Miss Lori

“With the economy as it is, unemployment at an all time high, violence in schools and H1N1 on the minds of everyone who sits next to someone who is coughing or sneezing, stress levels are high for parents. But it’s also high for kids too. What is stressing you out these days, and what do you do to deal with it?”

Abi age 10~
I stress about schoolwork a lot. I deal with it by asking my parents for help and practicing things that I have trouble with.

Sinead age 17~
As a high school senior applying for colleges, I am most stressed out about preparing for the future! It becomes very surreal when you start seeing deadlines for college applications. I never thought the day would come, but here I am applying for college, deciding what I’ll be majoring in, and getting ready to leave my family and venture out into the “real world,” all on my own!! I began questioning whether I am ready or not to make my own dinners, or make sure I’m up on time for classes every morning, or do my own laundry! I know most 17 year olds won’t agree with me, but if it were my choice, I’d take my mommy and daddy along with me to college in a heartbeat! It doesn’t help that all my friends talk non-stop about college; where they’ve applied so far, and where they’ve gotten in or been rejected! Every high school senior across the nation that is preparing for college feels the same way right about now! As an aspiring performer, I will also have to complete auditions for programs at different schools, which will ultimately decide whether or not I am accepted, and whether I am granted scholarships. Which is also very important. (Hey! College is expensive!) The future holds a lot for me right now, and I’m just trying to prepare myself… if it’s possible!

Tess age 9~
Sometime I get stressed—like when our school was giving out vaccines. I was trying to decide if it was good because I am scared about needles. The economy stresses me out because my family doesn’t have money for things, and I worry about that because sometimes I want things, but those aren’t needs.

McKenna age 11~
Well, I feel scared sometimes when I know my parents are spending a lot of money on me with dance. I get scared that they’re spending a little too much sometimes. I also am scared that with the flu going around that I’m going to get sick. I’m starting the new school year out great; good grades, making a great impression on all my new teachers. I don’t want to get sick and get loaded with makeup homework. I’m not as scared about getting H1N1 though. It seems kind-of weird, I know, but I’m just not as worried about it as anything else. I’ve heard H1N1 isn’t the nastiest flu around, so I’m not as scared about it. Also one of my dance instructors and her son just had H1N1 and they’re fine. So, I’m not that scared at all. One thing that’s been on my mind is cancer. You see one of my favorite, youngest teachers I ever had just died of breast cancer. She was diagnosed with it just as soon as school got out, so I had no idea that she had cancer until a couple days before she died. I saw her a couple weeks before she died, after her Chemotherapy I later found out, and she looked and acted fine. Apparently she was feeling fine until a couple days before she died. She went to the hospital Halloween weekend and then, November 1st, she died. She was so healthy when school got out and then that happened. So I ‘m afraid of getting cancer, (even though it’s very rare), or getting really sick.

Elita age 9~
I, as a girl, am going through troubles with friends, siblings and growing up in every way; maturity, achievements, and other places

Kyra age 11~
Plenty of things are stressing me out, and some of them are the same things that concern my parents, such as H1N1 and business. But a lot of them are more related to girls my age, especially things like being embarrassed. I deal with troubling issues in plenty of different ways, by praying about it, asking my parents and youth group leaders about it, and reading books about it.

Jaedyn age 6~
Not feeling well, and my brother and sister fighting stresses me out. So I cuddle with my Mommy.

Ava age 11~
Everything that I’m doing, including homework stresses me out. To help me calm down I just take it one day at a time.

It’s the time of year when kids start thinking about presents. I know I am. I don’t write letters to Santa anymore, instead I write wish lists for my parents. This year my list has a Nintendo DSI, and a Zhu Zhu Pet on it. But there is one thing on my list that stands out from all the rest. It’s something I have wanted for many years now, a My Twinn Doll. I have wanted a My Twinn Doll ever since I first saw one when I was 5. I originally wanted an American Girl Doll, but my Mom said “No”. My Mom said that though she liked the historical story lines and the books, she didn’t want us “hooked into” that World because it was way too expensive and not particularly inclusive. Besides, there wasn’t even a doll that looked like me. At that time American Girl Dolls didn’t have the variety that they have now. Though they still don’t have a doll that looks like me. Truthfully that was what I really wanted. A friend, just like me. I have always wanted to be a twin, and I really would like to have something so special to me that I would want to take it everywhere, (like my sister with her build-a-bear bunny). With a My Twinn Doll, I know that I would take care of her. Plus, she could keep me company and bring me comfort too. Sometimes I believe that the only person who can understand me clearly is myself. If I had a My Twinn Doll, it would be like having a ”mini me” I could love with all my heart. She would seem real, and make me feel like she understands me.

