Student Success Statement

"The Ultimate Choice. Of all the choices you will ever make, one choice supersedes all others-the ultimate choice. This one choice will help you to always make correct decisions. This one choice, the Ultimate Choice, is your keystone to being the best student and person you can possibly be. This one choice will forever affect you for good more than any other choice. The ULTIMATE CHOICE is:

To be a CTR person- to Always CHOOSE THE RIGHT!!!"

Reflection:

I think that this is a very excellent quote to end the year off with, and it brings back alot of nostalgia as I go back to all the wonderful lessons that I've received from my very insightful computer teacher, Mr. Haymore. I believe that it is always important that you do what feels right, what you are positive that is right, because that is the ultimate choice. Whether or not someone is kind or a good person is a true display of character. In these days, where everyone is attracted to that rebellious boy, I'd much rather be with a boy that shows that he finds importance in being kind, in being responsible, and always has good intentions. I find that it is very difficult to be the good person that always does the right thing, and I have major respect for those that do decide to do the right thing. I have no idea what paths I will take in the future, but I know for sure that I will always follow the road that many fear to venture into, regardless of how steep the journey may be..I will go down the path that leads to success, by choosing the right.

Student Success Statement

"If there is beauty in character,

there will be harmony in the home.

If there is the harmony in the home,

there will be order in the nation.

If there is order in the nation,

there will be peace in the world.

Conclusion:

If there is beauty in character,

there will be peace in the world."

-Chinese Proverb

(The key to success is definitely good character.)

Reflection:

I think that there is much to be said about this proverb, but it all amounts to a single conclusion: this is all tremendously true. I see it as something of a domino effect. Let's say there's no beauty in character, then there will be no harmony in any home, which will lead to discord in the nation, and soon there are senseless wars across the world. People underestimate the power that good character can have, and it is important to realize that fact. Without giving good value to our character, I feel that this world will slowly deteriorate. In fact, it's already deteriorating, so shouldn't we start working towards a bit of a change?

The Six Pillars of Character

The Six Pillars of Character

Trustworthiness: To be deserving of trust or reliance; being dependable. 

Ex.  Your friend dropped some money, since you are trustworthy, you pick it up and hand it back to her instead of keeping it.

Respect: To treat others with proper acceptance or courtesy.

Ex. You don't like that one teacher, but you make sure to be polite and say "Good morning" every day..you treat her with RESPECT

Responsibility: To hold yourself accountable and can be depended on to get the work done..and on time.

Ex. Your group is depending on you to finish up the project, and you really want to go to the movies, but you decide to  responsible and prioritize your schoolwork.

Fairness: To be fair.

Ex. You only offered a cookie to your friend, but other people wanted some. To be fair, you gave them some too.

Caring: To show concern and care for others.

Ex. You see your friend trip and fall during a run. Instead of running, you stop and help pick him up.

Citizenship: To be a good citizen.

Ex. You saw some kids up to no good, so you go and tell and adult.

Reflection:

I actually have heard of the six pillars of character before. In my middle school, the Six Pillars of Character were the central motivation for everyone. We even had to buy specific "Binder Reminders" (agendas) from the school that had messages for different days of the year, to remind you to follow the six pillars. We had different months of the year commemorating each pillar, but I think that emphasizing the importance of good character didn't always work for many students. Some thought the idea was dumb, and I think that's true for many highschoolers as well. In my opinion, the six pillars are great! However, only those who are motivated to be good people will actually take them into account.

Student Success Statement

"I would prefer to fail with honor than win by cheating."

- Sophocles

Reflection:

People like Sophocles are good, honest people. As much as I wouldn't want to admit it, I'm not sure my conscience would feel guilty enough if I happened to cheat on a small test. Cheating isn't something I do, I'm too dumb to actually pull it off and I tend to study heavily beforehand anyways, so there's no real reason to cheat, but if I was taking a test and circumstances made it impossible to study, I just might feel tempted to cheat. I wouldn't feel proud of failing even if I did it honorably, I'd MUCH rather get a good score.

