This is my freebie!

Vaccines: The Ease of Disease (SSR)

With the multitude of  fatal diseases and infections that plague all corners of the earth, it may seem that we must simply accept our imminent death. These highly contagious illnesses would surely induce constant fear within every individual, as they would live a life attempting to avoid contracting one of these lethal injections. However, as we live in the twenty first century, with technology that provides a great expanse of possibilities, we no longer are engulfed by fear of death. We are saved by our hero, our knight in shinning armor, the light at the end of the tunnel: vaccines. These medical treatments have been constructed in laboratories, and slowly perfected over the years. They offer individuals an escape to a life engulfed by fear, and assurance that they will be protected from some of the most contagious infections. However, even with theses benefits in mind some individuals refuse to receive vaccines, as the fear of the side effects hinders their decision.

Those individuals who refuse to receive vaccines often obtain views that are obstructed by the opinions of the people who surround them. Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Emmy-award winning chief medical correspondent explains in a CNN report that, "science often loses the zeal argument to ideology". People hear by word of mouth that a vaccination could potentially have adverse effects and this fear becomes greater than the benefits these medical innovations could offer. Gupta explains that most of these fears are not based off of fact, but on assumption. Many individuals have not personally witnessed a vaccine produce an adverse effect, but have heard of a friend of a friend who has possibly had a reaction to the vaccine. Gupta urges readers to take vaccines not as a matter of opinion,but as a matter of fact. To support this claim, Gupta explains through several statistics that vaccines are not as harmful as people may conceive; in reference to the measles vaccine he explains,"that you are 100 times more likely to be struck by lightning than to have a serious allergic to the vaccine". Gupta claims that if more individuals were genuinely educated on the facts concerning vaccines, they will be more apt to receive them and acquire their benefits.

Gupta further explains that individuals should not fear vaccines simply due to the potential stories of adverse effects. He expands upon his views through a quote from David Katz, a representative from Yale School of Public Health, who states, "it makes no more sense to rant against vaccines because you heard of someone who might have had an adverse reaction than to stop walking because you heard about a pedestrian struck by a car". People should not fear the unknown simply due to fears of possible faults. The advantages to vaccines offer benefits that exceed any adverse effects that may occur. With any situation, there will be some sort of fear of failure, however,we know that, in reference to the quote, that it is far more practical to keep walking, as there is little chance that most individuals who walk will be struck by a car. In the same way, there is little chance that vaccines will fail to serve their purpose, therefore individuals should keep in mind the benefits they produce.

In the United States, every citizen has the freedom to choose whether they wish to receive a vaccine or not. Those who choose not to receive vaccines must think of the people their choice is affecting as well. Their children, their co-workers, their family, the people they come in contact with daily could all become victims of their freedom of choice. If this individual happens to contact the disease, they put their loved ones at risk of contracting the disease as well, leading to possible death and and outbreak of the disease. Vaccines are an innovative technology that allow people to avoid contracting possibly lethal diseases that would be otherwise incurable. If we have the ability to reduce the chance of death caused by illness, why shouldn't we utilize it? Taking into consideration the facts and benefits concerning vaccines, it would be a logical decision for individuals to support the administration of vaccines to protect their lives and the lives of their loved ones.

The Remedy to Wanderlust (PB)

With a population consisting of just over seven thousand people, Cortland, Ohio is a minuscule dot when viewed from the perspective of the Earth as a whole. When analyzed, not much consists of this small town with it's highlights being Mosquito Lake and Sparkle Market. However, this is not to say that Cortland is a terrible town to live in; we must take into consideration that we were ranked as one of the best cities to retire in. Despite this honorable recognition, Small Town Blues is a disease that plagues at least one of every ten of the city's inhabitants. When students graduate from high school, many of them yearn for something more, something bigger than what they've been confined to for their childhood. They migrate to cities that offer more excitement, more opportunities, more adventure. The wandering spirit within them knows that there is vast world to discover.

