Sentence Fixes

Link to Revisions

Research Paper Update

My topic is analyzing the changes in American attitudes towards immigration in recent years as opposed to the past. I will look to uncover the reasons behind this new hostility and propose possible ways to remedy the problem.

Sources:
Hanson, Gordon H., Preface to "Does Illegal Immigration Harm US Citizens?" This is a great analysis of the ways the recent influx of immigrants has affected America in regards to finances and the workforce. 

Hainmueller, Jens and Hiscox, Michael J., "Attitudes toward Highly Skilled and Low-skilled Immigration" This study is unique in the ways that it focuses on the opinions of individuals as they relate to immigration and also tries to pinpoint the varying attitudes towards immigrants of different skill levels.

Ruark, Eric A., and Matthew Graham. "Immigration Is Increasing Poverty in the United States." A solid argument against claims that immigrants take away large numbers of jobs from established citizens.

Hainmueller, Jens and Hopkins, Daniel J., "The Hidden American Immigration Consensus: A Conjoint Analysis of Attitudes Toward Immigrants." A great study that aims to identify the specific attributes of immigrants that provoke especially positive or negative reactions among Americans.

 

Huerta, Alvaro. "Arizona's Immigration Law is Racist." A reflection from someone who personally identifies with those attacked in Arizona, addressing the racism present in our society.


"Introduction to Illegal Immigration: Current Controversies." A concise explanation of the Arizona controversy and its immediate aftermath.

Anti-Gay Marriage

Here's an anti-gay marriage blog...

Lazy People

The greatest notable annoyance about our society today is the epidemic of laziness that has overcome the American people. It seems that all products, services, and pastimes are designed to aid this unfortunate predicament, worsening the cycle and fostering impatience and obesity.

Ever since the invention of cars, our motivation to simply walk places has been consistently declining. Nowadays, we take for granted our transportation by automobile, often times seeing no plausible way to arrive at a destination without the involvement of one. The idea of walking or bicycling to a given location seems daunting and strenuous to many. Furthermore, society caters to our reluctance to walk extended distances. Parking lots can be found today adjacent to all businesses, many featuring even closer spots rewarding people who promise not to stay long. Thus, shoppers will take advantage of these close spots, even if they anticipate staying for an extended time period, simply because they are lazy and the prospect of walking an extra hundred feet is an unbearable concept.

Moreover, as a society we have an acceptance for the pastime of laying around and doing nothing. Many refer to Saturdays or Sundays as their “lazy days”, opting to lay around in pajamas while eating various forms of junk, rather than venturing out and being a productive member of society. Additionally, we are taught early on as children that if you are tired, it is alright to spontaneously lie down during the day and sleep. This pastime is commonly referred to as “napping”, but in reality it is just deciding mid-day that life is too demanding and an unconscious break is necessary.

My argument against laziness in our society would not be complete without at least mentioning the detrimental effects the television has wreaked upon human activity. Don’t get me wrong, I believe that televised programming is beneficial in the way that it disperses information throughout our country and the world, but the prolonged activity of “vegging” out in front of a television watching pointless sitcoms or trashy reality TV only produces negative consequences. Instead of going outside and taking a walk or playing a game of catch, many families plant themselves in front of the screen. This practice is especially unfavorable because it teaches children that nightly inactivity is alright, a lesson that will most likely be passed down to their children as well.

Overall, I do not think that humans in general, or even Americans, contrary to popular belief, are destined to be lazy creatures. Our sluggish state spawns from cultural customs we become used to early on and then accept as normal. Though I admit that I occasionally am a participant in all the patterns I mentioned, I try to distance myself from their tempting grasp as much as possible. Essentially, that is all we can personally do in a society where the automobile, television, fast food, and ultimately laziness reign supreme.

Definition Essay

Link to Essay

Senior Project Update

The topic for my senior project still remains the same, as I will be an assistant teacher and choreographer for a class at Expressions Dance Studio. Life has been hectic lately, so I have not begun my actual field work yet, but I have secured my mentor and a position at the studio. My mentor will be Cassie Geremia, an amazing dance teacher who I worked with previously in middle school when she coached my competition team and last year when I was involved in her company. I have arranged for us to meet this upcoming week so we can discuss all the particulars of the project and deal with the requirements that will be due soon.

