares!
I am a member of the class of 2009. I am very excited to chat with you guys about all of the responsibilities there will be and about the number one thing that will get you very far--respect.
Freshman year is the year that you should make sure you are very focused and determined to go far. Your education is very important. You need to be aware of all the consequences and challenges that you will face. You should always remember that your number one goal is to exceed in all that you do.
You should be sure to tend to your responsibilities. Responsibilities are very important, and I’m sure if you are mature about everything and responsible period, then you will know what to do. Taking care of your responsibilities is a big part of your education, because in order to succeed, you have to be responsible for your work. You have to make sure your school work is done, not copied from a friend. If you do copy, then basically you’ll only be dumbing yourself down. If I were you, I’d take note of that. An example of that is from my ninth grade year. I dumbed myself down. I forgot to do my homework one night, and I thought that it was okay to copy a friend of mine. But what I didn’t know is that we were going to be quizzed on it at the start of class. You shouldn’t depend on your friends for your work. You should be responsible for yourself.
Respect is the key to life. With respect, you can go very far with your education and also your life. Having respect for yourself and others is very important for your well-being. When you respect and treat others the way you want to be treated, than othersr eturn the favor on your behalf. You shouldn’t worry about all of the chaos and drama that is very common during your 9th grade year. Just have the heart to walk away from it, or handle situations by taking on your responsibilities. Respect your education, also. By respecting your education, you are proving that you are able to take on new things and to take on what the world lays out for you. Respect is a big deal. To show respect and give respect is like a token and through respect you learn to get along with others and learn from your mistakes. Just be ready and prepared and have those two clues in mind.
Sincerely,
Monte Stephens
A senior that cares!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Make Your Mark by Valente Fanning
This is my first and last year here at Cedar Shoals. Not saying this is my last year for negative reasons, but I am a senior and I will be graduating this May. Now I must admit I was a lot like you all on my first day as a freshman in high school. I was cautious, imitated, but most importantly, anxious to see what the year was to bring. The transition and responsibility that comes along with high school is a major thing to deal with.
My ninth grade year was really something to remember. I really didn’t care about the importance of an education. I was living for today’s hype and ensuring that I was up to date on the latest gossip. When I look back on that, I feel ashamed, but as you may know, everything happens for a reason. I was viewed as the class clown. I wasn’t taken seriously by either my teachers or my peers. My work ethic was where it should have been, but my behavior wasn’t. I often misbehaved in all of my classes and accumulated countless discipline referrals. I didn’t care about how my behavior came in the way of my education. My attitude was that I was always right, and you couldn’t tell me anything I didn’t know.
Most definitely I was new to the environment of being in high school because of my freshman status. I quickly learned that no matter what status you have at high school, everybody is treated equally. One thing I must say to you all is come with the attitude, like you know what’s going on. Learn new things about this new environment as each day goes by.
When I became the new student at Cedar Shoals, people were mostly concerned with themselves. I never had anyone to show me the ropes of being here at Cedar Shoals. I got lost a couple of times, because I wasn’t accustomed to how the halls were setup. I never let that become a big issue and cause me to be late for my classes. I wouldn’t stop to associate with others, like I have seen everybody else do. My focus was finding my way to my next class without being late until I got accustomed to how the halls were setup.
Another important thing that I want to say to you all is you all are the new faces on campus, and of course you will receive a lot of attention due to that fact. For most of you that don’t know, first impressions are always the impression that will stick to people on how they view you as a person. I would highly recommend entering high school with a mature attitude. If you act like a child here, teachers will treat you like a child. The more mature you are, the more people will tolerate you. Therefore being involved in drama can give you a very negative image. You are here to learn, not to entertain everyone’s drama and issues that comes to you.
High School isn’t really a bad place. Get involved in clubs, sports and different activities to make your years go by fast. Now you are a freshman, but if you are busy being dedicated to clubs, sports and different activities the rest of your three years will quickly go by. Research what career you want to pursue so you may take classes in that area to prepare you for college. Have a great time and create good relations with your fellow peers. Focus and work diligently on your studies and you will become a successful high school student like me.
