Exam Cheating on Long Island Hardly a Secret

SATs were never my friend.  They are long and leave you with a massive headache that has its own name, "The SAT headache."  Students are found walking away from the room disappointed, confused, and most of all, frustrated.  All the hours put into preparation and when it comes time to take the test, and still, nothing seems familiar.  I don’t blame students who do not want to take the test, but to cheat your way out of it is not the answer.

The comment made by high school principal Bernard Kaplan seemed very familiar to me.  When he was in school, he was used to taking just one Advanced Placement course.  Now with the increased education demand, students pound themselves thinking they have to overload themselves with difficult courses, raising the AP number to about 5 or 6.  In time, this overload will take over a student’s brain thinking there is no way out.  Jammed with multiple strenuous tests in one day will cancel out the good of the AP courses.  Instead, these courses will create a desire to cheat.  Failing is the last thing a student who is enrolled in these courses want.  Therefore, cheating seems to be the only way out.

In a high school setting, teenagers tend to spend their time harping on what other people think of them.  Students will get to the point where they will do anything to impress the football jock in their lunch or the beauty queen in their math class.  So it is not surprising when I read about the opportunity one kid was given by the “popular kid” at school.  This smart student who was troubled at the time due to his parents’ divorce, eagerly jumped at the opportunity to take money from the “popular kid” and in exchange, take the SAT for him.  High school is all about what people think.  Pressure like this situation is likely and is not at all surprising. 

Trying to crack the code on SAT impersonations is one tough case.  An argument I have to put my foot down on is using the comparison of GPA and SAT scores to see if they are similar.  I am a 4-time SAT taker who has not once been happy with my scores.  However, if you look at the work I have completed in high school, all the hard work seems to pay off there considering I have a 3.86 GPA.  So why does that not carry over to the SATs? It is because they are two totally different elements.  The knowledge needed for the SAT is not something you obtain from going to high school day to day. The material on the SAT is selected at random and not something a student can prepare for.  When in a high school setting, a student is taught the material and then goes home to study what is in that section to be able to succeed on the upcoming test. 

The SATs are a challenge beyond no other, and nothing can stand up to compare to it.  However, cheating is nowhere close to the answer to overcoming the beast.

It Doesn't Stop

As a high school senior, I knew this year would be a busy time in my life.  However, I did not believe it would be as busy as it has played out to be so far.  With school work alone, I have been swamped with AP English reading, Honors World Cultures papers, and a boggled mind when it comes to the unknown world of Physics.  These three classes have given me almost the amount of stress in two months equal to the stress I had for over half of my junior year.  Thinking I could maybe catch a break over Thanksgiving weekend turned out to be just one big joke.  Given a history reading assignment the day before break, I was on the verge of breaking myself.  I already had played out in my head what needed to be complete over the next few days with built in time to relax.  It was Thanksgiving, my favorite holiday, slowing being destroyed by school work. I was a mess, to say the least. I had no time to waste, so I began right away.  That afternoon I came home around 12:00 from school, sat down at my kitchen table, and opened up my first novel.  I had a check list in my head and I was ready to begin going down the line.  I knew I had an appointment at 2:00 so in the mean time; I waited for my sleeping college sister to wake up and my mom to come home from work by reading for history.  By 9:00 that night, I felt accomplished.  I had read 50pgs out of the 62 I had to read for History.  The next beast I had to wrestle was the 150pgs I had to complete reading with annotations for English.  But I saved that for later and began enjoying the time with my sister and my friends who were home from college. 

School work alone is a huge load I have on my shoulders.  I have taken a break from worrying about college, because I know the letters will come as they please.  After all, I've already been granted 2 acceptances!  The next obstacle I am faced with is the Track season that is starting up today.  I know that after today, my life is pretty much booked until June.  Track is almost like a full time job.  I will go to school at 7:30 in the morning and I will not be home until 6:00 that night.  But those are just practice days.  Throw in a meet on a Wednesday night and I won't be walking through my doors until 10:30pm if I am lucky.  But I have given my heart to this sport and, most of all; I have given my heart to my team.  After a brutal cross country season, most girls will be taking this season off and not returning until the spring track season.  While I give those girls my full respect, I am broken hearted left with the feeling that my team has been taken away from me.  A coach once taught us to have PMA (positive mental attitude).  I reminded myself to have PMA every time I went out to workout for pre-season.  I have not been happy with my performances since sophomore year so it is important that I continue to keep my head up and keep fighting for what I want.  As a senior, I want to be there for my girls and teach them the things I didn't know when I was first starting out.  I want to be there for the team when we feel like we are in a rut and we can't find our way out.  I know that the season holds much potential; we just have to build our way there first.

