WSF Newsletter - Washington Street Foundation

Washington Street Foundation
Newsletter
A P RIL 2 0 0 8 , V OLU M E 14
Our Members….
GROUP A
GROUP LEADER: BARRY LIBMAN
STUDENT
MENTOR
Wilmer Ayala
Charlie Sonneborn
Giselle Jaramillo
Linda Azlin
Aaliyah Jefferson
Debra Bokich
Jase Lalande
James Roberts
Vinder Lopez
GROUP B
GROUP LEADERS: ROGER MILLER &
JON COURY
GROUP C
GROUP LEADERS: JOE LIBMAN &
LAURA LIBMAN
STUDENT
MENTOR
STUDENT
MENTOR
Sadaf Aayar
Audra Boyd
Berlin Belvett
Barry Libman
Nereyda Eribes Borquez
Susan Atkinson
J.D. Brown
Brad Chelton
Angel Camacho
Gina Trotter
Gabrielle Bustos
Linda McVey
Hector Miranda Castro
Linda Triolo
DJ Burrough
Adam DeVerger
Paul Askew
Alex Chavez
John Segler
Jorge Manzanares
Renee Brodt
Armando Durazo
Ryan Jensen
Anthony Davis
Lee Williams
Guadalupe Martinez
Kimberley Grant
Philip Gough-Stone
Russ Goodman
Briana Davis
Jemima Schmidt
Mariah Martinez
Leticia Scearce
Mirina Higginbothan
Stacey Harris
Alisa Duderija
Monika Cheang
Rosa Martinez
Laura Podzius
Avery Lomayestewa
Andy Chen
Brandy Flynn
Elaine Soppe
Destiny Nasr
Andrea Scott
Mitzy Soira
Yvonne Stuckey
Willow Herber
Vicki Guffey
Cameron Nutt
Mike Campion
Jennifer Tolentino
Nora Hannah
Tania Ibanez
Teresa Guella
Elizabeth Ramirez
Danette Cheney
Kaycee Torres
Andrea Petrof
David Dodge
John Cheang
Paul Steen
Aaron Vargas
Ivan Ibanez
Francisco Solis Valdez
Vianey Torres
Fernando Dominguez
Rakell Verdugo
IIdi Schmidt
Courtney Laycock
Regan Schwartz
Moises Lopez
Mike Lofton
Let Us Welcome...
- 2 new students from
Mountain View Elementary,
- 4 new students from Roadrunner Elementary,
- 6 new mentors &
- 3 new Big Brother Big Sister pairs.
2 7 2 7 W . G RO V E RS
P HOE N IX , AZ 8 5 0 5 3
GRADUATES
STUDENT
COLLEGE
Caleb Price
John Vasey
Martha Castro
Phoenix College
Shamire Priestley
Laura Libman
Mitzi Miranda
Glendale CC
Mariela Ramirez
Gloria Hernandez
Carlos Sanchez
Phoenix College
Alexis Sparks
Suzanne Eden
Y-nhi Nguyen
Glendale CC
Israel Soto
John Marley
W W W . W S F K I D S . O RG
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602-993-1140 X.1502
6 0 2 - 9 9 3 - 5 5 9 0 F AX
Friendship
by Guadalupe Martinez
In Memory of My
Grandma
by Avery
Lomayestewa
Gave hugs &
kisses
Rain or shine.
Always loving
No matter what.
Death was won, but
Memories of you
Are always in my
heart.
Friendship is something that can’t be told in
words. When you are in the Washington Street
Foundation group, friendship is super, super important. That’s what it’s all about. If you get
along with other people such as mentors, friends
and family members, that’s friendship. Another
good place where friendship fills the air, is in
school. But not only in these two places exists
friendship. Everywhere you go friendship is there
waiting for you. So, as you know Kim and I
each share friendship.
As I was telling you, Kim and I share friendship. We have had lots of fun together. She always helps me or explains to me things I don’t
understand. That’s what friends are for. If people are really your friends, you feel something for
them. Like when one of your friends is sad, you
feel sad, don’t you? Or else you try to cheer them
up to make them happy again. If you feel like
that for one of your friends, that’s friendship.
