Book of the Month

The Noticer by Andy Andrews is by far the best book of the month.  Have you ever contemplated the secret to success, healthy marriage, and a good long life filled with people you love?  Well what if there was a secret to anything you ever wanted?  Well there is, and Andy Andrews fills you in on the secrets to life.  An old man Jones, he refuses to be called anything but that, takes a poor homeless man and tells him how to succeed.  Within a few years the poor homeless man turns into a wealthy happily married business man.  Jones transforms a relationship heading for divorce into a healthy one.  The secrets you come across in this book can be applied to your daily life and help you become happier.  This book should be recommended for mature ages because younger audiences could lose interest.  The secret to life is right at your fingertips.

http://workfromhomesuccesszone.com/self-improvement/the-noticer-by-andy-andrews-book-review/

Colors of Death

Sarah 

Mrs. Zurkowski/Greens

October 27, 2010

Colors of Death

In “The Masque of the Red Death” the color white is used to symbolize a stage of life.  White is the fifth room to the west in Poe’s story. The rooms in this story represent the stages of life going from east to west, just like the sun is born in the east and dies in the west.  They are separated by sharp turns so you cannot see more than one room at once, just like you cannot see your future.   White represents the ages 50-70.  Which are the ages leading up to death.  These ages almost are anticipating death’s arrival because it is coming, but they are not ages full of pain because there is still a little bit of youth left. 

White symbolizes these ages because it is plain, the fun and adventurous time of one’s life is over.  White could also mean aging in the sense that life is being drained out, just as color is drained out of white.  White also symbolizes the knowledge and wisdom gained throughout the years.  As people get older their hair starts to turn white which is another way white can be related to old age.  White is a perfect color to represent old age.  Midnight ecause midnight represents death the color white would be closer to midnight on the ‘ebony clock’.  White is in between the colors orange, the partying ages consisting of mid-life crisis, and violet, the ages next to death that consist of pain and suffering.  These ages fit around white; because, orange is to happy and carefree to fit the personality of a sixty year old, but violet is too painful and full of suffering to be within the ages of 50-70. 

White relates to my life because I know many elderly people and people in their late fifties who are in the white stage of life.  They have done so much in their life and now there is not much they can do anymore, life is drained out of them.  They already had their fun partying days and went through their mid-life crisis.  All of their vast experiences in life have left them with a certain knowledge and wisdom that people in every other stage lack.  This wisdom makes some people excited for the white stage, but what those people do not realize is how much they are going to miss the days when they had nothing but fun.  I am in no rush to grow up, but the wisdom that comes with old age will be nice.  I am sure I will look back and wish that I knew everything then that I know now.  Older people are great to go to for advice because they have been through so many life experiences and can give you great advice, plus I am sure they would love to relive memories through you.  When you are older you wish you were young and when you are young you wish you were older.  I’m in no rush to grow up.  

http://edaa.in/Members/edea/our-old-age-people/

O Henry

http://hornbillunleashed.wordpress.com/2009/06/27/2128/

Sarah P

Mrs. Zurkowski/Greens

11/8/2010

·         Real name was William Sydney Porter.

·         Was born on September 11, 1862 and died on June 5, 1910.

·         His stories were known for their wit, wordplay, warm characterization and endings with a twist.

·         He wrote the most around 1902 when he moved to New York, he wrote 381 stories while there, a story a week.

·         He was a heavy drinker which greatly affected his health and caused him to have an earlier death.

·         He was greatly known for surprise endings.

·         People refer to surprising endings as an “O. Henry ending”

·         Some of his most famous stories are: “The Gift of the Magi”, “The Ransom of Red Chief”, “The Cop and the Anthem”, and “A Retrieved Reformation”.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O._Henry

Poe's Web Search

Sarah

Mrs. Zurkoswki/Greens

November 5, 2010

http://www.examiner.com/literature-in-national/baltimore-evermore-edgar-allan-poe-relatives-choose-home-city-for-writer-s-remains

 Poe was born on January 19, 1809 in Boston, and he died on October 7, 1849.

