Homecoming week

Homecoming week is one to remember when you get to Kennedy. This week is filled with exciting events ranging from wacky dress up for each day of the week to the homecoming football game that closes it in before the big night. This week students are getting pumped for all the activities that go along with homecoming week. Monday is a bland day and nothing is too special other than the fact that it is lazy day and everyone is wearing their footy pajamas. Tuesday is Crayola day and when the assembly takes place for all the students to meet to candidates and vote for who they want to win. Wednesday is a half day, this is when the powder puff football, and powder buff volleyball games happen. This is also when the homecoming parade happens. Nothing exciting happens Thursday, but once Friday rolls around everyone is pumped and gets ready to go to the game. At the fame is when the winners are announced. Then you have all of Saturday to endure the fun things that homecoming had to offer.  (181)

Restrictions on Homecoming

Homecoming is a time for students to come together and have a good time while celebrating that we are all back together again for another school year. In recent years the homecoming dances have somewhat taken a turn for the worse. My freshmen year was one of the best dances that I have experienced. There were no lights on, the DJ was playing current songs that were easy to move to, and everyone was having a good time. My sophomore year turned out a little different in the fact that half way through the dance some of the lights had to be turned on. After the dance there were condemns all over the floor insinuating that that couple was not the only ones getting it in. This was due to the fact that people were having sex on the dance floor and getting way out of hand. Last year was another good year, the lights were off, only because the DJ had a light show, which was awesome and the music was better than ever before.  One nasty incident that came up during the dance last year was that someone’s nasty bloody tampon was left on the floor and people slowly started circling it and spreading out so that there was a huge circle around it and everyone could see. The owner of this bloody mess is still a mystery.

                For preventative purposes there was a sheet handed out to each student giving them rules which should be more common sense than anything. One was even don’t show up naked and make sure you have your clothes on at all times. I’m pretty sure you can get arrested for public nudity. Another rule was that girls have to not pull up their dresses while dancing with a guy. This may allow a couple to have sex or let a girl get fingered. Both can be done in the privacy of a different room, rather than at a school dance where everyone is wondering why is that girl making funny faces and why is the guy enjoying dancing with that girl so much. This is a dance not a human orgy.

                Another rule is that you are not to partake in the dance move called the “Jersey Turnpike”. This movement is face down ass up shaking your booty how the guys like it. The guy usually gets a nice view of the booty, which turns him on more than needed. In this move usually the girl will keep her hands on the floor for balance so they don’t tip over. This particular movement on hands on the ground is prohibited. When a girl does this style of dancing it usually makes the other dancers around them upset because the guys get mad that their girl isn’t dancing like that for them and the girls get mad because they either don’t want to do that move, aren’t good at dancing like that, or think it is a slutty thing to do. The guys are typically the ones to promote it, and will even push down on the girls back to hint that they want them to do it and even keep their hand there to steady them.

                Have you ever wondered what the chaperones are thinking during these dances? They usually consist of our own parents and teachers that we see on a day to day basis. How weird would it is to have one of your favorite teachers come up to you and tell you that you are being out of line and dancing inappropriately? They don’t want to do this to students and we don’t want this to happen to us either, that is why these rules are set in place and we need to abide by them. (628)

Americas favorite pass time

Baseball is America’s favorite pass time. This statement has held true since it all began in the early 1800s. There are many aspects to this game that make it so intense and interesting for us to watch and be a part of.  The history ranges from the great bambino of Babe Ruth to the current hot shot Mike Trout.  This game requires immense mental toughness and focus while on and off the field. The hand eye coordination that it takes to hit a moving ball with a skinny bat is a skill that doesn’t come easily to most. From the sandlot to Yankee Stadium, baseball brings people together that become a family who loves the sport and won’t miss a game.

Every level of baseball starting from t-ball to the professionals has a differentiating amount of innings that they play in each game. The lower levels tend to have around 7, reasoning from the fact that at younger ages it usually takes them a lot longer to get an inning done with in a timely manner. When you get to the college and professional stage they are very comfortable with the rules of the game and know the ins and outs of baseball allowing them to play 9 innings.  

The home team always takes the field first, suiting 9 players to play defense against the upcoming hitters. There are 6 infield positions and 3 outfield positions that are divided up so each teammate is responsible for fielding a ball that is hit in their direction. It all starts with the pitcher and how well they are throwing that day, in baseball having an off day for pitching may mean one of two things: either that they are having a hard time throwing a strike and are walking a lot of people or that they are getting rocked by the hitters since their pitching may be too easy. The main point of the game is to have the hitters get to each base before a fielder can get the ball to that base. The runners want to keep proceeding to the next base until they get to home plate where they require a point for each person that crosses it.

