Grimm Week #7

 When You're Not A Triple Threat, But You Pretend

    The musical this year is looking quite different than in recent years. No live pit or audience to motivate us "actors" into character. I know that's what really pushes me over the top. My middle school director always said I never gave a true performance until the days of the shows. I hope this year I can manage without, like all us "actors" will have too.

    Production has been unpredictable and unstable since we started. Our co-director who manages most of the musical and choreographic stuff is suffering from post Covid-19 symptoms. She's such a great teacher and director, she doesn't deserve the constant interfering pain, well, no one does. Keep her in your thoughts and prayers please.

    From what we've accomplished so far I can say truthfully I'm excited. The show will be so unique and oddly professional for the times. Each cast member, individually, will be recorded at Nazareth High School. Months of editing later and we'll have ourselves two amazing shows because yes, we all perform different roles in 2 takes of the same show. This does add an extra layer of confusion and stress on top of the already mess of scheduling, however it's worth it to show off our casts amazing multifaceted talents.

    The show is perfectly designed for our team, surprisingly. Our directors could only choose from a small number of shows that allowed recordings to be made. The show "Theory of Relativity" is incorrectly defined as a song cycle by some. It does contain many solos back to back, yes, but also group numbers and dialogues are included.

    My favorite experience so far was learning how to analyze a song for blocking. I've been working on my seven minute long solo "Footprint" for a few weeks now. I'm only half way through with figuring out the feelings my character must feel during each phrase and paragraph. The song calls for authenticity before anything else, I have to convince the audience the story I tell is truly mine. It's crazy difficult to associate every little detail with something I can relate to from a personal experience or have a strong enough understanding about. AP Language has really helped me get into that intense analysis mind set, now I can, although it's challenging, pull my song apart to create a raw emotion filled performance.

    I can't wait to perform. Except I can, because I need the time to practice. When recording I must remember vocal technique and specific notes about breath placement as well as each specific thought that goes along with the memorized lyrics. I'm overall so appreciative I got the roles that I did and I'm going to stick with the production through all it's sadly inevitable hiccups. ("Hiccup" is my new favorite word, right next to "squirrel")

Ben Platt Triple Threat-ing in Dear Evan Hansen

 

Goodricke Week #7

     First off, for some reason I wasn't able to put a caption on the photo above, but this is picture of one of the most beautiful and authentic sunsets I've ever seen on a vacation. I thought since I had such a busy week, I would write about something that is motivating me to keep working hard despite everything going on in my life; vacation. I believe I have two planned for this summer, and both are with one of my best friends. Every summer for about 5 or 6 years, my family goes to Long Beach Island and rents a beach house for a week. Thankfully, the house that they rent is really close to the water, so it's not that bad of a walk. 

    I'll admit, summer has definitely not always been my favorite season. I used to think that winter was my favorite because I loved playing in the snow. Now that I have my own car and license, I realize how different I feel now. The crazy snowstorms that we faced a few weeks back made me increasingly angry. I was stuck in my house, and couldn't go to work or school. Though I'm not really complaining about not going to school, the snow did inconvenience me significantly. Thus, why summer is now my favorite season. 

   For the past two years, I was invited to go to my best friend Michael's grandparent's house in Lewes, Delaware. The beach is just a short drive away, and we get Starbucks and watch the sunset every night. Those trips also last about a week. Those trips carry so many amazing memories with my best friend and his family. I look forward to seeing them every year.

   Okay, so now here's where the problem comes about. I got a job at Texas Roadhouse about 7 months ago. I work every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. In order to request a day off from work, you have to do it at least two weeks ahead of time. I hope that I'm able to take at least two whole weeks off of work in the summer in order to enjoy my well-earned vacation. Let's cross our fingers. 

Falzone H Week #7

                                                                               Unexpected Injury

        Being injured during a sports season sucks. There is no better way to describe the feeling than a powerless experience where you are stuck on the sidelines unable to help, assist, and play with your team. You feel useless and wimpy despite the severity of your injury, and many times get upset with yourself for not healing faster. 