Living in Cortland has limited how we view the rest of the world and the cultures that reside within it. We say that the sunsets at Mosquito Lake are the most astounding sunsets we have ever seen, until we are able to view the sunsets at the ocean on the shores of the Bahamas. We say that the Mexican food at El Torero is the best Mexican food we have ever tasted until we are able to taste the rejuvenating flavors of the cuisines prepared in Cozumel, Mexico. We are confined to the meager experiences that this town has to offer until we are able to discover the wonders that the world has to offer. Until we travel and encounter the multitude of cultures in the world, how can we know which one is our favorite? Traveling allows our souls to connect with the diversity of the world. Our wandering spirit chooses a place that satisfies it once it comes in contact with a new culture, and that becomes it's home for the moment. Then we travel once again and our wandering spirit is able to find a new location to rest it's love in.

The world currently upholds a population of 7.31 billion people. That means that for every person in Cortland there are over a million people to represent them on a global scale. The people in this small town only offer a narrow perspective of the individuals across the world. There must be thousands of people who we would become best friends with if we had the opportunity to meet them; however, we are confined to the people we come in contact with in our short lifespan on Earth. Within this town, we become distraught because we feel as if no one is able to relate and empathize with the situations we endure. We are naive to the fact that with the billions of people on Earth, there must be others who feel the exact same way, we just have not come in contact with them yet.

It is improbable that one will have the opportunity to visit every country and meet every individual that resides in the world. However, with the eighty, ninety, or one hundred or so years that we are allotted to complete our life, it is crucial that we travel and experience all that we are able to. We must allow our wandering spirit to quench it's desire to discover more, to experience more. These new experiences will allow our perspectives to shift off our small, minuscule town on the lake and onto the boundless entities of the world.

Embracing the Present (SSR/PB)

We watch the clock tick, hour by hour, day by day, waiting. Waiting for the school day to be over, for the weekend to come, for summer to arrive. It seems as though we are never satisfied with our life in the moment, that there must be something better that we should look forward to. Once the school day is over, we want the weekend to come. Once the weekend is here, we want summer to arrive. Once summer is here we long for fall breezes and and the sounds of the Friday night football games. How can we long to obtain something that we never truly embrace?  Surly we allow these awaited gifts of the future to appease our want for excitement for something new for just a moment; but then the allure of something better floods our thoughts and we begin the waiting process once again. In order to enjoy the diverse aspects of life, we must indulge in the present.

As my senior year approaches, I've begun to reminisce on the almost thirteen years that I've spent gaining my education. Looking through old pictures and thinking about my favorite teachers from my youth, I am left in disbelief on how quickly this period in my life has actually happened. When I was in middle school it seemed as if my last year of high school would have never arrived. However, here I am, ready to embark on my senior year filled with college applications and perspectives for the future. When I think back on the countless school days I have completed over the years, I begin to question myself, did I sincerely enjoy my youth? From the latter years of my education, I can most prominently recall how much I dreaded waking up early every morning or how much I loathed the amount of homework I received. I believe that since I spent my adolescence waiting, and searching for something greater than what I was currently experiencing, I surrendered the opportunity to appreciate the age of my innocence that will soon be consumed by the responsibilities of adulthood.

Throughout this last year of high school, I want to make it a goal to thoroughly relish in my current experiences; to let the complaining cease and focus my perspective on my daily activities. Truthfully, after this era of education, speaking for the approaching seniors, our daily life as we currently know it conclude. We won't see the same people for eight hours a day, nine months a year. A new routine will be upon us and we will only carry the memories of the past with us. So let us create memories that we can look back on and cherish rather than memories tainted by complaints and wants of the future. We have the future to live the future and the present to live the present. Instead of being constrained by the phantom of time, we should surrender ourselves to our current adventure and embrace the present aspects of life. Best put into words by Marjorie Pay Hinckley, "The trick is to enjoy life. Don't wish away your days, waiting for better ones ahead."  

