3-Aaron P: It shaped my future and my character

 After reading and analyzing the prompt that I chose regarding a core memory that has had an impact in my life, the immediate memory that came to my head took place when I was only six years old. The memory is somewhat vague in my head, but the impact it had is still clear/present to this day. Being a six year old at the time I obviously attended school and everyday I would get dropped off by the school bus at my house. I remember getting home from school and seeing my mom at the dinner table with her computer, notebook, and pen. I would also see her with a strange square shaped phone which I didn't know at the time was a calculator. After 5 long years of wondering why my mom would never pick me up from school, I came to the realization of what she had been doing these past years. My amazing mother had been working towards her unfinished high school degree and was on her way to finishing her bachelors in accounting when I was 11 years old. At the time I was unable to see the full picture, but looking back the “full picture” had already shaped my future and my character, I was just not seeing it. Seeing my mother persevere after having me at the age of 16, truly portrayed a message that ones past does not and should not determine ones future. Not only has she excelled in her educational journey , but she has excelled as a mother. Although not getting picked up from school like most kids at the time was hard, if it wasn't for her I would not have the drive and hunger to succeed in life that I do now.

3- Aby L: A Memory That Shaped Me

A Memory That Shaped Me Childhood experiences and memories build who you are as a person, they shape you and teach you lessons you will never forget. Throughout the seventeen years I've walked this earth I've had an awful lot of embarrassing, fun, and traumatic core memories. The one I believe has shaped me most into the person I am today would have to be, when I was 12 in the sixth grade. I had just made it to middle school, I got stuck in a school that wasn't the best place for a young naive mind to be but it was the last resort. I had gone through the first few months of sixth grade happy and keeping up my grades, but I had issues with being targeted and bullied, relentlessly. Although these were horrible things to go through at such a young age that's not what shaped me as a person, the reaction of a teacher I hardly knew showed me the real pure heart of gold a person can have. The one person who stuck up for me and put her foot down to protect me became the only person I trusted there. She got me out of bad situations with students, parents and even other teachers. When it came to the last couple weeks i was stuck at the school i got kicked off of the cross country team because of lies from another teacher. Ms. B went right into the classroom and fought to keep me on the team. Even though this act wasn't much and might not seem meaningful. I looked up to her and I still do, she proved people can still be good even in a world of hatred and foul people. From that day on I've promised myself I would try to be more and more like Ms.B just to slightly improve another person's day. You might not know how much it truly helps them and their life. Word count: 332

3 - Melany B: Hydroflask

Almost everyone at school uses a reusable water bottle, especially a HydroFlask, which is the most popular reusable water bottle. Hydroflasks first gained popularity in 2017 and have been extremely popular since since. They are available in a variety of forms and sizes, making them appealing to Generation Z, millennials, athletes, collectors, and people who practice a zero-waste lifestyle. The wild color range of these bottles is what makes them so unique; from darks to pastels to patterns to limited edition collections that sell out in seconds, customers may pick to decorate their bottles in just about any color they choose. This is something we see a lot of teens do. Young girls may create a "sticker bomb" by decorating their hydroflasks with stickers and charms.I, on the other hand, prefer not to use stickers since they fade, so I paint them instead. I choose what I want to paint on them depending on the bottle's color and what drawing will go well with it. Hydroflasks are great bottles because they employ a metal called TempShield to keep your drink cold or hot for six to twenty four hours, which is something that many people enjoy. The disadvantage of these bottles is that they are so expensive that it would be extremely difficult for people to purchase them. However, many discount stores around the country are now offering these bottles at a lower price, allowing more people to access them.

Word Count: 251

2 - Cecylia B: I am from poem

I am From I am from the oak tree, from Its roots and whispering leaves. I am from the smell of rain and fresh rosemary I am from the soil beneath my nana’s roses, And it’s prickly thorns that surprised you. I am from wet noses and kisses I am from long walks till the sun went to sleep. I am from the calm pond, and the evil geese That lie in it I am from the pretty feathers found On the sidewalk. I am from the heat of the oven And the smell of chocolate chip cookies. I am from the hot oil of the pan And the flautas that sizzle inside it. I am from the sound of laughter And the smell of pumpkin pie. I am from the clumsiness of Tom And I am from the wits of Jerry I am from solved mysteries by those meddling kids I am from movie marathons, horror movies, And sleepless nights eating sour crawlers I am from family, far and close, big and small Word count: 171

1- Cecylia B - Inside out

 TW - Inside Out

JOY: Steven Universe

Steven is such a happy easy going character for me, he loves his family and friends in his own special and unique way. He would most likely be the joy in my head because I relate to him the most in the sense that I also love my family and friends and that's the thing that makes me happy most. He has his quirks and can be a little over the top but I think that's what makes him such a lovable character and why I relate to him when it comes to happiness. 