For my dance for the girls, I have been researching different styles of choreography through online videos from both amateurs and professionals. Since I will be working with younger students, I feel that this form of preparation is necessary as their material and skill level will be vastly different from my own. Thus, my dance for them will vary from if I were to choreograph a dance for myself.  The choreography I will be focusing on will be fun and upbeat and simple enough for them to execute effectively. Nonetheless, in my time working with the girls, I want to be able to improve their skill levels through my instruction, so I will attempt to challenge them whenever manageably possible.

Clearly, there is still much I have to complete in regards to my senior project. It is still necessary for me to solidify the exact class I will be working with for the project and then determine the amount of choreography to craft. However, I have definitely already determined the basic components that my project will entail, now I simply need to fill in the remaining gaps.

Response to "Drugs" by Gore Vidal

 

I do not necessarily agree with Vidal's assumption that people with easy access to drugs pose no threat to their neighbors. It seems that anyone engaging in regular usage of addictive drugs inevitably suffers from erratic side effects, which could lead to unpredictable and in some cases, possibly dangerous behavior. Even in the case of marijuana, which is not physically addictive, psychological addiction can arise causing less detrimental, but similar consequences as well. It is undeniable that people who periodically use drugs would be more likely to exert negative influence on those around them, whether the drugs are officially legalized or not. With that said however, I believe that simplified access to drugs would lessen the potential danger of these individuals to their neighbors. Readily available drugs would take the desperation and forced secrecy out of the illegal drug- obtaining process and thus, addicts would not be forced to resort to drastic measures as a result of the stress of trying to safely buy their goods. The psychological and physical dependence of addicts causes them to resort to crazy measures to maintain or regain their high and with the assurance of available drugs, these would not be necessary. Overall, though, relying on past crime rates alone, it is clear that drug users exert negative influence because of the drugs themselves, a trend that would most likely not change with any form of legalization.

Essay Analyzing Benjamin Banneker's Argument Against Slavery

Link to my essay

Key Points of "Politics and the English Language"

     The thesis of George Orwell's essay, "Politics and the English Language" is undeniably that the use of English as a whole is going downhill as a result of cultural influences. He goes on to support this by providing five examples which he believes exemplify this decaying of language that later support his major claims in the essay. Additionally, Orwell goes on to note various common writing errors and discusses methods to produce work of better quality. Overall, in my opinion, here are the key pieces of advice Orwell presents...

     The main point that struck me in reading this essay is the emphasis Orwell places on keeping all writing concise. Basically, he argues that long words, if possible, should be excluded and replaced by more straightforward ones. He argues that lengthy words and their repeated usage, work to make the writer sound egotistic rather than intelligent. Similarly, Orwell states that phrases and sentences should be kept short as well. He expresses that if unnecessary words can be found in any work of writing, they should be eliminated, as they only add unimportant clutter. Furthermore, going on the apparently key theme of the essay, he insists that the less there is of excess, the better, as a simplistic writing style proves the most effective.

     Another interesting aspect of this essay is Orwell's insistence on the elimination of foreign, scientific, and jargon words from the English vocabulary. He states that there is "no real need for any of the hundreds of foreign phrases now in current English" and criticizes the words for adding both vagueness and pretentiousness to the language. Orwell believes that the sole reason these words are so commonly used is because poor writers use them to conceal their incompetence when it comes to writing.

     Lastly, Orwell places high emphasis on originality. He criticizes the over usage of commonplace phrases that only add generic blandness to writing, citing many metaphors as examples. The detriments of these phrases are great, he argues, as they foster laziness in writers who settle for a preconceived label rather than taking the time to engineer one themselves.

Research Paper Topic

The topic I will be covering for my research paper is immigration, and more specifically the shift in American attitudes from their prior state regarding the heated subject. I will investigate the reasons behind the newfound opposition to today’s immigrants and research possible solutions to the problem.

The controversy surrounding my topic spawns from the fact that immigration is a touchy issue in our society today. It is undeniably clear that there has been a new influx of immigrants in recent times, particularly from Mexico. Furthermore, this new section of the American population is changing society is very visible ways-- socially, economically, and culturally.  Many individuals have strong opinions on the subject, but choose not to voice them to avoid any awkward confrontation. For my paper, I am going to attempt to uncover these unexpressed feelings through previously conducted surveys and studies in an effort to determine possible solution to end the unfair prejudices that have subsequently arisen.