Even when you’re at your house, when you least
know it, you have friendship. As I told you, in
the first paragraph, friendship is everywhere.
You just don’t know it.
So whenever you see friends, or you yourself
fighting with one another, just stop and think
for a moment. Ask yourself if that’s really how
friends should act. If the answer is “no” then it’s
very simple, just
stop. Another
good idea
is, ask
yourself if
in that
moment
you have
friendship
towards
your
friend, or
friends.
Sometimes it’s not even your fault if your friends
do fight. And even if you ever, ever do fight with
your friends it’s ok because we all do. Life’s not
perfect, not to anybody, not even to the nicest
person in the world. (Which I don’t think there
is) So anyway, do you think you know a little bit
more about friendship? I hope you do. And if
you were wondering why I said “a little bit
more” it’s because you already knew things, or
facts about friendship didn’t you? Well I hope
you did because I think that all of you reading
this article right now are really smart.
Regan by Courtney Laycock
I don’t think that I have ever had
such a person in my life who makes
such a difference. Regan has made
such a huge impact on my life that it is
truly unbelievable to me.
I was always the shy, overlooked
type.
Then I got introduced to Washington
Street Foundation.
At first it was hard to adjust, having
a mentor that was always late was
really hard. And it pushed me back
into a shell. Then along came Regan.
The best mentor that I could have ever
asked to have. She has shown me how
to be me, and that being crazy is just
fine. I don’t care what people think
anymore, I am not scared to show them
my true side. Instead of sitting around
being scared to talk to anyone and
being super shy, I can go and just
laugh at anything and show them who
I can be. I’ve learned so much from her.
I know that I have somewhere to go,
and to talk to someone, who I know I
can trust with everything. I have
never been closer to anyone, than I am
with Regan. I truly don’t know what I
will do without her in high school. I
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still have problems getting up in
front of big crowds and speaking.
That’s just something that I need to
work on, but now because of Regan I
won’t hold back, and go sit alone. She
has shown me the light to the world
outside of my shell. She has brought
me into the world, and shown me
everything.
And for that I couldn’t thank you
all enough for such a wonderful
mentor, and I can’t even explain how
to thank Regan.
I love my Mentor.
Getting to Know Our New Mentors
G R O UP A CR E A T E D T H I S I N
J A N U A R Y D UR I NG T H EI R V I SIT T O
T H E AZ M US E U M F OR Y O U T H .
Favorite dinner...
“Ohhhhh, so many. I love fried chicken and Italian,” - Debra Bokich
Do you have a pet…
“Yes, 2 dogs (Nala & Coco) and 2 cats (Hailey & Tabby),” - Andrea
Scott
Funny Story…
“When I was young and used to play soccer, or semi-pro-soccer. One
game during the 2nd period I fainted for a few seconds on live Broadcast ESPN,” - Fernando Dominguez
“When I was 5, I liked to see what I could fit up my nose (according
to my mother). I have been to the emergency room to have legos, a
dime, a rock, an eraser and even a quarter removed from my nose,”
- Patrick Blakesley
“When my new boss started working in my department, I sent my
twin sister in to work for me. After she was there for a few mintues, I
walked in and my boss could not believe his eyes,” - Danette Cheney
Something about you that nobody really knows, but is interesting…
“I wanted to be a pro bowler when I was young,” - James Roberts
“Black & white photographer,” - Leticia Scearce
“I can juggle, not knives or anything but anything round,” - DJ
Burrough
“I am getting my pilots license,” - Mike Campion
“I play ice hockey,” - Laura Podzius
Faith, Family, Friends by Vicki Guffey
F E A T U R E D IN T H E P E O R I A
N E W S P A P ER ( F RI DA Y , F EB 29 T H )
C O N GR A T U LA T I ON S S U ZA N N E !