Eliminate the Hate (SSR)

Scrolling through my Twitter feed, it is not uncommon that I come across an article that displays a before and after picture of a woman who lost weight due to the new "miracle diet". Watching t.v., again I'm bombarded by weight-loss ads, ensuring me that if I use their program I am guaranteed to drop thirty pounds in five days or less. Even simply going on the internet has become an outlet for weight loss promotion, with websites saturated with ads begging for costumers to buy their life-improving product. Our current generation has become obsessed with loosing weight and obtaining the perfect bikini body; however, where does obtaining a healthy life-style play into this situation? We are so concerned with loosing weight and having a fit appearance that we forget that the underlying goal of having a nice body is living fit as well. 

This body obsession has promoted not only unhealthy weight loss diets, but also the movement towards negative body image. Because weight loss ads have not focused their advertisements to promote healthy living, rather than perfect body results, more individuals focus the faults in their body appearance rather than the faults in their way of living. Often, when the topic of weight is discussed within a group of people, it is not long before someone says "I'm so fat" or "I hate my (insert body part)". We have become accustomed to exert negative comments about ourselves rather than visualize the improvement that healthy living could produce. This self-hatred has extended not just to adults and teenagers, but is promoted among the new generation of children as well. A story produced by the Huffington Post discussed the controversy that has arisen over a onesie sold in an New York University bookstore that reads, "I hate my thighs". Although the producers of the baby clothing claimed that the onesie was simply a joke, many individuals believe we should take notice to the hidden issue; self hatred and unhealthy living have become more important than improving an unhealthy lifestyle. 

We each receive one life, and one body to execute that life. So why should we spend our life hating the only body we have? Instead of self hatred, we should promote self love. Learning to except the body you have is an important life principle that all individuals should acquire. It teaches people that their personal characteristics are what define them rather than their outward appearance. Yes, one may focus on self improvement, but in a healthy and prosperous way. In fact, why must we feel obligated to loose weight and obtain the perfect body? Individuals should focus on being content with the way they look rather than trying to amend every flaw they have. Having the perfect body is not a requirement for living a healthy and happy life. Let us learn to be satisfied with ourselves and love the body we live in rather than promote self hatred  that will only lead to an abyss of unhealthy decisions and unsolved problems. 

The American Brainwash (CRR)

Cemented into the brains of naive children from the very moment they embark on their educational career, The Pledge of Allegiance supposedly serves to establish a sense of patriotism within the student bodies of schools across the United States. Everyday, for thirteen years students are forced to repeat the same thirty one words; however, do these words still retain the same principles that the authors originally proposed? The Pledge ends with the phrase, "with liberty and justice for all", but if one truly analyzes the state of America, they will find that this statement does not align with the practices of the government. Black citizens are still discriminated against. Homosexual rights are still being withheld. How can we pronounce freedom for all citizens when the rights of groups of individuals are continuously restrained? Adults,who are not required to recite the pledge, are able to understand these corruptions within the government. Conversely, children who have little understanding of the corporations that run their country are brainwashed into believing that the American government works solely for the well being of all citizens. These children simply comply with the orders of their teachers who assist them in memorizing the Pledge until they are able to recite it fluently. In addition, why are children required to memorize and repeat the Pledge everyday? It is probable that most of them do not even comprehend the words they emit, however, they simply recite the meaningless words in order to satisfy the authority figures who oversee them. In my opinion, it is of no use to require children to recite the Pledge; instead, all adults should recite the Pledge every morning. Maybe then we will realize the lies infused in this reiterated speech and save our youth from becoming brainwashed by the corrupt American government.