My ninth grade year was really something to remember. I really didn’t care about the importance of an education. I was living for today’s hype and ensuring that I was up to date on the latest gossip. When I look back on that, I feel ashamed, but as you may know, everything happens for a reason. I was viewed as the class clown. I wasn’t taken seriously by either my teachers or my peers. My work ethic was where it should have been, but my behavior wasn’t. I often misbehaved in all of my classes and accumulated countless discipline referrals. I didn’t care about how my behavior came in the way of my education. My attitude was that I was always right, and you couldn’t tell me anything I didn’t know.
Most definitely I was new to the environment of being in high school because of my freshman status. I quickly learned that no matter what status you have at high school, everybody is treated equally. One thing I must say to you all is come with the attitude, like you know what’s going on. Learn new things about this new environment as each day goes by.
When I became the new student at Cedar Shoals, people were mostly concerned with themselves. I never had anyone to show me the ropes of being here at Cedar Shoals. I got lost a couple of times, because I wasn’t accustomed to how the halls were setup. I never let that become a big issue and cause me to be late for my classes. I wouldn’t stop to associate with others, like I have seen everybody else do. My focus was finding my way to my next class without being late until I got accustomed to how the halls were setup.
Another important thing that I want to say to you all is you all are the new faces on campus, and of course you will receive a lot of attention due to that fact. For most of you that don’t know, first impressions are always the impression that will stick to people on how they view you as a person. I would highly recommend entering high school with a mature attitude. If you act like a child here, teachers will treat you like a child. The more mature you are, the more people will tolerate you. Therefore being involved in drama can give you a very negative image. You are here to learn, not to entertain everyone’s drama and issues that comes to you.
High School isn’t really a bad place. Get involved in clubs, sports and different activities to make your years go by fast. Now you are a freshman, but if you are busy being dedicated to clubs, sports and different activities the rest of your three years will quickly go by. Research what career you want to pursue so you may take classes in that area to prepare you for college. Have a great time and create good relations with your fellow peers. Focus and work diligently on your studies and you will become a successful high school student like me.
How To Succeed by Katherine Minish
When I got to high school, I thought it was going to be one big party. In my four years here, I have experienced a lot of different situations, some good and some bad. One experience I’ve had is not getting the credits I need. The reason I didn’t get my credits is because I was playing around. I would sleep in class, and if I wasn’t sleeping, I was playing around with friends. I had only six credits at the end of my freshmen year because I chose to play around so much. I had fun and never did any work. The only assignments I turned in were the tests I did in class. I passed most of the tests I took but failed to pass the classes. I did some work during the class but never turned it in. The teacher didn’t tell us to turn it in and I didn’t think about it, nor did I do it most of the time.
I finally realized that I had to do work and pay attention in class in order to graduate, that a diploma was actually in my reach, and that I had gone too far in school to just mess up and not finish what I started. The person who helped me to learn how to balance my work and have fun in class was a literature/composition teacher here at Cedar Shoals. He always told me to do my work. He said it was ok to play as long as I worked while I played. I, of course, didn’t listen at first, but then I got what he was saying, I started doing my work and now I am on track to graduate.
I have learned that there is a balance between work and play, and the line between work and playing is so little but it means so much to not be on one extreme or the other. I have also learned that just because you don’t want to hear something doesn’t mean that you don’t need to and that it won’t help you get to where you are trying to go.
I think everyone who reads this can take something from it and apply it to their daily lives. Everyone needs balance; it could be balance between working and playing, between working and spending time with family friends and a boyfriend/girlfriend. Everyone needs balance.
The best way to maintain the work and play is to complete the assignment and then play. The first thing you should do is the assigned task. You can even get your friends to do their work first then both of you play when the assignment's complete. Freshmen year is when you have to see that doing your work is in your best interest. If you choose to play and not work, you won’t get credit and graduate. So be sure to do your work and take my advice. Get the credits the first time and don't waste your time taking a class more than once. Good luck over your four years of high school. I hope you prosper and grow both in intelligence and as a person.