SADNESS: Cuco

Cuco is a singer and songwriter that makes music about what he feels in his heart. Most of the time they are sad breakup songs or songs about his mental state. I don't know why but whenever I'm sad about something I end up listening to his music because he really captures how I feel through his lyrics. He talks about family issues in some of his songs and about how they don't support him sometimes and I feel that on a deeper level.

FEAR: Komi

I think Komi is the character I relate to most out of all the characters on this list. Komi suffers from severe social anxiety and cannot speak to anyone at all, whether it be in public or school. When she does speak her voice is very quiet and she only says a few words. As much as Komi wants to speak to people and make connections like friends or partners she can’t because she’s too afraid of what the outcome could be. I say that I relate to her most because I used to not speak at all, like komi, I only spoke to close family and I couldn’t make friends easily because I was so shy and afraid of messing something up. I’ve gotten better over the years but from time to time I find myself going quiet every now and then.

ANGER: Catra

Catra would be my anger because her anger mostly comes from people who’ve hurt her. I'm not talking in a physical way but more of a mental way. She turns her sadness into anger and takes it out on the people around her no matter who it could be, family, friends. She feels guilty about it of course but I understand exactly why she feels like that and I realize now that me and her are not so different. 

DISGUST: Saiki K 

Saiki loves his family and friends but they can be a bit much at times. Like Saiki I do get annoyed or “disgusted” and I need some time and space to myself. One thing me and Saiki have in common is that we both  hate cockroaches. They are vile disgusting little creatures and they carry so many gross germs. Once they've infested something then that something is not yours anymore. Saiki once teleported to an island because he saw a cockroach and honestly if I had his powers I would’ve done the same but unfortunately I don't and I much rather have someone else kill it. 

Word count: 518

4- Peyton Miller: Core Memory

 Scooter Tragedy

One of my most recollected core memories of my life is the day I got a scooter handle through the neck. Sounds crazy right? Well, to begin with, I didn’t even know it was possible but with my crazy unfortunate luck, it was. 

When I was about ten years old, I went to my grandparents house where I had to spend the day bored and had no idea what to do. So, I went outside with my old messed up razor scooter with no handle grips because they fell off. My grandparents house happened to be on a really steep street where the road inclined a lot. Me, as a young child thought I would be so cool and a fabulous idea to start at the very top and go all the way down the street. And I did. But, at the bottom nearer to my grandparents house I hit a bump in the side walk and started losing control over the scooter so my first instinct was to crash in my grandparents lawn as the safest route. As I crashed I hadn’t noticed that my left hand slipped off the sharp, unprotected handlebar and I happened to land my neck right on it, piercing through the left side of my neck.

I had not noticed that this could’ve caused a lot of damage to me until later in the day when I finally mentioned that it happened in the first place. I showed my grandparents where the scooter hit my neck. They were astonished by the damage it left. But, fortunately it was slightly to the left lf where it really could’ve hurt me so we didnt go to the hospital. 

I guess I could say the thing I found most important from this event or core memory in my life is that I shouldnt do things that could put me in danger even if I think it will make me ‘cool’. Without this experience though I wouldn’t have had something to look back on and have a reminder about the choices I make. Even though this event is mostly related to not putting myself in danger, I also like to input it into my daily decision making too. It helps me remember to think before making rational decisions because it could lead to worse consequences than expected. So, after the experience, I was left with not only a circular scar on my neck, but also a memory and reminder of my choices. 

Word Count:419

3-Peyton Miller: Swings or Slide?

 

Are You More Like The Swings or The Slide?

