Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Editorial Story
From the celebrity gossip blogs of Perez Hilton, to the fashion shows led by Tim Gunn on primetime television, the media has obviously embraced the homosexual community of the United States. With equality becoming more and more likely in terms of marriage and unions according to the government, it would likely be inferred that high school students feel the same; open and accepting. Throughout the halls of Eastview High School, however, this feeling of approval and support is not visible. While students may or may not agree with the choices made by others in terms of their sexuality, the narrow-mindedness and intolerance here at Eastview is offensive and intolerable. In a classroom setting, it is commonplace to hear a student say “That’s so gay”, or “No homo”, following a joke or statement. But even small assertions such as these promote hatred and a type of segregation between heterosexual and homosexual students. While it may come across as a joking matter, using a phrase that puts down a person, or a group of people, is wrong in any manner. While most people do not understand the message they are sending by saying such comments, they are nonetheless hurtful and discriminatory towards others, even in our school. Especially in a place that promotes respect and a safe learning environment, these derogatory statements are anything but positive.
Making a change in the way that students use such distasteful words will make a huge impact on the overall quality and feeling of positivity here at Eastview. Students may no longer feel hated or frowned upon due to their sexuality, but instead, they may feel accepted and comfortable. In order to do so, teachers may first begin to set such an example; instead of letting such language go, they need to address it when it happens, much like the way a teacher would if a student began using curse words or profanities. In this alone, students may begin to realize that their choice to use such language is hateful and unacceptable, therefore changing their ways. By only changing one small aspect of the narrow-mindedness located here at Eastview, students may once again be able to feel as if they are part of a strong community of their peers who accept them, regardless of their sexual orientation.
Making a change in the way that students use such distasteful words will make a huge impact on the overall quality and feeling of positivity here at Eastview. Students may no longer feel hated or frowned upon due to their sexuality, but instead, they may feel accepted and comfortable. In order to do so, teachers may first begin to set such an example; instead of letting such language go, they need to address it when it happens, much like the way a teacher would if a student began using curse words or profanities. In this alone, students may begin to realize that their choice to use such language is hateful and unacceptable, therefore changing their ways. By only changing one small aspect of the narrow-mindedness located here at Eastview, students may once again be able to feel as if they are part of a strong community of their peers who accept them, regardless of their sexual orientation.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Brainstorming March 16th
1. What is a problem/issue that our entire student body (our school, community, country, etc.) faces today?
- Narrowmindedness, especially when it comes to social situations (homosexuality, in particular)
2. What is your view/position on the problem or situation?
- It's upsetting for me to see people being judgemental towards their peers, just because of their sexual orientation.
3. What would you like to achieve with your editorial? (What is the desired result?)
- I want people to see that an issue DOES exist with students acting a certain way towards others, and that the issue needs to be addressed.
4. How will you persuade your audience to adopt your viewpoint as theirs? List at least 4 persuasive points.
- Persuade them that while they don't have to agree with my opinion, but they do need to change their actions
- Acceptance will benefit ALL people
- Those affected by this issue suffer huge emotional stresses
5. How will you motivate your readership to action in your conclusion?
- Give personal stories of those affected by this issue
6. How will your editorial serve a public purpose?
- It's an issue that people face everyday, and by changing actions (even minorly), a huge difference could be made.
- Narrowmindedness, especially when it comes to social situations (homosexuality, in particular)
2. What is your view/position on the problem or situation?
- It's upsetting for me to see people being judgemental towards their peers, just because of their sexual orientation.
3. What would you like to achieve with your editorial? (What is the desired result?)
- I want people to see that an issue DOES exist with students acting a certain way towards others, and that the issue needs to be addressed.
