Coming of Age Final Draft

Trying something new can always be difficult. We fear the notion of being judged and being rejected by the standards set by society. But sometimes, the want to meet these standards can hinder us from accomplishing what we should and achieving true happiness. I feel that I have experienced this predicament first hand. And although it was difficult for me stop having this "impress everyone" type of thinking, I feel that I was able to overcome it and mature. My life before high school was much easier and less independent that what it is now. Everything was done for me. All I ever worried about was the latest toy, or the newest cartoon. I never really cared about my social nor academic successes. But eventually moving to high school, i began to become very thoughtful of my 4 year journey. But I never realized how I really felt about trying something new. 

As my first day of high school began, I was worried about making friends. I was worried about how I looked, where I would hang out, and most of all, others perspective and judgment of myself. As we all know, high school is a very diverse community filled with many different cultures and beliefs, especially at this particular high school. This truth frightened me. I came from a very small middle school. It was one class per grade, and everyone knew each other. Also, we had to wear uniforms. So basically, I didn’t have to worry about impressing anyone because we all look the same, and we all had something in common. Now, here at a public school with 10 times more people than my old school, anyone is subjected to different opinions. I felt that if I didn't dress or speak a certain way like how others did, then I wouldn't be accepted in the community I wanted to be part of. This mentality often affected my school wide participation and also my outgoingness toward activities out of my comfort zone. It made me more timid as a person. Therefore, I went through my first days or so just with nothing. I was afraid that if I tried something new and I wasn't good at it, then others around the school would look down upon me.

More and more days passed, and nothing changed. But I started to realize something. I noticed that no matter how nerdy someone was or how weird I thought they were, they always had friends and people to laugh and have fun with. They never seemed mopey nor unhappy. They seemed to be enjoying their time in high school. Later that week at a ministry for youth that my church held, the instructors spoke about the diversity of high school and finding true friends. Their lessons taught me that true friends accept you for who you are. And adding to that, they share beliefs and interests with you. I soon started to realize that maybe if I tried being myself, then friends that accepted me would come along. This ideal took a lot of getting used to. As the school year went on, I started to become more comfortable with my environment and the people in it. I started to be more outgoing and less afraid. I talked to people I didn’t quite know, I answered in class activities that I normally wouldn’t participate in. I also considered being in activities such as sports that i would have never done. I began to be myself once again.

Toward the ending of the school year was where I really broke out of my shell. This is when I decided to join the sport of football. Now, this may not seem like much, but I feel that this is when I really started to become a little more apathetic, in a good way. I have never played football before, ever, and I knew that compared to all the other sports I participated in, it was the most rough and the most physical. But for some reason, I had the urge to try it. This taught me the meaning of true friends. Everyone accepted each other, no matter how different they were, they all shared a common interest, football. And I think this is what drew me so much to join. Because I knew that I would be able to talk to other people. As I began to hang out with the team, I began to care less of what others thought. I began to like high school, and most of all, I began to act as myself. I was no longer trying to impress everyone, for I knew that I no longer had to. I feel that I grew and became more matured. I no longer cared about how others thought of me, whether they accepted me or not. I learned to stop trying to impress everyone that really have nothing in common with me. I learned that if i act as myself, then everything will fall into place, such as friends, school and sports.


This event taught me the trait of apathy, or not caring. In some cases, it could be a not so good trait to have. But in another way, it can help you. It helped me to become more outgoing and to care less of society's standards. It helped me to realize what true friends are and who they were around me. And most of all, it taught me to not care... to not care of others judgment. I feel that is have made high school a more enjoyable place for me. And I feel that i have matured. In the near future, i won't be afraid to try new things. I will work for what makes me happy, and not worry of what others think of it. 

Blog Revisions

From last year, I was able to revise my freshmen blog to suite the needs of my sophomore year. First of all, I kept the title. The reason I did so was because I felt that this catch title, "Write State of Mind", really reflected was was in my blog and the way I write. Next came the header to help strengthen the meaning of my title. As you can see, my header is very cartoonish and comical. I put the big picture of the brain with wings to show powerful my thoughts, imagination, and creativity can be in the subject of writing. They are basically saying that in order to write well, you need to be in the write state of mind. The other things I did was change the fonts, text colors, as well as the background. Last year I was more worried about making my blog appealing to me. But now, i made it so that it complements readers and attracts their attention. Lastly was the organization. I organized everything by months. In each month lists the different writing pieces I did. Overall I feel that my blog is more matured now and will make readers more intrigued to read my pieces.

