Well hello again everyone! Hope all is well with you and yours. It’s easy to tell that school is back in full swing with all the hustle and bustle of the streets at 7:45 in the morning. The sun is barely waking up, yet I find myself leaving the house at 7:35 to take my fifth-grade brother to elementary school, then continuing on to the high school along with my ninth-grade sister. (I also have a sixth-grade brother at our middle school, but my mom takes him.) I found it interesting that I learn how to drive . . .  and then I was immediately thrust into the responsibility of morning drop-off. Spiderman’s uncle’s quote could have easily been changed to, “With a great amount of siblings, comes a great amount of carpooling.” But I enjoy it nonetheless. I enjoy our conversations, and as those of you who are also the oldest know, while it can occasionally seem annoying, it is nice to be looked up to. Mornings do get gradually easier, but I must say, I’m not fully re-accustomed to the amount of work.
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My last “first day of school” was bittersweet. I can only imagine what my last “last day” will be like. I didn’t have to spend hours picking out my outfit because as a freshman orientation counselor, we had to wear tie-dye to be easily picked out of the crowd if anyone needed help. On that note, both orientation sessions ran very smoothly and it was very rewarding to see our hard work come together. (more…)

So let me introduce myself. My name is Jedidiah, and I am currently a senior at Frenship High School in Wolfforth, TX. Wolfforth is a small town just outside of Lubbock in the Panhandle. Many people who visit the area wonder where all the life went due to the lack of water or vegetation. They have a very valid point! Anyone who has been here knows what I am talking about. In fact, I was born in West Virginia and raised in Memphis and Houston, so discovering that a place this barren existed was interesting. However, people who live here love it, it’s now my home, and I can’t imagine myself anywhere else.

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With 300 pages left of the Poisonwood Bible to read and about 25 more advanced calculus questions to work through, I realize that my summer has come to a screeching halt. I should really introduce myself before I complain. My name is Emily and I’m going to be a senior this year. I live in a small suburban town outside of Buffalo, NY. I like to consider myself a normal kid, but I also think that some of my interests are unique. For the past 13 years, my life has revolved around Irish dancing. I started when I was four and became obsessed. I have traveled across the U.S., Canada, Ireland, Northern Ireland and Scotland for both team and solo competitions. Dance has inspired and influenced my love of travel, so a good study abroad program is definitely on my list of must-haves for college. But enough about dancing.

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This past week, I found myself waking up each morning to thoughts of what lay ahead. I stood up out of bed each day somewhat in disbelief that time has gone by so fast and that I will be attending college classes in Salt Lake City within a couple short months. This disbelief is definitely a positive feeling of shock because my adventurous mind is ready for a new environment and new challenges. (more…)

After a very long year, summer is finally here. I’ve been taking it easy and catching up on sleep—I might get a head start on next year, too. Or, I should say this coming year. Almost a week ago, I graduated from Crittenden County High School, which means I am now a freshman at Murray State University. I can look ahead to entering college, but not without looking back. (more…)

At this time in the year, most seniors can claim a case of “senioritis” — not wanting to do anything because of how soon they will be entering college. I’m not extremely excited about college yet, but I am enjoying end-of-the-year activities, especially for seniors. For example, the senior trip this year (which I helped plan, I must add) will be three days in Chicago, making it the farthest I’ve been from home and the longest I’ve stayed in a large city. Also, Crittenden has a tradition where parents (including my own mother), with the help of student fundraising, plan a special activity after graduation. This year, that means overnight laser tag in Nashville. Maybe it’s a sign my priorities are off if I’m looking forward more to Six Flags and Chicago than actually leaving high school, but there will be plenty of time during the summer for the reality of moving out to sink in. (more…)

Spring break is here, and it’s a welcome change from the daily routine. The free time is allowing me to work around the house, prepare for my next competition in Destination Imagination, and of course, enjoy the warm weather. (more…)

Spring vacation is coming up, and I hope it will mark the end of snow until I’m in college. Last week was the first week since early January that school wasn’t canceled for any days. Other than that, classes have been pretty normal. I missed most of Wednesday to listen to a speaker discuss leadership skills, and of course, on Friday I had to spend part of Calculus celebrating Pi Day. (more…)

The Destination Imagination (DI) competition is over, and I survived the experience with a few important lessons and memories to take along with me. This week I also start my new job, help out a friend with a film project, and set some time aside to be creative with my own work.

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