Torey Hayden

            The room is messy, with toys slung around and opened bottles of paint on the floor.  Ten children are moving quickly around the room, except for one little girl huddled in the corner.  A woman dressed in jeans, sweater, and tennis shoes is sitting on the floor playing with the girl in the corner.  While everyone is noisily playing, the woman and the little girl appear to be in their own bubble oblivious to the others.  As the woman gets up, the little girl says, “Torey, don’t go!”  It is the first words spoken from the little girl to her teacher, Torey Hayden.

Torey Hayden is a child psychologist, special educator, and advocate for children with disabilities.  My mother has read several books written by Torey Hayden.  I have listened to her talk about her and what a wonderful teacher she is.  Through her stories about Torey, I have developed an interest in her and her books.  My mother won’t let me read her stories because she says they are too graphic and I would be upset with the neglect and abuse shown in the books.  Still I find her interesting and a very talented and caring person.

Torey Hayden has brown hair and a stocky build.  She wears jeans and baggy sweaters and loves to get down and dirty with her students.  She loves animals, classical music, reading, writing, and is an avid trekkie.  She also can build and repair computers, which in her words makes her a geek.  She has been married and divorced and has one daughter Sheena.  They currently live in Whales.

Torey has literally saved children’s lives by reaching them when no one else could.  She has taught the kids that no one else wanted, and has many times saved them from life in institutions.  Many have graduated, gone to college or at the very least have jobs as waitresses or factory workers.  Many of them have Torey Hayden to thank for helping them through difficult childhoods in circumstances that were beyond their control.

I believe the education world needs more teachers like Torey Hayden.  Her compassion and love for these children made an everlasting impact on their lives.  If all educators cared even a little for each student as Torey did about hers, the schools would develop wonderfully independent and confident young people.  I would love to meet Torey someday.  Maybe she could break my silence.

There is Always a Mockingbird; Just Listen for Their Song

             How does one look beyond the surface of a human being to find the “mockingbird” living deep inside?  In Harper Lee’s classic novel, published in 1960, To Kill A Mockingbird, many characters show dreadful behaviors allowing us to believe a mockingbird is absent from their being.  I believe that all human beings are or have at one time in their life been a mockingbird.  Unfortunately only the very young or the very accepting can find that goodness.  Harper Lee masterfully is able to show many “mockingbirds” throughout her story, possibly even those who are the least likely.

Mrs. Dubose, is to Scout and Jem as far away from a “mockingbird” as can be.  Mrs. Dubose is cantankerous, to the point of evil.  Mrs. Dubose says mean and hateful things about Atticus, and seems to dislike everything about the Finch family.  Each time Scout expresses her dislike of Mrs. Dubose to Atticus, Scout is told to have patience and understanding.  It is so hard to care for someone when they clearly do not appear to like you.  But, Scout soon learns that not everything is as it appears.  Mrs. Dubose is not concerned with being liked and admired, she is fighting a battle most people would not attempt and she wins.  At this point Scout and Jem see the true “mockingbird” within.

 “A lady?  Jem raised his head.  His face was scarlet.  After all the things she said

about you, a lady?”

Atticus says:

“She was.  She was.          …………..I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of

getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand.  It’s when you know

you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through

no matter what.  ………..She was the bravest person I ever knew.”

Mayella Ewell is the saddest of all the “mockingbirds” in the story because she is trapped in the birdcage and can’t get out.  Mayella is trapped by ignorance, poverty, and fear.  Because of ignorance and lack of education Mayella is forced to live the same life as past generations.  Because of poverty, Mayella is limited on how much she can improve on her way of life.  And, because of fear, Mayella’s hands are tied, when asking for help could be her only way out.  And, still, the “mockingbird” inside finds a way to express itself.  The geraniums are Mayella’s way of having control of an uncontrollable situation.  Only a person with a tender heart could create the beauty of a healthy plant for all to enjoy, especially Mayella.

“One corner of the yard, though, bewildered Maycomb.  Against the fence, in a line,

were six chipped-enamel slop jars holding brilliant red geraniums, cared for as

tenderly as if they belonged to Miss Maudie Atkinson……..People said they were

Mayella Ewell’s.