Penn State

First of all, this whole situation is a mess and a heart break.  To see what students of the school have to go through because of the uncovering of this horrible crime, is unbearable.  The riots that the students broke out in on Wednesday night expressed their anger.  I understand their acts, but also, I agree with what one reporter asked a student, "Is this what Joe would have wanted?" 

Firing Joe Paterno immediately was, in my eyes, a mistake.  At least give him one final bit of respect and let him coach his last game.  When the crime was committed, Joe Paterno should have told someone who would have settled the issue.  Unfortunately, he told someone who did not take as much action as what was required.  But what reporters and news reports are forgetting that he did in fact tell someone.  He went to the athletic director and explained the horrific event.  So why are all fingers being pointed at Joe?  Or why is everyone blaming the other teammate who saw it happen?  That kid was just in college, he was probably afraid to speak up for fear something as horrible might happen to him in return for his confession.  Where are all the fingers that need to be pointed towards Sandusky, the man who committed these crimes!  Why is all the focus in the wrong places?

Maybe it is News Bias that has taken over the focus of this incident.  But I feel as though Penn State has a check list and they are going down the line of who needs to be taken out of the picture first.  Once they handle that, they move on to the next element that needs to be handled. 

What comforted me the most was seeing the players of both teams (Penn State and Nebraska) on Saturday take a knee in the middle of the field before the kick off of the football game to honor those who have been abused.  That focus was dimmed as well: the children who have been caught in the cross fire of Sandusky's horrific choices and illness.  As spectators, we need to take a step back from all the drama and the arguments of who is getting fired.  What the real issue here are the victims of this crime, or should I say crimes.  This man needs to be stopped once and for all, and the ones who have been hurt deserve our prayers and attention.

Can I take a breath yet?

Coming off of what felt like the busiest weekend of my life, I finally have time to ask the question, "Can I take a breath yet?”  As an 18 year old high school senior, I never knew how much I could have on my plate.  I have numerous families that I am a babysitter for, community service I participate in, and never ending projects from my demanding senior classes.  The babysitting is fun for the most part.  I enjoy kids' laughter and the smiles they get on their faces when you simply hand them their favorite toys.  Or when they bump their heads and all you have to do is give them a hug and everything is better.  However, watching over the kids requires your full attention.  So when it is Sunday night and you have spent all weekend running errands, fulfilling your commitment to community service, and touching on school work, you can get a little overwhelmed.  Even if you start your day hours before you normally would, what good does it do?  Yesterday, I felt as though it just made me tired.  However, I was thankful when I looked at the clock and it only said it was 5:30 when I felt as though it was already 8:00pm.  Back to back nights of fun and games with kids under two years old is what my job requires.  But then it brings me to Monday mornings where I am left to ask myself, where was the time for you?  Was it when you finally got time to sit down and write that research paper?  The answer would be that my time was every moment of the busiest weekend I just had.  Like I said, I was able to put smiles on kids' faces.  I allowed parents to have the break that they very much well deserved.  And the community service is being with a friend, it just happens to be in an environment that needed some help. So here is my deep breath.  I helped others this weekend, and in return I helped myself.  I see now that there is a bigger picture to all of this.  It is not just me missing out on a relaxing weekend or me drowning in research papers.  There is so much more to the busy lifestyle I have. And it is the one I chose.

Fox news

To me, news is not perfect.  Can we even trust what is being relayed to us as viewers?  Once the information is put into the hands of those who work at CNN, FOX, or even ABC, it is out of control and can be put into a bias view.  The producers and writers for such stations have the freedom of writing whatever they want. 

However, my view news is not as negative as it may seem.  Without news, our nation would not know what is going on over seas, much less two towns away from them.  News is the window to a world of information.  We have to form a bond of trust with the stations we choose to watch in order to obtain the information that is being relayed. 

I wake up every morning to the sound of televisions coming from downstairs or down the hall.  Before the national broadcast of Good Morning America airs, my household can be seen watching local ABC Action news.  On this station, we are given many stories, not just political ones that can be found on stations such as FOX.  We learn about the issues and events that are taking place in our local area in order to segue into the national broadcast that is to follow.