Thoreau successfully discusses the evils of the American government through his essay, "Civil Disobedience". He describes how too often, American citizens comply with the decisions of the government regardless whether the decisions are made for our benefit. Thoreau urges his audience to realize the immorality the self centered government operates under, and not allow these actions to persist, but take a stand so that justice for all may prevail. Thoreau then stresses the need for one to use their conscience rather than surrender their will to think freely to the government. In the same aspect, why should children continue to monotonously recite a speech that has no meaning to them? Should they too surrender their conscience to the seemingly flawless system? Thoreau continues by explaining his personal act of civil disobedience, in which he refused to pay the pole tax in order to vote. Although he was sent to jail for a short period of time, he was able to prove his point that defending the right to individual freedom is far more profitable than the consequences that follow. So, as Thoreau did, should we too show our own civil disobedience? By refusing to say the pledge, although disapproving stares may accompany this act, the movement may encourage others to do the same, and fight for equal rights for all American citizens. Let us not revert to become indifferent robots who comply with whatever the government instructs us to do, but may we be open minded philosophers who defend their right to live freely.

Overcome the Potholes on the Road to Success (PB)

“What is the pathway to success?” is a common question asked by individuals seeking their way to prosperity. Although these individuals may desire a straightforward answer that will directly guide their road to immediate achievements, not all paths to success are the same. However, for those still looking for an answer to their question that is not saturated in vagueness, I do have a solution. Success, although constructed and achieved in several diverse ways, is founded upon the common principles of hard work, dedication, and opportunities.

Now one may begin to ask, how could I, a sixteen year old girl, know the secret to success with my limited number of experiences and lack of first hand background of adult life. Although I admit those assumptions are true, my knowledge was not gained from personal experiences, but from that of my mother. Growing up and emigrating from Mexico, my mother escaped the depths of poverty through her build of dedication and hard work. Coupled with her school work, my mother, the oldest of six siblings, had the motherly role bestowed upon her at an early age, due to the burden of both parents working full time jobs. On top of that she was somehow able to juggle two jobs during high school and then attend Youngstown State University after receiving her high school diploma. The obstacles my mother was faced with and the way she overcame them to achieve personal success never ceases to amaze and inspire me daily.

Fortunately, I am not burdened by a life anywhere near as strenuous as my mother had growing up. Although in my life I am not able to experience the same situations she did, I have recognized the morals my mother grew up upon and applied them to my own life. Through her perseverance through difficult situations and the abundance of work she took upon herself, my mother displayed a great deal of dedication and hard work. In result, I strive to work hard and achieve under all circumstances in my life. In perspective, if my mother could work and accomplish all that she did during high school in the situation that she was in, why shouldn't I be able to accomplish just the same and then some with my idealistic lifestyle? My mother also was an advocate for opportunities. She decided for herself that she wanted to work two jobs in order to maintain adequate financial standings. She decided for herself that she wanted to attend college to obtain a degree, so that she may be able to work a well-paying job in the future. She paved her own road to success; no one forced her to apply herself and work for what she wanted to achieve. Therefore, I believe one of the most important aspects of success is to take every opportunity you are able to. Personally, I'm known as someone who often takes on multiple opportunities at once, often leading to chronic stress of being overwhelmed. However, I ask myself in the midst of my stress, why not? Why not take every opportunity I can to establish my personal path to success? If my mother can undergo her experiences and still become a successful individual, then what is there to stop me?

You must work for what you want. Throughout your life no one is going to stand by your side and hold your hand as you make decisions for yourself. If you want it go get it. Find a way. Take opportunities. Make the best out of the situations you're in. Yes, the pathway to success is difficult and it requires hard work and endurance, but the reward of personal success is achieved only by those who make the best of their opportunities.

This Is My Freebie!