Boo Radley is the most obvious of the mockingbirds.  Scarred with stories about Boo’s odd and sometimes violent behaviors, Boo is forced to remain hidden.  Somehow through actions, that at first seem mysterious and frightening, Scout and Jem find the warmth in Boo long before they meet him. Random gifts in the tree, Jem’s folded pants, and the blanket draped in love on Scout’s shoulders are all signs of a true “mockingbird”.  This “mockingbird” is receiving apparently nothing for his gifts, or is he?  Boo is receiving the chance to watch Scout and Jem grow up as Boo observes them from a distance.  Boo’s most miraculous song is sung when he saves Scout and Jem’s life.   Boo is not only rewarded for his efforts by Atticus’s appreciation, but more importantly Scout’s love and acceptance.  Scout sees the “mockingbird” in Boo and walks in his shoes for a while.  Scout repays Boo for his kindness by giving Boo her heart and her hand.

The most unlikely “mockingbird” is Robert E. Lee Ewell.  Bob Ewell is a victim of alcoholism, ignorance, poverty and more importantly anger.  For generations the Ewells have lived a life of laziness, which brought them to the point Bob is today. Bob Ewell sees no way out of a miserable situation so therefore Bob lashes out at the people closest to him, his children.  God did not make this life for Bob.  Bob chose his way of life and can’t seem to climb out.  Does that mean a “mockingbird” does not exist in Bob, or is it because we as a society cannot see what is good about Bob Ewell? 

Do you believe in destiny?  Do you believe when God closes a door, he opens a window?  I do.  And because I do I can say that Bob Ewell was a “mockingbird”.  His last song was his best song because his death brings life to his children.  Possibly the ignorance and poverty stops with his death. And without Bob’s death, Boo would not have been discovered as the most obvious “mockingbird”.  Life is complicated, so obviously discerning who is evil and who is good is just as complicated.  Don’t judge anyone, including Bob Ewell, until you walk in his shoes!

I believe that all human beings are or have at one time in their life been a “mockingbird”.  Looking, finding and accepting that is hard, but worth it in the end.

 

Wandering Souls

The thing I detest the most in this world is the wandering of souls.  People without direction or purpose leads to wandering which leads to chaos.  Wanderers walk blindly trying to find love and acceptance, and during the search become angry and disrespectful.  If somehow they could find God or any supreme being to use for guidance, he or she would light the way.  Imagine a world of driven human beings.  There would be less crime and more respect for others.  Eventually peace and love found for the wandering soul.

To Study the Stars...

The study of stars and planets has always intrigued me.  I do most of my thinking and pondering when sitting outside.  What is up there?  Who is out there?  And how can I learn more?  These questions swarm around in my head constantly.  To find answers to these questions, I need to research the job of an astronomer and what is needed to become this desired profession.  Not only am I interested in the astronomer, but the astronomer who is able to write the information down for all to read.  Therefore a second occupation should be researched, that of an author or writer.

            The astronomer/writer would have various duties throughout their day.  The astronomer would observe the skies through recording devices unlike the astronomers of old.  The picture of astronomers gazing through a telescope is unfortunately outdated.  They at present spend very little time observing and most of their time is spent analyzing their observations.  After hours and hours of collecting data they are ready to put the information on paper.  Writing this information, either for a scientific magazine or a science textbook is grueling and time consuming work.

            In both occupations, the astronomer and the writer, their work spaces are quiet and secluded.  The astronomer would spend the majority of his time in a lab pouring over film and analyzing and hypothesizing.  The writer would obviously need a work space that was quiet and conducive to quick and fast production, especially if the writer was trying to meet deadlines.  Both of these work environments suit my personality.  Crowded places make it hard for me to concentrate, let alone write something worth reading.

            There are many requirements to be either an astronomer or a science writer; however, interestingly enough, there are some overlaps.  According to science careers on science buddies.org, both require imagination, creativity, and the ability to see the abstract.  even their high school requirements are the same.  Both areas should take classes in chemistry, biology, physics, algebra, geometry, and calculus.  The astronomer needs these subjects to understand his job.  The writer needs these subjects in order to write about astronomy successfully.  A writer, of course would need to also take English courses to learn the art of communicating through the written word.