These three things have always been
in my life but not necessarily in this
order. When I was young my large
family came first, they were everything to me. I was fed, supported
and loved. I was never far from them
and if I was they were always on my
mind. I learned how to share; both
time and money. I learned how to
love; a new brother or sister, my parents and older people. I learned how
to help those less fortunate than me
as well as teachers, neighbors and
friends.
When I became a teenager my
friends shot into first place. I spent
an inordinate amount of time with
them ignoring some of the basic
things I learned from my family. I’d
listen to what my friends said as if it
were gospel. I had no time for family. Some friends did not give me
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good advice but I did not learn this
until much, much later.
Years flew by and today faith holds
the top position. I realize how fortunate I have been. I’m blessed to have
a large, close, loving family just a
phone call away. The friends I relied
on when I was a teenager came and
went; only a few are still around today. As I grew up I realized that my
faith is what carried me to this point.
I can do just about anything now
and I will be alright. My faith has
helped me through every part of my
life thus far.
When my children all left for college and their jobs, I was left with an
empty house. My faith held me up
during my sadness. My friend, Linda
McVey, suggested BBBS and almost
overnight my family grew to include
Willow.
Courtside Basketball Seats
by Kaycee Torres
My Big Sister Andrea took me to a Phoenix
Suns Basketball game and we were in the
second row-courtside. I have never been that
close to really see how tall the basketball
players are. I’m so happy Andrea was able to
come with me. I love the sport of basketball,
but I don’t like watching it on TV; to me it’s
too boring. I mostly love to play it and watch
it live!
Throughout the whole game I was smiling. I
loved watching them up so close. I sat in the second row of the seats. During the second half of
the game, this guy in front of us asked if we
wanted to switch seats with him- Andrea said
“no”, but I switched with him for a little bit.
When I was in the front row, the first thing I did
was touch the court. I laughed afterwards.
During half-time Andrea and I went to this
place under the bleachers for VIP’s. There was
First Friday
by Willow Herber
On Friday, February first, Vicki and I went to
downtown Phoenix. The reason why we went
downtown was to see the First Friday’s Art Walk.
In some parts there was music. Other parts there
were little tents set up that sold different things.
One tent sold purses another sold handmade
dolls and there were a couple of fortune tellers,
tarot card and palm readers. There were people
everywhere. I thought that it was pretty cool.
Some of the art was done by children who were
runaways and kids like that. It was amazing to
see artists so young. The houses were fixed up so
kids like that would have somewhere to hang
out. Some of the art was amazing and to think it
was made by children who were just a little bit
older or younger than me. The First Friday was
also very busy. I felt like I was in New York City.
Not only were there houses with art in them,
there were also other shops that were open but
very busy, with lines that went out the door! I
thought the First Friday was an amazing experience. If you ever get a chance First Friday happens every Friday of each month, 7-10pm on 5th
street and Roosevelt. I do encourage you to go
and check it out. There is no cost but they sell
beverages, foods and some clothing.
lots of food. I took most of it, especially the
sweets and desserts. I even ordered a Shirley
Temple.
My experience sitting there was awesome. I
hope I can do it again really soon. Watching
professionals play up close is so much better
than sitting in seats far away. Just being able to
sit courtside once-you never want to go back to
the other seats!
Wildlife Zoo
by Hector Miranda Castro
Linda and I
went to the Wildlife Zoo. We saw
all of the animals.
We saw the kangaroos, tigers and
the albino alligator. We got on a
ride that takes you
around the zoo so
you can check if
you missed any animals. We checked and we missed the
bird walk
in where
you can
walk in to
the big bird
cage and
feed them
apples and
one landed
on Linda’s
hat.