Poe’s influence was the many deaths in his family.

Poe’s death was possibly caused by: suicide, murder, cholera, rabies, or the flu.

The state of Virginia was Poe’s home.

Even though Poe was born in Boston, Baltimore truly defines the beginning and end of his life.

West Point Military Academy expelled Poe.

Poe married Virginia Clemm before she was even 14!

Virginia was too young to marry someone who was 27 years old.

“Murders in Rue Morgue” was the first detective story.

The “Tell Tale Heart” and “Black Cat” was written in January 1845.

The Edgar Allan Poe Museum Website

The Edgar Allan Poe Society of Baltimore WebsiteThe Knowing Poe Website
I've read many of Poe's poems, but few of his stories.  I love is poetry.  M<y favorite poem by him is Annabelle Lee.

Second Quarter!!!!!

     I finally reached the second quarter!  This unit is working on short stories!  I love Edgar Allen Poe and Shakespeare so I'm really looking forward to this semester.  Last quarter went well and I'm hoping to make this one even better.  I'm striving for good grades!  Here is a picture of my friends and me as highschool students!  

Teen Drinking

Sarah Margaret Pattisall

Mrs. Zurkowski/Green

3 October 2010

Teen Drinking

Most teenagers have tried alcohol due to curiosity and peer pressure.  When you are intoxicated at an age where your brain is still maturing the outcome is never good.  Alcohol causes many deaths in adolescence such as lethal car accidents.  Alcohol is fatal for youth and not many people are aware of how terrible the aftermath can be.  Many severe alcohol-related health issues and accidents occur on a daily basis especially issues involving teens; consequently, teenagers should not be permitted to drink alcohol before the age of 21.

Teenage drinking and driving is the most recognized social problem. (“Teen Social Issues”)  Many of those accidents occur on a regular basis due to liquor.  According to 29% of high school students they were in a car where the driver was intoxicated and 10.5% of those students had been behind the wheel while drunk. (Hellmich)  Alcohol is also the leading cause of young adult and teenage death such as: car accidents, suicide, abuse, and violence.  Teens drink alcohol due to peer pressure, what they hear or see in the media, and their parent’s attitude towards drinking.  (“Teen Social Issues”)  If their parent’s strongly disagree with drinking at any age the risk of their children becoming addicted is minor.  Other reasons teenagers drink is because of rebellion, recreation, fatigue, boredom, and to relieve depression.  Occasionally parents will even let their children drink arguing, “If we do this at home, my child will be able to handle it better.”  (Harpaz) 

Alcohol harmfully affects your health.  Drinking at a young age disturbs the brain, liver, and your body's capability to fight infections. (Hellmich)  Binge drinking is also bad for your health and can result in a serious addiction that can be fatal.  The increase for addiction later in life is raised when people start drinking at a young age.  When you are young a lot of maturing is still going on in your brain.  According to Janet Williams, professor of pediatrics at the University of Texas Health Science Center, "Alcohol use is extremely dangerous for youth because a remarkable amount of brain development is still occurring at this age. The parts of the maturing brain that are most impacted by drinking are essential for developing organization skills, emotional regulation, abstract thinking and impulse control."  When you are older and your brain is done growing alcohol will not affect it like it would have if you were fifteen.

When the community and parental guardians become involved teen drinking can be prevented.  To help prevent teen drinking you can make the community aware of the severity of this social problem by educating the teens about the bad outcome of drinking. (“Teen Social Issues”)  Rehabilitation centers help addicted teens.  They provide a treatment plan consisting of: education, group therapy, life story, individual therapy, peer assessment, recreational therapy, coping skills, relaxation therapy, support group attendance, and spirituality.  Parental emotions towards alcohol can also change a teenagers view on alcohol, "Kids say the biggest reason they don't use alcohol or drugs is that their parents would be disappointed with them if they did.  Drinking in response to every emotion, positive or negative, sets a bad example.  Parents need to think of ways to celebrate or problem-solve that don't involve alcohol and that will help their children do the same." (Hellmich)  This social issue can be prevented by simple actions from the public and parental guardians. 