            To be a successful astronomer, one would need not only a bachelor’s degree but a masters and a PhD.  The writer need only have a BS degree to be a science writer; however, I am certain the more classes one could take beyond that degree, the better.  Both degrees will take some planning and saving.  The average cost of attending a college to obtain a BS degree is 25,000; however, to obtain a degree in astronomy the school’s tuition may be as high as 36,000.  To continue on with a masters one would need another 27,000.  To obtain a PhD one could need anywhere from 10,000 to 15,000 depending where he or she attends.  Needless to say scholarships and financial assistance is necessary.

           

Shoes

You never really know a man until you stand in his shoes and walk around in them. – Harper Lee

My feet are so cold.  I thank god to have these shoes to help.  My mom is holding me so close to her chest, but I am still scared.  We left the only home I have ever known, but my mom said we are heading to freedom.  What kind of country will this new place be?  Will we find peace and acceptance there?  Here in this crowded ship, I feel afraid that we have made the wrong decision.  I was happy at home, but I miss my father.  Mother told me he left before us to find a home for us and now we are heading toward that new home.  We will once be together again. 

As the ship rocks back and forth, my stomach feels queezy.  I so wish it would stop rocking.  I am hungry but am unable to neat.  I am thirsty, but am unable to drink.  We have been on this voyage for days and I have yet been able to see the sky.

Just now we are told to get up, grab our belongings and make our way to the deck.  As we climb the stairs I realize the magnitude of my father’s decision.  The decision to take this chance to find us a better place to live.  Will he be right?  Will it be better?  As the fog clears from the water, I see a huge statue appear before me.  Her arm is raised high in the air.  What does she hold onto with such vigor?  A torch?  Yes a torch to help guide us in.  a torch to light the way toward a peaceful life.  A torch to illuminate love.  And there he is in the illumination, my father waving from the deck below.  My feet are not cold anymore.

Shades of Memories

Open the lid and receive a splash of color, 

As they fall upon the table of memories. 

The blue drops out to remind me, 

Of eyes I want to remember. 

The yellow slides to the table, 

Of daises, her favorite flower. 

Shades of green scatter, 

Showing the fields she roamed and explored. 

White floats in the air, 

Of faith that glowed around her. 

The pink drops and dots, 

The uniquely rouged cheek bones. 

The purple shoots out of the box, 

Exclaiming the pride in her town. 

Brown wisely drops out, 

Knowing how elegantly she wears the shade. 

The last to fall as the box is tipped, 

Red which covers all the rest. 

Red is the heart of her church and her God, 

But this red is the heart she always gave to me

Sensory Coping

 Sensory input in most experiences is wonderful; however, in my life, sensory input can
be as excruciating as fingernails scratching on a blackboard. The experience with the
most sensory memory for me is walking through Washington, DC in the late evening.

 It was late one evening while the Fiqups were on vacation in Washington, DC. We
were all extremely tired and hungry. I had struggled through the day walking from one
unknown place to another---- sightseeing. The sites were amazing, but each time I had to
enter through each door, panic would set in. I'm not sure what it is about crossing the
threshold of a door, but it is terrifying, especially entering rooms that are unfamiliar to me.
So imagine at 9:00 p.m. when I was finally in the security of the van, I had to get out to
walk to the restaurant. We picked a place in the bad part of the city with people all over
walking and talking up and down the sidewalks. The lights were blinding as we tried to
find the right place.

At home at 9:00 p.m. the distant glow of our security light and the
stars are the only light I see, but in DC the lights were so bright it felt like high noon.
 As we walked into the restaurant, the senses were overloaded. There were no booths,
usually my favorite enclosed spot to eat. Instead we ate at a table and not just a table but
a high table making me feel less grounded. Then the place was packed, making the noise
level uncomfortably high. The restaurant was well-lit --- no soft light ambiance for this
place, and we had to wait in lines for our food, so we were up and down a lot.