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On A Crisp, Overcast Day...
by Jemima Schmidt
On a crisp, overcast day, Briana,
Stuart and I, enthusiastically geared
up for an adventurous day at Dreamy
Draw Park. Upon our arrival at the
park, Stuart bounded out of my arms
and toddled around the sandy picnic
area with glee, while Briana and I
saddled up with our supplies. I
hoisted Stuart into the Kelty mountaineering backpack and off we
marched. We celebrated the challenge
the hilly terrain offered our legs, and
we jogged up and down the rocky dips
and hills, begging our lungs to yank
the oxygen out of the air. We admired
the vast array of rocks as we tromped
along. Briana and I agreed that we
would each select a special rock from
our hike, which we would save as a
memento for the glorious day. We
made a pact that in the future that we
would each select a rock from our
hikes that would later be added to a
collection contained in a glass vase.
The rock collection represents special
times spent together. Every rock is
unique and represents a metaphor for
every relationship. The sharp edges on
rocks are like the sharp prods that
events in life can deliver to each person. The smooth beautiful rocks are
like those seemingly perfect moments
one encounters in life.
Briana is a special person
to me and I want her to
know that in life I want
to be a solid rock for her.
Anyway, this article was
also about a hike…
We initially encountered several individuals walking their
horses along one of the trails. We
halted long enough for Stuart to overcome his trepidation, and he began to
gingerly pet the dapper steed on her
velvety whiskered nose.
We selected our final destination
when we pointed to the highest visible
mountain peak and declared that we
would perch on that spot to eat our
lunch. While navigating the onerous
switchback trails, our pace slowed
and I began to reminisce to times
from the seemingly distant past.-----Shortly after my 18th birthday, I
finished working for eight long vapid
months in the gold mines, located in
the Yukon Territory. I saved my
money, and then I purchased airline
tickets for a trip around the globe.
After a few treacherous incidents in
Europe, North Africa, and India, I
arrived in Kathmandu, Nepal. I
hired a guide and set off for the
Himalayan mountain range. My
goal was to reach the Anapurna
base camp, and then to spend the
following few weeks hiking a long
circuitous route, which would
ultimately lead me, back to Kathmandu. I was ill prepared for my
sojourn. I failed to purchase hiking boots prior to my trip, because
I was too vain to wear hiking
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boots, I thought they were decidedly
uncool and at the outset of my trip, I
decided that I would not ever wear
such hideous attire. My foolish decision, forced me to rent a pair of
poorly constructed boots from the
marketplace. The shopkeeper exuberantly informed me that it was “no
problem” that the boots were at least
two sizes too large for me. The enterprising shopkeeper informed me that I
could stuff fabric or socks into the
gaps. The clerk told me the extra material would serve to keep my feet
warmer.
The first hour seemed a lark, as I
laughed about how the boots bounced
around on my feet. A short time
later, I began to wonder whether a
pair of sandals would have suited me
better! The hard leather boots gouged
me on the tops of my feet and on the
Achilles tendon and on the heels. My
guide who surely stood to profit from
the shopkeepers boot rental told me
that I needed to give my feet adequate time to adjust to the boots.
Ahh! I can still hear the confidence
in his voice, in my mind’s eye.
I hiked to the Anapurna Base
Camp with several other travelers I
met along the way. The storm re...continued on the back page
When I Went to Basketball Camp
by Armando Durazo
In the summer, I went to a basketball camp.
I’m so glad I went there thanks to the Washington Street Foundation otherwise I wouldn’t
have learned anything. I made a lot of friends.
And since I went to the camp, I’m point guard
for the 1st quarter. I had to wake up at nine
and be at the camp at 9:50am. At the camp we
made teams for each group, so we can play our
tournament. My team won the tournament. I
was really happy because I thought my team
wasn’t going to be good. I got tired everyday.
We had to run a mile everyday. We ran around
the camp ten times. I had to make friends with
someone I didn’t get along with, but at the last
day of camp I was really good friends with him.
Every time we finished our third game in the
tournament we went to eat snacks. When we
eat snacks we get to watch a movie, play playstation 2, the wii, x-box or play pool and ping
pong, it is so fun. We practice a lot before we
play games. Well when the camp was over I
was mad. I didn’t want to leave my new best
friends. After that I went to school and I
joined the basketball team. And now I’m the
leader of it because of the camp. I really want
to thank the Washington Street Foundation
again, thank you.
