Let Go

November 1st, 2008. It was a cold and windy Saturday afternoon. This was no ordinary day: today Tim, my brother, was getting married. As my brother stood at the altar waiting for his bride to approach, I noticed in my brother’s eyes that he was scared and anxious for this next step in his life, yet, I was too. As I stood beside him, I could feel my hands sweating and my entire body beginning to tense up. I was beginning to ponder upon how my life was going to be without him. When he lived with our family, his presence gave me security and hope during the hard times. Who was going to be there when I became vulnerable to the outside world?

As my eyes stared out into the church hall for an answer, I started to remember and recall all those memories and adventures that we had shared together: our first U2 concert, the trip up to Deep Creek with the groomsmen, and the David Beckham debut American soccer game vs. DC United. His presence gave me happiness. The thought of my brother leaving my side as a friend and mentor made me feel sad and uncomfortable.

However, as I puzzled over my fear, I realized I had to let go. I had learned from him in my eighteen years and he would still be with me, even if he wasn’t around. I was starting to believe that his marriage was an opportunity for me to be reborn and a chance for me to take a step forward in my independence and maturity. I would be on my own. I would be changing, but this change was going to be a new and exciting journey I had never experienced before.
Change is inevitable. Learn to let go

Word Count-300

Let Go

November 1st, 2008. It was a cold and windy Saturday afternoon. This was no ordinary day: today, Tim, my brother, was getting married. As my brother stood at the altar waiting for his bride, I noticed in my brother’s eyes that he was scared and anxious for this next step in his life, yet, so was I. As I stood beside him at the wedding, I felt I was losing my brother and began to ponder on how this event was going to change my life. As I gazed around the church hall for an answer, I started to remember all those memories and adventures that we had shared together: our first U2 concert, the trip up to Deep Creek with the groomsmen the weekend before the wedding, or David Beckham’s debut American soccer game vs. DC United. I couldn’t help but think that my brother was more than just a sibling, but a friend. My brother had always been funny and outgoing with me, hung out all the time with me, and even helped me when I struggled and things got rough . The thought of my brother leaving and starting a new life made me feel alone, confused, and worried for my future without him.
But there was one thing I kept in mind as I watched my brother wed his fiancé: let go. I had learned so much from my brother over the years that my brother could live through me, even if he wasn’t around. He set an example for me of how to be a strong and mature individual. All I had to do was now act on it. My life was changing, but this change was going to be a new, exciting and exhilarating journey I had never experienced before.

Point:Change is inevitable in life. Learn to let go of worries and fears of something new.

Word Count-296

A Trip to Remember

It was a warm and sunny summer day and I had just gotten out of bed around 11 o-clock am. I had not been up 5 minutes when I heard my mother shout down the stairs, “Drew, pack some clothes! We are going to North Carolina!” I had never been so confused in my entire life. It turns out that my mom’s family was going to be down in North Carolina to visit my cousin’s newborn baby and this would be one of the only opportunities that everyone was going to be down there as one big family. My three siblings and I were furious. We were only going to be down there for one night and it made no sense to drive all the way out there. Sure, my mother was known for arranging last minute things, but this was clearly out of the blue and least expected! The siblings and I were planning on having a “laid back” kind of summer day but we were forced to drive seven hours to see my mom’s side of the family in a small town out in North Carolina. I thought this was going to be a waste of time.
However, I was wrong. Not only was the car ride down to North Carolina fun, but catching up with my cousins I hadn’t seen in years was a good experience. Only by going on this trip did I realize just how fun family could be and how important family really was.
Story’s Point: Have fun and make the best out of your time with family because there is no way of figuring out when you are going to see them again or when everyone is going to be together again as one big family.
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My Best and Worst Educational Experiences

Best Educational Experience
I can remember that night of my Guitar Recital in 11th grade. It was a requirement for the Guitar III class and the students were freaking out. The students that were going to perform that night were so nervous and scared because there were family and friends watching. I was supposed to be the one most nervous because I was going to be singing two songs while playing guitar. However, that night was the night I shined. Not only did I overcome my problem of stage fright, but I tried something new by singing in front of a crowd.
Word Count-98
Worst Educational Experience
My worst educational experience took place in my 9th grade technology course. Although the class was not hard or difficult, the students were awful. Most of them cursed and yelled at my teacher frequently, ridiculed my poor old teacher for his teaching methods, and refused to finish work when it was asked. Out of the thirty students, maybe five of us cared about being there and wanted to get the most out of the class. As a result, the only friend I had in the class transferred schools the following year because of the horrible experience.
Word Count-96

Do the Right Thing for You and Your Future

By Drew Dimas
During my high school years, I didn’t have a problem with peer pressure because at the start of high school, my brother told me something I would always keep in mind: “Be careful with the decisions you make at that high school because they will affect you later.” I interpreted that doing the right thing and being yourself were important, and that I would always need to take a step back and think before I act. At first, I didn’t understand what he meant, but it wasn’t long before one particular event changed my entire perspective. During my first year of high school, a friend of mine got expelled because she decided to show up to a dance intoxicated. She had gone to the same Christian middle school as me, and had every chance to excel just like me, but managed to get thrown out of school and I couldn’t figure out why. However, it was clear that she was misled and acquainted with the wrong people who forced her to believe that it was “alright” to drink. What would happen now? Would she still go to college? I knew from that point on that the remaining years were going to be hard if I couldn’t make decisions for myself and if I wasn’t my own man.