A Significantly New Perspective (SSR)

Day by day, hour by hour, we live consumed by our daily routines and worries. To each individual, we believe our lives posses a great significance; however, how often is it that we realize what minuscule lives we truly live? Take into consideration the boundless infinity of the universe. In comparison to the farthest point of the universe currently known to man, the light emitted from Earth does not even register, and is lost in the sea of galaxies and constellations. Carl Sagan, a famous astronomer and astrophysicist, once described the earth as,"A Pale Blue Dot" and continued with an description of the phenomenon of the universe. (Sagan's Pale Blue Dot speech is in the video below)

When put into perspective, the way society has evolved is incredible, yet humbling. Sagan describes how, "everyone you ever heard of, every human being who ever was" has lived their life here on Earth; a statement so simple, however in context of the universe, is astonishing. Think of all the planets, all the galaxies man is oblivious to, yet we are confined to the human race as the only known intelligent species. To us, this is it. We are all each other has. Yet, even with this knowledge in mind, we choose to exert hatred and violence on to each other in order to,"become the momentary masters of a fraction of a dot." With this description of fame, Sagan prompts us to ask ourselves, is it truly worth it? Is it truly worth it to take the only civilization we have, the one we created, and destroy it? Is it truly worth it for humans to pit themselves against other humans in order to obtain power? Fame and domination are only temporary. Individuals fight, inducing permanent consequences, in order to gain a title that is simply an illusion of our society. Outside of Earth, this title is insignificant. Other than the individuals on Earth, no being will acknowledge the existence of a "great leader" who fought and killed other humans to deem themselves significant. We must shift our perspectives off ourselves and focus on the collective prosperity of society. In order to succeed, it's necessary to learn to consolidate.

Sagan urges the human race to recognize,"our responsibility to deal more kindly with one another." Again, the only beings we have to reconcile with are other humans. This being, it is necessary we understand how to succeed together, rather than succeed against each other. Let us work to be more understanding, more generous, more forgiving. We each receive one chance to live our lives on Earth, so why not offer the highest consideration possible to each other? With the obligation of compassion in mind, we may move forward as a productive society that produces a unified significance, opposed to individual significance on this pale blue dot we call home.

"Sorry, I Can't, I Have Rehearsal" (PB)

Eight shows, thirty performances, hundreds of rehearsal hours, one love: performing. There's something almost enchanting about being on stage and allowing the audience to be immersed in a well prepared performance. Acting, and performing in general is an experience that is so unlike any other aspect of life. Here, you are given the opportunity to portray and essentially become another individual. It's almost as if you're defying the philosophy that an individual has only one life to live; with acting, one can live as many lives as they wish. Now, I wouldn't say that preparing a performance is entirely enjoyable. From years of experience, I can say that there have been days where I contemplated if all these hours of work was truly something that I wanted to continue to pursue. But, when the show finally assembles and the curtain is preparing to open, I know this is where my passion lies.

From my first show, to the show I'm currently in the process of preparing, I've always been able to learn and grow as an individual from the multiple aspects of a performance. For instance, the characters I've played have given me new perspectives on people in various points of their lives. An angel, an elderly woman, a young daughter, a mother, all characters at different stages in their lives who have endured different life paths. I'd say one of my most challenging roles was portraying an elderly woman from the 1930s (and it wasn't just because of the awful amount of stage makeup I had to put on). I had to think not from my young, modern day perspective, but from that of a woman who had not been married her entire life, but secretly had feelings for her employer whom she had been working under for almost 30 years. As a sixteen year old girl, I can't say that I know what it's like to have been in love for that long, let alone live for that extent of time. From this experience, I was able to gain a greater understanding and respect for those who have lived a long life and came to the realization how how small of a portion of my life I have actually lived. Although portraying this role was challenging, I was able to gain a new outlook on a generation of people, which in turn has helped me with understanding and communicating with those of that age.