However, the thing that holds me back the most is my own personal habits. I haven't cheated on a test my whole life, and starting to cheat now could become a bad habit and I always remind myself, "If I cheat on this test, I'm cheating myself". That's one of my many mantras, and honestly, I wouldn't want to break it now.

Student Success Statement

"The most important thing you will ever have is good values."

- Dennis Prager

Reflection:  

I think that this is definitely something that is true. Without good values, you can watch as your life quickly falls apart. Good habits and good morale lead to a more accomplished life, whereas bad values, and no morale can lead to being unproductive or even becoming someone who loses their life early on because they fell into a bad path (drugs, excessive drinking, etc.). I've often said that I will never feel the need to take drugs or do alcohol because I've learned from other people just how catastrophic taking that dark path may become. I want to be someone that my parents brag about later on in life and that they still think about with rose-colored glasses on their deathbeds.

Student Success Statement

"Nothing is ever gained in doing what's wrong."

- Wilford Woodruff

Reflection:

There is definitely profit from doing what's wrong, you can gain a perfect score on a test, or money, you could win that soccer game, or even the girl of your dreams. What you don't get, however, is the satisfaction that you've done something right. Even those with no conscience or consideration would likely ponder on the fact that perhaps they aren't capable of anything unless it's by less than morally correct means. Wouldn't you much rather feel proud that you do everything right, and have that knowledge that you are capable of great things without having to resort to choosing the wrong? I would much rather get a low A on a test and know that that result was the fruit of my efforts than get a perfect score and know that nothing I wrote came from my actual capability as a student. 

"Nicest Man in the World"

In a Florida airport, a man by the name of Patrick Morgan found an IPad with $13,000 shoved into the case. Instead of trying to keep it to himself, he did the right thing and contacted the authorities. When the owner appeared, he gave sixty dollars to Patrick and left. However, this airport custodian's good deeds didn't end there. Patrick gave a portion of his money to a homeless woman, and gave the rest to a coworker in need.

Patrick was recognized for his honesty, and given a check of $625 dollars as a result. This just goes to show that sometimes doing the right thing brings all kinds of rewards, not just internal satisfaction.

Forgiveness

Prisoner: Eric Smallridge

Girls: Megan
           Lisa

Megan's mother: Renee

This story is about a man who was drinking and driving, Eric Smallridge, and as a result became the offender in a horrific account of manslaughter. His poor choices ended the lives of two girls (Megan and Lisa) and landed him 22 years in jail.

However, Eric's sentence was halved, and not just by anyone, but by Megan's mother Renee, who knew that Eric was truly sorry for what he had done. Renee said that although she had felt rightfully angry and hateful towards Eric at the beginning, it hadn't allowed her to move on. When she went out to have Eric's 22 year sentence cut down, she was not only freeing him from jail, she was freeing herself from all of her bitterness. Renee recognizes that the only true way to heal is to forgive, and that's exactly what she did.

I think that this story sends a very powerful message, and I know that I wouldn't have been able to forgive the man who killed my daughter. I would've hated him for my entire life, and continued to grow until I was a bitter old woman. Forgiveness is key to happiness, and holding a grudge doesn't hurt anyone as much as it hurts yourself. Even though I'm saying this as a hypocrite ( I know I would never have forgiven Eric) I understand the sentiment behind it.

Student Success Statment

"Dare to stand alone."

-Thomas S. Monson

Reflection:

There is great importance in standing alone, because whenever everyone else is doing something wrong and trying to convince you to do the same, it's important to have your own integrity and have the courage to follow a different path. I think that saying you'll stand alone is easier said than done, it is something that requires more than simply just the belief that you are right, it requires hardened resolve and true longing to stand up for what you believe in. I don't know if I would dare to stand alone if everyone else was contradicting me, trying to convince me that I'm the one who's wrong, because with so many people against me, I just might believe them. It's happened before, on a math problem, but I don't know what my reaction would be in a real life crisis, or how someone can dare to be the only man standing.