The Cougars
History of the Hula Hoop
by Caleb Price
The 7th and 8th grade
boys and girls basketball
team had almost gone
undefeated this year. We
had a record of 9-1. The
team has done a lot better than the 7th grade
boys team last year that
got a 1-9 final record. The team we always
score 1-1 with is Maryland. Our coach wanted
to have another game with them, since they
have the same record with us. After the season we asked our coach if he could put us in
a tournament so he put us in the Brophy
Tournament. I couldn’t go to the tournament because I went out of town, but the
team said we got 4th place.
Coming Back to Orangewood
by Moises Lopez
I remember last year in 7th grade when I was so happy and anxious to leave Orangewood School. So why am I back? Well, when I
left I said I’ll meet new friends, live in a bigger house with my own
room. But I hadn’t realized what I already had. My new school didn’t turn out to be the best. It had some rules I didn’t like (uniforms!!!)
and I missed my friends. So I decided to come back and see my
friends like Caleb, Courtney and my old teacher Ms. Schwartz.
Now I’m happy in a little home and finally a school with no uniforms.
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Although the Hula Hoop
fad roared to life in the
1950s, Egyptian children
were playing with similar
toys more than 3,000
years ago. They swung
large hoops of dried grapevines around their waist
or pushed them along the
ground with a stick. In
14th century England, children and adults
were wild about “hooping,” and in the 1700s,
missionaries to Hawaii came back with the
name hula hoop in honor of the dance that hoopers seemed to imitate. In 1957, Richard Knerr
and Arthur Melin, founders of the Wham-O Toy
Co., heard from a foreign guest that Australian
children twirled a bamboo ring around their
waists in gym class. Recognizing a good idea,
Melin & Knerr trademarked the name Hula Hoop
and began manufacturing the brightly colored
plastic rings. To market their product, Melin &
Knerr did hundreds of demonstrations and gave
away Hula Hoops at California playgrounds.
Their perseverance paid off: Wham-O sold 25
million Hula Hoops in less than four months;
two years later, more than 100 million were sold.
The fad began to fade by the end of 1959, but
Hula Hoops have recently regained some of their
popularity as a way to keep fit.
Trigonometry, Anatomy & More
by Israel Soto
This block of classes is very interesting
for me not only because all the classes I
have I like but all the classes I have
seem very interesting. My first period
this block is trigonometry, my second
period for the block is anatomy/physiology, my third
period is strength and conditioning, my last period is
world history.
My first class of the day in school is trigonometry, in
that class we are learning the trigonometric functions. I
think I could get a high B in this class because I think
math it is one of my strengths. The teacher is Mrs. Young
she is a very good teacher. I think she could get me
through trigonometry if I am willing to learn it and I am
willing to learn it. She makes the class a class for everyone to enjoy it. Well I hope I can get as much of the
things in math memorized. So yeah I hope I will pass this
class and get something out of it.
My second class is Anatomy/Physiology, in that class
we are learning about the body parts. That class is basically about the body and its organs and how they work.
In that class the teacher is really cool. Yesterday he
gave my table movie tickets for doing our work. I’m liking that class a lot not just because the teacher gives
you prizes but because it helps me learn about my body
a lot. I would love to learn a lot about the body and how
it works.
My third period I have strength and conditioning, in
that class the classroom is very hot but that helps you
sweat a lot. I wanted to get a working out class since I’m
going to play soccer and I might play football in college. Plus I think that would get me into shape and help
my muscles grow a little. This class I like a lot because
it’s what I always wanted since I came to Ocotillo High
School and I want to get in shape for the sports I want to
play.
My fourth hour is world history, in that class the
teacher is Mr. Danner he is a tall skinny guy who thinks
he is really funny but he is not at all that funny. I would
say he has something against me but if he does I don’t
care because he doesn’t know my strengths or weaknesses and I am willing to show him what I am made up
of so that he knows I have a potential to pass his class
with flying colors.
