Tales of Tenth Grade

Old school days I feel like most of my generation is just kinda do with the flow type of people. Doing illegal things and not caring who it hurts and who they are taking down with them. And they get a bad wrap but what you have to understand is that our parents did the same things and some even worse than us. The difference is they didn't grow up with cameras in schools, stores, houses so they rarely got caught. Our generation is watched 24/7 with no freedom. They claim we need it because we are so bad that only bc we are yelled at for every little thing. There was a time when students left class to go hang out with friends for 15 minutes and come back when there was nothing going on in class. Now you get a detention for being gone for 10, everything is wrong and you are punished for the little things. There are bigger problems doing on in school then someone leaving class.

Each day this year has been a rollercoaster. When I think of the year 2020 in general, all I can think about is how we're living through a historical time period. Through all the tragedy, deaths, and protests that are taking place in our world right now, I wanted to share a poem I wrote about all the healthcare workers who have helped us out of the dark hole that we suffered through that is called "Covid-19". I think these people are real heroes and as we enter a new phase of this year which is the Black Lives Matter Movement, I want to show appreciation for the very people that have ensured that we're all still here, healthy, and ready to make a change in our world.  Masked Warrior Some heroes wear capes,  Others wear masks.  These very sacred paper protecting accessories  hold grief, pain, and suffering.  But returning each day,  They travel into the world,  Divide and conquer.  The fear that hides behind never...

We are currently living through history. When I look back at my lifetime, there are only a few instances in the world that stand out. Like the Sandy Hook shooting, our first African American president, hurricane sandy, Donald Trump's impeachment, etc. However, I feel like 2020 has probably been the craziest year I have ever lived through. Starting with the Corona Virus, a global pandemic. This was crazy, for the longest time it honestly just didn't feel real. I'm still in quarantine, its been 84 days I think. I feel like I know what home schooling is like now, and I'm starting to get tired of it. I miss my friends, and I feel like it was just fun to be around everyone every week. But I think the biggest thing that is happening, and that I have ever lived through, is the Black Lives Matter protests going on right now. Every day, there are massive protests in every state, and in other countries as well. Racism is rooted in so many systems of America, like the police, ...

In February, news about the coronavirus outbreak in China reached the US, and most people I know didn't even give it a second thought. I think lots of us kind of thought it would be like Ebola, where it was just a really big outbreak in one country. However, we were wrong. The virus spread to the US, and rumors were beginning to go around that we would have to cancel school. I remember the Thursday in mid-March when I heard that they were shutting down the school, and while at that point we pretty much all knew it was coming, it was definitely weird to think that we probably wouldn't be going back to school. As we approach the final days of school, everything is starting to really wind down. It has been a long and interesting year, and a lot has happened. We started off the year just like normal, with regular classes and everything. No one could have expected what was to come. Since school had to be closed, we started online distance learning, which definitely was a new ...

I, as well as a lot of other students, play sports in the fall or look forward to attending the games. Except, the possibility of them happening this season is not looking that good. For football, since it is such a high contact sport it's pretty unlikely it will happen. As of right now, Governor Murphy is allowing for non contact outdoor sports to resume in the summer for the fall sports. This means that volleyball is also unlikely because it's an indoor sport. This is not only going to effect the players, but also everyone who goes to the games. Football is the most popular sport to attend games for at our school and without the season it would definitely be really sad. Also, the seniors once again would lose their last season. The fall sport that has the most potential for being played is Tennis because it is outdoor and there is usually no contact required. I might have to switch sports for a year! For me personally, I was really upset not having a softball season because ...

I have recently found a new hobby of mine, which is a frequent thing now that I'm in quarantine. I have been wanting to learn how to skateboard for a long time. It may sound really stupid but the whole idea and aesthetic of skating really intrigued me. It was essentially an entire culture based around a hobby. How fascinating! There are millions of skate shops, magazines and clothing brands just from this lifestyle.  I, along with many others, could be seen wearing brands that might fit this skater aesthetic or vibe so to speak. I just get the best vibes from skateboards, call it a hunch if you please. So, I started my journey to actually learn how to conquer what looked like a death machine to me. This may seem a little drastic to you but I happen to be a very clumsy girl. Come on, do I look athletic to you? I learned how to ride a bike when I was 12! It usually takes me a while to learn things, but I am pretty determined so it turns at well most of the time. Now, I had no ...

As the months have been slugging by in this quarantine I have decided to document and recognize the uniqueness of the way the world has been celebrating birthdays. From being limited and restricted to no parties our world has found such a remarkable way to show our friends and family some love on their special day. I am thankful enough to say that I have even been able to participate in one of these events:  A Birthday Drive-By! As simple as it sounds, these only minute celebrations have formed into our new normal. One of my friends, Hannah Ramos, had a birthday on May 27th. I was SO upset that I wouldn't be able to celebrate her day like I normally would any other year. However, a bunch of her other really good friends and I all lined up on a street next to hers and then drove to her house. We all had a little gift to bring her (I brought Munchkins)! Once we got in front of her house we all beeped and continued to make it obvious to her to come outside (it was a surprise). ...