A whirlpool swirled in my stomach as we circled the roundabout and came to a stop in front of the entrance to the school. I had never come in through the front before, so this was a new experience, in many ways. I watched students hurry in the front doors, passing by the groups of teachers. I hadn’t been around students my age since before Covid and had only ever talked to three teachers from this school. I was terrified and wanted to go home. My mother said that I’ve got this, and I departed from the safe haven that was the car, swinging my yellow bag over my shoulder. I hurried up the steps, stopping to ask the teachers where I was supposed to go. They showed me my classrooms and then I had to attend the assembly, which only increased my anxiety, as I didn't know there was an assembly that I had to attend. I then went to my very first Journalism class. After that nerve wracking first day back to in-person school, I eased into my Journalism class. While I loved my class, I was always nervous, and I struggled to connect with the other students. Having social anxiety and being a hybrid student, made it hard for me to socialize and feel comfortable in class. I was very dedicated to my work, though, and worked very hard. I always showed up to class on time and ready to work. I also participated where I could, even though it made me incredibly nervous. While I struggled with interviewing, which is essential for Journalism, I managed to work around it by emailing interviewees and creating surveys for the classes to fill out. My teacher was instrumental in this, helping to find solutions to the fact that I wasn't comfortable talking to people, in the traditional sense. Even though I still struggled to talk to my fellow students, I managed to do it when called for, though I was still a socially awkward mess. I accomplished some amazing things in my Journalism class and while my anxiety did slow me down at times, I tried to not let it stop me. I had over 30 published stories on the school news website and won the Outstanding Journalism Student award. The lessons I learned from dealing with my anxiety over Journalism class, was that my anxiety will always try to stop me, but with dedication and hard work I can accomplish amazing things. I accomplished many things despite my anxiety in Journalism and I have accomplished many things in other aspects of my life, despite my anxiety. Continuing my time in Journalism class, regardless of my anxiety, also helped fuel my love of writing. Writing is going to be my major in college, as well. My greatest support system was my parents because they kept pushing me to attend the class. I will always have anxiety, but there are ways that I can handle it and I have a support system I can rely upon.

There was a knock at the door. I slowly exited the kids' room at my grandparents, where I had been coloring, waiting for the day to start. The guest room and exercise room were to my left and my grandparent's room was to the right. In front me, lining the hallway to my grandparent's room, was the railing of the stairs, somewhat like bars. A perfect place to see the front door and what was happening. My grandfather opened the door. My grandfather was tall, with a thick white beard, almost like Santa but too skinny. Another old man was at the door, one who I had never met. He was probably one of my grandfather’s friends that gave him fruit or the like. I either was spotted or lost interest and went back to my coloring, still waiting for an adventure. Eventually, I got one. We were to go on a very secret mission. I was to learn where my grandfather got his turkey and ham. One thing about my grandfather that is very important: he was a spectacular cook. If you had ever had his cheesy bread or saw my brother devour his clams, you would understand. So, we got into his old black truck that he had had for forever and went shopping. What I learned was, where he bought his turkey and ham was top secret and I was not to tell anybody. To this day, I have never shared and I’m not about to. I will say, though, that that day was the first, and only, day I ever went to a butcher’s shop. I had fun that day, which is somewhat surprising. I loved my grandfather, but when I was younger, I struggled to understand him. He was very quiet and didn’t talk much. Now, I’m not a big talker myself, but all my friends and family are, so I got used to chiming into conversations, not sitting quietly. Now, though, I know we would have probably gotten along fabulously after I learned it’s okay that not every second has to be filled with noise. When we got home, we made banana bread, a family favorite. He pulled out this ancient, little brown cookbook and we followed the recipe. When we pulled the bread out of the oven, they looked a little peculiar. They hadn’t risen. We forgot to put in the yeast! He gave me a copy of that cookbook that day. Sometime, throughout the years, it was misplaced and it broke my heart a little. My grandfather served in the Vietnam War and it influenced the rest of his life. That wasn’t everything, though. He was married to my grandmother for over 30 years and a wonderful stepfather to my mother and uncle. He was a grandfather to eight children, who miss him very much. He united both sides of the family through his amazing cooking. Along with being a wonderful cook, he also loved to garden and play pranks on his family. That day I got to spend with him was a good day and I shall cherish it always.