Emotionally, I think I represent a somewhat neutral standpoint. I myself am not an immigrant, nor are my parents, and as an obviously Caucasian individual, I feel as if I can speak of the topic without too much of a personal bias affecting my claims. Having immigrant grandparents though and growing up in America, a country which has always been a sort of melting pot, founded by immigrants fleeing their homelands, I can definitely relate to the influences of immigrants on the nature of our nation.

In order to make my paper unique, I am going to conduct interviews with immigrants that I know, both legal and illegal, injecting realistic perspective into my writing. Moreover, I will consult people of various ages regarding the subject to discover if opinion on immigration is related to time frames.

Cupcakes and Cashmere Blog

     A great blog that I've been familiar with for a while is Cupcakes and Cashmere. It is definitely geared towards women, as it includes posts on fashion trends, as well as guides on how to do different hair and makeup styles. An aspect that definitely sets this blog apart however, is the section devoted to tasty recipes (hence the "cupcakes" noted in the title). The recipes range from scones to pizza and always feature step-by-step pictures of the yummy food.

     Nonetheless, the reason I first became accquainted with this blog was through a fashion magazine that noted blogger Emily Shuman's exquisite fashion sense. The photos she posts of her various outfits are always perfectly put together, with an excellent mix of high and low labels (that is, designer and more affordable brands). This makes the blog appealing to a younger set of women who can't necessarily relate to bloggers who constantly post outfits that would cost thousands to recreate.

      I also love this blog because Schuman includes regular entries that aren't necessarily related to fashion, design, or food, but simply to things she likes or that inspire her. This is enjoyable becase it makes the blog as a whole more relatable, and thus each time I visit the site it's like chatting with an old friend rather than just randomly surfing the internet.

     Overall, Cupcakes and Cashmere is a fabulous blog for girls looking for outfit inspiration, some fresh recipes, or general charming insight on life and style.

Steve Madden Shoes

     In America, there is one brand of shoes that reigns supreme by simultaneously meeting the needs of comfort, style, and affordability-- Steve Madden. Steve Madden himself is considered a major fashion footwear mogul of the 21st century, a title he has earned as the leader and namesake of the company. As the primary creative force, has been responsible for the design and marketing of the company's trendsetting shoes for the past two decades. The brand of Steve Madden has grown to manufacture more than just a specific type of shoe, or even just shoes in general-- today the line includes their bestselling boots and heels, in addition to accessories, apparel, and much more.

                                                    

Heels

     With various styles modeled and crafted with the artistry of more expensive brands, the brand's high-heeled shoes have become a stylish alternative to paying sky-high prices for designer labels. In fact, Madden's breakout hit as a designer was with the Mary Lou, a patent-leather Mary Jane complete with a large bump toe that gained immense popularity with teenagers. "I started getting calls from mothers all over the tri-state area," Madden quotes. "Fifteen calls a day. The kids had nothing to wear to the bat mitzvahs, to the confirmations. This was something." Today, Madden's line includes pumps and platforms that range in style from lady-like to wild, a quality that enables the brand to appeal to a wide and growing audience looking to polish up their outfits.

                                

                                                               

Boots

     In the relatively short time since their inception into the shoe market, Steve Madden boots have easily grown to become a focal point of the company as a whole. Today, the line includes more boots than any other type of footwear and their boots excel as popular sellers at large chain stores, such as Macy's. Within the boots category, there are varying styles designed by the line to meet different fashion needs. On the brand's website, for example, the boots are segregated into five different groups: Studded, Lace-Up, Western, Wedge, and Dress. This plethora of options allows consumers to easily decide which trends they wish to follow regarding their current footwear, while being ensured that they will receive the high quality leather and materials signature of Steve Madden.

Apparel and Accessories

      It was in 1997 that Steve Madden signed its first licensing agreements for handbags, sunglasses, hosiery, outerwear, and jewelry. Steve Madden's movement out of the shoe industry, however, was a difficult process, as Winer Industries was chosen as the licensee for Steven Madden sportswear and jeans, but then the license subsequently lapsed. By the end of 1999, things finally came together and Steve Madden's own roster of licensed products included not only general women's clothing, but also belts, hair accessory products, and intimate apparel. The brand's clothing and accessories line has continued to prosper and is featured today at fine retailers such as Nordstrom and Dillard's.

