Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Editorial: Place Yourself in My Shoes
Throughout the halls of Eastview high school there is laughter, smiles, memories which are being made. Unfortunately for some students they are the cause of the crude laughter, the wicked smiles on their faces, and memories which are being made, are ones that are wanted to be kept. At the beginning of this year, all students were asked if there was a good/bad/poor/weak and lack of respect in our school. Honestly, is actually a teen that is going to admit to a teacher that there are teens out there who are getting harassed daily? More than likely no there is not. When I was asked about the harassment, I said that there wasn’t that much, but that was only because I had never experienced it myself….Yet….
Right before winter break I began to date a girl. OH MY GOD! NO WAY?! A GIRL! Yeah, can we move on with the story? I hear that line too much already. Anyway…I began to date this girl who to this day I am still with. At the beginning we were worried about holding hands but finally we decided that we didn’t care what anyone thought. Needless to say, we figured that it wouldn’t be that big of a deal. I mean come on; we have “No Discrimination” signs all around the school. Those aren’t just for show….right? To some, maybe they are just for show, or at least they do not pay enough attention to them for it to even matter.
Place yourself in my shoes, or in the shoes of a another student of Eastview who is gay. You walk down the halls, off to your next class, to lunch, to where ever you’re headed, then, BAM! Slammed into the wall, or being tripped into the incoming crowd of students, or even “Fagot” “Go to hell” or “Ew, the lesbian”. Unfortunately, this is almost an everyday occurrence.
Eastview says that our school is a very open school to different cultures, sexuality and races. For some this may be true, but for a big majority of students they seem to over look that one should not discriminate another person. There are those who made read this who may think “Wow, this is a bunch of crap” or the guilty party may even deny what they do is even wrong, but it is wrong. If asked now what I think of the respect level at Eastview, I’d undoubtedly say that it is on a weaker side. The students and faculty of Eastview need to understand that we’re all here to learn, to mature in our teenage years. But how is it possible for a student to get a good education when repeatedly being harassed? High school is a time for learning and for making unforgettable, wonderful memories. Thought getting cursed at and tripped aren’t exactly the kind of memories I had in mind. Don’t you agree?
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Pre Writing Questions
1. What is a problem/issue that our entire student body (our school, community, country, etc.) faces today? Descrimination/lack of respect for Bi's, Gays and lesbians
2. What is your view/position on the problem or situation? I believe that there needs to be some thing done about this. The verbal abuse in the hall ways are unexceptable and need to end
3. What would you like to achieve with your editorial? (What is the desired result?)
I want people to see/understand how there is a lack of respect in this school for those who are gay or homophobic.
4. How will you persuade your audience to adopt your viewpoint as theirs? List at least 4 persuasive points.
Personal experience.
My own option.
Humor.
Facts.
Well thought out option.
5. How will you motivate your readership to action in your conclusion?
By drawing them into the artical by using charming words and also humor
6. How will your editorial serve a public purpose? It will inform the readers on how some people are being treated disrespectfully.
2. What is your view/position on the problem or situation? I believe that there needs to be some thing done about this. The verbal abuse in the hall ways are unexceptable and need to end
3. What would you like to achieve with your editorial? (What is the desired result?)
I want people to see/understand how there is a lack of respect in this school for those who are gay or homophobic.
4. How will you persuade your audience to adopt your viewpoint as theirs? List at least 4 persuasive points.
Personal experience.
My own option.
Humor.
Facts.
Well thought out option.
5. How will you motivate your readership to action in your conclusion?
By drawing them into the artical by using charming words and also humor
6. How will your editorial serve a public purpose? It will inform the readers on how some people are being treated disrespectfully.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Feature Story: Only A Game
At the age of 14 I told my parents that I wanted to play softball. Naturally, my parents were skeptical at first about me playing. They didn’t want me to get stuck with some grouchy mean coach who was going to get upset when the team lost a game, or get upset with me since I was totally new to the sport of softball. Luckily for them I got put with the best coach I could have ever asked for. Coach Kevin Johnson was his name. He was a great guy. He would never pressure any of the players if the game didn’t go as planned. From the first practice Coach Kevin made all of the players feels comfortable and at home.