I woke up one day and a fog had descended over my brain. I could still think, but not about anything I wanted to think about. All I could see was how things could go wrong and the world was ending. I could barely function, struggling to remember to eat and drink, along with being unable to do some of my most beloved activities. For the most part, all I did was lounge across the couch watching TV, in a daze, and getting behind, then catching up in school. When I would go out it was a trial in not having a meltdown in public. Sometimes I would be able to leave the house and go do beloved activities, but it was nerve wracking. After a week or two of this it ended, but there was always a feeling of being delicate, like one wrong move and I would break. Then it came back, again and again, worse in a sense than the time before. I have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Many people don’t know what that is, or their only knowledge of the disorder is what they hear on the TV. The media portrays stereotypes of this disorder that clouds what this disorder actually is. I don’t sit here washing my hands multiple times, nor am I particularly organized. My manifestation of this disorder is harder to see, but I struggle with it on a daily basis. To say I have overcome this adversity would be inaccurate, but I will say that I have gotten better. My anxiety doesn’t fill my every waking moment. I am able to laugh and play with ease again. I leave the house and do my cherished activities everyday. It is always there, though. Everyday, even on my really good ones, I still argue with my anxiety. I watched something recently and they said something along the lines of: “Anxiety doesn’t ever really go away; you just learn to live with it.” I’m learning to accept this and continue on with my life. I will never be without my OCD, but that doesn’t mean that that is all I am. And on my bad days I need to remind myself that I have already overcome these spikes before. OCD changed my life and goals. In one regard, confirming that I have OCD opened my eyes to behaviors that I have lived with for years that were actually symptoms of OCD that we just didn’t realize. My goal is to write books; to share my love of reading to the next generation. I want to write books that deal with mental health issues, adoption, and dogs. I also want to write comforting, slice-of-life books to give people the escape from this nerve-wracking world. What I also want to do is educate people on OCD and other issues, so people know they aren’t alone and can get help, but also so they are more understanding of others. To be able to do this though, I will need to attend college and get my degree in Creative Writing.

In a world where most books are gritty and dark, with explicit descriptions of violence and filled with anxiety, I went in search of something that was more uplifting. At the age of thirteen somebody in my class read a book about a school shooting, at the age of fourteen- in the midst of the pandemic- I decided to read it, too. Now I don’t regret reading this book, and there are uplifting parts and messages in this book, but books like this are the primary books that I have found and read for years. After dealing with an anxiety spike in the last few months, I still wanted to read but struggled with only finding books that were dark and anxiety-inducing. In came The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy by Jeanne Birdsall. The Penderwicks is a summer adventures where the Penderwick girls- twelve-year-old Rosalind, eleven-year-old Skye, ten-year-old Jane, and four-year-old Batty-, their widowed father, and their dog, Hound, take their vacation at the cottage located at Arundel Hall. There they have many exciting adventures, including befriending Jeffrey Tifton, who lives at Arundel Hall. Some of the adventures include a murderous bull, two rabbits, and soccer. You enjoy the antics of every sister and are able to relate to each of them in some way. This book also has an amazing supporting cast, which you can’t help but love. It mashes an old-timey essence with the modern times that is beautifully done. OAP (Oldest Available Penderwick), MOPS (Meeting of Penderwick Sisters), and MOOPS (Meeting of Oldest Penderwick Sister) are terms used throughout this book that I have fallen in love with and wished I could use them in my life. There is a dramatic tone to this book that doesn’t make it cheesy as one would suspect, but makes it a lovely, funny read. I recommend that people read The Penderwicks because it is a feel-good novel that is exactly what the world needs right now. With many books, shows, movies, and even the news following the path of sharing violent, gritty, anxious stories, the world needs a story that is light and airy. This book will have you laughing throughout and wishing you could join the Penderwicks for one amazing summer. I think The Washington Post said it best, “Like drinking lemonade on a swing on a summer day: Perfection!”