      The brand of Steve Madden as a fashion powerhouse continues to evolve creatively as trends and the market progress. Nonetheless, the founding principle of the company, that is, to create unique, on trend products suitable for all price points and lifestyles, remains true. Madden states that his mission and the inspiration behind it is simple, explaining, "What inspires me is what I see people wearing on the streets of the world from New York to London and beyond. I get my ideas and inspiration from pounding the pavement all over the world. Today, fashion is dictated by individual style. To me, the fashion of the future is anything that a young guy or girl feels good wearing as long as it's put together in the right way."

"Girl" Imitation Essay

Link to Essay

I Want a Husband

Even in today’s constantly evolving world, with near equality between the sexes, a husband seems a crucial component to any woman’s societal success. I too wish to adapt to that mold by procuring a husband. The question remains, why do I want a husband? Let me explain…

 I want a husband mainly to provide for me financially. Upon completion of my schooling, it will still be vital for me to secure a husband to pay the bills because I must tend to the children. While I am dealing with the duties of diapers and daycare, he will inevitably be shut away in an office characterized by a professional atmosphere.

 I want a husband so that the immense amount of money that he earns at his important, influential job can go towards my clothes, hair, and makeup, allowing me to look my absolute best when I am on his arm at events. I want a husband so he can obsess over these details of my appearance, perhaps selecting appropriate outfits and elegant hairstyles in order to impress his high-ranking male friends.

 I want a husband so that when he arrives home at night, he can enthrall me with every minute detail of his day. At five o’ clock, I want a husband to be sitting at the kitchen table, readily expecting a cooked meal. I want a husband so that while he enjoys this meal, he can entertain me by loudly belching or emitting other unpleasant sounds and odors.

 I want a husband who is ridiculously obsessed with televised sports. Most importantly, I want a husband so he can prioritize these sports programs before all else. I want a husband that will invite his male friends over for some “bonding” consisting of beer and a football game, for which I can readily supply snacks, but otherwise remain invisible.

 I want a husband so that I can constantly clean up the haphazard messes he believes are necessary to leave scattered throughout the house. Dirty clothes and used dishes left in random places, waiting for me to pick them up is exactly what I have always desired from a partner. Furthermore, I want a husband so that when I instruct him to dispose of the mess, he will readily ignore me, opting to tune out my voice, but insisting later on that I never made such a request.

 I want a husband so he can be assertive and take on the role of the “man of the house’’, avoiding vulnerability in ways unknown to me. If I need someone to properly discipline the children, I want a husband so he can get up from his recliner (when his program is on a commercial break of course) and assertively lay down some ground rules. When speaking to me, I want a husband that will shy away from talking about all emotions or sensitive subjects whatsoever and never reveal how he truly feels. This way, aligned accordingly with his preferences, tough issues will remained unresolved. However, in any case of doubt, his judgment will unyieldingly reign supreme.

 

Overall, at the end of the day, I want to go to bed knowing I have a husband who is superbly masculine, dominant in all situations, and will proceed to keep me up all night with his deafeningly loud snores.  

Swing Dancing Essay

Link to Essay

Process at a Restaurant

On an average night at the small restaurant, dozens of families and couples treat themselves to an unusual dinner out, but the routine for the employees, such as myself, is nothing special. The guests are hospitably welcomed with a cordial greeting upon entering, and pleasantries are exchanged. Our particular restaurant features a cash register, where a cashier will record the guests’ selections, repeat them back to guarantee correctness, and announce the total for the dinner. After the payment is received, the customers’ order is taken and sent to the kitchen. Following its arrival through the stove-side printer, the meal will be reviewed by the cook, who will then proceed to prepare it. To start his practice, he will reach into the fridge and pull out all the required condiments, choosing the food with the soonest expiration date. Then, he begins to prepare the meal, often juggling as many as ten orders at a time, all while the servers continue to holler commands at him. When the meal is finally finished, the cook places it on the heated partition. The waiter will continue examine the food, checking for accuracy by comparing the dish with the ticket’s message. As soon as the inspection is complete, he or she matches the food with the correct table location and briskly carries out the dinner.

Upon arriving at the table, the server repeats the name and basic contents of the dish back to the guests in order to place the meal in front of its correct recipient. Afterwards, he or she waits patiently to ensure that the food is correctly prepared to the customers’ liking and goes to fetch any other items they desire. Once this is complete, the waiter heads back to the server station, checking on the customers every so often, and repeating the process multiple times that night.