But before I get too far into my story I should probably tell you what a My Twinn Doll is.

A My Twinn Doll is a 20 inch doll that you personalize to look like you. You chose the eye color, the skin tone, the hair color, cut and texture, and you can even send a picture of yourself to capture freckles and birthmarks. It costs $149. (Which is actually more expensive than the American Girl dolls which start at $95 now, down from two years ago.) Now I guess you are wondering why I can’t just get a doll for $30 at Target. Why does my doll have to look like me? Well, here’s my answer. A lot of the time girls like me, (brown skin with uniquely textured hair), grow up seeing images and dolls that are mostly blonde and skinny, with fine, straight hair. That kind of imagery can have a pretty big impact on a young girls’ mind. It can leave you with the idea that the only way to be pretty is by being blonde and skinny. Which, in my personal opinion, is an incredibly false idea. It’s very important to me that I, and other young girls like me, do not grow up believing this to be true. Sure it has to come from within, but hey, I’m still a kid! Toys help me learn. I want to be able to proudly take my My Twin Doll with me to sleep overs and play dates, showing my friends that beauty comes in all colors and textures, while at the same time reminding myself that I too am pretty. As pretty as a doll.

SMILE On!

ML

“The movie The Blind Side is opening up this month. It is a true story about honor and courage. What do those two words mean to you and how are they evident in your life?”

Ava age 11~
It’s important to be courageous so that you are not afraid and you’re not in that shadow, so you can break free. I’m courageous by trying new things and going with the flow and believing in myself whether it works out or not. Honor to me is about respecting those who teach you in all ways of life. I honor those people by being nice and listening to what they have to say.

Sinead age 17~
The words courage and honor are really strong words, in my opinion. I actually saw the preview for The Blind Side last night at the movie theatre, and I was personally moved from just the trailer. Sandra Bullock’s character takes a young teen living in poverty into her home, and treats him as her son, regardless of the fact that they are different races, and they come from very different backgrounds. Her actions are very courageous, and as a result, she can be seen as very honorable. Courage is the quality that makes someone willing to face a difficult situation with their heads held high, and with lots of bravery. For someone to be considered honorable, they have to be, in my opinion, held with high regard, considered highly credible, and be very respected. This is why Sandra Bullock’s character illustrates both courage and honor throughout the movie, because she, without fear, places herself in a very difficult situation, and undoubtedly ends up defeating that very controversial, challenging issue with pride. Courage and honor may be very hard to obtain for people on a daily basis, but I believe when someone does prove to be courageous or honorable, it is a very big deal. With Veteran’s Day this week, courage and honor are very important words to keep in the back of our minds, and remember the courageous men and women who fought through many wars to give the children of this generation the opportunities that we possibly have done nothing to earn. To me, that is very honorable.

Tess age 9~
I see a lot of courage at school kids standing up for one another. I think courage means being and feeling strong on the inside and helping one another and not begging someone else to do it for you. Honor means feeling good inside of you. And feeling good for something. There are kids that are honored for things but that’s the different from having honor.

McKenna age 11~
These words mean a lot to me. I dance with my competitive dance team and It’s just an honor to be able to dance there and to be able to keep on getting better it just feels so good. The word courage take me back a couple years ago when my dad was in the hospital after he got in an accident. He had to go into surgery as soon as he got there and I was so scared. I had no idea what was going on and I had to stay with my Aunt. I was so happy to see my dad, give him a hug, and figure out what happened. So I really needed some courage the time I was at my Aunts house, but now I know where to find my courage. But anyway honor means to be able to know your appreciated wherever you’ve done good. Courage means to be able to keep yourself from getting too scared and going insane.

Elita age 9~
This movie looks incredible. The words honor and courage mean to me, accomplishments, and to be brave and tells others advice.

Rachel age 11~
Courage is doing what is right, even when everyone else is doing the wrong thing. Honor is your strong character in doing what is right. If you or I were being honorable, we would be doing what is right according to our own personal moral principles. I know some very honorable and courageous people, and I one day hope to be considered one of them.

Abi age 10~
When I think of someone who lives with honor and courage I think of the Yingst family. They live in my neighborhood and are some of our best friends. Mr. Yingst is in the Army and has had to Iraq twice since I have been in Elementary school. He is giving up time with his family to serve our country. Mrs. Yingst is always happy and kind even though she is alone taking care of 2 boys. I can’t imagine living without my Dad for years. This family has the most honor and courage of anyone I know.

Jaedyn age 6~
Honor and courage. I think courage means for me to keep trying. Honor means to me that you are special.