I see two different views on news, however, I respect every station.  After all, I am hoping in ten or so years, you will turn on your local news station and see my face giving you all the information you are looking for.

"Overbrook 24 Still Believe in what they did"

Family.  That word can describe many things.  To the boys of the Overbrook football team, the word family means looking out for each one of their teammates.  Being a part of a team comes with many responsibilities and produces a bond within the team.  Everyone sticks together and fullfils the coaches requests.  However, when a team decides to take actions to an extreme, the team may not meet eye to eye with the coach. 

As an athelete, I know I would do anything for the girls on my team.  That is what we are there for, to work hard, TOGETHER.  If one of the girls are put in the wrong, I feel as though it is my responsiblity to stand up for them.  I would do this in a way to not disrespect my coach while still hold firm to my beliefs.

I feel as though the boys of the Overbrook football team were over penalized.  Leading them on by having the boys practice the day before they were kicked off the team was childish and uncalled for.  The boys were taught from the beginning that they were to act as a family.  However, they did not know they would be punished for it when they took such actions.

Science Degree

With the changing lifestyle we live in today, education has learned to adjust with it.  This has occurred due to the change of demand our century has developed.  In other words, the technology and competitive work field has altered popularity in certain college degrees in order for graduates to keep up with the ongoing tasks our nation is demanding. 

A degree in a science or math is suitable to today's world because of the inventions that govern our lifestyle.  Our nation and work fields have not only learned to adapt to the technology boost of cell phones, emails, and even online video conferences, but they have used each of these elements to run their companies.  Having a degree in a science or math will help provide the company with a better view on how to manage these devices and use them to better the company's progress and performance.  These degrees offer a more intellectual insight to management and therefore will boost an individual to a higher position in his or her personal field--achieving that sought after recognition and level of success he or she had set out to gain.

Although the style of our nation has changed in many ways making certain degrees more popular than others, there are other degrees that still fit the demanding work field.  A college student who is ready to declare a major may hesitate and become nervous not knowing what is going to come in the future.  However, if individulas put their hardest work and motivation into something, their intended major will succeed where they want it to.

How Young Is Too Young?

Nothing scares me more than seeing children, as young as 10, with a cell phone in their hands.  With this new age of electronic media and digital boost, having a cell phone has become common.  It is one thing if the person with the phone is of a mature age, however, it is a whole other story when they are, say, still in middle school.  The rule in my house was that it was a graduation present before going to high school.  That present still came with limits.  I was regulated with my texting and I could only have the phone after a certain time at night. I honored these regulations resulting in full privilege of the phone.

It takes me my surprise when I see kids asking for other kids cell phone numbers so they can "text them later."  This should no longer be a surprise taking the fact that it has almost become the status quo--for all ages.  Having grown up with all the new technology inventions, some might think my generation could have it no other way.  That absolutely does not hold true for me.  I hate thinking that my children are going to not only know about them but want one of these divices before they even play in their first soccer game.  I enjoy the satisfaction of knowing I can call someone with a question or have a normal conversation rather than killing my fingers trying to get out what I have to say.  I want others to still know what that is like even with all these new ways of communication. 

Conveince and saftey is of course used as common counter arguments in order to support the digital boost.  I can agree with that.  However, it is only under certain circumstances that these agruments can hold true.  Take for example a single mom who has a child old enough to stay home by his or her self.  If that mom attends a demanding job and cannot always anwer the phone, a simple text from the child letting his/her mom know he/she is home safe, can be all it takes to make the mother feel comfortable.

Although the use of cell phones has been opened up to a wide range of age groups, I believe the phones should be kept away from those of a certain age.  No one wants to rush their kids childhoods.  So why place a device in their hands that will expediate that process? 

College Essay -- What would you do with $5,000?

Unexpected Donation

Walking into the foul smelling building, I was ready for my weekly routine.  As I placed my hair net around my head, I entered the kitchen bracing myself for another hectic Monday.  “Looks like it is going to be a good day,” Chef Mike says to me. “You always say that!” I replied with a smile.  He was cutting up chicken with a huge knife making my heart jump every time he got close to his finger.  “We have chicken again today?” I asked.  “Yes, my dear.  Do you see anything else?”  I gave a slight smile wishing that statement was not true and hoping that one day I could make it false.