As you can see my schedule is a really busy one. Some
of these classes I might have my handful of homework
but I will come out successful with some pretty good
grades.
G A B RI E L L E , B RIA N A A N D M A RI E LA WI TH T H E IR HO R S E
A T H U N K A P I ; G R O U P C A T T EN D E D IN D E C EM B ER .
A L E X I S , P H IL I P , A N G E L , B RA N D Y , J EN N IF E R , A A R O N
M IK E ON T H E S CH NE P F F A RM S RO L L E R C O A ST E R ;
G R O UP B A T T E N D E D IN J A N U A R Y .
AND
W IL M ER , H EC T O R , M I RIN A A ND OT HE R G R O UP A S T UD E N T S W IT H T H EI R “ E D I B L E S ” L E S SON I N S T R U C T O R A T
L A K E P L EA SA NT I N F E B R U A R Y .
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Imagine yourself dressed as a princess...
by Tania Ibanez
Imagine yourself dressed as a princess: puffy
dress sparkling tiara, and magical wand. Doesn’t this sound nice? Well for my fifteen birthday, I was a one of a kind queen. In Mexico, there
is a tradition in where when a girl hits the age of
fifteen they become a young woman. The family
throws a huge party, which lasts all day long
beginning in the morning with a mass going
until night with waltzes. Let me tell you how
mine went. First, I had to get up at six thirty
sharp to go and get my hair done; it took about
two hours, but let me say it was worth the wait.
Second, I arrived at my house where most of my
chamberlains were getting ready. Next stop was
the mass. At the church, the priest spoke to me
about various characteristics I should carry along
with me through my life. For example, to love my
parents as well as love myself and respect my
parents moreover respect myself. Following the
mass, I along with my chamberlains took pictures at Sahuaro Ranch Park. Form here; it was
time to arrive at the banquet where the party
would take place. At around four, the mariachi
began to play for the guests, and once again, we
took more pictures. At approximately six-ish the
ceremony began (this is really the part where I
become a woman). It began with a brief toast to
thank everyone who attended the party. Following that, my dad put on my high heels which
represent “My First High Heels I would wear”,
while my mom crowned me and handed me my
wand. She also gave me a doll, this stood as a
symbol for “My Last Doll” which meant it was
the last doll I would receive and play with, since I
was becoming a woman now. After this, I started to
dance my first waltz with my dad, which was a
symbol of him giving me a “pass” and letting me
know I could dance with my friends at parties. So,
after dancing with him it was time to show off
what my chamberlains could do. :] We danced another waltz where I twirled and swirled around them
and my brother carried me. After all this, the band
began to play and it was time to enjoy the party.
However, we had a surprise for our guests. During
the first fifteen-minute break the band had, my
chamberlains and I danced a “Surprise Dance” for
our guests, which nobody expected. At about nineo’clock, it was time to cut the cake and give away
my last doll. Giving away my last doll was probably an emotional feeling for me, since it was really
here where I felt I was no longer a little girl. Giving
away my doll is like when a bride throws her bouquet, except I wasn’t a bride I was a quinceañera.
The best thing about this little experience though
was that my younger cousin, Melissa, who is fourteen and will be fifteen this July, was the one who
received my last doll. Well after all that craziness,
everyone was dancing all night long. Overall, I can
say that day was just like a fairytale any girl
would like to go through, and I had that opportunity to experience it. So, if I could tell girls out
there who are at the age of fifteen or sixteen it would
be live your life to the fullest, don’t do anything
you will regret later because for me the best days so
far are these days in our teenage years.
The New School by Mirina Higginbothan
What’s up? I’m Mirina! This story
might relate to most of you. Have you
ever been a new kid at a new school?
Well I have and it could be really
scary. Well once I was in Orangewood
school. I loved it there and I loved the
teachers and I thought that Orangewood was the only school that I was
going to be in until one day before
fifth grade I decided to go to another
school. The school I went to is called
Madison Meadows Middle School. As
I walked into class I felt nervous because I thought that I wasn’t going to
make any friends, but luckily some of
my friends from Orangewood decided
to come with me to Madison Meadows.