With trepid steps we leave the path that leads through the trees and the flowers. The butterflies are left behind and anxiousness takes their place. We enter into the dark, humid room with the glass cages lining both sides of the wall. My brother and grandmother rush to see all the snakes, while my grandfather and I hang back with more than a little trepidation. Soon, we manage to escape that room and we are back on the path through the butterfly garden. My grandfather served during the Vietnam War. He passed away before I could ask too many questions, but I do know some things. He served in the jungles of Vietnam, where snakes would fall randomly from the trees. This led to a life-long fear of snakes. He also participated in bomb-testing, though I am not sure what all of that entailed. He was shot in the leg, which I assume led to him being discharged, though he was injured during a training accident from my understanding. After leaving the military, he worked in construction, eventually retiring and working at home. He enjoyed cooking, often organizing family dinners, and was one of the things that kept my extended family together. My older brother is joining the military, as well. After years of thinking about this and reading stories, listening to podcasts, and watching movies he has decided to join the military. He is going to be a Ranger, though he has to go through much training before he gets to that point. He is leaving for boot camp in Oklahoma at the end of May. He will then go through at least six different training schools before reaching full Ranger status. After completing his training, I’m not positive what it is that my brother hopes to do, but I do know he is excited for what comes next. I plan on attending Lane Community College getting my general education for a creative writing degree. I will then transfer to Southern New Hampshire University to complete my bachelor’s degree. After graduation, I see myself writing children and young adult books. I hope to write books for people that I wish I had seen. Some stories I hope to share would be about dogs, mental health, and some simple fantasy adventures. I’m hoping to get an internship through my college career, which would help kickstart my writing career. I am also hoping to work with libraries in some fashion, either digitally or in-person.

An angel peers at me from my desk. Her gentle eyes follow me as I go about my work. I feel my eyes drawn to her and I lean back in my chair and gaze at her. She has long brown hair with a flower crown. A cream dress, edged in green flowers and her gentle hands folded over a basket handle, full of green flowers. Her large crystal wings flair out from her back. She is beautiful, but when I look at her, I feel nothing but sorrow. My grandmother passed away when I was twelve. She had many ailments, but the primary one was diabetes. It was something that was present my whole life, but not fully understood by me. I remember watching her check her blood sugar and listening to my parents talk about her latest doctor's results. She was always in and out of hospitals because of her failing health. Eventually, her heart failed. It failed because of her diabetes and ultimately, I believe, she gave up. She was tired of many things, but I think she was most tired of being sick. My other grandmother also has diabetes. Her diabetes is something I don’t remember as being super present in my childhood. It has become more obvious as I have grown older. After my grandfather died, she lost herself. She forgot how to take care of herself and in a way, how to live. You can tell that diabetes is running rampant. You can tell by her forgetfulness and all her doctors' appointments. I don’t want to watch her go through what my other grandmother went through. We still have hope we can help her, though. Finally, there’s me. I am prone to getting diabetes just because it’s in my blood. I am also more prone to getting diabetes because I don’t live a very anti-diabetes lifestyle. The more I think about it, I don’t want to get diabetes. Diabetes has taken much from my life and put a shadow over my future. I want to prevent diabetes for as long as possible, and I also want to help my family members with it as well. I will always have to be cautious about my lifestyle because I am prone to getting diabetes. I also have to watch my family members for diabetes. I have no misconception that diabetes is done affecting my life, but I do hope to mitigate it.

Kung Fu Panda was always a fun movie to watch. Jack Black carries this movie with his amazing inflections that capture the essence of Po. As I have gotten older the movie deals with many different themes beautifully. Some of the main themes are learning to accept yourself, dealing with past trauma, and that different people require different teaching. Po learns to accept himself throughout this film. Po is a physically large character. He is also clumsy and unathletic. This causes him to feel left behind by the others in the Valley, but also to be ridiculed by the Furious Five and Shifu. He is very optimistic and hopeful, at times causing him to appear unintelligent to others. “I stayed because I thought if anyone could change me… could make me… not me… it was you.” This is something I empathize with, as I am sure many others do, too. Ironically, by the end of the movie it is Po’s supposed downfalls that actually gain him many friends and help him defeat Tai Lung. One could argue that Po’s size is instrumental in winning against Tai Lung. His friendly, accepting nature gains him friends in the Furious Five, as well as Shifu. The story paralleling Po’s story in this film is Shifu’s. Shifu is dealing with some significant trauma. His son, Tai Lung, is in jail and Shifu blames himself and this significantly impacts his relationship with others, namely Tigress. As Tigress said after Tai Lung attacked the Valley, Shifu couldn’t love anybody else. Tigress, and the other Furious Five, have been searching for Shifu’s pride, but because of his past trauma he isn’t able to give it. Due to Po, he is able to give it and heal from his past trauma. “I am very proud to have been your master.” A lesser acknowledged trauma is Tai Lung’s. He was searching for his father’s pride and thought his destiny was to be the Dragon Warrior. Ultimately, this wasn’t his destiny, but he still wanted to make his father proud. In the final fight scene, he asks Shifu to tell him how proud of him he is. Shifu is able to, saying, “I have… I have always been proud of you. From the first moment, I have been proud of you.” The final theme in this movie that is wonderful is that different learners need different accommodations. The big part here is that it is not up to the learner to change their learning style but up to the teacher to adapt their teaching style. I live in a family that has ADHD, and I have it myself. Now I watch my brother struggle through school because he can’t focus. Po didn’t learn through sparring like the Five did, he was food motivated. He also learned in a more relaxed style. No matter how hard he tried, Po didn’t learn how the Five learned. He was able to learn when Shifu was able to change his teaching style to fit Po. Kung Fu Panda has wonderful characters and wonderful relationships. Kung Fu Panda also beautifully melds humor with heart. There are many humorous moments followed by heartfelt ones. Kung Fu Panda’s wide cast of characters are an inspiration to so many people. From bigger people to stoic girls one can find an inspiration in this movie. There is beautiful animation, a well-fleshed background, and a wonderful score. If I had to choose one movie to watch for the rest of my life, it would be, without a doubt, Kung Fu Panda.