                    I truly think that I am more like the slide and here is why. Everyone including me has their ups and downs in life, and I have them A LOT. Im constantly in a cycle of having amazing days where my friends treat me really nicely, I have an eventful day, or even just have a chill day and think my life is just going up from there. But, as soon as any small inconvenience happens it seems like the end of the world to me. 

So, I think I am more like a slide at the playground because I climb up the stairs of growth, happiness, fun, and good days, then get to the top of the slide and go straight down to messing up, getting angry, or even having a really bad day. I can relate all of these things to a slide rather then swings because on a slide you always have to climb the stairs to get to the top to slide down but for swings you just get on and swing. 

I also think that the slide is definitely more fun then the swings ever were because theres so much more to do then just swing up and down. On slides you can go backwards, lay down, and even climb up them if you wanted to but on swings, its just a boring pivot up and down. I think that I can relate myself to this because I find myself as a very fun person to be around rather than boring… like the swings. 

Word count: 268

3 - Abhishek S. - Light at the End of the Tunnel (Quote Analysis)

“Hope is not a strategy” 

I agree with the general sentiment of this statement, but I still think the role of hope should not be neglected. It is true that no amount of misguided optimistic belief can change things without concrete action taken towards achieving actual results. Hope can however act as the motivation or fuel towards taking action in the first place. 

Take for example the civil rights movement and figures like Martin Luther King Jr. who combined their optimistic beliefs with specific and meaningful action. Kings’s most famous speech “I Have a Dream '' is him professing his vision of a better tomorrow. If one is not able to foresee a future that is better than their present they will not find a reason to take any s
teps to better their condition. King understood this which is why he shared his vision of an America that he believed was possible as a way to inspire millions with his message. By instilling in his audience a confidence in the improvement of their current situation he is actually furthering his cause more so than if he were to exclusively act. 

The fact of the matter is that the will to fight only comes when one can see the light at the end of the tunnel or at the very least know that there is a light there at all. Hope is not a strategy in and of itself but it is a crucial element in providing momentum to movements and initiatives as can be seen all throughout time. Many movements, like the civil rights movement, would not have achieved the amount they did without hope.

3 - Em Lin - Media Analysis

(Spoilers for Avatar)

  The Fall of Azula

    In the TV show, Avatar the Last Airbender, Azula is one of the main antagonists of the show, but her life is probably more tragic than any other. Azula on the surface was confident in herself, because everyone in her life told her she was more talented than anyone else, including her brother Zuko. She grew to be quite cynical with no one to tell her how her actions and attitude affect those around her, and ultimately herself. She did what she wanted simply because she had the power to do so, with no parental figure to stop her descent into madness and a craze for power. Her mother gave up on her early on in her life, believing that her own daughter was simply a monster that no one could ever hope to fix, and her father only “loved” her to use her power for his own gains. Although throughout the show, we realize that changing Azula would be impossible due to her past scars, after the betrayal of her two closest friends, or at least, who she believed to be her friends, we finally begin to see her deteriorate. Her last scene in the show was most definitely the most impactful and heartbreaking for me. We truly see how hurt she was from everything up till that point, and it seems that many people forget that Azula was only 14 during that show. However, I think that throughout the show it was clear just how young she was. The overconfidence of a child high on power, the temper tantrum and anger of a child who didn’t get what she wanted, and finally the breakdown of a child who has finally, completely and utterly, have lost it all.

Word count: 289

2 - Abhishek S: I Am From

I Am From

I am from vast fields painted with bright yellow sunflowers 

from symphonies of chirping crickets and reverberating sounds of passing trains in the night 

days spent as a kid at the levee by the Feather River 

playing, exploring, shooting... 

from the heights of the Sutter Buttes 

orchards of blossoming almond trees 

I am from the 100 plus degree summer days only bearable with a cone of Brock's ice cream 

the sound of Hendrix's "Hey Joe" serving as the backing track to these days 

from the late nights playing video games well into the dawn with my brother 

it was always "just one more game" as the hours flew by 

Sundays were always reserved for church as family 

times spent learning, growing, and creating connections 

I am from the guidance of Mr. Wickline and Sensei Peter 

lessons taught about discipline that I keep with me to this day 

shaped by people, landscapes, and even the seemingly trivial details of my environment 

I am from the culmination of all my experiences 

2- Genecis Z.: I am from poem

Blurry Memories

I am from summer evenings where the sun would leave my brown strands of hair, a vibrant red.

