September 2009
Monthly Archive
One thing that has always defined my life is that I’m a writer. For as far back as I can remember, I’ve loved writing in any form, and I’ve experimented with creating stories, poems and songs. When I was young, I attempted stories and books that mainly focused on my favorite animals. Book reports and research reports were never dreaded projects for me; especially when developing an interesting subject, I have always enjoyed this part of school. I think the fact that I’m an avid reader and that I’ve liked a lot of the literature I’m required to read for school has helped develop my writing tendency as well. The more I read, the more motivated I am to reach others through the written word.
I started sending poems to a poetry website when I was about twelve; this is when I really started sharing my work with others and looking for constructive criticism. Sometimes it was hard to hear criticism about my favorite pieces, but I believe the outside opinions helped me strengthen my skills. As I got older, I kept all of my writing attempts in notebooks, which quickly filled up my bookshelves. I page through these from time to time to see how my writing style has changed over the years.
At fourteen, I made the first big jump in my writing career as I applied to be a writer for the teen section of the Saint Peters Suburban Journal, called AMP. And here I am now, having written for AMP for about two years. I’ve enjoyed this opportunity a lot as an introduction to journalism, something I had never really been exposed to before, not counting the “newspapers” I used to print for families and neighbors when I was younger. I noticed right away that journalistic writing was different from the descriptive, highly detailed writing style with which I was accustomed. I had to learn to interview people to get their opinions and not just depend on my own. I learned that every word counts and I learned also to use many fewer words in my pieces. Learning to use this style is a transition I’m still going through, but I’m getting better at separating the different kinds of writing I do, since I still enjoy creative writing and poetry.
These days, I’m looking at college majors which include writing and will develop my career in that area. I hope someday to have pursued many different publishing ventures, both in journalism and creative writing. I believe that writing is a passion God has given me that will always be a significant part of my life. I can be described in many ways, for I’m an avid martial artist and have hobbies in music and art, but writing is a special part of me. There are several different career options I’ve thought about following, and I’ve wondered if God would lead me towards teaching martial arts or a musical career. But no matter where He leads me in life, I know I will never stop writing.
Francis Howell High School marching band members practice on the parking lot. Their usual practice field is unavailable due to school construction.
By Evan Loveless
Amp writer
Building a $70 million high school is no small task. Francis Howell High School students are bound to be inconvenienced during the next two years, attending classes while construction replaces most of their campus.
“Our school activities have been affected tremendously by the construction,” said Principal Chris Greiner. “The marching band, P.E. classes, football, soccer and tennis teams have all been displaced because of it.”
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Tags: Evan Loveless, Francis Howell High School
During your junior and senior years of high school, the pressure is on to find the right college and the right major. Of course, you don’t absolutely have to decide your major until you’ve finished your first few years of college, but it helps to have a general idea of what your career will be. It can prevent you from taking classes irrelevant to that major, or skipping ones which will become necessary as you narrow down your field of study.
I’ve talked to teens on both sides of the spectrum- ones who have no idea what they’ll study in college and ones who do know the direction their life will take after high school. There are teens who have a fairly good idea of which college they’re going to, generally influenced by where their parents and or close friends are attending ; and I’ve also seen teens that are overwhelmed by the variety of choices out there.
Personally, I’m in between the two extremes. I plan to study some form of writing in college, most likely journalism. Since I have an idea of my major, it helps me narrow down colleges to ones with good writing programs and good studies for minors that I’m interested in. But I completely sympathize with everyone who is overwhelmed by the college choice: It’s a huge decision that you know is going to affect the rest of your life. Though most teens will decide to go to college and pursue a degree, some may decide to pass up this choice altogether and simply graduate from high school. I strongly recommend pursuing a college degree, as it makes it easier to follow your chosen career, unless you already have a steady job that you plan to stick with and in which you foresee a future.
There are so many different colleges, and so many different reasons they try to sell themselves to you. If you send your ACT scores to these colleges, you can get an idea of scholarships that they offer, and this is a very important deciding factor. Affordability is a must, whether your parents are providing the monetary support or you’ve decided on working through your education. So before you find your dream college and set your mind on going there, find out not only the tuition, but room and board and the cost of books that you’ll need to factor in to the final price.
One thing I’ve found helpful in making the choice is going to college camps for high school students. Basically, these are summer programs in which the campers will stay in the dorms, meet college staff and students, and learn about a particular major the school offers. Obviously, not all schools offer these, but I’ve found that three of my possible colleges do offer them and have already attended one. This college was very different than I had expected it to be, and I got a good idea of the student life there. I don’t think I will be attending that college; being at camp helped me towards that decision. However, it was a great way to experience that college and think about getting an education there.
In all, it’s a huge decision that requires a lot of thought and prayer. Talk to your parents about it. Do research on colleges you might like to attend. Talk to students who have firsthand experience. And understand that you’re not the only one who is unsure of your future. We all face this decision as we make the transition from high school to college.
Rubble from the Sept. 11 attacks on display in O'Fallon.
Amp writer
The day started out as any other day. People went to work and kids went to school. Never in our wildest dreams could we have imagined what would happen on Sept. 11, 2001. Now almost eight years later, all that remains of that day is a hole in New York City, twisted ruble scattered throughout the United States, and the memories in our hearts.
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Tags: 2001, 9-11, 9/11, Afghanistan, al-qaida, Iraq, Nikki Meyer, Osama bin Laden, Sept. 11, September 11
By Nikki McGee
Amp writer
In the high-tech, high-speed society Americans are trapped in today, many of us lack the proper nutrients in our diets. Teens – what if all of this fast food being consumed could stunt your growth, lessen your brain development and stop you from performing at your best? Surprise. For many of you, it already is.
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Tags: Ann Lottes, Dr. Katherine Huhn-Usry, fast food, nikki mcgee, nutrients, nutrition, St. Luke’s WingHaven Medical Building, Timberland High School, vitamins
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