I am not a fan of change, whether that be a change of plans or a change in what I want to do with my life. Alas, change happens, for better or for worse. If you had asked me three months ago what success looks like for me, it would be a different answer than the answer now. After learning that I have OCD, after a particularly rough couple weeks, things fell into order. Then it happened again and again. I am now coming out of my third OCD spike. One for each month, it seems. With each one it gets harder to bounce back from the crippling anxiety. So, success would look like being able to sit still; to not need constant stimulus to distract the thoughts racing through my mind. It would mean I wouldn’t have to be afraid of my own mind and I could participate in my own life without being terrified of what my mind will come up with next. It has been a struggle to not let my entire life be consumed with my OCD, but I know my whole life isn’t this, much as it may feel like it. Success would also be to write stories. I especially want to write stories about rescue dogs, which I have a particular passion for. I have four dogs and all of them are rescue dogs, so I have a special love for rescue dogs. I also want to spread awareness about rescue animals, especially after the hardships they have faced in recent years. Many dogs aren’t getting adopted, for a number of reasons, including, size, color, and age. I have also heard many instances of dogs being surrendered after years of living with their family because the owners can no longer afford it. I would also like to write about things that I haven’t seen very much in my own reading, or that haven't been advertised in a way that I support, including adoption, OCD, and novels based off of cartoons. I would also like to be able to continue my library volunteering and, hopefully, work in a library someday. If I cannot get past my anxiety, though, hopefully I will be able to work with a library in some capacity, potentially through a remote position. This opportunity would help pay for my education, which would help me achieve success. An education will not only help me learn how to write better, but it will also help me get connections to people in the writing field. This opportunity would help me in the capacity of my mental health because it would provide me with the means to attend college, which would reduce stress, and where I can meet people and find a support system of people who have similar conditions as myself. The greatest way this opportunity can help me achieve success is that it will help me get the connections and education to help spread awareness about some of the things I am passionate about.

I walk with determined steps, keeping my head down. I’m trying not to panic about how many people are milling in the halls. I’m desperately hoping I don’t get lost. I manage to find my class easily enough and I slip into the chair closest to the door, so I don’t make a fool of myself and trip trying to find a chair further into the classroom. My social awkwardness is a hindrance, but everybody is kind enough to ignore it and carry on with pleasantries. When I was the “new kid”, it was my junior year of high school. What’s unique about this situation was, technically, I wasn’t a new student. I have been enrolled in my high school since the start of Covid, but I was enrolled in the online school option provided by my school. So, while I was enrolled in the high school, I had only gone into one room in the high school a handful of times and had never met anyone else, besides the teachers running the online program. One other unique thing about this particular situation was, I only attended one class in the morning, the rest of my education happened online. This made it so everyone in the class was nothing more than an acquaintance, even after two semesters. Something I experienced due to being the “new kid” is that it is very challenging integrating when you are part of the minority. In high school I had the courage to ask where things were, but the biggest challenge I faced was lack of communication. More specifically, lack of communication to Options students. There were many instances where assemblies were happening or class times were changed where I didn’t find out until the last minute and had to scramble on how I was going to get home or to notify my parents and hope the schedule could change to pick me up later. Of course I understand I was an outlier; I was one of the few Options students to attend a class in-person and, likely, the only to have not attended the school prior and not know anybody. Despite this knowledge, I still feel that the communication was lacking and the Options students didn’t have access to everything offered through the school, including mental health help. My life and friendships have been changed because I was the “new kid.” My goals have as well. The biggest event that upended my life, though, was the pandemic. The pandemic changed my path and, therefore, my goals. There are times when I can’t help but feel behind my peers because of where they are in life and what they have accomplished. I have to remember that my path is different from theirs’. Being the “new kid” has made me want to show other people that it is okay if your life path is different than what your peers’ is and there is nothing to feel ashamed about. I also want to share with school systems how communication is very important, though I don’t know how I’m going to accomplish this. Both times I was the “new kid" I learned new things and made connections with people I will never forget.

