Listen Up

The Joy of Spring Break

Ah, spring is in the air; flowers are in bloom, the sun is shinning and we can  finally take off those heavy layers.  So how will I use this free time in the gorgeous weather?  By studying, of course. 

            Nothing compares to the delight I feel every time I open my heavy AP Bio textbook, flip through my IB Math textbook or complete another SAT practice test. 

As fortunate as I am to have the pleasure of studying for various IB and AP tests, I am also blessed with a major project.

            Obviously, it hasn’t been all fun and books.  I have been dragged out of my room to participate in some of those grueling, typical teenage activities such as shopping and partying.  I’ve even left the comforts of my room for tennis, biking and running. 

            Yet, the vast majority of my time is spent in here, in my room, books spraweled along the floor and much to be accomplished. 

An Anniversary of Evil

I was eating lunch with some of my friends yesterday (Thursday afternoon), when the principal made an announcement over the loudspeaker: “All students, please grab your belongings and evacuate to the middle school immediately.” Within minutes, the entire student body had walked to the middle school, as we all waited anxiously to found out what could possibly be going on. We found out we had received a bomb threat- someone wrote some type of threatening messaging somewhere on school property. We were told that the bomb squad was checking the school, and we’d be returning shortly.

Not quite so.

Around a half hour later, we were told we were being dismissed. There was too much at stake to allow us to return back to school. Cheering erupted, naturally, and my friends and I immediately dashed to my friend’s car to take advantage of our day off. Yet, singing along to the radio suddenly did not seem to be the antidote to my suppressed feelings. Personally, I was enraged. I was embarrassed. I was beyond confused. In the wake of the Virginia Tech massacre, who actually had the sick mind to threaten our school like this? Better yet, in the wake of the April 16^th Virginia Tech massacre, the anniversary of the April 19^th, 1995 Oklahoma City bombings and the anniversary of the April 20^th, 1999Columbine shootings, who would be so spiteful, so insidious, so depraved, to disrespect such tragedies like this? School should be a haven away from the dangers of the outside world, and suddenly this place seems more formidable than ever.                           

Now, here I am on a Friday morning writing this. School was canceled, as a result of the combination of the bomb threats, the VA Tech massacre, and the anniversary of the Columbine shootings. My teachers’ schedules have been thrown off entirely, senior photos for next year’s yearbook were canceled (we were supposed to have them today), and our holiday vacations have been shortened. And even these aspects seem trivial when we think about the larger picture- the entire notion of how corrupt and sick-minded some people can be. Additional sleep was nice, but the additional reminder of how sinister some people are was not.

The Big Picture

When I walked out of the ACT testing center on Saturday, I had every intention to write about the pain high school juniors must endure to gain admission to college.  I had every intention to write about the hot room, the lack of a clear positioned clock and the stress.

However, on my way home, I realized how unimportant my tests are in the scheme of things.  As my dad was driving, we noticed this beautiful Lamborghini on our left.  In it, there was a boy, about my age, and his father.  Suddenly, the father sped up and hit a telephone poll.  The car revolved around a few times.  The light fell off the poll.  Glass shattered everywhere.  I dialed 911 ran out of the car to find the passengers covered in blood.

            Suddenly, my problems seem miniscule in comparison to the fragility of life.  Maybe we should focus more on enjoying and experiencing life rather than spending so much time just going through the motions.   

A Sampling of the AP English Course (and need I mention- no school?!)

            Happy Nor’easter! Yes, due to the weather, we had a day off. It was great. I went out with some friends and took some time to relax. I was truly relieved that we had no school- along with five other students in my grade, I was supposed to go to West Point Military Aacademy for a leadership conference. I was really looking forward to the event, but the inclement weather would not have made it as exciting. Hopefully, the conference will be rescheduled.

            As for school work, there isn’t much to do today (surprise surprise?). Last night, I tackled a four-page history report on the Industrial Revolution, a four-page English essay on Herman Melville’s Benito Cereno, a practice AP chemistry multiple choice test, some typical math work, all amid a jog through the streets of my neighborhood, some time spent with the family, and some extramural journalism work to tend to (phew!). What a relief it is to be done with all of that.

            I haven’t posted any samples of my work yet, so I’m going to take the opportunity to do that now.

            Here is my AP English teacher’s website. I’m truly impressed by it- she has posted dozens of helpful websites ranging from definitions of hundreds of rhetorical devices, to dozens of links on American classics such as Huck Finn, to the historical context of racism, to the format of the AP exam, to MLA formatting information, and much more. I’d definitely say it’s worth it to check out this link:

http://www.tenafly.k12.nj.us/%7Elhaslach/ap_juniors.htm

            If you’d like to see the assignment for the essay that I just completed, click on the link that says, “Melville at Home Essay”. Here's the link for that:

http://www.tenafly.k12.nj.us/%7Elhaslach/Benito%20Cereno%20Final%20Essay.doc

^this is really helpful for any parents who are contemplating whether their children should take AP Lang/Comp in their junior year of high school!