4. How will you persuade your audience to adopt your viewpoint as theirs? List at least 4 persuasive points.
- Persuade them that while they don't have to agree with my opinion, but they do need to change their actions
- Acceptance will benefit ALL people
- Those affected by this issue suffer huge emotional stresses
5. How will you motivate your readership to action in your conclusion?
- Give personal stories of those affected by this issue
6. How will your editorial serve a public purpose?
- It's an issue that people face everyday, and by changing actions (even minorly), a huge difference could be made.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
News Story
At Eastview High School, spring fever is definitely beginning to set in, especially for the seniors who are beginning to make their decisions for what their plans are following graduation in June. For most students, choosing a four year university or technical college will be their main decision. Others, however, will choose to join the military, while others choose to enter the workforce immediately following graduation. But for the most part, seniors from Eastview will be sorting through over 4000 colleges in the United States, with some even choosing international schools, for their path following high school. Because of the almost overwhelming number of schools to choose from, finding a school that is right for you is the most important aspect. Also, due to the sheer number of schools to consider, narrowing down these colleges by thinking of certain criteria is important as well.
In making these decisions, many students look to their parents, friends, role models as well as other places for help in picking their future college. Some students, like senior Jack McDevitt, rely on that “gut feeling” they experience on the campus of their dream school; when asked about what he feels is the most important factor in deciding on a school, Jack responded with, “What feels right. You're never going to know if it's right until you get there, so you have to go with your gut feeling. Money, location, parents, academics all matter, but if you go into college having a negative feeling, it's never going to work out.” Many students, while looking for their ideal school, rely on the opinion of their parents. While it is mostly the students’ decision, many families are faced with this selection as well. Junior Rachel Raske, who is just beginning to think about her plans following graduation, has relied on her family for guidance throughout the entire process. She explains that, “We [her parents and her] have talked multiple times about what schools I am looking at, and what they think of those schools. We've also talked a little about financial aid.” Since it is such a large decision, Rachel looked to her parents for their advice about their own college experiences, knowing that they were only looking out for her best interests. McDevitt, too, asked for his parents opinion throughout the course of making a decision.
While parents are a large influence in the college decision process, there are many other variables that go into such an important choice. Jenny Handke, a Senior looking to attend the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, thought about “Location, size and major choice,” when first looking at colleges. Handke’s perspective of looking based on certain circumstances is historically what most students do in the beginning of their college search. Factors such as the size of the school, location, proximity to home, academic choices, as well as cost all weigh in on student’s decisions. For some students, religious views as well as the moral ideals of the school play a large aspect. For Raske, her church was not a big influence on her decision, mainly because she is not active in her own faith community.
While this is a stressful time for seniors, many students are looking forward to the freedom and independence of their next four years at college. In making what is most likely the most important decision of their lives thus far, seniors have many different aspects to consider when looking at a university or college, ranging from parental influences to location and proximity. No matter the choice they make, however, Eastview High School’s seniors are guaranteed to succeed following graduation, no matter what path they decide to take.
In making these decisions, many students look to their parents, friends, role models as well as other places for help in picking their future college. Some students, like senior Jack McDevitt, rely on that “gut feeling” they experience on the campus of their dream school; when asked about what he feels is the most important factor in deciding on a school, Jack responded with, “What feels right. You're never going to know if it's right until you get there, so you have to go with your gut feeling. Money, location, parents, academics all matter, but if you go into college having a negative feeling, it's never going to work out.” Many students, while looking for their ideal school, rely on the opinion of their parents. While it is mostly the students’ decision, many families are faced with this selection as well. Junior Rachel Raske, who is just beginning to think about her plans following graduation, has relied on her family for guidance throughout the entire process. She explains that, “We [her parents and her] have talked multiple times about what schools I am looking at, and what they think of those schools. We've also talked a little about financial aid.” Since it is such a large decision, Rachel looked to her parents for their advice about their own college experiences, knowing that they were only looking out for her best interests. McDevitt, too, asked for his parents opinion throughout the course of making a decision.
While parents are a large influence in the college decision process, there are many other variables that go into such an important choice. Jenny Handke, a Senior looking to attend the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, thought about “Location, size and major choice,” when first looking at colleges. Handke’s perspective of looking based on certain circumstances is historically what most students do in the beginning of their college search. Factors such as the size of the school, location, proximity to home, academic choices, as well as cost all weigh in on student’s decisions. For some students, religious views as well as the moral ideals of the school play a large aspect. For Raske, her church was not a big influence on her decision, mainly because she is not active in her own faith community.
