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