It was a cool brisk April day on the first day that I met Coach Kevin. I along with several other girls stood around the bench area waiting for him to show up. After waiting for some time, the Coach and his daughter arrived. He smiled kindly and introduced himself to us all and told us to call him Kevin; instead of the traditional Coach Johnson. He instructed each of us to get a partner and just toss the ball around for a while to warm up. Some of the girls on the team already knew each other from either school or having played on the same teams in years before. In my case, I didn’t know anybody; I was sort of a loner. Noticing that I was on my own, Kevin came over and offered to play catch with me and said than to join in with the other members of our team, just too sort of ease me in you know?
Sometimes first impressions can change. In my mind I wasn’t sure that this coach was legit, I mean, he could have just been acting all nice just because it was the first day and he might not have wanted to scare us off. I decided that I’d make my final option about him after a few more practices and mainly our first game. After about 3 more practices and 2 unsuccessful scrimmages, it was the evening of our first game. I don’t remember everything about that first game; basically I remember that Coach Kevin and the assistant Coach Mark were just helping us try to find spots in the field where we felt comfortable. It was sort of like our first game was just a test to see what positions each of us were most comfortable playing. I don’t completely remember the outcome of the game, I am pretty positive we were massively creamed. Alright, moment of truth, is he going to spas out at us?
Kevin took his hat off and wiped his brow and then smiled at us. He spoke calmly, with not even a hint of bitterness after losing. “Alright guys don’t worry about it. It was only the first game. We have a long season ahead of us and both Mark and I agree that we really do have great potential in this group, so let’s not let this lose get to us. Put your fists in and let’s say our team name on three. 1…2…3…” Wow, I thought to myself. This guy is actually legit. He’s not acting like a jerk over losing. Maybe I was wrong about this guy.
Well, really was wrong, I regret ever thinking that Kevin could have been the bad guy. In fact he was the exact opposite. The first season that I was placed under Coach Kevin’s wing trained me and improved me, and not only in the sport of softball. After a long season he never once snapped at us for losing. Losing was becoming as natural to us as breathing. I think our name should have been losing considering that season I believe we were lucky to win 2 games, one by forfeit of the lack of opposing players and the other by the other team not even showing up. Totally a great way to win right, but hey it was a win none the less.
No matter how bad we got creamed though, Kevin never barked at us. He would just always tell us we were a work in process. Well, he was right. At the final season tournament we placed forth out of 7 teams, meaning we actually did win more than one game. Kevin was so completely ecstatic with our accomplishment. All of his coaching, hard work and putting up with a bunch of teenage girls finally paid off. At the end of the game, he gave each of us a trophy and said that if we wanted to be on his team again the next season just to let him know. Another year with Coach Kevin; sign me up! Not only had he helped me get better in softball but he also taught me patients which was always something that was very difficult for me. I don’t know how he did it, but somehow he did.
A full year went by before I saw Kevin again. It took until the next season until the Kevin and most of the girls from the team were reunited. That year proved to be a tad more successful then the prier season. My second season with Coach Kevin was probably the hardest year for me. I was becoming more and more stressed out with my school work and other issues going on in my life that when it came to softball, I was always tense. The slightest little mistake would send me over the edge. I particularly remember one time during a game I just threw down my bat while I was warming up and started to just walk away. Kevin saw me leaving and was able to pull me aside to talk to me. He knew something was up and he did all he could to relax me. “I know that you have a lot going on in your life right now, and I know that not all of it is easy, but you know that I and my family will always be here for you, and that goes for the team as well. You are a very special young lady Heather, you have great potential. You’ve come so far in the past year with getting so much better. Your batting has improved and so has your skills in the outfield. We both know we can’t win every game, but you know; how hard we try is was really matters. It’s just a game; you don’t always have to win. And the same goes for life in too. You don’t always have to be the best, just be you. Heather, I promise you eventually that everything will work out”.
He was right. He really was. It was just a game; all of us were just here to have fun, not to just to win. Even though he was just my coach, he did get me some great advice that helped me get through that summer and even today. Life’s just a game, you can’t always win. All you can do is do the best to your potential and be yourself. That’s one thing that I learned that summer that I will never forget. The season actually turned out fairly well for us too. We ended that season with another 4th place finish, but with several more wins than the season before.