Letting a teenager have a glass of Champagne at home on holidays is okay. (Harpaz)  Parents believe that if alcohol is consumed in the comfort of home it is completely fine.  Drinking on holidays sends the message that underage drinking is okay.  John Lieberman believes, "At an older age, when someone does decide to drink, their brain is in a different place than when they were fifteen or sixteen.  A fifteen-year-old doesn't have the same grasp of potential consequences."  If alcohol isn't introduced until later in life then there is a smaller chance of addiction.  Going back to what Lieberman said, when you are at or above the legal age to drink you are much more mature and aware of the consequences alcohol brings than you were at a younger age.  You don’t hear near as many things about a thirty-year-old DWI; compared to, a teenager DWI.  Parent’s need to understand they set an example for their children no matter what they do, good and bad. 

Most teens think it’s cool to drink and drive. (“Teen Social Issues”)  Alcohol is easy to get according to more than 90% of high school seniors and 60% of eighth-graders.  (Hellmich)  Could you imagine an eighth grader having access to alcohol?  Do those teens know that alcohol increases the risk of other illegal behaviors that can lead to injury or death?  Why risk your own life and someone else’s when you know it could lead to death?  Is it cool to drink and drive; is it cool to kill someone or yourself?  It’s not cool at all. 

As you can see the social issue of teen drinking is negatively affecting our society; however, if the legal drinking age is more strictly enforced and the community takes action this problem can be resolved.  If it is shown to teenagers and younger members of the community the harmful effects of alcohol then the issue of alcohol in adolescence could diminish.  The media also should show a better view on the effects of alcohol instead of just showing a bunch of teenagers partying.  Simple actions such as making people more aware of this social issue could change it for the better.  These kids are the face of the future, what future do you see?

Work Cited

Harpaz, Beth J. "Is It Ok to Give Teens a Taste of Champagne at Home New Year's    Eve?." Daily    Gleaner Fredericton, N.B., Canada. 30 Dec 2009: C.2. SIRS             Researcher. Web. 27 Sep        2010.    

Hellmich, Nanci. "Pediatric policy: Discourage teenage drinking." USA  Today 12 Apr. 2010: 04D. Gale Student Resources In Context. Web.  16 Sept. 2010.

 "Teen Social Issues." Parenting, Parenting Problems, Types of Parenting, Parenting   Children. Web.  28 Sept. 2010.

Tenative These Statement

September 27, 2010

Tentative Thesis Statement

            Many alcohol-related deaths occur on a daily basis especially those involving teens: consequently, teenager should not be permitted to have alcohol although it’s illegal many teens still drink and are addicted to alcohol.  

Gathering Information #3

September 27, 2010

Gathering Information

 "Teen Social Issues." Parenting, Parenting Problems, Types of Parenting, Parenting Children. Web. 28  Sept. 2010. <http://parenting.ygoy.com/teen-social-issues/>

·         Teenage drinking and driving is the most recognized social problem.

·         Teens drink alcohol due to peer pressure, what they hear or see in the media, and their parents attitude towards drinking,

·         If their parents drink on a regular basis there is more of a chance that the teenager could become addicted; whereas, the parent's disapprove of alcohol their children might too.

·         Other reasons teenagers drink is because of rebellion, recreation, fatigue, boredom, and to relieve depression.

·         Teenagers try alcohol out of curiosity.

·         Most teens think its cool to drink and drive.

·         Males are more prone to binge drinking then females.

·         Caucasian students have the highest level of drinking and African American students have the lowest.

·         Alcohol leads to automobile accidents.

·         Rehabilitation centers help addicted teens.