The Beat Goes On

Tonight, I attended an event at my school called, “Battle of the Bands.” In simplest terms, several bands play for a large crowd of students; the bands are then rated by a panel of judges on a variety of areas, and a winning band is proclaimed champion. I’m not truly into that type of music, but I went to watch one of my best guy friends perform- he was great. Long story short, I still don’t know the winner is- why? Along with several of my other friends, I had to leave the concert early. Tomorrow, I am taking the ACT’s (a standardized test that is becoming increasingly equated with the SAT’s in the cutthroat college admissions process). And, here I sit in my room, wondering what I am missing out on. While the drums continue to mark the beat of the bands’ music, the ACT book lying on my desk initiates its own beat- the fast, apprehensive beating of my heart. Alas, I am missing out on one of my dearest friend’s performances because of a test that will ostensibly make a tremendous impact on my life. I am concerned that life has become so centralized around exams, college admissions, and other such arbitrary notions, that we teenagers fail to see what lies beyond that. Why has April 13^th acquired the label, “ACT Eve,” in place of the traditional “Friday the 13^th?” When did this drastic transition come about? Is there any hope for a return to phobias of black cats and walking under ladders? Phobias they may be, but they are nonetheless reminiscent of more jovial and stress-free days.

Take this to heart

           Parents, the advice I am providing here may sound inane and farfetched. Nonetheless, take it into deep consideration, because it is bound to have a profound effect on your parenting perspective: trust your teens. Last night, I went to a party with several of my friends. And, in accordance with popular belief, the event consisted of drinks and the like. I myself have never taken part in this scene; after all, is a person’s only means of enjoyment indulging in intoxicated drinks? Of course not!! Personally, I think drinking is stupid, physically detrimental, and an insidious notion that is too often embraced in the teenage years. It comes as no surprise, then, that at these parties, I am merely a bystander, still having fun in the company of others who also do not care for making fools of themselves. Yet, as I’ve attended many of these parties, I’ve come to a very comforting conclusion: more and more teenagers are coming to advocate the same beliefs that I do; that is, getting intoxicated is idiotic.

            I first had this epiphany at a party on New Year’s. New Year’s is the hallmark of all partying, a time when parents worry most that their teens are making foolish decisions. At the party that I was at, an older teen approached a group of girls, asking them what they wanted to drink. They all looked at each other, and then replied that they did not want anything. He hastily went on to pressure them, nearly insisting that they drink something. Yet, steadfastly refusing, they quickly walked away. At that moment, I wanted to applaud these girls for adhering to their principles, for defying the common image of teenage years. And, I’ve come to witness (and personally experience) these same situations more and more.

            Parents, it is important to realize that many teens ARE making responsible decisions, and many are NOT making the foolish decisions that have been so wrongfully assumed. Perhaps, such anti-drug programs as DARE and television programs denouncing partying have had this positive effect on teens. Or, perhaps peers are instilling these beneficial concepts in their friends’ minds. Or, perhaps, dare I say, parent admonishing against drinking is finally being taken to heart?

Accepted/Rejected

            Last Thursday, most of my peers found out if their years of laboring paid off.  The Ivy League admission results arrived to the joy or chagrin of numerous students.   Friday: seniors either wore a look of disappointment or one of immense joy. 

            For overachievers, success is determined by accomplishments.  In a school full of overachievers, college rejections must have taken a toll on their egos.  But, I ask, why let a board of unknown people affect us emotionally?  Don’t we have the confidence to not let someone else dictate our self worth?

            The truth is many of my peers have been defined by their activities and awards for so long that they do not even know who they’d be without them.  Hopefully college will offer an opportunity for us to mature and gain greater self awareness. 

            It has been a week since students heard from their dream schools.  The mood has changed drastically.  Seniors now don’t care if they’re going to their first choice or their tenth choice college; they’re excited to go.

At the starting blocks

Track began nearly a month ago from today, and thus far, it’s been a great experience. In addition to cultivating my skills as an athlete, I’ve had more time to socialize with many of my friends who belong to the track team, a benefit that I do not experience amid strenuous seven-hour school days. That is not to say, however, that committing my myself to a team sport does not come with its downfalls; I have certainly felt the mounting pressures of impending AP exams looming over my head, as well as an increasing build-up of end-of-the-quarter testing. Returning home at 6:00 pm on a daily basis is certainly a challenge, as I have forgone several hours of valuable studying time for the sake of my dedication to the track team. Yet, if any students are having any doubts about joining a team sport, my advice is: join the sport. Whether a student is just a beginner, mediocre, or all-state athlete, I believe that sports are tailored for all people. First, there are the undeniable health benefits: getting fit is inevitable- all of us, regardless of what running event we are doing, run a minimum of around one to two miles a day. Of course, many of us runners get what is called “runner’s high,” or, in accord with a more scientific explanation- a rush of endorphins. And, spending time with friends on warm, beautiful Spring days is certainly a perk. Lastly, there exists a terrific opportunity to hone one's leadership skills: track and field requires intense desire and motivation, two attributes that are required in any team captain.Track and field, among all other sports, is a great way to engage in school activity. What is better, after all, than being fit in body and mind?