The problem was that my friends
weren’t in any of my classes so I didn’t
see them until recess and lunch time.
After a couple of days, I started to get
used to Madison Meadows. I started to
get used to the time and the bell that
range every few seconds in class. I felt
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sort of like a teenager in my class
because we had
lockers. I had to
change into different clothes in gym and my school
name said Madison Meadows Middle
School. Now I have a lot of friends that I
hang out with everyday. I still miss
Orangewood, but someday I’ll get to
see them soon. I hope I don’t have to
move to another school.
The Civil Rights...Solution (Inspired by those that made a difference)
by Angel Camacho
Hi, my name is Angel Camacho and I feel as if I have a
solution to big wars. Well, my solution may be the key
for everything. I feel as if I will be the one that opens up
the door for everyone who is willing to hope for a better
world and future. Don’t worry for those that fell as if
they aren’t worth it at all. Trust me; each and every one
of you makes a very big, enormous difference in this
world. Without this one little quote it would be a very
different world. The quote that helped change this world
was Martin Luther King Jr.’s which was “I have a dram.”
I know that you have been waiting for me to tell you my
solution. Okay here it goes; “Just help those that need it
more than you, and even that will help make a little difference in the world.” I think with this quote we will
soon stop all the violence and racism that fills our world
with chaos, but don’t forget the big wars like WWII.
I feel as if we should all have a quote to help us stay
strong when we feel weak. My quote will be “Together
united we stand strong.” We will make a massive difference in the world, trust me we will. Sooner or later we
will have to stand up for
our rights. I feel as if now is
the time to stand up for
what we think is right for us
and those that need someone to stand beside them
when they need someone.
Don’t worry if you need
someone to pick you back
up again when you fall; I
will be there for you and
anyone that needs a helping hand. I will be the one to
give you a hug or a friend when you need it. There is no
law that says you cannot ♥ love your neighbor or anyone
who needs caring and love in their hollow heart. So I feel
as if that is what we should all do because sooner or later
love will spread all over the world and hopefully the
chaos will end.
You may think I am just an average girl, well I am an
average girl, but deep inside I could be the one that
changes the world. My hope and dream is to be either a
vet or a lawyer because both jobs can help the community. If I end up becoming something besides that above
I would be fine as long as I do something that benefits
the world like a teacher, nurse, therapist, geologist, or
anything that can be helpful. Another civil rights solution is if you have a dream go for it. You can end up
helping the world. Everyone sometimes makes bad
choices but it’s time to make the right choice.
All the people in the world can make a difference.
Imagine if Martin Luther King Jr. hadn’t done anything
about racism and violence; the world would still be how
it was 30-40 years ago. Even the slightest change can
make a difference. So imagine the world without the difference Martin Luther King Jr. made. Just be yourself
and I promise you that it will get you somewhere. So
next time you think that you aren’t worth anything. Just
say you are.
Why I think my solution will make a difference? It will
make a difference because each and every person will
make a difference. My solution helps because everyone
that thinks that they can’t make a difference; they will
make a difference because they will stand up for their
rights as an American citizen. Robert Kennedy said “One
man can make a difference.” I think that it’s true. Even
women can make a difference. So get off your couches
and go reach for your
dreams. I feel that you can
reach it if you go for it. I
will tell you another key if
you think violence is the
answer. Well, it’s not! That
wouldn’t lead you to your
dream. So think about how
Martin Luther King Jr.
made a difference through
non-violent protests. Nonviolence will get you to where you want to be.
Questions: Here are some questions that you might have
had while reading this…
- What goals can I reach without violence interfering?
You can reach any goals with non-violence.
- What do you think my quote should be if I believe in
peace? “Without war there can only be peace.”
- Where should I start? Start by helping out your community and little by little it will make a difference.
- If people are making rude comments about my race do I
talk back? No! Just ignore because you are who you are so
don’t get upset if they tell you something that makes you
feel bad.
Thank you for listening to my solution. Have a good day!