I moved to Veneta when I was in eighth grade and have since integrated myself into the community. Shortly after moving to Veneta, the pandemic happened, and I had to do school from home. Then when I started high school, we couldn’t continue to do school in our original school district due to a cap on transferring in the district and had to switch to the Fern Ridge School District. Moving to a small town, there were many changes we had to go through. There weren’t as many businesses and restaurants, everything closed early, and many of the roads didn’t have sidewalks. On the other hand, everybody in this town was very welcoming and nice, there is a tight-knit community, and there is a natural beauty of my town- we have turkeys, deer, many different types of trees, and we are located near a reservoir. Especially during the pandemic, the ability to go outside and explore was very important, and our small town gave that to us. The most important thing my small town gave me was the local library. I had started volunteering there and completed two shifts, plus training, when the pandemic happened and the library was closed. After some time, the library was open for take home services. The first time I completed an order, I ordered twenty-two books, and it was fulfilled with quickness and kindness. I have since grown my relationship with the library. I have volunteered over two hundred hours: shelving, pulling items for display, relabeling materials, other miscellaneous tasks, helping with the kids’ activities, and more recently participating in the Teen Advisory Board, where we have introduced a teen book club and other teen crafting activities. The community I grew up in has shown me there are certain things that small communities aren’t given as easily. For example, there are limited classes and educational opportunities. By and large, though, I love that my community is small. There is a greater sense of closeness in my community because we are smaller. For a long time, before I moved to Veneta, I wanted to leave Oregon as soon as I graduated; explore other states, maybe move to Virginia. Since I moved to Veneta, that dream has changed. I may still leave, but with the intention of coming back. I want to be an inspiration for people living in small towns. I would like to be an advocate for more programs being introduced into rural communities, whether that be educational or living programs. I have had limited access to resources- specifically educational programs- because I live in a rural town, though it has gotten better in recent years. I want to continue this growth and help get people access to information and resources in small towns.

My favorite Disney Channel shows would have to be Liv and Maddie and Phineas and Ferb. I think those two shows coming together would be very interesting and an entertaining twenty minutes for both new and old fans alike. What would happen is Phineas and Ferb would be working on an interdimensional travel machine and it would glitch. It would then pull Liv, Maddie, Joey, and Parker into Phineas and Ferb’s dimension. There would be a moment of confusion as the Rooney’s become animated, but that would quickly dissipate as they met the Fletcher/Flynn brothers and company. The pair of brothers would quickly go their own way and start experimenting and building a new interdimensional travel machine to get the Rooney’s back to their reality. They would have help from Buford and Baljeet in building this machine. Unlike in Parker and Joey’s reality, where what they build is more functional than fun, this machine would follow in true Phineas and Ferb style and be an eclectic fun house. Unable to resist, Parker and Joey get really into this fun house time travel idea, because this will only happen once, after all. There would be a room of cats for Joey and a room of Linda and Heather representing Parker. On par with Phineas and Ferb there wouldn’t be rhyme or reason to their style, just bright colors with crazy patterns. Liv, in true matchmaker style, would try to help Isabella get noticed by Phineas. What would follow is multiple scenes of Liv helping Isabella get noticed, with the assistance of Isabella’s Fireside Girls. They would pick outfits and do increasingly large hijacks to get Phineas to pay attention. Of course it doesn’t work and it aggravates Liv more and more. This causes Liv to attempt more and more complex displays of Isabella's crush on Phineas. Eventually, Liv will admit defeat; even the “matchmaker” cannot figure this one out! Maddie will be pulled between Candace and Vanessa in this adventure. Maddie’s competitive spirit will be used by both girls to try to get their brothers and father busted, respectively. Maddie will be used by Candace to try to get evidence that Phineas and Ferb are not following the rules. Vanessa will use Maddie in the same way, except she will be trying to prove the Doofenshmirtz is an evil scientist to her mother, Charlene. Maddie will try her very best, but at the end of the day will not succeed, in keeping up with the show's norms. Eventually, the Rooneys will reunite at the funhouse/interdimensional travel machine to try and figure out a way home. Ultimately, Doofenshmirtz and Perry the Platypus' fighting over one of Doof’s many Inators, will cause the machine to go off prematurely. This will send the Rooneys home without saying goodbye, and promptly destroys the machine and removes evidence of its existence before Linda comes home. This would be such a fun episode to have. We would be able to see the live action characters come alive through animation that isn’t possible through live action. We will also see the animated characters interact with new people, which can be a rarity in animated shows. I would love to see these different characters interact with each other in a fun adventure. The episode should be called “The Tri-State Area-a-Rooney.”