Compare and Contrast Essay

Link to Compare and Contrast Essay

Example Essay

Link to my "Churchgoers Aren't Perfect" Essay

Structural Analysis of "The Human Cost of an Illiterate Society"

        
          One of the main structural elements that Kozol utilizes in the essay is varying syntax. Kozol includes sentences of differing lengths in order to emphasize certain key points more clearly than others. For example, at the start of nearly each paragraph Kozol opts to use short, choppy introductory sentences. This repeated structural formatting serves not only to draw attention to the opening lines, but also works to convey the way in which illiterates cannot even understand simple sentences, such as the ones featured. The cut off remarks describe the limitations the illiterate are forced to struggle with while actually serving as an example of those struggles in themselves. This tactic works to add depth and understanding to the essay as a whole. For instance, an example of this structural recurrence is present in the sentence, "Illiterates cannot travel freely" (24). This point proves that if an illiterate individual is unable to understand this extremely basic sentence, they would have immense difficulty getting by in another country, or even another town for matter.

          On the other hand, Kozol uses mainly long, complex sentences to make up the remainder of most of the paragraphs. These long sentences are juxtaposed with the previous short ones to create a contrast of the seemingly straightforward difficulty the illiterate face and the majorly troublesome reality that ensues from the unfortunate condition. The drawn out text emphasizes the way in which simple tasks can become drawn out for the illiterate due to their inability to read and write. The sentences' lengthy structure makes them strenuous to read, reflecting the strenuous nature of the predicaments for the illiterate. For example, the usually easy task of looking up a phone number becomes a unmanageable hassle for illiterate individuals, as Kozol states,"Even if they can find the names of friends, few possess the sorting skills to make use of the yellow pages; categories are bewildering and trade names are beyond decoding capabilities for millions of nonreaders" (17). This reflection and all those like it work to depict the relentless difficulties for the illiterate that prove themselves lengthy and complex.

         Moreover, Kozol includes thought-provoking questions throughout the essay which break up the existing format. The rhetorical questions are often placed together in a long string, representing the never-ending series of frustrating questions illiterate individuals inevitably ask themselves regularly. Kozol illustrates this inconvenience in the paragraph regarding travel, quizzing readers, "Where will they go? How will they get there? How will they get home? Could it be that some of us might like it better if they stay where they belong?" (24). This reflection adds perspective for the literate audience reading the essay, as everyone has been placed in a situation where they have been faced with numerous questions. Concentrating only on the visible structure, the questions resemble the short introductory sentences I previously discussed and similarly provide straightforward analysis of the hardships faced by the illiterate.

Random Post About Converse Shoes

           When many people think of basketball shoes, brand names Nike, Reebok, or Adidas come to mind, nonetheless the most popular, best-selling basketball shoe of all time is the iconic Converse All-Star Chuck Taylor.

The Converse Rubber Corporation initially opened for business in 1908, but opting at first to make galoshes and work-related rubber shoes exclusively. Eventually, however, the company looked to expand their line of products, and with the popularity of basketball, the Converse Corporation saw a market in developing a shoe that people could wear while playing the sport. Consequently, after a great deal of research and development, the earliest version of the All Star basketball shoe was created and produced in 1917, originally coming in natural brown colors with black trim.

          Converse shoes would get their big break, though from the man Charles H. Taylor, a basketball player. Taylor saw massive potential for the shoe and in 1921, joined the Converse sales force. Furthermore, he later became a player and coach for the Converse All-Stars, the company's industrial league basketball team. Throughout his career with Converse, Taylor traveled all across the United States hosting basketball clinics and promoting the All Star shoe. His charismatic salesmanship skills aided the sales of the shoe drastically. In fact, due to his successful promotion of Converse All Stars, as well as his influential input regarding changes in the design of the All Star shoe, his name “Chuck Taylor” was added to the ankle patch in 1932. At this point the classic “Chuck Taylor” All Star basketball shoe was born!

          When Chuck Taylor died in 1969, the dominant reign of the Converse Company came to an end. Modern rival companies, such as Nike, seized an opportunity to step in, and began to chip away at the market share and influence of Converse. They introduced new models with contemporary colored looks and high tech innovations like pumps and air cells. Although Converse responded by introducing chucks in a variety of hues, the majority of teams began abandoning their All Stars.

         As the new companies continued to monopolize the shoe market, the Converse "Chuck Taylor" All Star, once the premiere shoe of elite basketball players now became the shoe of the counter-culture and baby boomers who refused to stop wearing their favorite pairs of chucks. The shoes became very popular with rock musicians, and younger generations wore them for their distinctive looks, colors, and comfort and as an alternative to the high priced high performance shoes made by Nike and other companies. They were considered a leisure shoe and now were purchased because they were fashionable. Converse responded by manufacturing chucks in hundreds of different variations that included prints, patterns, unusual colors, and special models for different age groups.