I finally realized that I had to do work and pay attention in class in order to graduate, that a diploma was actually in my reach, and that I had gone too far in school to just mess up and not finish what I started. The person who helped me to learn how to balance my work and have fun in class was a literature/composition teacher here at Cedar Shoals. He always told me to do my work. He said it was ok to play as long as I worked while I played. I, of course, didn’t listen at first, but then I got what he was saying, I started doing my work and now I am on track to graduate.
I have learned that there is a balance between work and play, and the line between work and playing is so little but it means so much to not be on one extreme or the other. I have also learned that just because you don’t want to hear something doesn’t mean that you don’t need to and that it won’t help you get to where you are trying to go.
I think everyone who reads this can take something from it and apply it to their daily lives. Everyone needs balance; it could be balance between working and playing, between working and spending time with family friends and a boyfriend/girlfriend. Everyone needs balance.
The best way to maintain the work and play is to complete the assignment and then play. The first thing you should do is the assigned task. You can even get your friends to do their work first then both of you play when the assignment's complete. Freshmen year is when you have to see that doing your work is in your best interest. If you choose to play and not work, you won’t get credit and graduate. So be sure to do your work and take my advice. Get the credits the first time and don't waste your time taking a class more than once. Good luck over your four years of high school. I hope you prosper and grow both in intelligence and as a person.
Freshman Lessons by Deunta Jennings
In August 2005, I entered high school ready to get to my work and experience the life of high school. During the time coming up, people use to tell me how hard high school would be and don’t play and stuff. But once I got here, I understood how high school was run. High school is very tough and I’m here to tell my story about high school.
During my 9th grade year second semester, I got behind in my work playing in class and every thing. My grades got down and I got down deep in a hole. When you get in a hole in highchool, it is very hard to come out of. If you to start off great and keep reaching for high expectations in school, you will never be behind in high school. During my 9th grade year, math got me in trouble, because I didn’t understand it. I encourage you freshmen to stay in the teachers' classes after school for extra help.
This is my story, kids. When you come in to school, don’t come in playing games with your friends. The most important years of your life in highschool is 9th grade and 11th grade. In 9th grade, you want to start off to a great start. But like me if you start off great the first semester doesn’t be satisfied with the outcome because you could get behind in your school work.
Participating in sports can play a big role in succeeding in high school. Some people can let sports take over their education but there’s a way to balance that while in school. Sports can drive you to further your education in school. In my situation I let that take advantage of me at first because I was all into sports. I learned to be a student first then play sports.
I'm telling you now that you are so ready to come to high school but once you get in here the time can go by so fast. take it all in as much as you can. Before you know it, it will all be over. The funniest year of school is your senior year. Because you are finishing high school but getting ready to start a new chapter in your life. I encourage you to have as much fun as you can. I was once there and I know how it feels to be a freshman.
During my 9th grade year second semester, I got behind in my work playing in class and every thing. My grades got down and I got down deep in a hole. When you get in a hole in highchool, it is very hard to come out of. If you to start off great and keep reaching for high expectations in school, you will never be behind in high school. During my 9th grade year, math got me in trouble, because I didn’t understand it. I encourage you freshmen to stay in the teachers' classes after school for extra help.
This is my story, kids. When you come in to school, don’t come in playing games with your friends. The most important years of your life in highschool is 9th grade and 11th grade. In 9th grade, you want to start off to a great start. But like me if you start off great the first semester doesn’t be satisfied with the outcome because you could get behind in your school work.
Participating in sports can play a big role in succeeding in high school. Some people can let sports take over their education but there’s a way to balance that while in school. Sports can drive you to further your education in school. In my situation I let that take advantage of me at first because I was all into sports. I learned to be a student first then play sports.
I'm telling you now that you are so ready to come to high school but once you get in here the time can go by so fast. take it all in as much as you can. Before you know it, it will all be over. The funniest year of school is your senior year. Because you are finishing high school but getting ready to start a new chapter in your life. I encourage you to have as much fun as you can. I was once there and I know how it feels to be a freshman.
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