Life Planning Progess

Up until now, I've written nearly 300 goals. I recently accomplished a goal I wrote down, "Accomplish 50 of these goals" so I can say with complete pride that today I have been able to accomplish 55 of the 300 goals I have written so far.

I am a bit disappointed, recently, because something I really wanted and emphasized on several of my pages was to go to a concert, at the end of the day, I suppose wishing and working towards a goal doesn't always work out. 

Writing down lists is something that has helped me remember all of the accomplishments I have made thus far. I know that I still have many many empty pages in my book, but I'm hoping that for sure one day every single goal I get the chance to write down has a "Victory" scrawled in next to it.

I've progressed fairly well, I suppose, but I also know that the only real time I get to look at my notebook is when I'm here, in class. I really need to work on keeping my word of reading every single day. Even when it gets tiresome (because it does) to read the same thing repeatedly.

Well that's all...maybe in a few months my entire notebook will be filled.

Dr. Bob in Albany, New York

In possibly one of the worst neighborhoods there is, is a doctor commonly known as Mr.Bob that has taken up residence in a local hospital, and spends every last cent of his salary helping others. To be more exact, he really has no salary.

He had a decent job, up until he realized that he wasn't really making the world any better. So he gave up his career, and went to medical school at age 36. He thought he could help even those that don't have the money nor the insurance to pay for counseling, or to receive medical attention. Sometimes he even gives money to his patients to cover their expenses for other things not related to medicine. Without a doubt, he is a truly selfless man.

I think that what he has done for those around him is truly something that is so incredibly kind, and I don't think that even I have the capacity he has to carry so much warmth within me, to live in a bad neighborhood. If I was him, I would want to live in a nice place, where I have a clean roof over my head, and an upcoming retirement home to relax in. I wouldn't want to put even my own health in danger by giving my salary away to people I hardly know. Usually, medical careers would pay a lot of money, and I would want to be receiving my share.

There is much to be learned about this man, Dr. Bob, and that is, to put aside your interests for the good of those around you. Don't be a selfish person, because at the end of the day, is the world any different when you die, than when you were born? Will you be remembered for being a good person? Will you have made any change in the world?

Student Success Statement

"I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true. I must stand with anybody that stands right, and stand with him while he is right, and part with him when he goes wrong."

-Abraham Lincoln

Reflection:

I think that this emphasizes something that I really like, which is to side with your instinct, your morality, your principles. When you feel that something is ethically wrong in what you do, then you have the obligation to abandon that type of person, or type of environment. You choose who you surround yourself with. You choose what is right, and make your judgments based on what you believe in. I think that a mentality like this is exceptionally important.

Student Success Statements

"True independence and freedom can only exist in doing what's right."

-Brigham Young

Reflection:

I suppose this is true. If someone goes around doing what's wrong, eventually they begin to lose independence and freedom. Suppose you are a good person, but then you commit a crime and become a fugitive. By choosing to go down the wrong path, you've ultimately lost all the blessings that you once took for granted. Now, you have no freedom, and the law will hunt you down and put you where you belong: jail. 

Video Summary

In a high school football game in Michigan, a football team planned to not make a touchdown, with a specific goal in mind. There was a special-ed student, Keith, and they would make it so that he would make the touchdown. 
It became the kind of experience where they made everyone's day, and many people were surprised by the sentiment, they'd never even considered doing something like what the football team had come up with. 

In all honesty, I'm also one of those people who wouldn't even consider the idea of helping out someone else. I'm probably a bit selfish as I say this, but good actions like those don't come to mind naturally. I'm not used to contact with those who are mentally or physically deficient, and I hope I don't come off as rude when I say that I do catch myself avoiding those types of people instead of approaching them.

Nevertheless, stories like these never cease to amaze me. They're quite common when it comes to sports, and Mr. Haymore has shown us quite a few of them. I often wonder if I'll ever have the good kind of ulterior motives and help out a kid, similarly to the way this football team helped Keith.