 The best thing I can say about the evening is that I did it. I walked appropriately, I
sat appropriately, and I ate appropriately. As far as any stranger walking by, I was just
one of the family. So no matter how intense these sensory experiences can be, I know I
can cope, and I will.

IF

If I were an animal, I would be a dolphin because I love to swim and I am gentle and kind
and always communicating in a different language.

If I were a car, I would be an antique car fully restored. It may take a long time for me to
look acceptable to the public, but I will get there some day.

If I were an article of clothing, I would be a shoe. Don't judge me until you walk miles in
my shoes and since I hardly wear them, their life is young.

If I were a day in the week, it would be Sunday because it is the one day set aside
universally for God.

If I were a food, I would be a potato chip. A little rough and uniquely different than every
other chip but still the same crunch and taste.

If I were a color, I would be white because it hides nothing and is pure and honest.

If I were a movie, I would be Annabelle's Wish because if Christmas Day is the day when
all animals are able to talk, I'm sure one Christmas that will be me.

If I were a fragrance, it would be garlic. I may be hard to look at or in this case smell, but
once you get to know me I will enhance your world.

If I were a building, I would be a skyscraper. I am always moving away from people or like
the building getting higher and always reaching for my goal of being closer to God.

If I were a plant, it would be a weed. Most of the time unwanted but always has a
purpose in this world.

If I were a musical instrument, I would be a piano because it takes many keys or many
different types of people to make beautiful music.

If I were a geometric shape, I would be a circle because I have learned to roll around the
obstacles put in my path.

If I were a piece of furniture, I would be a bedroom set because I feel safe and secure in
my bedroom.

If I were a song, I would be the song my great grandfather Chiarottino wrote and had
published, because dreams come true for ordinary people too.

If I were a season of the year, it would be summer because I love all activities that we do
in the summer.

If I were a television character, it would be Old Yeller because he spent his whole life
striving to be the best he could be.

If I were a cartoon character, it would be Mickey Mouse because he has been beloved by
all, through several generations.

If I were a piece of machinery, I would be a computer so I could help disabled children.

If I were a natural phenomenon, it would be a fire caused by lightning because I may
devastate someone's life and cause them pain, but I can also renew their faith in God
after the devastation.

If I were a word, it would be faith. Without faith I would be unable to wake up each
morning with a smile on my face and hope in my heart.

Save The Future of Our School

School for most students is our home away from home. We spend many hours at school and develop great friendships and make lasting memories. Yes, we come for an education but leave with much more. And here at Bevier I have gained more than I thought possible. However, I am so worried about the health of my school's future.

When I started at Bevier, the elementary teachers had developed a family and I, like all
the students, became a part of that family. Yes, we had a few new members that entered
our family but each time those new members felt instantly like one of us.

Now, our family is hurting. So many of our leaders are leaving. Some are retiring; others are moving, but what I want to know is why? Why is this happening? It feels unnatural. It is unnatural to have so many leaving at the same time. Our family is breaking apart, and the students are feeling the pain.

I am so worried that we will never have the same tight, family, feeling we have always experienced. Families develop through shared experiences and loving and loyal leaders. Will Bevier continue its tradition of long-lasting family members, or will our front door become a revolving door --- teachers coming and going.

I hope we will be able to stop the bleeding and allow our family to start again and stay healthy and strong. That will depend on the family's backbone. Are they strong enough to locate the problem and fix it? I hope so! The future of my school depends on their decisions.

The Strongest People Have Struggled

The strongest people I know are people who have struggled in some way in their life.  I love this statement because I believe this relates to me more than anything in this world.  I believe that if you are forced with struggles and complications and use god to help you through, you can find the answer to anything and succeed.  The problems you face force you to continually better yourself within your own life and the life you have with God.  I have had my share of problems that I have had to work on daily, and I believe I am a better and more caring person because of those problems.  Because I experience difficulties, I have more sympathy for others with problems.  I find I want to help others more because I think I should share my successes with others.  All of this is reason to believe that I grow stronger each day because I am faced with struggles and complications.