·         They provide a treatment plan consisting of: education, group therapy, life story, individual therapy, peer assessment, recreational therapy, coping skills, relaxation therapy, support group attendance, and spirituality.

·         To help prevent teen drinking you can make the community aware of this severity of this social problem and educating the teens about the bad outcome of drinking. 

Gathering Information #2

September 27, 2010          

Gathering Information #2

Harpaz, Beth J. "Is It Ok to Give Teens a Taste of Champagne at Home New Year's Eve?." Daily            Gleaner Fredericton, N.B., Canada. 30 Dec 2009: C.2. SIRS Researcher. Web. 27 Sep        2010.

·         One argument states that letting a teenager have a glass of Champagne at home on holidays is okay.

·         The other argument says that it sends the message that underage drinking is okay. 

·         Statistics show that most teenagers, no matter what their parents do, have tried alcohol under the age of 21.

·         According to Youth Risk Behavior Survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, seventy-five percent of high school students have tried alcohol.

·         Almost forty-five percent of them had consumed alcohol recently.

·         Some parents would argue to say, "if we do this at home, my child will be able to handle it better" according to John Lieberman, director of operations for Visions Adolescent Treatment Centers, those parents are highly mistaken.

·         If alcohol isn't introduced until later in life then their is a smaller chance of addiction.

·         "At an older age, when someone does decide to drink, their brain is in a different place than when they were 15 or 16.  A 15-year-old doesn't have the same grasp of potential consequences." -John Lieberman

·         The legal drinking age in Europe is around 17.

·         Last summer France raised their drinking age from 16 to 18, because of the increase in teen binge-drinking and teen hospitalizations due to alcohol.  

·         Binge is another word for uncontrolled drinking or eating. 

·         "Alcohol is there bit it's not center stage.  That's the value we pass on to the kids-- it's not so much whether you do or don't drink.  It's that it's not necessary to have a lot to drink, and that the fun we have in our family is not related to alcohol usage." -Jeffrey Wolfsberg, head of Jeffrey Wolfsberg & Associates.  (on drinking in ethnic cultures)

·         In ethnic cultures where drinking on special occasion is permitted, being drunk is highly frowned upon.

·         Wolfsberg final statement on the matter is, "Both approaches are fine, because it's not so much what's being done- it's the meaning that matters the most."

Gathering Information

September 22, 2010

Gathering Information

Hellmich, Nanci. "Pediatric policy: Discourage teenage drinking." USA  Today 12 Apr. 2010:        04D. Gale      Student Resources In Context. Web.  16 Sept. 2010.

•  Alcohol for young adults harmfully affects their maturing brains.
• The increase for addiction later in life is raised when people start drinking at a young age.
• Alcohol can cause accidents that result in fatal injury, perhaps death.
• The legal drinking age is 21.
• Many college students drink on a regular basis.
• Alcohol is the leading cause of young adult and teenage death such as: car accidents, suicide, abuse, and violence.
• Alcohol increases the risk of other illegal behaviors that can lead to injury or death.
• Binge drinking can result in a serious addiction that can be lethal.
• Drinking at a young age can affect your health, including the brain, liver, and your body's capability to fight infections.
• "Alcohol use is extremely dangerous for youth because a remarkable amount of brain development is still occurring at this age. The parts of the maturing brain that are most impacted by drinking are essential for developing organization skills, emotional regulation, abstract thinking and impulse control." -Janet Williams, professor of pediatrics at the University of Texas Health Science Center.
• Parents can help diminish the risk of an addiction to drinking by setting rules and restrictions for their children when it comes to alcohol. 
• "Kids say the biggest reason they don't use alcohol or drugs is that their parents would be disappointed with them if they did.  Drinking in  response to every emotion, positive or negative, sets a bad example.  Parents need to think of ways to celebrate or problem-solve that don't  involve alcohol and that will help their children do the same."
• Alcohol is easy to get according to more than 90% of high school seniors and 60% of eighth-graders.
• According to 29% of high school students they were in a car where the driver was intoxicated and 10.5% of those students had been behind the wheel while drunk.

