Next Chapter in Life: College

As May continues to wind down more and more seniors are coming to the realization that high school is over and college is the next adventure. Sports are ending, yearbooks are being signed, senior week houses are paid for and cap and gowns are being tried on. These little events are tiny steps to an even bigger event: graduation. Like some other schools, St.Mark's graduation will take place on June 7, 2014. I can't wait to graduate and take on college volleyball and classes but sometimes I wish I could rewind back to sophomore year. Some people are still in denial that graduation is right around the corner, some cannot wait to get away and others could careless. Graduation is a time to celebrate all your academic accomplishments, sport highlights and the amazing memories you made with your classmates. It's also turning the page to a new chapter in life. It sounds so exciting and invigorating, oh college is so fun, parties every night, new people but then you take a step back to reality and realize its gonna be harder than we think. More assignments, challenging courses, peer pressure to do certain things, tons of strangers, responsibility to the max, etc. Plus every high school graduate I've spoken to said college is so hard but so fun. Besides all those factors college will be the greatest four years of your life. Its a chance to prosper and grow, learn new things, meet new people, try new things and over all develop into the person you inspire to be. I will be attending Chest Nut Hill College in Philadelphia next year. I will be majoring in biology, then I will take on dental school, striving to be an Endodonist; in case you don't know what that is, they perform root canals. On top of all this I will be playing volleyball and possibly walking on for softball. See, college has not even started yet and I am already presented with so many opportunities. Even though I am thrilled, it is a little sad thinking about my good friends I see everyday now I will not see at all later. Especially my best friend whose attending Washington College. I'll miss seeing some of the greatest people I've met everyday but I know/hope we keep in touch. St.Mark's was a great experience I am so thankful for. Everything that happened throughout my four years there have helped me grow as a person and most importantly as in individual. It will definitely help me in my next chapter of life at college.

Somebody Please Tell Me Who I Am

This past month I had the pleasure of reading the book Somebody Please Tell Me Who I Am, written by Harry Mazer and Peter Lerangis. The book seems as if it be old being published in February of 2007, but it was new to me and I could not wait to get started. Mazer and Lerangis are known for writing very realistic novels so once the cover caught my eye and I saw who had written it, that was a wrap. The book took me less than a month to read; lets just say with my busy schedule that is fast, I could not put it down. The book is focused around the tragedy of Ben Bright, a senior graduating and at last minute deciding to tell his girlfriend and family he was joining the army. Ben had it all, the good grades, well rounded family, good looks, talent and the beautiful girlfriend, Ariela. He felt it was his destiny to join the army and he would let his family know in a letter. Everyone supported Ben and his decision except Ariela was worried he would not return to her. So being the wonderful boy he is, Ben asked Ariela to marry him when he returns right before he hops on the train. He was doing well and making a lot of friends until tragedy struck and Ben along with his fellow men drove over a bomb in their tank and Ben was seriously injured. Due to the explosion he was sent home to receive medical attention immediately. He would suffer a few months in a coma and when he finally woke he had trouble doing every day activities/tasks. The most perfect boy living the high life is suddenly suffering and is being challenged by things that came natural to him. By that short little summary you can clearly see why this was such a great book. It seemed so real I could easily relate to my life or someone else's.The emotions were constantly changing and you had to keep reading in order to keep up and understand. The authors also used a smart writing technique; foreshadowing. Throughout the entire book it was switching from Ben in present and past times and when the chapters would end, I would catch myself going wait what?! what just happened?! whats gonna happen next?! ahh i gotta keep reading !!! Over all it was an outstanding book that I would recommend in all readers.. GO READ IT PLEASE !