The summer of 2009 was the last and final year I was placed on a team with Coach Kevin. I played for V.A.A. (Valley Athletic Association) and for a coach to coach; he or she must have a daughter who is eligible to play. Kevin has two daughters, one who is a participant on a traveling fast pitch team while his other daughter, Ashley, was about to finish out her senior year. Ashley and I had been on the same team since I had started out, and we both knew that this year was going to be an emotional year towards the end of the season. And that is was. During the mid season tournament we had our greatest accomplishment yet which was medaling and placing in 3rd place. I’ve never seen Kevin so proud of us.
Following the 3rd place finish we went out and had the 3rd most wins among the other 7 teams and placed 4th yet again in the final season tournament. You know how most people say that guys never cry? Well…that’s not always true. Ashley, I and rest of the team knew that his was Kevin’s last time coaching for us. After all that he had done for us, he couldn’t just go unrewarded. We extended him with millions of thank you hugs and gifts for all of his hard work over the years. Though he might have try to cover up the tears with his black shades, and I am almost 100% sure that I saw two tears trickle down his face.
The 2010 season is going to begin soon. I know without a doubt that this year will not be the same without Kevin. I’m still close with his daughter Ashley. “It’s just not going to be the same” Ashley said, “I’ve played softball my whole life, and now it’s like that part of my life is gone. I know it has to be hard on my dad too. I know that my dad and I will still come to watch and cheer on the team, but still, it won’t be the same.” It’s going to be like playing in a whole new atmosphere. Kevin taught all of us so many important lessons, one that came be used on and off the field. “Never give up” “Step into your swing” and most importantly, “Always remember, it’s only a game”.
It was a cool brisk April day on the first day that I met Coach Kevin. I along with several other girls stood around the bench area waiting for him to show up. After waiting for some time, the Coach and his daughter arrived. He smiled kindly and introduced himself to us all and told us to call him Kevin; instead of the traditional Coach Johnson. He instructed each of us to get a partner and just toss the ball around for a while to warm up. Some of the girls on the team already knew each other from either school or having played on the same teams in years before. In my case, I didn’t know anybody; I was sort of a loner. Noticing that I was on my own, Kevin came over and offered to play catch with me and said than to join in with the other members of our team, just too sort of ease me in you know?
Sometimes first impressions can change. In my mind I wasn’t sure that this coach was legit, I mean, he could have just been acting all nice just because it was the first day and he might not have wanted to scare us off. I decided that I’d make my final option about him after a few more practices and mainly our first game. After about 3 more practices and 2 unsuccessful scrimmages, it was the evening of our first game. I don’t remember everything about that first game; basically I remember that Coach Kevin and the assistant Coach Mark were just helping us try to find spots in the field where we felt comfortable. It was sort of like our first game was just a test to see what positions each of us were most comfortable playing. I don’t completely remember the outcome of the game, I am pretty positive we were massively creamed. Alright, moment of truth, is he going to spas out at us?
Kevin took his hat off and wiped his brow and then smiled at us. He spoke calmly, with not even a hint of bitterness after losing. “Alright guys don’t worry about it. It was only the first game. We have a long season ahead of us and both Mark and I agree that we really do have great potential in this group, so let’s not let this lose get to us. Put your fists in and let’s say our team name on three. 1…2…3…” Wow, I thought to myself. This guy is actually legit. He’s not acting like a jerk over losing. Maybe I was wrong about this guy.
Well, really was wrong, I regret ever thinking that Kevin could have been the bad guy. In fact he was the exact opposite. The first season that I was placed under Coach Kevin’s wing trained me and improved me, and not only in the sport of softball. After a long season he never once snapped at us for losing. Losing was becoming as natural to us as breathing. I think our name should have been losing considering that season I believe we were lucky to win 2 games, one by forfeit of the lack of opposing players and the other by the other team not even showing up. Totally a great way to win right, but hey it was a win none the less.
No matter how bad we got creamed though, Kevin never barked at us. He would just always tell us we were a work in process. Well, he was right. At the final season tournament we placed forth out of 7 teams, meaning we actually did win more than one game. Kevin was so completely ecstatic with our accomplishment. All of his coaching, hard work and putting up with a bunch of teenage girls finally paid off. At the end of the game, he gave each of us a trophy and said that if we wanted to be on his team again the next season just to let him know. Another year with Coach Kevin; sign me up! Not only had he helped me get better in softball but he also taught me patients which was always something that was very difficult for me. I don’t know how he did it, but somehow he did.