There has been an increase in recent years of media being more inclusive of minority groups. One of my very favorite shows that demonstrates this is Maya and the Three. This show is truly an inspiration and while it entertains, it also explores the world of Mayan culture. This show deals with a lot: found family, adoptive family, adultery, death of family members, grief, moving on, being an outcast from society, and sacrifice. This show is about love at the end of the day. It deals with these themes in a way that both children and adults will understand. Maya is such a fun lead character to follow. She is strong, emotional, arrogant, willing to learn, fun, and snarky. She is a complex character and you will instantly fall in love with her. Zatz the Prince of Bats is a wonderful complement to Maya. Chimi, Picchu, Rico, and Chiapa all have their own stories and motivations for this quest they embark on and it adds such depth to their character and to the story. Despite this being primarily about Maya, you invest in these other characters, too. The side characters like Maya’s family, the gods, and the other kingdoms are wonderfully showcased and their antics provide some laughs throughout this harrowing show. You invest in their stories, as well. The portrayal of sacrifice, grief, and moving on present throughout this show are wonderfully done and one of the main reasons I come back to this show. The ending of this show is particularly good and it is the accumulation of everything. The ending may not be for everyone, but I enjoyed it for the simple fact it shows that death doesn’t mean the end. In so many shows I watch death portrayed as final and horrible. This show offers a contradiction to the point by the end, one which I enjoyed. Chimi says, “Gold has value because it’s rare. Life has value because it's short. Death gives life value.” Maya and the Three also portrays both strong males and females dealing with challenging emotions. One of the strongest males in the show cries. These characters are also portrayed as being silly and having fun; they have multiple characteristics that make them seem real. Even the gods that are present throughout the show are portrayed in many different lights. This show isn’t just about the kids either. It has many storylines for the parents and mentors. This show does not forget the impact of parents on the kids' life and story. In many shows, parents and guardians are left to the sidelines. These adults are flawed and have their own issues, but I still find myself inspired by them and invested in their story. Maya and the Three is a truly wonderful show that teaches many lessons. All of the characters are wonderfully fleshed out and you want to know their story. This is a show for the whole family and one you will want to come back to again and again. While the ending is sad, they also make it happy, like all the best shows do. “Be well, Princess Maya. I will see you soon.”

Hollywood is the symbol of entertainment to the world. Hollywood has a wide influence, some good and some bad; it has impacted every person. What is Hollywood to me? When I heard the topic “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” I first thought of the old silent and black and white movies. I thought of flapper dresses and business suits; smoking and alcohol. I thought of the vibrant era of movies in the 1900s, with all the amazing actors and actresses that are still remembered today, like Audrey Hepburn, Charlie Chaplin, Judy Garland, and Joan Crawford. Foggy nights, full moons, hustling down empty city streets, and shifting eyes were brought to mind. Further reflection, though, reminded me that that is not what Hollywood is, at least not what it is to me. Hollywood represents connection. There has been a great debate as of late what social media provides to people. Many argue that it lets people connect with others. I feel that I can say the same about Hollywood. Hollywood is vast; it includes movies, television shows, and animation. There are so many ways it can reach you. One way if offers connection is in the literal way: many people come together to watch their favorite movies and television shows, they dress up as their favorite characters, they go to ComicCons, and they start fandom chats online and they reach a plethora of people. So many people are connected due to shows and movies, all thanks to Hollywood. Hollywood helps people realize that they are not alone, as well. Often there are movies and tv shows, as well as actors and actresses that speak up about important issues. They may also speak about issues that are not typically spoken about. People may feel alone in their problems, but then they watch a movie or their favorite actor speaks up about something and they realize they are not alone. This can also help people connect to others as more people start to talk about these topics. Hollywood is many things. Some of these things are good and some of them are bad. Ultimately, the thing we forget is that Hollywood connects us. It connects us to each other through direct and indirect means, and it is spectacular. Through our love of movies, television shows, cartoons, actors and actresses we are connected. Tom Ford once said, “The most important things in life are the connections you make with others.”

