Creative Writing Assignment

I think that it is not the quantity of homework that is assigned to us that is the problem, but the quality of it. (And Bush's stupid No Child Left Behind lack of funding-ness. But we won't get into that.) Yes, I do get less than an average of 3 hours of homework a night, but considering the fact that most of the year, I'm not home for more than one half hour before 9/10 o' clock at night, for extra-curricular activities, and work, and church, and other activities outside of school, and that I'm not out of the ordinary from most high school students, more than 3 hours of homework would make my lifestyle even less healthy than it already is. What I'm trying to point out is, the lifestyle and expectations that we have of American high school students to be well-rounded individuals, don't allot enough time for them to have that significant amount of homework each night. But, we can offer more difficult classes. Teachers can't teach every student at the level the student is at, because they are made to handle larger and more classes each year. So, a graduating class of kids have been taught only the amount that the kids at the bottom of the class can handle. By all means, educators want to, and should, do all they can to get those kids to succeed, but in doing so with the time given to them, restrict the kids at the top of the class from reaching their full potential. If more funding were given to education itself, we could hire more teachers, with fewer students per teacher, and create harder and more advanced classes to offer. One of the most worthwhile courses that I ever took was English Junior year, because I took it as a college level course. I was given more work, at my actual reading ability, and had to analyze it, rather than answering trivia questions about reading fluff that I could've read in 3rd grade. I've had a post-secondary reading level since at least 6th grade, but all I've read in high school besides last year has been an at an 8th grade level or lower. Outside of school, thank goodness, I've been able to read works to stretch my abilities, but if I didn't read outside of school, I would be at the same reading level that I was in elementary school. That is a huge problem and a big waste of time to me, spending hours of homework on something that doesn't improve my mind. That is why all I say we need is better funding for for better classes for better homework, not more of it.

New Stuff.

Um, right. I have no idea what has happened since the last time I blogged, except that I know it was right after "A Midsummer..." Soooo.....lets consult the agenda.....

Ok, well, remember how I made so much fun of, and laughed during, the oath at last year's National Honor Society Induction? Well, guess who had to lead the oath this year? Thats right. Me. I giggled a little on the inside, especially when I forgot what came next and had to look back again at the paper. Ange and I were pretty much the only ones who had ours memorized, and we were the only ones who messed up- imagine that.

Hollywood Vibe happened, and even though I feel kinda guilty, cuz it was a new competition for North Dakota, and there were very few companies there (only like 10), we totally took the whole thing, and it was an AWESOME way for Betsy and I to end our competing years! "Mein Heir" and "Circle of Life" qualified for Nationals, which is actually a big deal at this competition, cuz you actually have to win a category to go. I knew that "Mein Heir" would do well, cuz I was in such a Mein Heir mood before we went on, everything went beautifully, and even when I slammed my chair down, it landed perfectly on all four legs, and since we were in the Bismark Civic Center, it echoed insanely loud. We got what I think is our first group Platinum since "You'll Never Walk Alone" in 8th grade, so that was cool- and one of Bridget's goals in life. "Circle of Life" was our first number again, and that went really well, too- obviously. I've never had so much fun doing that dance. And we won both the Junior Overall High Score with "Bigger Isn't Better" and the Senior Overall High Score with my solo, "My Funny Valentine" - which got a Platinum. (happy dance!-unlike many competitions, I actually admire these judges credentials and teaching methods) Umm....Betsy and Jeano's solos went really well, I think it was the best I've ever seen either of them do them, and yep. "Wait" only got a High Gold, but thats alright with me, considering how little I practiced it beforehand. So, yea, we did awesome- I got three pretty trophies with lots of stars on 'em, one for Senior Lyrical Solo, one for Senior Open Solo, and one for Dancer of the Year ( I beat Bridget Noltemeier and cute-boy-good-dancer-Quinn! *jaw drops*). That made me really happy. So, yea, now we may be going down to Orlando to compete at the end of June, but the dancers and parents aren't sure we can fundraise that much in only a month. I might be going anyway, if I can talk my mom into it, cuz all the Dancers of the Year get to perform in a number with all of the faculty of Hollywood Vibe and that would be totally amazing- and from the sound of it, Rustin (one of the instructors- a very good teacher) really wants me to do this, so I'd like to. I might even meet some people in the dance world that I'd like to keep in touch with through college. But yea, so now that we did well, everyone likes Hollywood Vibe, big surprise. Its not like we're only good sports when we win, or anything. *sarcasm* But anyway, enough of that , I'm just excited that we did really well at my last competition! *happy dance!!!*

I've also got a Relay for Life Team organized, 11 people, and then a few more from Leo Club that are going to help out- I think it will be really cool. Brady's making us t-shirts that say "On the Prowl for a Cure" with a Lion's Paw or something (since I'm organizing it through the Leo Club) - so we'll have something a little different. But yea, I'm totally pumped, as long as we start fundraising soon, and my daddy bought me a cute lime green hat that has the Relay logo on it. But yea, I'm excited- totally unorganized, but excited.

Prom was also this past Saturday, and it was the best dance I've ever been to, but I definitely have not recovered yet. I had a canary yellow dress, with a really pretty twisty back, and I had at least three people tell me I looked like Belle *happy wiggle* That's kinda what we (An and I) were going for- cuz her dress looked just like Cinderella's, so we kinda had a Disney theme goin' this year. But yes, it was an awesome Senior Prom, and I couldn't have asked for anything better. Brandon was a blast, but I actually got to dance with a couple other people too. A^2 and I swing danced, and he had no idea what he was doing, but it was actually kinda fun that way, cuz we made up some new stuff- lol- don't ask me how. I got to dance with B^2 for a couple of dances too, which was really nice, cuz I think we talked more in those two dances, then we have since sophomore year- and it was really nice. I got to dance with Larry, too! Neither of us had any idea where our dates were, so we just danced with each other. Amando said something really cute at Blast to Bede, though, Larry and I were hanging out at the Plinko game, cuz everytime I lost, he won big, but would give me 50% for being his good luck charm (sweet deal),l but she said that I should definitely find a black or "ethnic" boyfriend at the U, cuz we were really cute together - lol! The cool thing is, I actually could, cuz there's diversity there- amazing! *sarcasm* But yea, everything was a blast, I was really proud of my mom for making the armory look cool, cuz she was stressing out a lot, but yea- I had three breakfasts Sunday morning, at Jacq's, Amando's, and the Relay for Life thing after I got home. I had a phenomenal weekend, even though I had to work yesterday, and am really sleepy today, it was a good time. But yes, I must go to class now- just catching up since our journal is due today in CW. Love you, and if you were at prom, thanx for a good time! muah!!