Volunteering at a soup kitchen is a new experience every day, aside from the food.  Our food donations are rather scarce so unfortunately we do not supply very much variety.  The recipients of the food, however, do not seem to mind for they are grateful for whatever they receive on their plates.  I am happy that I can satisfy them while at the same time feeling guilty.  “These people go through enough hardships; they should at least have something to spice up their lives,” I would say to Chef Mike.  “Darling, you and I both wish we could do something.  Our supply is just too low,” he finished his statement while placing his hand on my shoulder for comfort.  I tied my apron around my waist and reached for the broccoli.  As I washed the green bunches under running water, my mind began to wonder.  “How am I going to be able to give back to this kitchen after my years of school are completed and I am put out into the demanding work field?  Not only are they lacking in food, the help around here is not the most abundant,” I completed this thought with a silent sigh and began my next task.

The mid-day continued just like any other.  As familiar faces filed in, I was told the daily joke by Joe and the latest weather update by Sue.  The radiant glow reflecting off their smiles as they told their exciting accounts, made my worries disappear.  I placed the chicken and the sides of broccoli and rice on each plate wishing each man and woman a good day.  I smiled as conversation began to fill the dining area.  As I walked around to clean up any plates or napkins left behind, compliments were asked to be given to the chef for the wonderful meal they had just received.  This reminded me how grateful each individual was for the simple meal we could provide.  I tossed the used plates and headed through the swinging door to the kitchen.

Recalling that vivid memory I was blessed with ten years ago has made this decision effortless.  When my boss handed me my Christmas bonus for the “stand-out” job I have done in the past year, I was awestricken.  The check was made out for five-thousand dollars in my name.  “I know I worked hard, but do I really deserve this?”  I silently asked myself.  Maybe I did deserve it, but in that moment I knew a place that deserved it more.  It was a surprisingly warm Monday morning when Chef Mike walked out to the mailbox.  I would have given anything to see the expression on his face when he opened up that white envelope. 

           

Reading is Still Fun

My sister called me the other day from her 14-hour-away home.  She currently attends the University of Alabama and is constantly consumed with new projects or an exam to study for.  A few weeks ago she had been complaining about the fact she had no time to read something she personally wanted to.  "There are so many books out there that I am interested in. I just don't have the time," she said to me.

I understand that statement 100%.  Being a senior in high school, just accomplishing my big junior year, I have been consumed with numerous papers, difficult math exams, and don't forget my friend the SAT.  It has been a constant battle to get through even my favorite book.  I was surprised with the Kindle last Christmas and immediately downloaded my personal favorite.  I started reading the novel in Decemeber and it was not until last week--September 14th or so--that I turned that final page.

So when my sister called me raving about this book her and her roommate had just read, I was shocked.  "It took me a day!" she exclaimed.  "It was amazing and it won't even cut into your school work, trust me!"  Hearing that statement come from her, I knew it must be true. 

I am blessed every Friday with a reading workshop where I can choose any book and free read for 42 minutes.  I thought this was the coolest idea.  I get excited to walk into that class at 7:45am and dive into my chosen novel.  This workshop has set us up to remind ourselves that reading still is fun.  Having been consumed in Junior and Senior English assignments, we may have strayed away from that idea.

I am thankful for that time where I can simply, read. It is a weekly reminder that I can in fact still have time to myself.  Oh and that book my sister recommended, I had read 80pgs within the first day (very unusual).

Forever 21

When I go to a store, I shop around and find what is appealing to me.  I pick it up and think, "Is that something I would wear?"  If not, I put it down and keep on going with my shopping adventure.  Some t-shirts I come across I laugh at, while others I just don't care for.  However, I never found sayings as simple as what has been brought up at Forever 21 offensive. 

Forever 21 has designed a shirt (among many) making playing jokes about school and math class.  Typical teenagers tend to not like school work and mostly, algebra.  Who likes math anyway?  Sure there is a handful who have that talent for numbers but most just find it time consuming.  Anyway, the shirt was intended to be playing and funny; along with most of the shirts in the store.  Forever 21 has a unique style that appeals to all different style tastes. 

The greatest problem I have with this controversy is the fact that people are saying the shirt is sexest.  Umm hello, Forever 21 is an all women's store.  So no, you won't find a shirt for men's with text that opposes against school or math class.  Go down to a department store however, and you can most likely take your pick of men's graphic tee's with witty sayings.

If you don't like a shirt, put it down and keep searching.  Not everything was made to fit one style perferance.