         The brand began experiencing financial problems in the 1980s, continuing up to 2001 when they filed for bankruptcy. Nonetheless, the brand was eventually reestablished successfully and in the end was purchased by its rival, Nike.

         Despite all of the innovations and changes in the athletic shoe industry, ‘Chuck’ Taylor athletic shoes continue to live on. As a matter of fact, 60% of all Americans own or have owned at least one pair of these sneakers and more than 800,000,000 pairs of chucks have been sold worldwide. Keeping their basic design since 1949, Converse All Star Chuck Taylor basketball shoes are the classic American sneaker, and remain a favorite shoe for people of every age all around the world.

Link to Narrative Essay

Link to Narrative Essay emulating "Indian Education"

"Greasy Lake" Analysis

The essay “Greasy Lake” by T. Coraghessan Boyle is a narrative in which three young men realize that being perceived as “bad characters”, is in reality a thoroughly undesirable condition after experiencing it firsthand. At the start of the story, the narrator and his friends, Digby and Jeff, try to convey an image of themselves as rebels through a description that actually reveals just the opposite. In the first paragraph, the narrator describes their behavior stating proudly, “We… struck elaborate poses to show that we didn’t give a shit about anything”. The fact, however, that the boys are putting a great amount of effort into posing showcases that they are just normal, nerdy boys trying to imitate rebellious characters. This actuality is reaffirmed through the comments by the narrator that Digby attends Cornell, an elite institution, and that Jeff wishes to become an artist.

Consequently, when the friends come face to face with a real “bad boy”, they attempt to fight him, but then panic when they realize how ridiculously outmatched they are. The narrator and his companions try to imitate the actions they believe would be proper for a rebel to engage in, but reveal their true nature when they flee the scene, frightened and overwhelmed. Boyle captures the events that transpire by including vivid imagery, thus providing illustrative depictions of events. For instance, after the ruckus has ensued and the boys return to the scene of the chaos, the environment is described intricately. Boyle expresses, “There was a smell in the air, raw and sweet at the same time, the smell of the sun firing buds and opening blossoms. I contemplated the car. It lay there like a wreck along the highway, like a steel sculpture left over from a vanished civilization”. In this quote, Boyle uses not only visual description, but engages all the senses, bringing the scene to life. Furthermore, the use of the simile in describing the car adds an unexpected comparison that attaches depth to the dire circumstances the three boys are in as a result of their desire to be “cool”.

In the end, the three comrades realize that being unruly and rebellious is not worth the resulting trauma and are put in their rightful place. Though earlier in the story they come close to raping a girl in a flash of desire, when they are approached by two drunken young women later on after the crazy events, they are uninterested. The girls are overly flirty with them, but they ignore them, opting to return home because they are overly tired. The prospect of being legitimate rebels proved too much for them to handle in reality and they recognize this as they flee the scene, eager to return to their nerdy, average lives. Overall, the narrator emerges after the nights events more mature and with a new outlook of understanding.

Abstract Description

Link to Abstract Description Essay

A Modestly Beautiful Tree

During class on Friday I chose to observe and reflect on a small tree in the quad...

 Link to Description of a Tree

"The Box Man" Discussion

1. In this discussion, through the observations of my classmates I realized that the author uses words with positive connotations in the first paragraph, such as "lucky" and "good fortune" to display the content outlook the "Box Man" maintains, despite his dire situation.

2. I wish that we had discussed the other characters, the lady who lingers at the coffee shop and the woman with six cats, in greater detail because they provide just as much insight into the meaning of the passage as the homeless man.

3. I wish that I had drawn attention to the paragraph that reveals how the coffee shop woman receives a Christmas card yearly from her former boss. The author's inclusion of this seemingly trivial fact is undoubtedly important because it further illustrates the small amount of social contact the woman engages in.