     I know this from personal experience. A common misconception about injuries is that they are the result of a major action during your game. You jump in the air, get your feet swept out from under you, land with extreme force, and realize you are badly injured. Sadly, some of the worst injuries happen off of what I like to call “nothing plays”, or every game action that you have done thousands of times before but ended terribly this one time. 

     Tearing my ACL was very upsetting and especially difficult because this was an injury I had prepared for. I had been doing ACL prevention exercises with my coaches since 8th grade and had felt like I was strong enough not to suffer a terrible injury like this one. Unfortunately, just a simple jump and landing, caused my ACL to rip and my season to be over, forcing me into a 9-month long rehab hibernation. Injuries like mine are unpredictable and tend to strike at what may seem like the worst times. Despite the necessity for you to take the time to heal and recover from your injury, many times it feels less like a necessity and more of a burden on you. Many times I have thought about going against protocol and participating in a drill I am not cleared for, or pushing myself to see where my limit is, but the idea of re-injury is haunting. It is scary to think about returning to play and possibly injuring myself but it is also tempting to dive in headfirst and take that risk. 

     The up and downs that come along with being an athlete and in these circumstances resemble a crazy roller coaster ride. One day I may feel like I have everything under control and my knee feels amazing, and the next I feel deep pain and uncertainty surrounding my capability or ability to complete activities and drills. This day-to-day struggle is real and something I am sure anyone with any type of injury can relate to. It is hard to know when to push yourself and when to take it easy. When the pain is real or just in your head. And when your body is telling you to stop or when your mind is. Figuring out when to listen and when to ignore these aches and pains present their own list of challenges. 

     However, I believe these experiences make an athlete better off in the end. They have this experience of having the sport taken away from them highlighting a desire to take every advantage to better their play and keep competing. I have become more passionate and in love with my sports in a way, I wasn't before. Because I saw a taste of reality without playing a sport I have developed a deeper connection to these activities. I believe injuries suck. They feel terrible at the moment and even months later but they make you stronger and give you a perspective that otherwise you wouldn’t have.

Dawe: Week 7

 Perfect Teeth

    Something that I disagree with completely is how our society puts such a stigma around not having perfectly straight, white teeth. Barely anyone in the world is actually born with a "perfect smile." Actually, only around 20% of the population even has naturally straight teeth let alone perfectly white ones. So why should something so unnatural be so desirable? 

    In many other countries, other than America, teeth are not of such importance. Yes, having good dental hygiene is important but a crooked tooth here and there doesn't stand out as much. Almost all celebrities and social media influencers, in America, have perfectly straight teeth and if they don't, they are usually heavily criticized. However, in many different countries, this is not the case. Having straight teeth is not a beauty standard and people are not looked down upon for having a naturally slightly crooked smile. 

    Many believe that if your teeth aren't perfect, you need to get braces or Invisalign to get them fixed. Some may not even need braces to have healthy teeth but just to have a slightly straighter smile. Many dentists and orthodontists start recommending braces at the age of 11 or 12. Yes, this is when your teeth are shifting and your grown-up teeth are growing in (I don't know I'm not an expert). However, this is also a child's awkward stage where they are very uncomfortable with themselves and just trying to fit in. Many feel pressured into getting braces because they feel like that's the only way to fit in and be beautiful. So they go through the pain and their parents spend thousands of dollars to sometimes just shift 2 teeth slightly. 

    I personally have never had braces but my brother and sister have. I used to have perfectly straight teeth, but now there is a little bit of crowding and crookedness and it is starting to be a slight insecurity of mine. I have a healthy smile and in reality, that's all that should really matter, but due to society's beauty standards, it sadly isn't. 

Regan Week #7

The "Windy City"

    The warm weather we had today got me really excited for summer! I know it is only March, but I can't help but think about is summer vacation. Some of the best memories I have were made in the summer.  Spending the day by the pool and sitting by the fire at night with my friends are some of the things that make it so memorable for me. However, my absolute favorite thing to do during the summer is going on vacation with my family. We usually go to the beach every summer, but one summer we decided to do something different. 