http://www.newbiemommy.com/Parenting/index.html

Social Issue Questions

1.      What are some harmful side effects to teen drinking?

2.      Why do some teens develop a habit of drinking?

3.      Does drinking at a young age effect your development?

Teen Drinking

Student

Sarah

Greens

September 19, 2010                         

Book: Dramarama by E. Lockhart

Topic: Teen drinking

Search Terms:

1.      “Teenage drinking”

2.      “Car accidents due to teen drinking”

3.      “Teen drinking effecting your brain”

4.      “Alcohol addiction”

5.      “Influences on teen drinking”

6.      “Preventing teen drinking”

Teen Drinking

      Many teenagers begin drinking out of curiosity or peer pressure.  Not only is alcohol the main reason for deaths in teenager and young adults, but it extremely harmful for a developing brain.  Alcohol doesn’t allow you to be in control and it increases the risk for other crimes.  When teenagers and young adults drink alcohol on regular bases it diminishes their ability to fight infections and it damages the liver.  When you start drinking alcohol at a young age it is easier for it to become an addiction.  When parents are involved the risk of alcohol addiction goes down.  What starts out as a simple curiosity can easily turn in to an addiction.

Hellmich, Nanci. "Pediatric policy: Discourage teenage drinking." USA Today 12 Apr.

2010: 04D. Gale Student Resources In Context. Web. 16 Sept. 2010.

 http://www.granbypdblog.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/070130_stock_teen_drinking.jpg

Friendly Letter

703 Churchville Road

Bel Air, MD 21014

September 3, 2010

Dear Sayde Paulson,

            My name is Sarah and I’m a student at John Carroll.  From what I’ve heard, your summer    was very interesting and so was mine!  I went to the Bahamas and spent long afternoons relaxing in the sun or scuba diving in the crystal clear Atlantic Ocean.  I also went to volleyball and photography camps, which are two of my favorite hobbies.  I spent the rest of the summer hanging out with friends and chilling by the pool!  I also went to an Orioles game!  Here I am at the game!

            Dramrama, by E. Lockhart, was a book I could relate to because I’ve been in theater for six years.  Theater can most definitely be a cold hearted and ruthless profession and you let that get to you which is the ultimate mistake.  You let people tell you that you weren’t good and you believed them!  You didn’t have enough faith and confidence in yourself!  You also got jealous too easily.  When Natalie mentioned about her career on Broadway didn’t you realize the negative things behind it?  She was never with her family and never got the chance to make any real friends!  What infuriated me was how you talked about her behind her back because of the jealousy, it was just wrong.

            The way E. Lockhart was able to show the downfall in theater made the book realistic.  Most times theater is mentioned no one seems to exaggerate the drama and prissiness of most people in the industry.  E. Lockhart was really able to show those attitudes in the book.  Camps like Wildewood exist and are all over the world which just adds to the reality of Dramarama.  Although the book is fictional, there are probably similar real life experiences people have encountered.   What really impressed me with E. Lockhart’s unique writing style was how she was able to easily show the disturbing truth behind theater, it’s merciless. 

            When you and Demi had your first fight, did you know there was more to come?  Also did you think your friendship with him would be over?  I think that was a major turning point in the story, because readers were starting to realize the downfall in theater.  E. Lockhart used a good amount of foreshadowing, which suggest more fights and mayhem to come. 

            When you and your friends were on the roof of the boy’s dorm drinking, I’m sure at the time it seemed fun, but do you have any idea how many teenagers are addicted to alcohol these days?  It’s a dangerous substance that kills millions every day!  Something else I didn’t think you handled well was Demi’s race.  You didn’t recognize the fact that he was African American.  Did you find it weird that he was a different race than you?  You should’ve told him how you felt.  I honestly have no idea how you feel about the matter, but it seemed like you didn’t like to acknowledge it.  Next time someone asks you if you want some beer or any type of alcohol you should remember the advice I gave you and tell them how irresponsible drinking can be.  When it comes to racial issues you should learn to accept absolutely everyone for who they are.