Hitting a baseball is one of the most difficult talents to conquer, especially when you get to the higher leagues where the pitchers have the ability to move the ball around like a puppet show. In baseball the ball in being thrown at a downward angle and may have different spins. The hitter has to master when to hit each type of pitch to get it on the sweat spot, which is the middle 5-6 inches on the bat. If you hit it too early the ball will be pulled to your left and if hit too late it will be hit in foul territory to the right; vice versa if you are a left handed hitter. To have a solid hit, you have to watch the ball come out of the hitters hand and swing level when it gets to the appropriate length away from you.

Baseball is the true American sport that originated here and will be forever ours. The passion that some people have for this sport comes through on the field.  Athletes will train for days, hours, months to show they have what it takes to make it to the big leagues. The pros are some of our greatest role models that we hope to be just like someday. Baseball is here to stay and keeps us together. (591)

Cell Phones in Class

Having cell phones in class had been somewhat of a new uprising issue of the 21^st century. With new technology being thrown in our faces from every direction it is hard to stay off of our phones. They are a distraction in class because it takes our attention away from the teacher and onto the device. The teachers like technology just as much as us but they also want us to do well in their classes. If the teacher really cares about their students they do set in those cell phone rules because they want the pupils to succeed in school. Others who don’t implement these rules think that we have enough self-control and responsibility to stay off them during important times during the period. I personally prefer the teachers who say that the phones need to be put away while they are teaching but can have them out during work time.  Each student is different and we each need different restraints for us to perform at a higher level. (170)

 

Volleyball

Volleyball is a sport that is played all around the world. It is one of the most watched and favored Olympic sports and brings about some of the most mentally and physically talented athletes. 

The game of volleyball only allows six players to be on the court at one time; three in the back row and three in the front row. There can be a combination of 1 or 2 setters in at one time, but only one of them can be designated as a setter at a time. I may want to back up a little and explain what a setter is. A setter is the person that sets each of the hitters in the front row. They always touch the ball second and raise their hands above their heads to form a triangle and push out. Coaches may say she has “soft hands.” They aren’t literally referring to the texture of her hands, they are talking about the elegance that she has when she sets the ball. A good setter can take a ball with any kind of spin on it and once it leaves her hands it is just floating in the air with no spin.

                The back row players are usually the shorter ones of the group that have quick movements on the floor. They are able to dive and throw their bodies for hard driven balls. They can take the impact of a ball coming at them at 30 miles per hour and transfer that energy away from the ball and be able to make the pass go to target (where the setter is typically stationed). They have to have the most horizontal range, whereas the front row players need to have the most vertical range. Back row is responsible for receiving the serve from the opposite side, this is called serve receive. They are also supposed to cover the hitters when they are hitting to get any balls that are blocked. They are also the main people that dig and hits or tips coming from the other side. They are the sole sisters of defense when it comes to volleyball. There are three spots in the back simply names right back, left back, and middle back.  When the setter is in the back row she plays right back.

                The front row players are usually the tallest girls out there; especially the middle hitter. There are three spots; left front also known as strong side, middle front, and left side also known as weak side. When the setter is in the front row she plays right side. They have the job of blocking the ball that is being attempted to be penetrated onto our side. They are also supposed to pick up the short tips and setter dumps. These are usually balls that are right over the net and have no spin or force to them at all; they kind of just float down like a piece of paper being let go from the top of a stair well.

                Volleyball is a broad basic sense can be thought of as don’t let the ball touch the floor. It is a passion of mine and one of the best sports out there. (536)

Leadership

Leadership is a quality that is somewhat scarce now and days. Many of us find ourselves compromising and following the crowd rather than leading it. We put our fate in someone else’s hands and hope they know what is best.  There are many different levels and forms of leaders ranging from the President of the United States to a principal at a high school. What does it mean to be a leader? What qualities do they have?  How can we step out of our comfort zone and take charge in a situation rather than sitting back and watching? Leaders are everywhere in this world and are what keep everything running.