    My family decided to go visit the city of Chicago before we dropped my oldest sister off at college. Both of my parents had been, but my sisters and I were visiting for the first time. The drive there was very long and tiring, but it was so worth it! We saw the Centennial Wheel at Navy Pier, visited The Bean sculpture, went to a Chicago Bears game, and even spent some time at Lake Michigan. My favorite part of the whole trip was when we took a boat tour on the Chicago River! It gave us a great overview of the city and taught me so many cool things about Chicago. 

    

    The city was absolutely beautiful and I really enjoyed the time we spent there. It wasn't like our usual summer vacation, and I think that is why it was one of my favorites. I got to experience a beautiful city and learn all about the history of Chicago. I am hoping at some point in the future, I can go back and revisit the city!

 

I captured this at Millennium Park which is where The Bean is located (it was absolutley stunning)!!

                              

Hunter Week Seven

Soundtrack To My Life

    As someone who finds themselves reminiscing on core memories at least once a day, I found that most of those memories intertwine with a specific song. I have subconsciously begun to attach myself to these songs, and I now associate them with some of the most extraordinary moments in my life! Such connections may be apparent for others, so I figured I’d write about mine. This 2019 realization has led me to make a playlist, as most do; “Soundtrack To My Life.” It consists of all of the songs that hold weight and reside near my heart. Doing so allows me to find comfort in my past experiences while making sure that I never forget any moment of my happiness, no matter how small.
       One of the songs that I am wholeheartedly and utterly attached to is called “Somewhere Only We Know” by Keane, and it has been my favorite song since 7th grade. At that age, I never fully understood the meaning and just found joy in its chorus and instrumental aspects. Many more years of life, love, and loss allow my connection to this song to strengthen. Though I am one to embrace change and endless uncertainty, having somewhere or someone as a constant to cling to brings me unimaginable peace. The band has hinted at the meaning in interviews, but they never gave a concrete explanation. Since this song came out in 2004, many different interpretations emerged (mental illness, heartbreak, grief). Personally, the lyrics remind me of the magical experiences that I share with a specific person with which I am no longer in contact. For instance, the words “I knew the pathway like the back of my hand” and “is this the place we used to love” lead me to long for reconnection to have the safety of that relationship while staying content with the distance between us.
    On another note, I sang this song with my best friend, Cat, before every band competition. The harmonies and piano accompaniment we created left me with nothing but a smile. Though my initial interpretation of this song was of a past significant other, the possibilities for relation are endless. I love that about music; anyone can connect, interpret, etc. I find it so cool that music is involved in every aspect of my life, and probably yours too! Think about it!

Here is a photo I took last summer, and though you cannot hear audio through Blogger, the sound from
 the live photo has "Somewhere Only We Know" playing in the background! :-)

Rodrigues wk VII

 Samuel M. Rodrigues                                  AP Language & Composition                                            11 March 2021

⚖     A Balancing Act    ⚖

    When is enough truly enough? When do we put down the laptop and pick up the sneakers? When do we lay down the controller and hit the books? The truth is; it's different for everyone. While some need more unstructured time, others require more work-related activities. This conflict of work and life is a challenge faced by most of us in today's world. Regardless of who we are or where we are from, we all require some level of balance. In a world overrun with attention-grabbing technologies, toxic mainstream culture, and limitless distractions, balance is vitally important. To achieve this balance, I feel as though there are three parts: increasing daily movement, developing focus, and allotting time for work.

   To begin, the first portion of this process is exercise. Each day, it is important that you make time to move because it gets your blood flowing. Some great exercises to consider are walking, running, or interval weight training. Exercise, in general, increases blood flow not only to the brain but to the rest of the body. This can help to regulate bodily functions and assist in normal movement. Exercising on a daily basis also releases endorphins in the brain such as serotonin. Serotonin or 5-hydroxytryptamine is a monoamine neurotransmitter characterized as the “ happy” chemical in the brain because of its ability to boost your mood. By increasing your daily movement, you can improve normal bodily functions and achieve a better mood. It is clear that exercise will help you on your path to complete balance.

