Honestly Speaking, I Learned My Lesson…

It’s June 12th and I could do is reminisce on the past eight months of freshman year. I can’t believe I’m going to be a sophmore in the next three months. This year has been difficult. Looking back, all I see is myself being so excited to finally be a high schooler, but the only thing left is an overwhelming feeling. After the first and possibly second marking period, school became a joke. During those marking semesters, I made it to the honor role for the first time at TYWLS. I was always capable of striving to get that far, but I was never that motivated till the beginning of the school year. After that, nothing mattered anymore. At one point, I could’ve cared less whether I went to school or not, did the work or not, and didn’t even try to work hard; that was my biggest mistake! All the information and work caught up as I fell behind. I had more fun than paying attention.

…I still remember my favorite one of my favorite songs from Sister Act II; “If you wanna be somebody, if you wanna go somewhere, you better wake up and pay attention.” I tried and I failed, but i will succeed. I know that if I put my mind to it and leave my foolish mistakes behind me, I’ll be able to focus and pay attention to my future.

TYWLS has been a great help. I’ve slacked and no longer cared, but each step of the way, the teachers, principle, and administrators tried their best to keep me motivated. Although I didn’t listen to their advice this time around, I know they were only pushing me to be the best I can be and with that, I’ll do the best I can as a sophmore, junior, senior and throughout college.

Mariah,  Young Women’s Leadership School

A role model

A role model is a person who shows you what to do or how to do something the right way and not take the easy way out. That person to me is my uncle. My uncle gives me good advice on how to be a gentleman around other people. He also shows me how to dress appropriately when I go outside so I won’t look like a fool with my pants hanging down. Every day I speak about being an NFL player when I grow up, but the one thing my uncle asks me is if I don’t make it what happens then or what is my back up plan? I tell my uncle if I don’t make it I will go into the fire department because I like saving lives and being a hero and it is also the right thing to do; that is why I go to FDNY High School so I will know what to do.      

I am excited to go to the NFL and play football, but right now I’m focusing on high school so that I can fulfill my dream.

– Parris, FDNY High School

College ahead

Hmm, I think about what my future will be like, and I can’t believe that in 3 more years I’m going to college. Time goes by so fast, and you don’t even realize it. I remember how I was in 6th grade saying I had a long time until I went to college. Now things are different and I need to start thinking about my future. I have to focus on doing good in school. So far, I think I’m doing great, and if I want to improve more, I need to put more effort in my work. I don’t really have an excuse to do bad and if I do, it’s only because I’m slacking. I really appreciate all the help and support my parents are giving me. They support me in what I do and if they see me struggling with a problem they help me overcome it. I have to start becoming independent and make my own decisions. Mom and Dad are not always going to be there for me. I need to start planning ahead and think of what career I would like to have. There’s so many choices to choose from, but I really need to be happy with the one I choose. There’s many things that need to be done before going to college, but there’s just not enough time. I just hope I’m well prepared when I need to go to college.

– Sandra C., Young Women’s Leadership School

Merit roll

Two weeks ago my high school gave out awards for attendance and passing all your classes. I received an award for passing all my classes and got on the merit roll for having an 80 average. I knew that I passed all my classes but what I didn’t expect was to get on the merit roll. Getting on the merit roll was very exciting for me. I felt like I achieved something that I worked very hard for. My mom and family are very proud of me and they told me to keep up the good work.

– Parris, FDNY High School

Family advice

A lot of people in my family went to college. My mother says, “Even through you’re an adult, you have to make adult choices, as in going to class on time, handing in homework on time, and making sure you’re on the right track.” My cousin says, “Friends and parties are always there. But an education is more important.” I feel like it is up to me to keep going with school until I get my degree. I will feel better with a good job like my mother and cousin than feeling like a loser for not going to college. My mother is a corrections officer, and my cousin is training to be one. I want to be a firefighter.

– Justin, FDNY High School

School, personal balance

The feeling of being in the ninth grade is great; however, you would always come across some struggles. For example, I was told to only worry about my grades and not about other people, to let other people fail the marking period or the grade but not let it happen to me. Despite the fact that my grades are being affected because I help others during school, I feel better in being able to help others. My sympathy for others is strong, but I wish to learn how to balance this more effectively with my own needs to focus on my school work. I wish I could stop helping out too much without getting other people’s feelings hurt.