While this is a stressful time for seniors, many students are looking forward to the freedom and independence of their next four years at college. In making what is most likely the most important decision of their lives thus far, seniors have many different aspects to consider when looking at a university or college, ranging from parental influences to location and proximity. No matter the choice they make, however, Eastview High School’s seniors are guaranteed to succeed following graduation, no matter what path they decide to take.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Interview Questions
Jack McDevitt
1. What are your plans for next year? Are you going to a two or four year college, or are you entering the work force or the military?
- I'm going to St. Thomas University. I plan on going there for some type of business degree for 4 plus years.
2. What do you look for in a college?
- I had a tough decision on where I wanted to go. My gut was telling me one place, and my head was pointing me in another direction. I ended up going with my gut, and what felt right. I think I made the right decision.
3. Do you and your parents look for the same things in a college, or different things?
- My parents were very supportive of whatever decision I made, and they were confident that I knew what priorities came first. They know the decision is mine, and they let me make it.
4. Who do you think plays the biggest role in your choice of schools for next year? For example, your parents or friends may influence your opinions in a certain school.
- What feels right. You're never going to know if it's right until you get there, so you have to go with your gut feeling. Money, location, parents, academics all matter, but if you go into college having a negetive feeling, it's never going to work out.
5. Are you worried that because of outside influences on your decision of picking a college, you
may not be as happy as you would if you would have made the decision completely by yourself?
- In my situation it was pretty much my own decision. My parents are paying for college, so that wasn't a factor really. They were very happy with my decision.
6. If you could change one thing about the college decision process, what would it be and why?
- I think it was very easy for the most part. My highschool counselors were telling me things that ended up not being true in colleges I was looking at. I think everyone has to get all the information they can before making a decision. I did, and it paid off a lot, I didn't have to take another year of Spanish, while the highschool counselors were telling me to.
Jenny Handke
1. Have you decided what you're doing next year?
- Yes, I'm planning on going to either The U of M twin cities, or the U of M Duluth campus for psychology or sociology.
2. What factors affect your decision?
-Location, size, major choices
3. Do you and your parents look for the same things in a college?
-In general, yes. We all want me to go to a good 4-year college that I'd enjoy myself at, can graduate in 4 years, has all the things I'm looking for (music, soccer, and of course... reputation for crazy partying. ...just kidding). The only thing I resent my parents for is not letting me apply to more out of state schools. My parents believe that education is the same no matter what big University you go to (of course all that are comparable), but I strongly believe that your experience is just as important as the education you'll be getting. I really wanted to go out of state, but my parents limited my applications to out of state schools to a maximum of two. I got into both, but neither of them have what the U has, so I'm hoping that come April 15th I'll find out that I'm admitted.
4. What is different between the things you look for in an University, and what your parents look for?
-My parents really look for in state schools because its cheaper for them. They're paying for three years so its understandable that they want me to stay in MN. Thats about it.
5. When did you start thinking about your plans for next year, and did your parents have influence over that as well?
-I started thinking about college my sophomore year, but toured and took more initiative to research junior year. My parents had a big influence on me, but we were all on the same page about timing, like touring schools and figuring out whats important to me in a college. My parents didn't have much influence on what schools I wanted to look at though, that was pretty much all me.
Rachel Raske
1. As a junior, have you started thinking about your plans following graduation?
- Yes, I started thinking about what colleges I would like to attend and what I want my major to be. I searched for schools based on my majors I was interested in.
2. Have your parents brought up anything about college yet? Do you expect them to soon?
- Yes, we've talked multiple times about what schools I am looking at, and what they think of those schools. We've also talked a little about financial aid.
3. What is your idea of a "dream" school?
- I think a bigger college that has a good program for my major would be a great school for me.
4. Do you think that idea is the same as your parents would have?
- Yes, we both have similar ideas about the type of school I want to go to and what I want to major in.