    Additionally, developing focus is equally important. In order to develop focus, utilize practices that increase mindfulness and self-awareness. Some exercises that help develop these skills are meditation and yoga. With mindfulness, you can become increasingly aware of distractions and, therefore, become more focused. First, you must learn to become aware of your thoughts. Once you become fully aware of your thoughts, you will realize that many are provoked by distractions around you. As you strengthen your mental awareness, you'll be able to cut out distractions and focus for longer periods of time. By developing focus, you will improve your life balance.

    Lastly, is the importance of sectioning off time for work. By sectioning off time to complete different assignments for school or work, you will have the opportunity to better plan out your day. Some semblance of structure can help to open up more time for personal development activities. Different assignments and tasks may take longer than others, so make sure you allow an appropriate amount of time for each assignment. Not only will this strategy help to reduce stress, but it may also help restore a sense of balance.

    Hopefully, you found this blog post to be insightful and maybe even a little bit helpful! If you have any questions or thoughts, feel free to let me know.

A Balancing Act

 

Ahearn Week 7

Quality Time 

My family is very spread out throughout the Northeastern region of the United States, so I don’t get to see them as often as I would like to. My aunts and uncles all live in Ohio while my grandparents live in Erie, PA. Because they aren’t just 5 minutes down the road, the trips we make to visit are so much more valuable to me. Because of COVID-19, I haven’t been able to travel to see my grandparents since the summer of 2019. 

Within my own family’s household, we are all very busy. I play travel basketball over the summer, my younger brother Luke plays travel hockey, Patrick plays drums and takes lessons, and both of my parents also work over the summer. When we all have a free schedule, we always take the opportunity to see family. At the end of the summer of 2019, my family packed everything up, and we traveled out to Erie to visit our family for the week. 

After the 7 hour drive to get there, we spent every second of the trip doing fun activities. We went to the zoo because my younger brothers absolutely love going to see the animals. We also had several fun movie nights and we all made our favorite snacks to share. We had a huge barbeque because my aunts and uncles came out to visit for a day. We also went on several long walks throughout the day just to catch up with one another. Finally, on our last day, we went to Lake Erie to watch the sunset. My brothers and I didn’t want to leave, but we all knew we had to come back to our crazy lives here. Right before we left my grandma said, “You have to say goodbye before you can say hello again.” It’s something she always says to me because leaving is always the hardest part, but I know the next time we get to go out, we will be able to do it all over again! 

My mom and I at Lake Erie to watch the sunset. 

Ricci week 7

                                                                            Criminal Minds

                  

    My favorite TV show is Criminal Minds. Ever since I saw the first episode a few years ago, it is the only thing I watch. It is centered around the behavioral analysis unit of the FBI. They travel around the country and solve different crimes, mainly murders. For the most part, every episode is a different case, which keeps things interesting. However, there are some cases that go on for a few episodes. 

    Although I enjoy watching the show, I think that there are some major issues with the plot. In my opinion, the biggest problem is that they will reveal something important about a character, and then you will never hear about it again for the rest of the show. I wish that they would have gone into more detail with certain incidents. For example, Spencer Reid, one of the main characters, was kidnapped and became addicted to dilaudid. You hear about this for one episode and then they never talk about it again. I feel like that was a very important event that could have made for some interesting episodes. This wasn’t the only time that something like this had happened. There were many incidents like this with many of the main characters. 

Overall, I do think that Criminal minds is one of the best shows I have ever watched. Sure it has some issues, but in the end it is pretty good. I would definitely recommend this show to anyone looking for something new to watch.  

Cuevas Week 7

 

My Favorite Person

The purpose of these blog posts, besides enriching our writing skills, is to share the things we are passionate about- to write about things we love. I guess I’ve found it cringey to do so before now, but I would be remiss if I did not write someone I love very much: my boyfriend, Carson. 