Loss For Words

Many people compare the day of September 11, 2001 as “the day the world stopped turning”.  I strongly agree with this statement.  The tragedy of the towers left millions in shock and starring at their televisions for hours.  Everyone was at a stand still either due to that shock or literally forbidden to leave where they were.

Then there are the journalists.  The ones we know as always having something to say.  We can get lost in their words and not realize they are people too.  It is easy to just expect the Sunday newspaper to be waiting on our front step in the morning. In this time of tragedy, they too can be at a loss for words.  They are then faced with, “confronting the first time in [their] career[s] when emotions truly clouded judgment…” states journalist, Maegan Carberry. 

It was the day the world stopped turning.  It was the day the ones who always had everything to say, stopped and starred at a blank computer screen.

Personal Fallings of 9/11

I did not know exactly what I was set up for when I began reading this article.  Previously warned that it was a difficult topic, I sank into it anyway, bracing myself for what would appear on the next line.  I scanned the article like I always do and there it was.  In the center of the artistic words was the picture of the “falling man”.  Immediately I felt all the blood rushing to my head due to the own man’s head first- downward position.  He was heading straight for the concrete pavement and I began reading the article.

         
Having just been assigned to conduct interviews about 9/11 for my World Cultures class, I have re-experienced the normalcy of how the day began for everyone.  Diving into this article was no different.  Marlow Stern invites his readers into what he had planned for that day; photo shooting at a fashion show.  Having this article start out as personal as it was, made me want to continue on and see just what was going to happen next.                           

This I Believe

The Small Gestures of Serving

            Through service, I believe in making others smile.  I am not just saying that to look good or set myself on some kind of pedestal.  I truly believe in devoting my time to others who need it most, in order to change their day in some way.  I want to help put unexpected smiles on the faces of those who perhaps face despair instead of hope.  It is easy to take for granted the simplicity of everyday tasks.  I want to take these little things I am blessed with everyday and share them with those who go without.  I want to combine talents and small gestures to make others believe in the capability of succeeding and pursing anything they dream.

            When spending a certain amount of time on a project, hard work and much thought is put into every detail and each small component is obsessed over until made right.  Producing the perfect outcome of the project will be achieved in order to make talents shine.  That is how I feel about hours put into community service.  Sure I may have to reach a certain requirement for a club in which service hours are required, however, my devotion to service started long before becoming a member of any club.  To me, the hours put into service is not about reaching a quota.  Just like working on a project, I spend my service hours working as hard as I can to produce that ideal outcome: a smile.

            Every Wednesday I travel about twenty miles from my home to my favorite “project”.  I am a volunteer at a horse stable in which I assist with a Therapeutic Program.  I became interested in this kind of service because a friend of mine happens to be one of the patients in the program.  For years I have been looking for a way to be apart of her recovery due to her life changing condition.  I now find myself every week by her side while she is up in the saddle.  I wrap my hand around the stirrup, securing her ankle while giving her words of encouragement or simply sharing a smile.  As she glances down at me, she rewards me—she gives me that immaculate outcome—she smiles.  In that moment I do not care how many hours I miss out in the summer sun or how many miles it will take me to travel home.  I believe in giving myself to others so that they can receive something they might have been missing from their day.  Finding that missing piece trumps any time others may see as “wasted”. 

            Some may think a smile is not that big of a deal.  When I was asked what my favorite part about serving others was I simply stated, “Putting a smile on an individual’s face”.  The response following sounded something like this: “Oh sure!  But it is easy to make someone smile”.  That statement is not always true.  The patients I work with at the stables have gone through very traumatic experiences.  With their disabilities, they are reminded everyday of their constant battle to complete what used to be effortless tasks.  One man arrives thirty minutes before his lesson in order to sign in, put on his helmet and mount the horse, a process which should only take about five minutes.  So for others, something as simple as a smile may not always take a second to appear.  Giving up free time to assist someone in need and having a conversation that they usually go without, will find the smile.  Although these gestures may be simple, they are extraordinary to those who receive them.  I want to be able to be the giver of these gestures due to how I feel in return.   It is indescribable when I am blessed with seeing a smile on a troubled face.  It hides any of my over exaggerated problems.  The feeling reminds me to be thankful for the life I have been given.

Therefore, I believe in putting others first.  I believe in those small gestures that can turn around an individual’s day.  It is incredible to think the simple things are those that matter most.  So share smiles.  Share time.  This I believe.