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit,” Will Durant said. How do I exemplify a spirit of excellence in my daily life? I try to be of service. In my daily life I try to help out in any way I can. I attempt to help in big and little ways. It isn’t always easy and I don’t always love it, but at the end of the day I wouldn’t stop assisting in these household, familial tasks. If it be chores, chasing my naughty puppies, helping with grocery shopping, or any other task, I wouldn’t give it up. I strive to spend time with my family, as well. I see so many kids my age who don’t spend time with their families; they’re always on their phones or playing video games. I prefer to spend time with my family, whether that be playing board games at the dining room table or even driving in the car. I also show excellence in my daily life by being dedicated, organized, dependable, and trustworthy in all aspects of my life. This is how I exemplify a spirit of excellence in my personal life. In my community, I give back consistently by volunteering at the library. I help shelve the books, pull books for displays, relabel materials, prep items for sale, and other miscellaneous tasks. I also assisted with the kid's events during my junior year. That was my favorite, I think. It was wonderful helping the kids and seeing the impact the library- and to a larger extent- this community had on them. Currently, I am serving on the Teen Advisory Board where I can make a greater impact for the local teens, and hopefully draw more of the teens to the library so they can connect with this community. Through the Advisory Board, my fellow members and I are implementing new programs and getting new books for the library, as well. This is how I constantly give back to my community. I exemplify a spirit of excellence in my personal life by helping my family in any way I can and also spending time with them, which seems to be becoming more and more rare. I consistently give back to my community through my continued volunteer work at the library, whether that be through regular volunteer duties, assisting with the kids, or serving on the Teen Advisory Board.

For those who have seen the show, you’re either Team Conrad or Team Jeremiah. It’s another battle in pop culture rivaling Team Edward or Team Jacob, Team Peeta or Team Gale, and Team Damon or Team Stefan. Personally, I am Team Conrad, and here I will explain why. The main reason Conrad and Belly belong together is because of their more intimate relationship- even from childhood. Belly has had a crush on Conrad for years and that shouldn’t be overlooked. Some may argue that Conrad didn’t like her until she was older, but there are hints throughout the show that contradict that point. I could also argue that Conrad may have been feeling these feelings for as long as Belly, he just simply didn’t know what to do with them or how to express them. You can see evidence of the fact he isn’t good at expressing emotions when he lashes out in anger when he knows his mom has cancer again and he starts pulling away from Belly when his mother starts further deteriorating. Throughout the entire show, you can see they are both attracted to each other and have a unique connection that Belly doesn’t share with Jeremiah. You can see this when they do the “Belly Flop”, she talks to him about smoking, he helps her at the cotillion, he goes to the drive-in to see her on her date, he gets her a symbolic birthday present, the volleyball game, and they talk on the phone for hours every day. It should also be noted that Conrad talked to his brother about Belly as well, which is significant based upon Conrad’s constant disdain for sharing his emotions with others. I think Jeremiah’s a great character and a wonderful friend to Belly, but ultimately they do not belong together. Jeremiah and Belly don’t challenge each other the way that they need to be challenged. Opposites attract, as they say, and I feel that Belly and Jeremiah are too similar to last in a relationship outside of a friendship. Conrad and Belly, on the other hand, challenge each other and their personalities complement each other really well. There is evidence of this when they went shopping for party supplies and Conrad actually had fun. You can also see this is true because Conrad calms Belly down and makes her listen in various parts of the show. These are the two prominent reasons Belly and Conrad belong together. They have a very intimate connection that can be seen in the smallest of details throughout the show. They are also different from each other and challenge the other to be better. “You are the only boy I’ve ever thought about. My whole life, it’s always been you.”