Now, I understand we have recently done an activity in class that discussed how frivolous dating in high school can be, and as far as some of the relationships I’ve seen come and go in high school- I can agree that that stereotype is often true. However, Carson and I truly are not like that. I would attest that to the fact that we are honestly just best friends. We were best friends for years before we realized that maybe that friendship should be something more, and once we did realize it, we just added love to the equation. God, I’m cringing just writing about it, so I can imagine some of you are throwing up just reading this. But I can assure you that we tend to not adopt the elements that make a ‘high school relationship’ cringey. We are not together to say that we're together, and we don't have to try to like each other- nor did we ever have to go through that awkward getting-to-know-you phase. Everything with Carson is just easy, he is my best friend who I also love. 

Carson is genuinely the best person I know, and we are constantly making each other better. He is absolutely hilarious and is constantly showing how much he cares. He comes to every boring Mock Trial, he listens to me complain for hours, and he always knows what to say. He and I can talk for hours about anything, and still have more to talk about every new day. I appreciate him more than he knows, and I do my best to show him these things in return every day. With him, it’s more than just ‘dating,’ more than just going to the movies and occasionally texting. We have genuinely become a part of each other's families- taken on a huge role in each other's lives. But like I said, this role comes with no pressure. With us it's easy, it's fun, and it's just… right. 

Carson is currently a freshman at the University of Pittsburgh (a college I have always wanted to go to so maybe that will work out nicely…) He is studying business, and is currently spending his second semester at home due to Pitt’s inability to offer in-person instruction at this time. As most of us know, Pittsburgh is 5 hours away. When he was gone the first semester, missing each other was really hard. But once again, staying together, and maintaining that friendship and that sense of love was easy. We visited each other as much as possible (visiting Pittsburgh was so much fun!) and I know when he returns to Pitt in August, we will do the same. Long-distance is hard, but I know he's the right person because we really made it work, and are devoted enough to continue to do so. 

Over a year ago, I would've been the first person to tell you that teenage relationships aren't really serious- that you won't meet the person you want to end up with within the confines of Nazareth Area High School. Now, I’m not so sure. I honestly don’t see myself with anyone else. I am so lucky to be with Carson, and I guess he’s lucky to be with me too. :) He just makes life better. 

This is Carson and me in Cape Cod on vacation last summer :) Can't wait to go again!

                                       And here's us at our Hawaiian-themed 'fake prom' last summer! 

And a more recent pic:

Brougham Week 7

 My relationship with my mom

    Ever since I can remember, me and my mom have had this inseparable bond. I understand that most people have a very close relationship with their parents, however I am truly not exaggerating when I say my mom is my best friend. This relationship with my mother is something that I will never take for granted, as well as something I am very fortunate of having.

    Growing up, it became clear how similar me and my mom's personalities were. In some cases, similar personalities results in clashing or arguing, but it only made our relationship stronger. We have everything in common, including hobbies, music, tv shows, and foods. We also always plan lunch or dinner dates with each other that I always savor. Along with similar taste, she is always willing to risk anything for me. I know that she will always be willing to drop anything to help me, or my friends out. She is very caring about all of my friends and views most of them, especially my best friend Julie, as one of her own. She always does her best to stay informed on my life and continuously trying to find ways that she can help ease some of the pressure from work or school that may be on my plate. Her loving attitude radiates on to anyone she comes in contact with, ultimately making everyone she comes in to contact with adore her.

    Since November of 2019, I started working at the restaurant that she has worked at since I was three. Joining her at work has strengthened our relationship to new bounds. This is mainly because it is our time. With me working two jobs and being in school, and her working two jobs while also raising three kids, we both don't have a lot of spare time. Although this is not our spare time together, it still is a time where we are able to be with each other. Our job is also 20 minutes away, meaning we get 40 minutes there and back to just hang out. Those 40 minutes that I get twice a week just me and my mom are minutes that I treasure. Working together has also made us a team. After a year and a half of working together, we are at the point where we can almost read each others minds. I know how she is feeling by look of her face, and she knows how I am feeling by mine. 

Last but not least, she is always open to any personal choices that I make and is supportive of how I feel or act. She is like my own little cheerleader, even at times where I just need to be alone. However, despite the little arguments, despite the minor frustration, and despite over protectiveness she sometimes displays, I would not ask for a different mom. She is my best friend for life, and I will never be able to thank her enough for all of the amazing memories and constant care.