As YouTube star Tyler Oakley once said, "there's no glory in the process." While my love for performing is undeniable, the process of preparing a show is tiresome. It's come to the point where I'm unsure if I spend more time in the Lakeview Auditorium or at home. For my current show specifically, I spend at least eight hours a week in practice, sometimes with extra rehearsals on the weekend. Then I have my individual responsibilities of learning all my lines and songs by certain deadlines. Remind you there are still six weeks of rehearsals left; this is just the easy part. Once the set is constructed and painted, all lines and music memorized, the crew in place with their jobs secured, the musical orchestra assembled, and costumes and makeup decided upon, THEN, the show is almost ready for opening night. A week before the show the performers enter tech week (read: death week). This is when all cast, crew, and orchestra slave for hours, running and rerunning scenes in order to reach near perfection and clean up any rough spots in the show. It is advised that all members of the show have coffee available at all times, as little sleep will be allotted. Then, finally, after weeks of work and practice, it's showtime. The smell of hairspray and anticipation fill the dressing rooms as the performers prepare for the first show. Before the show the director says a few encouraging words and the rest is up to the performers. The audience fills the auditorium, the lights dim, the curtain opens, and the long awaited show begins. These factors combined create the marvel of a play performance. Although the end product of an excellent show is a phenomenal feeling, assembling the multiple aspects of a performance is laborious.

Performing is an experience that cannot truly be explained to another individual until they experience it themselves. Through my performances I have been able to reap the benefits of being in shows and learn from the roles I've portrayed. While not everyday as a performer has been the most exciting, without it I would not have the same character, knowledge, and friends that I obtain today. My adoration for performing is a love that I hope to kindle for the rest of my life.

The Grading Scale: An Effective Evaluation or Instigator of Student Stress? (PB)

The grading scale, although intended to be an accurate interpretation of a student's grade, is not a universal system throughout schools in the United States. While some schools base their grades off of a ten point scale where 90-100 percent is an A, 80-89 is a B, etc., some schools, such as Lakeview Local Schools use a seven point scale where 93-100 is an A, 83-92 is a B, etc. Although educators can assert that the seven point grading scale encourages students to excel more and achieve higher than those students who base their grades on the ten point scale, there are several disadvantages of this system. While I will agree, having the higher grading scale does push students to work harder to achieve the grade they want, it also hinders those students who work exceptionally hard to earn A's and B's, but just fall short of the grade percentage cut off. In addition, when students are applying for college, it's unfair to those who have a high grade point average, but are based off of a different grading scale, compared to those who have a lower grade point average, but a more rigorous grading scale. A scale that has the purpose of measuring the accuracy of a student's intelligence, but is a different system from one school to the next, in my opinion is a flaw in the education system.

Speaking from personal experience, the grading scale has been a nuisance to me throughout my high school career. In several instances, when my grade was calculated for my report card, my grade has come out to be within the 90-92.4 percent range. Upon receiving these grades, I would always feel upset, as my grades just missed the cut off point for an A. This, of course, reflects on my grade point average, which will be sent to colleges on my applications when I apply next year. With the thousands of applications that will be sent into colleges every year, it is unlikely that the admissions counselors will take the time to look at my grades and grade point average and convert them to the ten point scale grading system. This causes my grades to appear less than satisfactory, compared to a student who has a 4.0 grade point average, based off a ten point scale. In addition, some schools even inflate their students grades with a weighted grading system. This allows students who are in advanced classes, such as an Advanced Placement Class, to earn a higher value grade, due to the rigor of their class. These factors combined could hinder a student who is applying for college and scholarships.

Although Petersons.com states that colleges, "might" accept students with lower grade point averages, based on their school's grading scale, they more so advise students to excel in different areas such as extra curricular activities and more rigorous classes, opposed to dwelling on the state of their G.P.A. I believe that in the future, the grading scale should become a universal system across the United States, in order to more effectively evaluate students on an even scale. This will not only benefit the students in relieving their stress pertaining to their G.P.A. but also to college admission counselors who will have the burden of converting grades and grade point averages removed. I believe it is important to evaluate the grading scale system in order to amend a flaw in the education system and produce multiple benefits for both students and educators.