Link to "I Am A..." Essay

Link to "I Am A..." Essay

Long Form for Class Matters

Long Form for Class Matters by Correspondents of the New York Times

Subject: Class distinctions in America

Link to Long Form for Class Matters

Senior Project

When I first began dancing in my elementary school days, there was always a teacher and an assistant teacher at every weekly class. As young girls, we viewed the teacher as a stricter, professional adult, however, the assistant was always a high school girl that came across as more relatable, the kind of person who looks so mature, but acts goofy and fun at the same time. So when the time came to plan for my senior project, I instantly thought of becoming an assistant teacher at a local dance studio, so I could have the opportunity to reach out to young dancers the way my assistant teachers did with me. Consequently, for my project, I will be volunteering at Expressions Dance Studio this upcoming school year. I will work with less experienced dancers and give them instruction on how to improve upon their abilities, motivating them to strive for success with their style, technique, and performance. Additionally, I plan to choreograph a piece for the dancers which will be an educational experience for me as I have never formally devised a dance for anyone besides myself before. Furthermore, after cleaning the dance during classes and at rehearsals, the girls will perform in the Expressions annual year-end recital for their friends and family. At this performance I will assist in helping it run smoothly by volunteering backstage, both organizing the dancers and helping with technical functions.

      This project is a going to include a large sacrifice of time on my part, probably upwards of fifty hours, but I’m willing to go along with that in order to be a mentor to these young dancers. Throughout my dance career, I have always valued the few coaches and teachers I have come into contact with that genuinely wanted to get to know me as a person. If I am able to pass that on to the girls I work with, that will be a significant reward. I have, unfortunately, experienced a great deal of disappointment throughout my years of dancing simply because of the competitive nature of dance. Yet, these obstacles have not been detrimental to my self-esteem simply because of the quality guidance I received early on. My ultimate goal for this project to instill a love of dance in these girls that is strong enough to overpower any negativity that may come their way and keep them dancing for many years to come.

All About Me

Hello everyone! To introduce myself, my name is Alyssa Fumagalli. I am a seventeen year old, native Napan with a love for dance, Disney movies, and Chinese food, among other things.

 As far as my family goes, I have one sister, Danielle, who is probably one of the most accomplished 23- year olds I know. Although we are unalike in almost every way imaginable, we still manage to get along relatively well and remain close, despite the fact that she lives across the country in Washington D.C. Additionally, my mom serves as an unbelievably influential figure in my life, without her watchful guidance, my procrastinator tendencies would run wild and I might possibly consume inorganic fruits and vegetables not purchased from Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods. On the other hand, I see a lot of myself in my father, as he continually strives to please others, but is unpredictable in the way that he will spontaneously break out into a song or dance.

Speaking of dance… outside of school dance serves as the main extracurricular activity that I am involved in. I first fell in love with dance at the age of eight when my mother dragged me to a jazz class against my will. Since then, I have been continuously dancing for nine (almost ten!) years and have no plans of stopping any time soon. Throughout my career in dance, I have been instructed in numerous styles such as jazz, ballet, modern, hip hop, contemporary, and pointe. The opportunities to embrace various forms of dance have arisen through my involvement with different studios such as Academy of Dance, Dance Direction, and most recently, Expressions School of Dance and Music, where I will be an assistant teacher and choreographer throughout the upcoming school year. In the end though, my favorite dance experience occurred about a year ago, when I was able to attend the Pulse Convention in San Francisco, which was an incredible experience as I got to learn material from world-famous choreographers. The whole time I couldn’t help feeling a little star struck as many of them have been repeatedly featured on the TV show, So You Think You Can Dance. In addition, I actually got to talk one on one with both Mia Michaels and Brian Friedman which was crazy, since they are two people that have inspired me personally for many years.

With Brian Friedman at Pulse!

More recently however, I just finished performing as a member of Platinum Dance Company, a nonprofit organization that was a lot of fun because some of my really good friends were involved and membership was free (which was definitely a plus). Furthermore, as far as my dance experience within Napa High School goes, I am currently a member of the Napa High School Dance Department’s Jazz 3 class and I am so excited that I was selected to be a Dance Club Officer for this coming year.

As of right now, my future career goal is to become a pediatric dentist because I love kids and have had an odd fascination with teeth nearly all my life. Literally when I was younger I had a Play Doh set that included plastic versions of a person’s mouth, drills, and crowns and strangely enough, it was my favorite Christmas present ever. Looking to the nearer future though, I am not entirely sure which college I want to attend because I have visited ten different campuses in the past year and liked all of them.

Here’s a picture of me from a recent college visit at Pepperdine University (easily the most picturesque campus I’ve seen) about a month ago.    

So now you know a little bit more about me and I cannot wait to get to know you all better in the upcoming year as well!