Me and my mom at work! (I can't flip it!!!)

Leszcynski: Week #7

Older Friends

Growing up, I have always played up a year in all of the sports I played. I usually always played with the older kids who were usually a year or two older than me. For the majority of my life, I have always been the youngest or the last one if that makes sense. When I was in 6th grade at a basketball camp for Nazareth, I met my two best friends. We all do not remember our first conversation or what exactly led us to become best friends. We do know that we will all be good friends for the rest of our lives. 

As I said before, I am always the younger friend. It usually does not matter who is older or younger, but really soon it will. Ever since 7th grade, I have been in the same school and on the same basketball team as my two best friends except for one year. Unfortunately, this will be my last year with them. At the end of the school year, they both will graduate and we will just have the summer left before they have to go to college. 

Next year will be very difficult for me. I will miss my two best friends so much. They have been my rocks since 7th grade and not having them 2 minutes away from my house will be difficult. Basketball practices, trips to red robin, and even school won’t be the same without them. They have always been my right-hand mans through basketball season, and it is really upsetting to think that I will have to do it without them after all these years. I am not ready for them to leave yet. I wish time could slow down... almost to a stop.

Me and my two best friends :)

Sheka Week 7

 Stop the Slander

I’m sure that we’ve all heard this before: “You can’t use Wikipedia as a source”, “You should use school-approved databases”, “Anyone can edit Wikipedia, so it’s not reliable”. I’m here to bring an end to this baseless slander against Wikipedia. It is a perfectly reliable source, and is one of the crowning achievements of human ingenuity.

For starters, everyone who complains about Wikipedia being able to be edited by anyone is missing the point. The reason that it has been so successful is that anyone is allowed to edit it, not just a handful of fancy professors or doctors. If you are an expert in a certain subject, you can write about it for all to see. For example, my dad is an interventional cardiologist, but sometimes, he has to give talks at local hospitals. For one of his talks, he wanted to talk about the history of interventional cardiology, so he did enough research on it to become well-versed, if not an expert, on the subject. After he did his talk, he then wrote the entire Wikipedia article on the subject, and correctly documented his sources. Since then, others who were knowledgeable about the subject added to the article, making it even more useful. And anyone who thinks that you can post anything without repercussion clearly hasn’t met the Wikipedia admins. Those guys are some of the hardest-working, and ridiculously strict, people I have ever had the misfortune of annoying.  

Wikipedia also has a variety of articles about several subjects, some of which are rather obscure. A personal favourite of mine is the article on the Dravidian language family from South Asia. I learned more about the languages spoken by my family from this one article than I have from any other source, save my mother. This is the reason I prefer it over other databases, because the other databases I use for school purposes tend to be less informative, particularly if I’m writing about a more obscure topic or controversy. 

Look, I’m not saying that we should all cite Wikipedia for research papers; given how frequently articles are written or updated, citing a Wikipedia article for a serious paper is like playing Russian roulette. Just show some love for this marvel of modern technology. You can use it as a preview to learn about certain topics, particularly ones that may not be that well-known. It is completely free to use, so you don’t have to worry about paywalls either. But most of all, Wikipedia gives you a platform to educate the world about something you’re passionate about.

Kryemadhi: Week #7

 The Unconscious Mind

    Dreams. They are so strange, yet so interesting at the same time. I’m sure that like myself, every single one of you have had a funky dream at one point or another. Heck, once I had a dream that I was getting picked up from school, and a hippo stomped on my sister. Another time I dreamt about red ants invading my house. Last but not least, the night before my first dance competition I dreamt that I fell off the stage. I wish I could say that’s as crazy as my dreams get, but that’s only the start. For so long I wondered where these dreams came from, and for any of you wondering the same thing, here is a super simplified answer.