            Well, I have to get back to my busy Labor Day weekend!  I hope everything is going well in your life!  If you get a chance try and reply, but I’m sure you’re really busy with school and what not!  Well, I hope you follow my advice and you should know that you are talented!

Sincerely,

Sarah

Dramarama

Sarah Pattisall

August 23, 2010

English 9 Honors

Dramarama by E. Lockhart

This book’s social issues involve racial issues, jealousy, low self-esteem, and teenage drinking.

1.        Sarah Paulson, otherwise known as Sayde, is a determined, talented, and stubborn teenager. 

2.       Sayde’s life gets turned upside down when she auditions for Wildewood Academy, a summer institute for the performing arts.  Not only does Sayde get accepted, but she meets her best friend Demi and learns important life lessons.  At first Wildewood seems like a dream come true; however, the dream doesn’t last.  Sayde learns how challenging and ruthless the theater profession can be when lectured by legendary director Jacob Morales and landing a spot in the classic play Midsummer Night’s Dream, a play for the kids with no talent according to Wildewood students.  Sayde suffered with the director of Midsummer Night’s Dream pour judgment while coping with a strained relationship with Demi.  One night Sayde and Demi were caught by the counselor up on the roof of the boy’s dorm with alcohol.  They had just finished their most major argument yet; as a result of, Demi’s decision to attend Wildewood year-round and leave Sayde back in their dreary hometown of Ohio.  He had been the one to buy the alcohol and illegally drink underage; consequently, he would be kicked out of Wildewood forever if the counselor discovered this.  Sayde lied to the counselor by saying she bought the alcohol, and Demi had no idea it was up there.  She was sent back home due to her loyalty to Demi. 

3.       Sayde’s jealousy made her untrusted by one of her closest friends Natalie when she discovers Sayde is talking about her behind her back.  Her stubborn attitude made her an immediate target for the director’s criticism.  The low self-confidence Sayde had led her into the jealousy which was one of her biggest issues.  E. Lockhart took a basic story of a summer camp and made it in to a wild adventure between two best friends that had a common passion of theater which bonded them together.  E. Lockhart is trying to say life has its ups and its downs, its struggles, and its rewards but all in all a friend will be there to catch you if you fall.

4.       The author was able to really show Sayde’s emotions by using experiences we’ve all been through such as: feeling worthless, not having confidence, fighting with your friends, and so many more instances that can easily be applied to life.  When Sayde learned about the minor rolls she had obtained she was devastated and it took her a while to regain confidence.  The first fight she had with Demi made her livid but they were able to forgive each other because of love.  Finally when Sayde was kicked out of Wildewood all she felt was compassion towards her best friend because she knew she had done the right thing. 

Unique Profile

My Unique Profile

My name is Sarah Pattisall and I’m a volleyball player that loves sushi!  I attended Mountain Christian School for nine years and played basketball there.  In the past I’ve done taekwondo and soccer.  I’ve been acting for six years and hope to be in some musicals here at John Carroll.  I love to listen to music such as Train and Journey!  My favorite song by Train is ‘Drops of Jupiter’ and my favorite song by Journey by far ‘Faithfully’.  I’m not a fan of watching TV but I love movies!  One of my favorite movies is the summer thriller ‘Inception’.  Another thing I love is photography.  I have an eye for things not most people would notice; after all, the main purpose of photography is to capture the beauty in an unexpected context.  Photography gives you the opportunity to show the world through your perspective.  I would consider myself to be a very creaitive and outgoing person who loves to meet new people!  I’m thrilled for my highschool years at John Carroll!

A picture I took ^