Topic #9: Night

Reading the novel Night by Elie Wiesel is very important. The Holocaust is something that will never be forgotten and by reading this novel it helps the story still live on. I feel that high school kids should continue to read this book for many years because if people forget about it or stop teaching about it then it will happen again. The themes of this novel I feel are not taught enough to teenagers in this time period. Everyone knows about what happened but I feel that as we get older people think about it less and less. Even though the Holocaust happened many years ago the themes still pertain to the twenty first century. I am very happy that we are reading the novel Night because it helps the stories of survivors keep living and Elie Wiesel will never be forgotten. 

Topic #8: Bestfriends

Bestfriends are there to help you through the tough times and to laugh with you during good times. I have many bestfriends. First is Naomi Ricciotti, I have known her since kindergarten and we are never apart and that is no exaggeration. She is like my sister and I know that she will always be there for me. Then there is Kristy Bonham, we have been friends all throughout high school and I know that I can be myself and she will never judge me. Michaela Curry is my other half; we could sit in a small white room with nothing in it and still be entertained with something. I met Devyn Wilson in eighth grade; she always makes sure that I know she appreciates me. We constantly laugh when we are together and you will never see us silent. I used to hate Madison Hays but now we are together almost every night. She always makes me laugh and I don’t know what I will do without her come over texts next year when she stays at DV and I go to U Of A. All of these people keep me going throughout the day and support me on every move I make. I love them all and I don’t know what I will do without them next year. However, I hope we can stay friends until we are old and rocking back and forth in our rocking chairs. 

Topic #7: Favorite Song

My favorite song is Never Grow up by Taylor Swift. This song is important to me because I love the message that Taylor Swift gives out to the listener. The message that she gives out is to stop wanting to grow up fast because growing up is harder than you think. For example she sings “To you, everything's funny You got nothing to regret I'd give all I have, honey If you could stay like that
Oh, darling, don't you ever grow up, don't you ever grow up Just stay this little Oh, darling, don't you ever grow up, don't you ever grow up It could stay this simple.” These lines are one of my favorite lines because Taylor Swift explains that staying small is the easiest thing. I can relate to this song even more this year because for the first time I am realizing that I won’t be living at home for much longer and I wish I would have never grown up. This song will always be one of my favorite songs. 

Topic #6: College Aplications

Going to college is a scary thought because it means that I am growing up. However, before I can think about who I am going to stay with in my dorm I have to apply for a college. Ever since I was a freshman in high school I have had U of A in my brain. U of A is the only college that I truly want to see a letter from. I have already taken the SAT’s which is the first step for applying to college. I feel that I could have done better on it if I would have studied but I am not retaking it since I have good enough grades to back up my score. I have not looked at applying for scholarships yet but I plan on it very soon. The application process does not scare me but the thought of having to grow up does. 

Topic #5: My Hero

My hero is my grandma, Mary Ann Coonley. She came to America from Japan after World War 2 with my American Grandpa. After coming to America she encountered many obstacles but she never gave up and always had a smile on her face. My grandma taught me to always keep my head up when I have a problem because if you put your head down it shows you that you are weak and that you feel that you cannot overcome the problem. She also taught me that you should never go through life sad because you miss out on things. If you constantly have a bad attitude it stops you from doing new things and having fun. My grandmother may have passed away a few years ago but her lessons about life will forever be with me because she is my hero. 

Topic #4: Fictional Hero

The fictional hero that I pick is Buzz Lightyear from the Disney/Pixar movie called Toy Story. Buzz is always getting himself and the other toys in trouble, but in the end he somehow leaves with a happy ending in Andy’s house. He never lets an obstacle stop him from getting home, instead he looks at the obstacle as a challenge he can overcome. His main line that he is known for is “To infinity, and beyond.” This line represents that there are no limits in life. If you go by this motto you will go far in life and maybe achieve most of your dreams. Buzz Lightyear teaches kids all over the world that there is no limit and if you look at an obstacle as a challenge that you will overcome it and go far in life.