I think those people who fly through life facing no major stumbling blocks expect the best in all situations, and when that doesn’t happen, they just quit, or move on.  They have always had things easy so they have not forced themselves to be better.  They really have no idea how great they can be because they have not pushed themselves.  If they were to stumble and fall, they would see what they are made of.

We, as a human race, believe we are weaker than we really are and there are examples of strength all around us.  Temple Grandin was diagnosed severely autistic in a day when no one knew what it was let alone what to do for it.  Now, because of her persistence she is not only successful but admired and revered.

On a smaller scale, my grandfather, Fred Adams, was forced to work at a very young age to support his recently divorced mother.  He worked and lived away from home at the age of 12.  Later in his life he became a successful husband, father and grandfather with pride in everything he owned.  He had struggled but had become stronger and passed his work ethic on to everyone he knew.  He was never angry about his struggles probably because he knew that is the reason for his success.

I believe that my mother struggles every day, but you would never know it.  She has more strength than anyone I know.  Boy, did her father teach her well.  I have never seen her mad at God for her lot in life and she could have been upset plenty.  She depends on God to guide her and give her strength.  She and I grow stronger and more positive each day, not because life has been easy, but because life has been challenging.

Therefore, the statement that which doesn’t destroy us only makes us stronger is most definitely true.

Chronology

1     Birth – July 30, 1995

2    Baptism – August 1995

3    Broke arm

4     Started kindergarten

5  Broke collar bone

6 Started writing with facilitation

    Papa’s death

8  Wrote my first story in second grade

9   Trip to California

1  Grunda’s death

1   First communion and reconciliation

1   Attended three week training at Judevine

1   Received my first communication device, the Link

1  Received my second communication device, the Litewriter

1  Made the academic bowl team

1   Elected class secretary

1   Carnival King 2009

1   Featured in the MSTA school and community magazine

1   Presented with a framed picture of the featured article from MSTA at our school awards assembly

2   Graduated from 8^th grade

Character Presentation by Harper Lee

Mr. Underwood is a character in To Kill a Mockingbird.

Underwood is a brand name of a typewriter.  Under could mean under the side of right and good. Underwood could mean under a ceiling made of wood because he remains in an office.

Mr. Underwood is a Flat character- he has not appeared to grow or evolve into anyone else.

I am so tired of having issues of race to deal with and write about.  The government can try to push equal rights, but they can’t tell me what to write or print.  The South has a wonderful reputation of southern gentleness and deep pride.  This tradition all came about without the civil rights movement.  This trial will prove that and hopefully we can go back to normal life.  The South will never recognize the Negro race as equals.  That’s how generations and generations have lived in this community and will continue to live.

Use and Lose

“Use and lose” is not only a drinking law but a state of mind all teenagers and their parents should possess.  When teenagers make the decision to not only drink, but drink and drive, they are taking the enormous chance of losing not just their license but their lives.

In the past years, our nation has worked tirelessly trying to save lives. With the new laws, 864 lives are saved each year. Although this statistic is encouraging, the amount of deaths occurring because of drinking and driving saddens me.  Why do these kids feel the need to drink at all?  That question should be asked and addressed; however, we as a society tend to punish instead of prevent. 

Preventing drinking and driving among teenagers must start in the home.  When the family life is stable and provides good role models, this is the best start to prevent young children from experimenting with alcohol.  Children grow up depending on their parents for help and guidance, and these children trust that their parents will keep them safe.  With this understanding, children who become teenagers idolize and imitate their much loved parents.

Parents need to take this responsibility seriously.  When strong morals are demonstrated at home, children will respond accordingly.  Keeping respect between parent and child will help the child to make wise choices when faced with difficult decisions such as drinking and driving.

The government is doing its best designing laws to prevent unnecessary deaths; however, the laws can only do so much.  Parents need to keep trying to keep their teenagers safe from harm.  Remember your children are watching your every move.  Don’t encourage or allow them to use, or you will lose them forever.

I taught my sister...