– Carolina, Young Women’s Leadership School

Inspiring teacher

Most people have someone or somebody who inspires them. It can be a relative, a friend, actor and/or a famous person. Well, I have someone special who inspires me. That person is my ninth-grade English teacher, Ms. Simone English. I’m inspired by this marvelous black women because she is so educated. She has degrees from two Ivy League schools, Columbia and Brown, with a master’s in Shakespearean English. Her attitude is serious and straightforward, and she tells the truth. To me it’s so beautiful and presentable to be educated like her. One thing that inspires me is that she knows about every country’s history and how much countries change. She knows what went on in every war, how life was like, and what was the cause of the war. To me that’s wonderful because not every black woman has that knowledge or ability to acknowledge what she does and knows about what’s happening in the world or the past. She’s very serious about her students’ education, helps you when you need help, is there for you when you need someone to talk to, gives excellent advice, and doesn’t argue with anyone or anybody. My last but not least favorite thing about Ms. English is that she tells the TRUTH. Those are all the reasons why I’m so inspied by this marvelous, smart  and intelligent women. I HAVE JUST ONE WISH: I WISH THERE WOULD  BE MORE WOMEN AROUND THE WORLD LIKE HER. THE WORLD WOULD BE SO MUCH BETTER!!!!!!!!!!!! She tells me I can go to college and be smart with a lot of knowledge like her. I can prove other people’s stereotypes against black women wrong.

– Natifiah, FDNY High School

College?

When I was younger, college was a foreign place for me.  It was like mentioning another country that I’d never been to before. My parents came here for a better life, and college is not something that I could even try to work my way out of. I used to think that college is just another form of  high school, but a little more difficult. I did not see why it was so important. I mean, seriously, it’s just school! But now I know that college is one of the most fulfilling experiences that we will ever encounter. It is our one-way ticket to becoming a successful adult. Of course, I also know that college is not fun and games. Although there may be weekly or monthly parties, I know we have to remain on task.

I know that college is definitely for me.  I cannot imagine NOT going to college. Not only will I know that I’ve let myself down if I don’t go, but my future family as well. I know many people choose to take the “easy” way out, but eventually it will only catch up to them. I have high standards for myself, and I know I will never be fully satisfied only meeting them half way. College, among other things, will prepare me for life.

– Jeimy, Young Women’s Leadership School

Desires and distractions

Well, I enjoy high school for the most part, but there are obstacles in my life that distract me. Most of them are the friends that I make, the people that I have crushes on, and my own family members. Some attempt to help me, but their methods can put me very off track passing high school. Rebelling from my parents hasn’t entirely distracted me, and wanting to make my father proud has made me want to do better. Being picked on at school made me stronger, but I worry about my family members arguing with each other. Yeah. Not going so well.

I dream of being an actress, writer & filmmaker. I want to act in other movies but make films of my books and other interesting things. I want to get straight As. But then I’d have to give up all my fun, and besides I think a B+ isn’t so bad unless it’s Spanish, history or English. Mostly English. I would cry if I got under a 90 in English & get really mad if it was history. Spanish, eh a slight disappointment. I’m okay in algebra and not too good in living environment, so a B is fine with me. Just want to get into a great 4-year college. Hopefully an elite college, but my Regents are in guess what subjects? Yes. Living Environment and Algebra. I want to go to Hollywood or somewhere in California. I want to in the future have a place in California and another in New York and travel all around the world, preferably Asia (both South Asia & East Asia). Europe is nice, too, especially London, England, but Japan, South Korea, China, Taiwan, Thailand, India and many more Asian countries have such rich culture and food. I want to travel for a career and give my family nice things for taking care of me.

Even though times are tough and I might at times hang with the wrong crowd and get way off topic, I want to do well in high school so I can go to a college that can continue training me in the arts, because hopefully this year I can take lessons in dance, acting, singing and writing. I just want to make it in a society where the world revolves around skinny women and change it for the better. Thanks for reading this!

– Ilia, Young Women’s Leadership School

Should I stay or go?

Growing up, it has always been assumed that I will go to college. My mother was just about the only one in her generation to graduate high school and college, and there was an expectation for me to be able to do the same. Seeing my older cousin graduate from college as well was very inspiring. There’s no doubt about wanting me to go, but the questions are, “Where do I want to go?” and “How far?” Looking at how attached I am to my family, friends, and the way of life here in the Bronx just scares me, when it comes to leaving for college. I feel that staying here in the Bronx is only saying that I’m doing something less than what I’m capable of, not to say that those who stayed in the city for college aren’t capable of much. My mother always told me I should go away to pursue my dreams and I always thought of it as it being a good idea. However, my mind was never made up. I mean, I graduate in about three years and I know that’s not too far from now…

– Mariah, Young Women’s Leadership School