Paper 2 Draft 1-"Fifteen"

I was fifteen. “You have cancer”, the doctor said. Moments went by and all I kept thinking was I was only fifteen, I was too young to face this, I was too young to die.

 Time moved slowly as I waited for them to tell me they were wrong and made a mistake. They weren’t wrong and they didn’t make a mistake. I was fifteen and had cancer. I was only fifteen so choices and decisions were made for me.

 I was no longer too young to have cancer. Life would never be the same. I was still fifteen but life was different now. New hurdles, challenges, and obstacles. I was still fifteen but this life I had now was new. I didn’t ask for this life, I like my old fifteen, but sometimes you can’t always choose. And sometimes the new can be even better than the old.

The Best versus The Worst

I have had a lot of good educational experiences so far in my life. If I had to narrow it down to just one I think the most memorable one was when I won my schools spelling bee competition when I was in elementary school. I worked hard for weeks before the contest with my mom and dad and winning filled me with a sense of accomplishment and I was able to connect all my dedication and hard work to my success. 

I think my most unfortunate educational experience took place at the end of my freshmen year of high school. I had just been diagnosed with cancer and was told that I had to stop attending school. My parents and I asked my school and my teachers to work with me in giving me assignments so I could still keep up but unfortunately they weren’t as willing to help with my situation and so they decided to fail me for the last quarter of school. That experience made me aware that even though I wanted to be able to learn and succeed in life; other people aren’t as willing to help me in reaching my dreams. 

Total word count:197

Believing in Yourself

I was fifteen when I got the news. I had cancer. In the five seconds it took the doctor to tell me my life had completely changed. My focus was no longer on school and friends and shopping, it was focused on getting through all the surgeries and treatments. I had to take a year off of school while I was getting chemotherapy and going through numerous surgeries.

I suddenly had to grow up really fast. I could no longer let the small things bother me in life and I couldn’t allow myself to focus on the immature and petty things in life that normally can surround a person in high school. I had to focus on getting better and always thinking positive. While I knew my life would never be the same I also realized that I could learn and grow from this experience. I had to grow up fast, but in the process I learned a lot about myself and what I am capable of.

Before having cancer I never really took anything too seriously. I didn’t have to try hard in school and everything came easy to me. But missing a year of school and having to make that up so that I could graduate on time made me realize I had to take things more seriously. I started setting goals for myself and working hard to accomplish all of them. Because of having cancer I realized what was really important in my life, and I know that I can do anything that I set my mind to now.

I believe that you can accomplish anything if you work hard and believe in yourself. 

word count: 277

Generation I

The generation of the I. IPhone, IPod, ITouch, IPad, it’s everywhere and anywhere you go nowadays. These technologies have shaped our generation immensely by paving the way for quicker and easier communication and access to things that can be vital for us. Talking to friends has been made easier, as well as getting homework assignments done. The letter I for our generation signifies the value and importance we give to technology and how vital it is for our everyday lives. Our generation needs these technologies to thrive in this new age where technology can get you ahead in the world.

word count: 100

Place Matters

The Colosseum in Rome, Italy, was built in 70-80 AD. It was originally called the Flavian Amphitheater. It is the largest ever built in the Roman Empire. It is considered one of the greatest works of Roman architecture and Roman engineering.  It was capable of seating 50,000 spectators and was used for gladiatorial contests and other public activities. Today the Colosseum is used as one of Italy’s main tourist attractions, receiving millions of visitors every year. The Colosseum should be preserved because it has major cultural and historical relevance and significance on the world. It is a huge asset to humanity and the world. It shows that we as humans do have a history and history is a thing that needs to be preserved for future generations and for ourselves. The Colosseum serves as a type of portal between the present and the past. And a place where people can go and see for themselves exactly what it is and what it meant. When I went and saw it two summers ago I was in complete awe at what I was witnessing and seeing. It shows me there is so much out there in the world that is important and vital.  Preserving the Roman Colosseum would mean that for generations to come people will be able to go and witness and learn about the past directly and for themselves, instead of just through a textbook. Preserving the past means paving the way for the future and continuing in our present. 

word count: 250

Place Matters Draft

The Colosseum in Rome, Italy, was built in 70-80 AD. It was originally called the Flavian Amphitheater. It is the largest ever built in the Roman Empire. It is considered one of the greatest works of Roman architecture and Roman engineering.  It was capable of seating 50,000 spectators and was used for gladiatorial contests and other public activities. Today the Colosseum is used as one of Italy’s main tourist attractions, receiving millions of visitors every year. I think the Colosseum should be preserved because it has major cultural and historical relevance and significance on the world. It is a huge asset to humanity and the world. It shows that we as humans do have a history and history is a thing that needs to be preserved for future generations and for ourselves. The Colosseum serves as a type of portal between the present and the past where people are able to go and see for themselves exactly what it is and what it meant. Preserving the Roman Colosseum would mean that for generations to come people will be able to go and witness and learn about the past directly and for themselves, instead of just through a textbook. Preserving the past means paving the way for the future and continuing in our present.

The trend of hair through the decades. Part Deux

Hair has drastically transformed over the past five decades. The hair we see today is much more accessible for everyone and allows individuals to feel unique and carefree. It enables people to showcase their individual style and personality, and gives a person the opportunity to choose between vast amounts of styles. Being able to pick and choose your own hair style freely is another form of self expression. It enables you to show people what you’re into, what you like, and what your personality is.

The hair of yesterday was very stiff and very uniform. Hair for women had to be very modest and proper. So inevitably it hindered individuality and personal style for everyone. Everyone’s hairstyles ended up always looking the same because there wasn’t much room to change and it was definitely not acceptable for a woman to have drastic non-practical hair. Women were very much forced to live very strict and sheltered lives. Their main duty was to stay at home and care for everyone. This strict way of living showed itself in the style that most women wore their hair. Hair was very set, and coiffed. It looked very prim and proper. Hair nowadays showcases people's individual tastes and personalities. One look at someone’s hair and you automatically can assume what kind of person they are. If a person is sporting a mohawk or neon bright hair you can probably guess correctly that they are in the punk scene. You can also tell if a girl is a “girly-girl” or a “tomboy” based on their choices on their hair style. Hair can define many people. It encompasses all different races and ethnicities. No matter where you go hair always plays a part in the culture of that individual person.

The hair styles we witness everyday better allow people to express their individual needs from culture and allow them to feel better connected to their surroundings by allowing them to fit and have a voice in society. 

word count: 330