I taught my sister, Dominica how to write a poem.  As luck would have it, the same English teacher who gave me this assignment, also gave Dominica the poem assignment.  She had finished her poem, and had my mom look it over, and then my mom had the idea I could help.  At first I was not happy, and neither was Dominica.  I was unhappy because I don’t like to do homework at home.  She was unhappy because she felt inferior, I believe.  However, as things progressed, she became more confident, and I became more relaxed.  In the end I believe we both benefited and enjoyed the experience. 

We started by reading the poem.  The content was really good, and Mama thought it might be one of the best things Dominica had ever written.  I told her to combine sentences by using only the important words to make phrases.  I think she understood my directions and comprehended well; by the last stanza I had to help, but not much. 

Even though I hate doing homework at home, I must say this was a wonderful experience.  I loved the way we communicated with one another, and I initiated conversation throughout the exercise.  Thanks, Mrs. Pappenfoht.

Langston Hughes

Langston Hughes reached a milestone in his life.  He received a BA degree from Lincoln University in Pennsylvania. He worked toward this goal for several years.  His determination and hard work enabled him to reach success.

James Langston Hughes was born in Joplin, MO, to an abolitionist family.  His grandfather, James Mercer, was the first black American to be elected to a government office in 1855.  Langston attended school in Cleveland, Ohio, and started writing poetry in eighth grade.  His father, thinking poetry writing would not provide a good living, insisted that he pursue engineering.  After one semester Langston quit school and continued writing. 

This decision was a blessing for him as well as those of us who appreciate his talent.  Many might have read his essay entitled “The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain” written in 1926.  In this essay he encourages young black artists to strive to be the best black artists they can be.  Take pride in your work and your skin color.  In this essay he said, “We younger Negro artists now intend to express our individual dark-skinned selves without fear or shame.  If white people are pleased we are glad.  If they aren’t, it doesn’t matter.  We know we are beautiful.  And ugly too… If colored people are pleased we are glad.  If they are not, their displeasure doesn’t matter either.  We build our temples for tomorrow, as strong as we know how and we stand on the top of the mountain, free within ourselves.”

The Little Prince... and Me

The little prince is a lot like me in the story the little prince.  He is kind, thoughtful, stubborn and very inquisitive and in some ways disabled.  The little prince shows his kindness to everyone he meets but especially to his beloved rose.  I am thoughtful to everyone and devoted to my family.  The little prince is stubborn in that he never lets a question of his go unanswered.  I am stubborn because I like to have things orderly and can’t do anything else unless everything around me is orderly first. 

The little prince asks numerous questions about life, the way people live it, and why they live their life that certain way. I ask or ponder situations in life continuously.  I love thinking and analyzing people’s actions and behaviors.  Also I believe in a far fetched way the little prince is disabled.  He does not have a family or friends to lean on or even talk to, so he has a disability  or an obstacle that we on earth don’t have.  Because of this disability he needs to find other things to love, such as his rose.  Because of my disability I have had to find other ways to survive.  

EXPERIENCING EXPRESSIONS OF ART

 Art is everywhere; however, most people never notice. Well, this past Friday art

was hard to ignore. My Art Club from Bevier took a trip to Kansas City to visit

the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Our instructor, Bridget Weimer, had

scheduled beautifully a fun-filled day, and lucky for us, the weather was great!

 The Art Club students traveled by school bus; however, my mom and I went on

our own. Mrs. Weimer had told all of us what to expect, but she couldn't have

prepared me enough for the art work I was privileged to see. The sculptures were

absolutely wonderful, and because of my mom's constant mode of modification I

was able to see it all stress-free.

 In the past, on family vacations, I have used a wheelchair to tour certain

buildings and museums. My mom thought for this trip the wheelchair was the

answer, and, of course, she was right. Not only was it stress-free for me but also

for her. The wheelchair alleviates the simple problem of being unable to walk into

unfamiliar places with ease. Being in the chair takes all that anxiety away.  So

moving from place to place and being able to explore the museum was

wonderfully smooth.

 Mrs. Weimer had put us in groups, and in my group I had a wheelchair buddy.