To be a leader means that you know how to take charge. You can handle a situation with ease and not break down in the process. These are people who are typically organized, have good time management, and don’t have issues with speaking to others. One of the best kinds of leaders is the ones that know how to make people feel more at ease.  An example would be if a freshman was selected to be a part of the varsity volleyball team. This girl is probably scared out of her mind that she is even entering high school, and to add on that she is being thrown on a team that is predominately juniors and seniors is pretty intimidating. The seniors on the team are the ones that are considered the leaders; they have been in high school the longest and just have more experience than the other players out there. To make this girl feel more welcome, the team will talk to her more than most other players, maybe cheer a little louder and put more emphasis on the fact that that player did something good. They will also include them so they don’t find themselves lost on where to go and what to do.

If you consider yourself a leader, what is your best quality? I personally think that I can talk to pretty much anyone with no problem. I am very approachable and am willing to help others. If you want to stand out as being more of a leader that doesn’t mean that you have to be the loudest students out there. Those students are typically the most annoying ones that everyone doesn’t want to follow and be more like. Leaders are those who know how to listen to those speaking to them, and respond well. They walk with confidence not cockiness.  When being a leader you have to believe in yourself, but don’t let it come off as being egotistical. One of the best ways to come off as confident is having a solid hand shake, good eye contact, and a smile across your face. Be appreciative of others and thank them when the opportunity arises.

Usually the people that we look up to in this world are leaders. We put our trust in them and hope that they are leading us in the right direction.  Have you ever been led astray? That is usually a sign that you are not following the right person and you need to step up and put the leadership qualities that you have, even if it isn’t many, to use. One example of a simple way that you could help a situation and not have to speak to a big crowd or make a life changing decision, would be standing up for someone if something isn’t right. If some kid is being bullied, go up to the person bullying and tell them to stop, what you are doing isn’t right. Give them some perspective and make a difference.

Leaders come in all shapes and sizes. A leader is someone you will follow to a place you would not otherwise go. Be bold and truthful; friendly and confident; willing and able; kind and approachable. Be a leader. It is your time, you only live life once, don’t ruin your chances. (661)

Parenting Styles

Everyone argues with their parents when they are in their teenage years. These are the times when we want to branch off from being under the control of our parents and be our independent selves. We are tired of following the rules and tend to be a bit more rebellious. Most want to just move onto college as soon as possible have that freedom to just live our lives how we want to. When we move on in our lives is when you are being put to the test. The decisions you make when you are left alone reflect on who raised you. They shine through you even when you aren’t expecting it. The morals that have been nailed in your mind are now put to the test. Will you go crazy or be true to yourself? There are three types of parenting; authoritarian, authoritative, and permissive. How have your parents decided to raise you?

The authoritative approach is the strict side of parenting. The guardians tend to think that it is their way or the highway. If you were to question them on a situation they would respond with “because I said so” or “I’m the adult.” They typically have an earlier curfew if they even allow the child to go out. If the rules are broken there is a heavy consequence, which is implemented to try and get the desired results. They are very structured parents who mold their child into being a polite and sheltered child. Basically, they want the child to know that they are the boss and want them to obey their every command. This can make the child very responsible and a good person with excellent morals to live by as they grow older. This can also hurt the child by sheltering them, which may make it difficult for the kid to adapt to different uncomfortable situations when it’s older.

The permissive technique is very laid back. It is filled with very few rules to be followed; it’s almost as if the parents let the children do whatever he or she pleases. There is no curfew, no punishments for bad behavior, or any sort of structure. To the child they might like this a lot since they can pretty much do whatever they please. But this style of parenting doesn’t give them much of a back bone for life lessons and a sense of how the real world is. In life people can’t always just roam around and do what they want. They will have to listen to someone else and take orders from someone if they are in the work environment. Children who have been brought up in the permissive way of life may not respond well to punishment or not getting everything they want. Kids need some sort of structure to help them later on in life.

I have discussed the two extremes of parenting ranging from extremely strict to the careless parent. The most popular one that many parents choose to implement is the happy medium of the authoritarian style. With this the parent makes rules but can also reason with the kids. An example would be if the parent gave a curfew of 11 and the child came home a few minutes late due to the movie they were watching not being finished, they would understand and tell them to try to not make it a habit. If this was in the authoritative approach they would have gotten a punishment for arriving late and would consider it unacceptable behavior. Using this method will give the child a good understanding for the real world , yet won’t shelter them so much that they are shocked if something uncomfortable is presented to them.

All three parenting styles have their ups and downs. Have you figured out which one your parents used on you? Are you glad they used that method? Or wished they were a little stricter or loosened up some? All parents aren’t perfect but they use what they think will be best for their child. (680)