"Bullying Isn't Right"

            As I’m cleaning up my Mac files, I took the time to check what was in my recycling bin before emptying it out. What do you know? My anti bully video was not lost in some type of electronically wasteland forever after all!

            As I restore my video back to it’s original folder and watched it for another time. As I closed out of QuickTime many thoughts started to go through my mind. One, why in the world was my video in the recycling bin. That was just one less problem to worry about now. My main question that came about was how in the world did we get first place in the Navajo County video contest.

            The day we presented our videos in class we were embarrassed to even put our video in the disc drive. Our fellow classmates videos were extremely beyond incredible. Kylies and Tuckers video was brought about with balloons and how words can hurt people. Jeffrey’s group showed how cyber bullying is just as bad as being bullied in person. While, Claytons and Josh’s video was so remarkable advance having Josh conscious talking to him through it! My point was our video compared to the rest was nowhere near as good.

            Last Saturday, Brandon, Samantha, and I drove to Blue Ridge’s movie theater. This is where the awards ceremony was taking place. I we got our popcorn, soda, and gift bags we took our seat next to our other classmate Auburn. We all sat there patiently waiting. Until, they explained what was going to take place. As we saw the numbers appear on the big screen it began to show Corazon and Shawn’s bully video. For an hour and a ten minutes we sat there watching every video that was entered in the contest. Video after video I started getting a clearer image in my head.

            As the title already explains “Bullying Isn’t Right.” I find this true to the fact now. Some videos were so deep that they made a knot in my throat. The knot came about because I started to learn a little bit more about how bullying is taken place. As teenagers we already have it rough. Simply because we are growing and experiencing different obstacles. But, how is it that we are helping out one another by some rude comments and or mean actions as in tripping someone. What I’m trying to say is that sometimes us being humans we tend to take some of our frustrations on others and never really realize we are causing damage to the other individual. Because, who knows they are probably already having their own rough life.

            Until, this day I still don’t understand how we earned first place. But, all I can say is that all the videos entered were all first place material. Why? That’s simple, because the message was the same through out all of them. Bullying isn’t right at all. With our video going to be placed on YouTube along with others for Navajo County it allows other teenagers aware of the situation. Which may lead our world to a better place in the long run. So I’m making a challenge for myself to watch the words I choose and the actions I do. And I hope you decide to take the same stand by S.T.O.M.P.I.N.G OUT bullying one step at a time. 

"It Is What It Is"

     As we all know graduation is just around the corner. For some of us it's our dreams coming true to start living on our own. While others are still unaware of what the future will bring and have no idea what they want to do as a career. But, graduation isn't just getting a high school diploma and moving on to bigger and better. It also has to do with "growing up" and accepting that no matter what life is going to change overtime, which leads me to my neighbors words "it is what it is." Past seniors have told us that senior year is the best year of our lives and that we will never forget it. I think most of us can agree that so far it has been the worst year of our lives, simply because we are stressing over the little things and over thinking the "what ifs." I know I personally had this issue in the beginning of the year. Now,that graduation is just four months away. I'm starting to realize that our world is going to change even more in our lifetime either in a blink of the eye or so slow that we didn't even notice it changing.
     I think mostly everyone knows what my favorite sport is. If you don't let me fill you in the latest news. I happen to love the sport basketball. I think anyone who has seen me play knows that I play from my heart and give it all my energy no matter what. I love the atmosphere, the court burns, the adrenaline, and most of all the TEAM when it comes to playing! But, last year I took a different route. Instead of just being a team leader. I decided to reach out to my community and help younger kids improve on their skills on the basketball court. Not, only does it give me numerous hours of volunteer work but it gives me the chance to share my passion of a sport with younger children trying to learn.
      When it came to HYBL people could usually find me working the clock or concession. Last year though Jamie was short a couple coaches so she asked Heather and I if we would be willing to coach. We didn't hesitate and took the challenge. Throughout the week we got our roster and realized that we got stuck with a Kindergarten through Second grade team. Talk about short attention span. Of course Heather was afraid to call the parents to let them know when practices were so I took charge of that. First day of practice finally came along and little did I know this would be the highlight of my day for the next couple of months. Although, they didn't really have the skills especially being so little they all had the urge to learn and improve. They would practice a shot over and over again. They would listen and ask questions. Their focus was on you the whole time so you didn't dare teach them the wrong way because it would stick with them forever. The season came to an end and little did I know that they would have been one of my life milestones of changing my life.
       A year has past by and HYBL signs up happened to take place again. Once again the program was short a couple coaches so I received a text that put a smile on my face automatically. "Will you be willing to coach a team again" I read. Once again no hesitation I replied "of course." This year I moved up a grade level and ended up coaching third through fifth grader. I was bummed simply because I wouldn't be hearing the randomest things ever like "water is scary because it sprays you." I believed that I wouldn't have that much interest from the girls like paying attention and wanting to learn new things. Well, after tonight of having our first practice was I totally wrong!
         "Who all wants to run?" Yeah kind of weird for a coach to ask their players who wants to run. But, to my surprise every girl had raised their hand and screamed at me "I DO!" Well, this changed the switch of my thinking that this wasn't going to be so bad after all. After some stretching we started to work on some drills that we do down at the high school. Once again I was stunned how much difference the skill level was than the Kindergarteners. No matter the age the girls still wanted to learn and to improve. They did every drill I asked them. Until,  we tried three man weave. At first I thought it was going to be to advance for them especially when I didn't learn the same drill until Jr. High. I took the risk and lined them up in three lines. I explained the drill twice and demonstrated it once. Once again I was seriously impressed! They got it right off the back as if they had done it before! They didn't complain they just listened and watched the group ahead of them do it. Sadly, our time in the gym was up we huddled up and I called each one of them by their names to learn them quicker. I counted to three and we all chanted "QK Ink." That was the end of my first 2013 HYBL practice.
            Here is my point. Coaching younger kids got me to remember my younger years wishing I had the same opportunity they have now of learning the right fundamentals. It showed me a different perspective of how we are no longer the ones looking up at the older kids. Rather yet, being the example and inspiration for the younger generations. This step in my life has taught me that I'm growing up and should except that I can no longer turn back time to learn the fundamentals and to choose the right path to still be able to enjoy the things I love. Like maybe taking over a Junior High basketball team in the future or becoming an Elementary Teacher.