However, because I was always curious and open-minded, making that right decision in high school wasn’t always easy for me. Whether it being my four-hour long “senior-week” or that recall of the near fist-fight that almost led to a suspension, making the right choice could be hard. Although I made several wrong decisions during high school, I could always learn from my mistakes that would help me in order to grow and mature.

I believe that the decisions you make now will have an impact on your life and your future plans.

Word Count-290

"Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima"-What Americans Stand For

Joe Rosenthal’s Pulitzer Prize winning photograph, “Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima”, is considered to be a famous war image, but is also an iconic image that reflects American cultural ideas and the values that Americans stand for today. From the photograph, Americans can see that the United States Flag is more than just an object:  it’s a symbol of greatness, power, and authority that Americans share when the world is chaotic and violent. This picture was taken during World War II at the Battle of Iwo Jima in 1945, which was an important step and turning point in winning the War in the Pacific. At this time for Americans, raising the flag in the photograph was a sign of hopefulness and assurance that the War was winnable and that the Americans who feared a defeat didn’t need to be worried. Americans could feel strong and incorruptible by watching their flag hoisted. Such events, like September 11^th, 2001, Americans felt the same way when the American flag was lifted where the Two Towers once stood: the 9/11 picture shows that Americans would not give into defeat and that Americans were still unified and confident after the tragedy.

                 Although “Raising the Flag at Iwo Jima” creates up-lifting spirits and demonstrates America’s freedom, the photograph also portrays an idea of patriotism. When looking at this photograph, it’s important to realize that the men raising the flag are American soldiers who have risked their lives in order to ensure the freedom of the United States. In other words, Americans are able to say that they are “free” because of the men and women who have dedicated themselves to fighting.  From the image, Americans are reminded of the sacrifice that American soldiers have made so that the flag can continue to be raised and their independence celebrated.

Word Count-303

“Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima”-What Americans Stand For

Joe Rosenthal’s Pulitzer Prize winning photograph, “Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima”, is considered to be a famous war image, but is also an iconic image that reflects American cultural ideas and the values that Americans stand for today. From the photograph, Americans can see that the United States Flag is more than just an object:  it’s a symbol of greatness, power, and authority that all Americans share even when the world is chaotic and violent. This particular picture was taken during World War II at the Battle of Iwo Jima in 1945, which was an important step and turning point in winning the War in the Pacific. At this time for Americans, raising the flag in the photograph was a sign of hopefulness and assurance that the War was winnable and that all the Americans who feared a defeat didn’t need to feel worried. Americans could feel mighty and incorruptible by watching their flag hoisted. Such events, like September 11^th, 2001, Americans felt the same way when the American flag was lifted where the Two Towers once stood: it showed that Americans would not give into defeat and that Americans were still unified and confident after the tragedy.

                 Although “Raising the Flag at Iwo Jima” creates a sense of up-lifting spirits and demonstrates our freedom from other countries, the photograph also develops an idea of patriotism. One thing to keep in mind when looking at this photograph is that the men raising the flag are American soldiers who have risked their lives in order to ensure our protection. In other words, we are able to say that we are “free” due to the men and women who have been dedicated to fighting in order to secure our freedom. Within the image, the men are a collective group, undivided and determined to hold up the flag, almost acting as a metaphor for how American citizens are to be under the flag: a society of one, helping one another.  From the image, Americans are reminded of the sacrifice that American soldiers have made so that our flag can continue to be raised and our independence celebrated.

Word Count-364

"We Must Protect This House"-The Underlying Statement of Under Armour

Through Under Armour’s advertisement and persuading techniques, people are forced and pressured to represent Under Armour’s perception of sports and athletes. A main form of pressure comes from the company’s commercials. The commercials usually consist of large male athletes who are engaging in over-bearing sport drills out on the football field, lifting in the weight room, or giving out motivational speeches( by a coach or a team captain). By using this form of advertisement, Under Armour sends the message that their products are specially for male athletes who are interested in one thing: strength and power to the individual athlete. The Under Armour industry achieves this by using famous sports stars, such as Ray Lewis, to promote it. If the people can see a “hero” figure wearing an Under Armour brand of clothing, people will begin to think that if you start wearing this type of clothing, you are just like a sports superstar; strong, athletic and dedicated to the game. Another form of advertisement used to promote the products are the slogans. Under Armour has been able to get a lot of attention from athletes with slogans such as,

"We Must Protect this House", or “Click Clack: I Think You Hear Us Coming”. Sports require hard work to the game; but to a certain extent. Under Armour is making it seem to be a “life and death situation”, and then compelling athletes to use aggression or anger to gain success on the field. Based on the slogans, Under Armour has a language of its own that captivates the mind by showing athletes that this is how a game is supposed to be played by elite players: with intensity and anger at the opponent.

Although individual athletes are controlled by the ads, the athletes are also controlled by the product being sold. Under Armour was founded by Kevin Plank in 1996 with the intentions of finding high-tech fabric which could wick sweat instead of absorbing it. “Plank believed that if athletes could be dry and if the moisture wicking ability could help regulate temperature, they could perform better (ezinearticles.com).” His idea has worked, but Under Armour has now become a seller of performance. Sweating is common for any sort of physical activity, but the concept has led athletes to believe that if you buy the product, your game-play and skills will show better on the field. Under Armour tries to show what the ideal American athlete should look like, but it evolves into a norm that could really be inaccurate of what American citizens represent.

Word Count-429