     In AP Psychology, we spent some time studying sleep and dreams. Many psychologists have developed theories in order to explain why we dream about certain things. Sigmund Freud, one of the most well-known psychologists, believed that dreams stemmed from the unconscious. This theory stated that dreams are the expression of our repressed, deepest thoughts. This could explain why ex-friends or problems that someone has been pushing aside may magically appear in their dreams without any other explanation. I believe I can even relate this theory to my red ant dream. I have always been so scared of insects/bugs, so when we learned about red ants in second grade, I really had to keep myself together. But later that night, my dreams were infested by the little crawlers.   

    There is also another very popular dream theory. It is referred to as the activation synthesis model. It was initially proposed by J. Allen Hobson and Robert McCarley. They believed that in deep REM sleep, various parts of the brain become activated. The stimulation of different brain regions combine with random things that happen or are discussed throughout your day and result in dreams. That would be a great explanation for my dance dream. I was stressing about dance so much that week that it caused it me to dream about messing up on stage.

    The whole concept of dreaming has always been so fascinating to me. Like myself, my best friend always has the craziest dreams, so in quarantine we started sharing any we remembered. It was so cool to see what our minds brought to us every night. One day, our dreams were completely synced up; that was by far the biggest wow moment for us. After some light research, we found out that sometimes close friends have the same dream and the plots can even intertwine. It is amazing how you never truly know what to expect from dreams because your mind can formulate any story no matter how far off it may seem. The ways in which the mind works are truly incredible.

A pretty dream landscape!

For more information on dreams visit this link!

Falzone M Week VII Bullying Behavior

Bullying Behavior

Recently I have been thinking a lot about people’s behavior and specifically the constant conversation about bullying and inclusion that we have been hearing since we were in 1st grade. “If you see someone being bullied stand up for the person or seek out help,” and also, “Don’t be the person that makes other people feel left out or sad.” When I realize that these messages have been constantly blaring in our minds for years on repeat I wonder why this is still an issue. It seems to me that people should just want to be kind, inclusive, and empathetic. Yet, I am shocked every day by behavior that is none of the sorts. Teens making fun of people they know nothing about, other kids watching on as this happens, and even terrible social media comments or bullying on the online platform. I guess all of this has caused me to feel disappointed in the morals of society. Why do people feel the need to put others down to make themselves feel good? This is an age-old problem, but we have yet to see this behavior become invisible in social situations. 

I did some research to seek out the psychological aspect of this. In an article linked here I have found pretty generic information that we have all heard of. “Kids bully if they have been bullied before,” and “ they could be dealing with conflict at home.” I understand these reasons but I also know that this is not the case for every mean girl or boy. There must be a more concrete answer, so I did some more research and found something. Bullying is more of a culture but is heavily influenced by the social-ecological framework and the child/bullies' surroundings. Unsafe atmospheres with limited discipline or guidance often culture an environment for a bully to harass victims while others stand by. It is not the lack of education, but the psychological and emotional issues that stem back further all of this surrounding home life, school influences, community/cultural influences, and peer influences. It is a greater problem than we seem to be able to admit. With so much growing awareness for mental health, we should be connecting it to the age-old problem of bullying. Instability, emotional stress disorders, and anger all play such a huge role in this bullying epidemic. 

So now that I understand it a bit more, I must admit that I still feel angry towards the perpetrators of the problem. I must also say that I refuse to admit every bully or rude person suffers from these issues/does not suffer from them. I believe that there is more to the story than we now understand. I think that some children are just so incredibly unhappy that they resort to lashing out at their peers for a sense of control. Even people who have it all many times are missing something that is not material. Whether it be attention, love, or even validation. I think our society is built upon everyone wanting to be a step up on the social ladder without minding who is on the rungs below. I believe that self-awareness is a key factor in many issues. If people do not take a step back and realize the effect their actions have on may be the most unassuming people then they are not doing their job. I am in no way preaching that you should behave for others and not yourself. I support making decisions that benefit you, but I also think that making sure they do not hurt someone else is just as important.

In conclusion, I did not come any closer to finding out why bullying and meanness is still a thing we deal with. It could just be human nature, but I do think it is worth looking at and analyzing. Maybe you will figure out a way to bring people together and create a more positive social atmosphere. I think any little bit will make a difference in the environment of social networks or relationships between people.

Cartoon