Jacob Tolle was injured, so he chose the wheelchair instead of crutches. Needless

to say, we were quite the pair trying to find ramps, pushing through grass, and

squeezing into tight elevators. Both of our parents got a good workout, as well.

Jacob became a master at maneuvering his wheelchair and could escape from

his dad. I, on the other hand, couldn't shake my mom.

 After touring the sculptures outside, we were able to attend a workshop where

the students could construct their own sculptures learning about positive a

negative space.  I watched enthusiastically, admiring their creativity, but my favorite part of the day was  

yet to come. We then were allowed to, as a group,

tour the museum for 90 minutes. My mom and I walked through on our own

because we didn't want to tie anyone down and we wanted to explore the art of

our choice.

 The museum was not nearly as crowded as the Chicago Institute of Art, so for

me it had a much more reflective feeling. As we walked through each room, I felt

the power of each painting, drawing, or sculpture. Each was pulling me to that

time or place of conception. I felt as though I could close my eyes and see the

artists at work. The silence that surrounded me was a feeling of reverence for

these highly gifted people. Do you think that is why we tend to whisper in

museums? All I know is, I could have stayed in those quiet rooms looking at the

array of colors for much longer, but, of course, there is never enough time.

 My mom asked me before we left if I wanted to revisit a certain room, and I

chose Roman art. The sculptures and paintings in this room spoke to me in

volumes. The artwork was mainly religious in nature and gave me such a

peaceful feeling. I am not saying the work was any better than any others, but

the exhibits seemed to pull at me. I felt the faith of the people at that time in each piece of

art. And while gazing and admiring these incredible expressions of art, I felt my

own faith proudly showing in my whole being. I felt rejuvenated and cleansed.

And some people say museums are boring! They must not really examine what

they are seeing because not for one minute of this day was I bored.

 Thanks, Mrs. Weimer, for letting me be included to experience a different

culture, different time, and different expressions.

Giovanni Panini.  Antique Ruins with the "Parable of the Fish"

Journal Post from the Past -- History Assignment

260 Americans Killed Last Night

An explosion was heard last night around the world, even reaching the great state of Missouri.  In our little town of Bevier, we were able to hear the cries of anguish from our fellow Americans.  THE USS MAINE WAS BOMBED LAST NIGHT IN HAVANA HARBOR, CUBA.  Who could have caused this horrible disaster?  The brave American men on the USS MAINE, were asleep in their rooms at 9:40 p.m. last night when things started shaking. Jim Crow, the ship’s cook, was peacefully lying on his hammock, when he felt the ship shake and he tumbled to the floor.  Not knowing what had happened he tried to find his way to the deck.  Half of the deck was blown away.  He remembers thinking who could have done this to us? 

The ship’s crew members on the USS MAINE were there in peace.  They were not prepared for such a brutal attack.  They were only there to protect Cuba from Spain.  Spain has shown the world how vicious they can be.  Last night’s bombing was the last straw.  Innocent lives were lost unnecessarily.  We need to act now!  What will our government do now?  Will the lives of our brave men affect their decision?  This reporter hopes so.  No longer can we, as a nation sit around passively and wait for the problem with Spain to fix itself.  We need to take action!  Those fellow Americans should not have died! Someone should have to pay!

Are black and white colors?

Yes I believe that white and black are colors.  Anything that expresses has to be a color; not just used to reflect or absorb other colors, but used to express all by themselves.  Black, to me, is a rich color.  I love its boldness.  No matter what other color you use with black my eyes are always drawn to the black even if it’s just the outline.  I think black makes every other color that is next to the black look fuller and brighter.  I also think that black has a richness that no other color has.  I love the way really dark black looks almost blue.

White is also an important color, however not a favorite of mine.  It has its own personality like other colors but doesn’t seem to stand alone as well as black.  I personally think that white is only needed to discover other shades of each primary color.  White, in my opinion doesn’t enhance other colors.  However that doesn’t mean I don’t think it is a color. 

Scientifically speaking, each of our colors including black and white has to be produced.  White and black are not natural resources so why should they be considered to be different than other colors.  White may be considered the color that demonstrates purity, but white and black are not pure substances so therefore they are colors.