I am from silence and uncertainty

I am from cold motel rooms and dark basements

I am from a hard working mother who tried to keep a sinking home afloat,

And a father who was too far away to tell me it would be okay.

I am from white roses I would stain red with blood since I was too keen on touching the thorns.

I am from cuts and hello kitty band aids.

I am from older cousins who’d do their best to make me smile,

Who’s hand I still hold when crossing the road. 

I am from a friend who showed me his scars so I could pretend mines didn’t exist

Who to me will forever mean centuries of words we can never say to each other

I am from cigarette smoke that would tell me when my uncle was around.

I am from hellos and see you later’s,

Never goodbyes as that would mean it was forever(Which I would soon have to say goodbye to my uncle)

I am from public libraries where the librarian would greet me with a new stack of books every day.

I am from yelling and screaming, from forgiving but never forgetting. 

I am from astrology and constellations, I’d point out to anyone around me. 

I am from a strict grandmother who’s the epitome of an independent woman,

Who a man, she told me I would never need. 

I am from dreams to other galaxies, I will never see. 

I am from long Shakespeare plays, and poems written on palms out of boredom 

I am from old memories that have become a blur in my mind as the years have passed. 

I am from the past, the present, but never the future as I do not know what has become of me then. 

3- Genecis Z.: Meaningful Words

Meaningful Words

I would argue that handwritten cards still hold value even in today’s digital age mostly because of the fact that everything today is so digital and is shared through the internet. If someone took the time of day to physically write you a letter it would show that they truly care for you because it is so rarely heard of these days. Of course someone can write what they feel through a text message, but when it is done through pencil and paper you can really see the meaning of their words by the way their handwriting is shown. They’re handwriting will show where their emotions peaked, for instance if their handwriting becomes a bit sloppy and quickly paced then it will show their excitement. You can also see their thought process while reading and see moments where they scribbled things out or changed directions and things like that really add sentimental value to the card because you can tell that what you’re writing is raw endearment. Seeing their mistakes and things like that really adds uniqueness to the card whereas if it was through the internet it would be a plain font that has no character or story behind it. Handwritten card can pass on the message the writer is trying to portray in a deeper manner that will really impact the reader. Ultimately, a handwritten letter still holds a lot of value because of the fact that in today’s age everything is so digital, it is a break from the internet and something physical you can hold onto and appreciate dearly. 

Word count: 263

3- Destiny D: Heartwarming Messages

 Heartwarming Messages 

Speaking to loved ones digitally is something everyone is guilty of in this day and age. Writing handwritten notes has become more and more uncommon as technology advances, which also makes it that much more valuable. Although speaking digitally is quicker, handwritten cards still have value in this digital age because the time used to create them means a lot to the recipient. Hand writing out messages to people is always appreciated, whether it is a quick thank you card or a long personal message. The knowledge that the writer took the time to think of something to say and give to a person is heartwarming and often something that people look forward to, especially in relationships. Many people struggle with showing their emotions to their significant other. Writing out a note for them is an easy way to show that you care. Handwritten cards can also be personalized, unlike messages delivered digitally. The likelihood of someone keeping and appreciating a handwritten note with pretty designs is much higher than one texted in an unappealing chat bubble. It is easy to discard messages even if they do have an important meaning. Conversation changes, and in an instant that important message is forgotten and replaced with meaningless texts. Handwritten cards are tangible and harder for the recipient to misplace. The act of seeing the writer's effort in your hands makes it feel that much more special. Overall handwritten messages are still valuable because they are a simple, tangible item that shows the recipient how much the writer cares about them.

Word Count: 258

3 - Hailey M; Doodles & Stickers

    Nowadays, when somebody wants to communicate with another who lives far away, like a family member or friend in another city, state, or country, they just send them a text message to have a conversation. Nobody ever sends out postcards, or letters anymore. Everyone has turned to digitally communicating. While digital communication may be quicker and easier, sending a handwritten card or letter has more sentimental value than a text message would. By handwriting or making your own card to send to a loved one, you can easily add character and show your creativity with the piece. You can add doodles, stickers, color, or other small things to add personality to the card. Once the person receives it, they will see the effort you put into making something special just for them, and they can cherish it for life. When sending a simple text, you could use some creative features like emojis, but nothing will top something that’s homemade. You also can’t cherish some text like you could with a card or letter, as it can easily get lost in the digital world. If you’ve ever received a homemade letter or card, it’s most likely made you feel special, seeing how someone put so much effort into making you happy and smile. Though you could make someone smile through a text message as well, it doesn’t have as much time, effort, and value included in it as a sentimental card would. This is why I believe that handwritten cards or letters still have value, if not even more value, in this digital age. 