Remember always have a smile.☺
-9-
Continued from page 5 (On A Crisp, Overcast Day…)
sulted in us being
stranded for several
days. We ran out of
food, and we huddled
together in frozen silence for days trying to stay warm in the flimsy sleeping bags we brought with us. We ate
moldy apples fried in oil until the
blizzard stopped.
By the time, I limped to the bottom
of the mountain several large questions loomed in my mind. “Would I
be able to make it? Should I turn
around or keep going on my projected
route?” Turning around seemed consistent with defeat so I squared my
shoulders and vowed to continue.
Stubborn as a mule, my mother used
to say!
No transportation existed where I
was hiking. True there were donkey
trains however; they were reserved for
hauling precious supplies into the
distant villages. The trails were perilous and often required us to tiptoe
across frail bridges, which hovered
over deep ravines. The odd donkey fell
off these bridges and you could see the
carcasses far below. I shudder now as
I recall how those bridges constructed
of wood and rope jumped and trembled as we crossed. No roller coaster
in the world can distribute that kind
of fear throughout the human body.
However, I digress…
As the days turned into weeks, my
feet became the source of my despair.
In fact, the pain overcame my
thoughts, my very being. The blisters
ceased to be blisters and they molted
into deep, red raw cavernous holes in
the tissue of my feet. Each prod of the
hard leather boot delivered unimaginable agonizing bursts of pain for the
remainder of the trek. The bone on my
heels became visible as the boots
gouged away the remnants of my flesh.
As I hobbled along the steep winding
trails, I literally wept from the pain.
The leather seams of the cursed boots
cruelly gouged into each wound on my
feet with every step. None of the villages had health care or supplies of
any sort.
The act of moving became a juggling
act. I devised a multitude of variations
on that thing we call “walking.” I
walked on the sides of my feet, on my
tiptoes, with socks, barefoot, sideways,
and so on. When I walked barefoot
through the snow, I cackled to myselfenvisioning how the folks at home
would ask me if I was out of my mind.
The numbing effect the snow exerted
on my feet provided a compelling
break from the pain. Do not get me
wrong, there was a limit to how long I
could walk barefoot through the snowas that scenario also lead to a painful
sensation!
One night while racking my brain
about what I could use to treat my feet
I recalled reading somewhere that previous generations of peoples had cauterized body parts to kill infection. An
idea entered my head. Of course! I
would simply cauterize the infected
wounds on my feet! I had always held
the medical profession in high esteem
and I reveled in the opportunity to
deliver my own treatment. I gloated,
about how clever I was to bravely resort to such a primitive medical
“treatment.”
With terminator like determination,
I pointedly purchased several candles
at a village market. That night in the
privacy of my guesthouse room, I
- 10 -
fanned the flames to enable maximum wax melting. I enthusiastically
poured a pool of hot wax into one of
the deep wounds on my foot. The phenomenal burst of pain rendered me
incapacitated for a couple of minutes.
I collapsed in a writhing ball of agony, as the hot wax seemed to sear
through the very marrow of my bones.
The pain seemed to stop my ability to
produce sound for a time. The bloodcurdling scream remained suspended
somewhere deep in my chest. The
walls in the room seemed to bend and
sway back and forth, as I clutched my
foot and hopped up and down like a
circus performer on a pogo stick.
When the pain subsided to a thunderous dull thud, I repeated the process
with each remaining wound...
The following morning, I donned
the famous boots, anxious to determine whether the treatment was successful. Much to my delight the
“treatment” granted me modest relief.
I continued my hobbling for the remainder of the trip. I swore aloud
many times that I would purchase a
comfortable pair of hiking boots as
soon as I returned to the urban world.
Permanent scars decorate my feet
and ankles to this day. My trek in
the Himalayan Mountains taught
me several important lessons. I
learned about survival and perseverance in the face of adversity. I
learned that vanity has definite pitfalls. I learned
that I have a
tenacious spirit.
Moreover, I
learned the inherent value of
wearing comfort-