A full year went by before I saw Kevin again. It took until the next season until the Kevin and most of the girls from the team were reunited. That year proved to be a tad more successful then the prier season. My second season with Coach Kevin was probably the hardest year for me. I was becoming more and more stressed out with my school work and other issues going on in my life that when it came to softball, I was always tense. The slightest little mistake would send me over the edge. I particularly remember one time during a game I just threw down my bat while I was warming up and started to just walk away. Kevin saw me leaving and was able to pull me aside to talk to me. He knew something was up and he did all he could to relax me. “I know that you have a lot going on in your life right now, and I know that not all of it is easy, but you know that I and my family will always be here for you, and that goes for the team as well. You are a very special young lady Heather, you have great potential. You’ve come so far in the past year with getting so much better. Your batting has improved and so has your skills in the outfield. We both know we can’t win every game, but you know; how hard we try is was really matters. It’s just a game; you don’t always have to win. And the same goes for life in too. You don’t always have to be the best, just be you. Heather, I promise you eventually that everything will work out”.
He was right. He really was. It was just a game; all of us were just here to have fun, not to just to win. Even though he was just my coach, he did get me some great advice that helped me get through that summer and even today. Life’s just a game, you can’t always win. All you can do is do the best to your potential and be yourself. That’s one thing that I learned that summer that I will never forget. The season actually turned out fairly well for us too. We ended that season with another 4th place finish, but with several more wins than the season before.
The summer of 2009 was the last and final year I was placed on a team with Coach Kevin. I played for V.A.A. (Valley Athletic Association) and for a coach to coach; he or she must have a daughter who is eligible to play. Kevin has two daughters, one who is a participant on a traveling fast pitch team while his other daughter, Ashley, was about to finish out her senior year. Ashley and I had been on the same team since I had started out, and we both knew that this year was going to be an emotional year towards the end of the season. And that is was. During the mid season tournament we had our greatest accomplishment yet which was medaling and placing in 3rd place. I’ve never seen Kevin so proud of us.
Following the 3rd place finish we went out and had the 3rd most wins among the other 7 teams and placed 4th yet again in the final season tournament. You know how most people say that guys never cry? Well…that’s not always true. Ashley, I and rest of the team knew that his was Kevin’s last time coaching for us. After all that he had done for us, he couldn’t just go unrewarded. We extended him with millions of thank you hugs and gifts for all of his hard work over the years. Though he might have try to cover up the tears with his black shades, and I am almost 100% sure that I saw two tears trickle down his face.
The 2010 season is going to begin soon. I know without a doubt that this year will not be the same without Kevin. I’m still close with his daughter Ashley. “It’s just not going to be the same” Ashley said, “I’ve played softball my whole life, and now it’s like that part of my life is gone. I know it has to be hard on my dad too. I know that my dad and I will still come to watch and cheer on the team, but still, it won’t be the same.” It’s going to be like playing in a whole new atmosphere. Kevin taught all of us so many important lessons, one that came be used on and off the field. “Never give up” “Step into your swing” and most importantly, “Always remember, it’s only a game”.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
2nd story
For my second story, I will be writing about my coach for softball who is now ended his coaching career. I plan to write about how he helped me become more involved in the game and how he trained me to get better over the years, and now how it will be much different without him coaching on this upcoming season. I will recap and describe some of the most memorable times spent with him and the team as well.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Story One
Got Tech?
Recently at the State One Act Festival, our very own Eastview One Act Play received a “Starred Performance” while performing at the Performing Arts Center at the University of St. Catherine, although the award was not given for just their incredible performance. Behind the certain another group of people are running around and working quickly to make sure the performance will be at its finest.
Alongside the actors this group of individuals holds a huge part of the key to clenching the victory. Technical Theatre group also known as Tech Crew are the ones responsible for the well lit sets, and excellent created stages and several other key jobs which are necessary for the show to go on. Without these guys, who would run the sound booth, or create the lighting effects for each scene, or even build the set which the performers act upon? Each of the individuals involved in Tech spent countless hours out of their own lives to build, create, and prepare the stage. For some, the hours that they spent turned into spending days of hard work. When ask hour many hours per day he work, Brock Knutson answer by saying “I would stay after school and work from anywhere between 2:30 and 10:00 at night.”