Word count: 263

2- DestinyD: I Am From

Plum Tree

I am from a small city with loud people

From slow traffic and fast drivers 

I am from no water and too much fire 

From tall plum trees and live gardens

I am from a small house in a small neighborhood

From dogs barking at the doorbell 

And cats roaming free outdoors 

I am from sitting out in my front yard

waiting for someone to come play

From riding scooters and falling off bikes

From scraping my knees and panting for breath

I am from loud nights and quiet mornings

Staying up late and hoping nobody notices 

I am from watching little mermaids 

and glass slippers left on stairs 

From explorers and square pants

From my mom saying,“turn that tv off, it's time for bed.” 

And turning it back on once she left the room 

I am from meeting up for holidays

And never speaking outside of occasions 

From having to watch screaming kids 

And getting beat up in the process 

From making gingerbread houses and large feasts 

To baking pizzas and sitting around a coffee table

I am from being at home alone 

Wishing I had somewhere else to be

I am from sitting at a window as the plum tree sways in the wind

And watching the sun as it falls behind the hills

3 -Yasmin G: Memory that Made me, me!

One of my most important core memories goes way back to third grade. At that age, and still to this day, I wanted to be a creative writer and author. One day, in third grade, we were asked an end-of-the-day question; “What do you want to be when you grow up?” All the kids around me said things like firefighters, police officers, or veterinarians. My dream was a lot different than the other kids and the word “author” slipped through my lips, reacting in a lot of weird looks from classmates, but more importantly, my own teacher.

My teacher offered an interesting reaction that I never thought a teacher would say. He looked up from the board after writing everyone else's dream jobs and said "no one ever makes it as an author. People like JK Rowling are so rare. You might want to change your trajectory." This hurt. This hurt so bad, but I don't know if I completely knew it at the time, so I just changed my answer to "doctor, then". My teacher smiled, and wrote that on the board.

         This was a moment in my life that changed me forever. I was so young and my brain was still developing, that I believed this was true; I could never make it as an author or a poet, it was only a dream. Then, in sixth grade, I met the teacher that gave me the best advice I could have ever needed: "take his words and use it as a vessel. One day, throw it right back in his face when your book is the first he sees in the bookstore".

         Ever since that moment, I have learned to use people's words as my own personal weapon against them. It truly changed me as a person and even at that young of an age, I was writing every single day, planning all kinds of stories, but I quit after that. I lost all interest in any type of writing and English classes and in sixth grade, I got my first F in a class. That was when my teacher sat me down to talk about why my grade was bad, and I told her my story. Soon after, she gave me the advice and I very quickly picked up writing and fell in love with it all over again.

       If this memory never happened, I would not be as determined and persistent as I am today. While I am so mad at that teacher for ruining and taking away 3 years of my writing knowledge, he taught me so much about where confidence, persistence, and the right people around you can get you in life.

2-AaronP: I Am From Poem

I am

 From the soccer ball that rolls through the grass when kicked

I am from scoring the winning goal at the end of the game

I am from a great home were I was raised and cared for 

And the living room, where I watch Tv and spend time with my family

I am from sports and sweat

And from the snow on my jacket on new years eve

I am from lift your feet when you walk

And from looks both ways when you cross

I am from soccer balls bouncing on the carpet when I was little

I’m from the place where plants grow everywhere and trees are abundant that is fairfield 

Where I was raised

I am from the pictures in the living room showing the most embarrassing photos of me 

But simultaneously  showing unforgettable memories.

I am from beyblades and pokemon cards 

I am from playing hide and seek at el rancho

I am from home cooked enchiladas and seviche

I am from seeing my step dad sick at the hospital

I am from valuing life and the beauty that comes with it

I am from learning new things,

and spending time with those who I love.