5. When do you think is the right time to start talking to your parents about college?
- I think the end of junior year is a good time to start talking about college, but considering we've already started talking about it, I think my parents and I are pretty set.
6. Does your church play a role in your decision?
- No, not especially. I'm not very involved in my church.
1. What are your plans for next year? Are you going to a two or four year college, or are you entering the work force or the military?
- I'm going to St. Thomas University. I plan on going there for some type of business degree for 4 plus years.
2. What do you look for in a college?
- I had a tough decision on where I wanted to go. My gut was telling me one place, and my head was pointing me in another direction. I ended up going with my gut, and what felt right. I think I made the right decision.
3. Do you and your parents look for the same things in a college, or different things?
- My parents were very supportive of whatever decision I made, and they were confident that I knew what priorities came first. They know the decision is mine, and they let me make it.
4. Who do you think plays the biggest role in your choice of schools for next year? For example, your parents or friends may influence your opinions in a certain school.
- What feels right. You're never going to know if it's right until you get there, so you have to go with your gut feeling. Money, location, parents, academics all matter, but if you go into college having a negetive feeling, it's never going to work out.
5. Are you worried that because of outside influences on your decision of picking a college, you
may not be as happy as you would if you would have made the decision completely by yourself?
- In my situation it was pretty much my own decision. My parents are paying for college, so that wasn't a factor really. They were very happy with my decision.
6. If you could change one thing about the college decision process, what would it be and why?
- I think it was very easy for the most part. My highschool counselors were telling me things that ended up not being true in colleges I was looking at. I think everyone has to get all the information they can before making a decision. I did, and it paid off a lot, I didn't have to take another year of Spanish, while the highschool counselors were telling me to.
Jenny Handke
1. Have you decided what you're doing next year?
- Yes, I'm planning on going to either The U of M twin cities, or the U of M Duluth campus for psychology or sociology.
2. What factors affect your decision?
-Location, size, major choices
3. Do you and your parents look for the same things in a college?
-In general, yes. We all want me to go to a good 4-year college that I'd enjoy myself at, can graduate in 4 years, has all the things I'm looking for (music, soccer, and of course... reputation for crazy partying. ...just kidding). The only thing I resent my parents for is not letting me apply to more out of state schools. My parents believe that education is the same no matter what big University you go to (of course all that are comparable), but I strongly believe that your experience is just as important as the education you'll be getting. I really wanted to go out of state, but my parents limited my applications to out of state schools to a maximum of two. I got into both, but neither of them have what the U has, so I'm hoping that come April 15th I'll find out that I'm admitted.
4. What is different between the things you look for in an University, and what your parents look for?
-My parents really look for in state schools because its cheaper for them. They're paying for three years so its understandable that they want me to stay in MN. Thats about it.
5. When did you start thinking about your plans for next year, and did your parents have influence over that as well?
-I started thinking about college my sophomore year, but toured and took more initiative to research junior year. My parents had a big influence on me, but we were all on the same page about timing, like touring schools and figuring out whats important to me in a college. My parents didn't have much influence on what schools I wanted to look at though, that was pretty much all me.
Rachel Raske
1. As a junior, have you started thinking about your plans following graduation?
- Yes, I started thinking about what colleges I would like to attend and what I want my major to be. I searched for schools based on my majors I was interested in.
2. Have your parents brought up anything about college yet? Do you expect them to soon?
- Yes, we've talked multiple times about what schools I am looking at, and what they think of those schools. We've also talked a little about financial aid.
3. What is your idea of a "dream" school?
- I think a bigger college that has a good program for my major would be a great school for me.
4. Do you think that idea is the same as your parents would have?
- Yes, we both have similar ideas about the type of school I want to go to and what I want to major in.
5. When do you think is the right time to start talking to your parents about college?
- I think the end of junior year is a good time to start talking about college, but considering we've already started talking about it, I think my parents and I are pretty set.
6. Does your church play a role in your decision?
- No, not especially. I'm not very involved in my church.
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