Someone may ask, “Why did you need to spend so much time working on assembling the set? What’s so important or hard about it?” Well, let’s just place ourselves in their shoes. Imagine the roar of power tools, the smell of fresh wet paint, the swoosh of brooms sweeping up the wood chips and dirt on the ground, the hurried footsteps of a crew member racing to get their acquired task done on time. During the play, the crew is only aloud a limited time to prepare for the play and to clean up the set between acts. It’s basically a race against time Siiri Russell explains. “Getting everything done on time is really hard. There is a time limit and we can’t go over it! It gets sort of nerve racking!” If the crew goes over the time limit, they are disqualified. Stress much? Ask any of the crew, they’ll all agree how stressful this job can get. When asked what the hardest part about Tech is, Siiri Russell took a deep breath and replied wearily, “Having to get everything done on time.” Brock Knutson went one step further by adding “By having to try to keep up with school work while dealing with the stress of needing to get stuff is super hard.” Not only did working for Tech take out time of their own personal lives, but also out of their time to get a better education.
The One Act received a “Starred Rating” for their performances ranking them as one of the best in the state of Minnesota. When it was announced that Eastview’s One Act took the victory, not only the actors were ecstatic about the win. Siiri Russell briefly explained how amazing it felt for the whole crew when it was announced that they won. "Everyone was like 'Oh My God!' and then we started laughing because we so were relieved!” Who wouldn’t be speechless? All of those involved in preparing for the show really deserved this award. This is not the only time that Eastview One Act has received this award though, but it just goes to show that throughout the year, the eagerness and hard work of all those who take part in the show has really paid off.
Recently at the State One Act Festival, our very own Eastview One Act Play received a “Starred Performance” while performing at the Performing Arts Center at the University of St. Catherine, although the award was not given for just their incredible performance. Behind the certain another group of people are running around and working quickly to make sure the performance will be at its finest.
Alongside the actors this group of individuals holds a huge part of the key to clenching the victory. Technical Theatre group also known as Tech Crew are the ones responsible for the well lit sets, and excellent created stages and several other key jobs which are necessary for the show to go on. Without these guys, who would run the sound booth, or create the lighting effects for each scene, or even build the set which the performers act upon? Each of the individuals involved in Tech spent countless hours out of their own lives to build, create, and prepare the stage. For some, the hours that they spent turned into spending days of hard work. When ask hour many hours per day he work, Brock Knutson answer by saying “I would stay after school and work from anywhere between 2:30 and 10:00 at night.”
Someone may ask, “Why did you need to spend so much time working on assembling the set? What’s so important or hard about it?” Well, let’s just place ourselves in their shoes. Imagine the roar of power tools, the smell of fresh wet paint, the swoosh of brooms sweeping up the wood chips and dirt on the ground, the hurried footsteps of a crew member racing to get their acquired task done on time. During the play, the crew is only aloud a limited time to prepare for the play and to clean up the set between acts. It’s basically a race against time Siiri Russell explains. “Getting everything done on time is really hard. There is a time limit and we can’t go over it! It gets sort of nerve racking!” If the crew goes over the time limit, they are disqualified. Stress much? Ask any of the crew, they’ll all agree how stressful this job can get. When asked what the hardest part about Tech is, Siiri Russell took a deep breath and replied wearily, “Having to get everything done on time.” Brock Knutson went one step further by adding “By having to try to keep up with school work while dealing with the stress of needing to get stuff is super hard.” Not only did working for Tech take out time of their own personal lives, but also out of their time to get a better education.
The One Act received a “Starred Rating” for their performances ranking them as one of the best in the state of Minnesota. When it was announced that Eastview’s One Act took the victory, not only the actors were ecstatic about the win. Siiri Russell briefly explained how amazing it felt for the whole crew when it was announced that they won. "Everyone was like 'Oh My God!' and then we started laughing because we so were relieved!” Who wouldn’t be speechless? All of those involved in preparing for the show really deserved this award. This is not the only time that Eastview One Act has received this award though, but it just goes to show that throughout the year, the eagerness and hard work of all those who take part in the show has really paid off.
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