Coming of Age Draft

Trying something new can always be difficult. We fear the notion of being judged and being rejected by the standards set by society. But sometimes, the want to meet these standards can hinder us from accomplishing what we should  and achieving true happiness. I feel that i have experienced this predicament first hand. And although it was difficult for me stop having this "impress everyone" type of thinking, I feel that I was able to overcome it and mature in a way.

As I arrived to Moanalua, I was worried about making friends. I was worried about how i looked, where i would hang out, and most of all, others perspective and judgment of myself. As we all know, high school is a very diverse community filled with many different cultures and beliefs, especially at this particular high school. This truth frightened me. I felt that if i didn't dress or speak a certain way like how others did, then i wouldn't be accepted in the community i wanted to be part of. This mentality often affected my school wide participation and also my outgoingness toward activity out of y comfort zone. It made me more timid as a person. therefore, I went through my first days or so just with nothing. I was afraid that if I tried something new and i wasn't good at it, then others around the school would look down upon me.

More and more days passed, and nothing changed. But I started to realize something. I noticed that no matter how nerdy someone was or how weird I thought they were, they always had friends and people to laugh and have fun with. They never seemed mopey or unhappy. They seemed to be enjoying their time in high school. Later that week at a ministry for youth that my church held, the instructors spoke about the diversity of high school and finding true friends. Their lessons taught me that true friends accept you for who you are. And adding to that, they share beliefs and interests with you. I soon started to realize that maybe if i tried being myself, then friends that accepted me would come along. This ideal took a lot of getting used to. As the school year went on, then i started to become more comfortable with my environment and the people in it.

Toward the ending of the school year was where I really broke out of my shell. This is when I decided to join the sport of football. Now, this may not seem like much, but i feel that this is when i really started to become a little more apathetic, in a good way. I have never played football before, ever, and I knew that compared to all the other sports I participated in, it was the most rough and the most physical. But for some reason, I had the urge to try it. This taught me the meaning of true friends. Everyone accepted each other, no matter how different they were, they all shared a common interest, football. And i think this is what drew me so much to join. Because i knew that i would be able to talk to other people. As I began to hang out with the team, I began to care less of what others thought. I began to like high school, and most of all, I began to act as myself. I was no longer trying to impress everyone, for i knew that i no longer had to.

This event taught me the trait of apathy, or not caring. In some cases, it could be a not so good trait to have. But in another way, it can help you. It helped me to become more outgoing and to care less of society's standards. It helped me to realize what true friends are and who they were around me. And most of all, it taught me to not care... to not care of others judgment. I feel that is have made high school a more enjoyable place for me. And I feel that i have matured. In the near future, i won't be afraid to try new things. I will work for what makes me happy.

Position Statement Essay

In recent times, there has been many accounts of dangerous incidents involving visitors to the state as well as popular visitation sites such as hiking trails and blowholes. These event have caused a spike in in casualties as well as money lose. There are many issues involving who's fault it is and who is to blame for all these incidents. Many people claim that it is the peoples fault for getting hurt, While others claim that it is the location and governments fault. Another position is that it is both of their fault for not becoming in compliance with each other. After reviewing all these incidents and reading about what caused them, the side that I take is that is both the government/locations fault as well as the people and participants fault.

Going into further detail, most of these events were caused for many different reasons. One could be that the person who got hurt didn't comply with the rules and regulations set by the state or owner of the particular activity. Another reason is because the state or  owner did not alert participants and visitors of the potential dangers of the actual activity. For either reason, I see that there is no particular side to blame but both of them. My position is that is both sides fault for not upholding certain responsibilities and not complying with what they are meant to do. The reason is because both the location and the visitors have to do what they are supposed to do. It is the locations responsibility to maintain and keep the activity safe. And if it cant, then to shut it down. It is the peoples responsibility to follow the rules and be respectful for what the owners are trying to do. Another thing is that the locations should warn people of safety hazards and requirements to participate in a particular activity. And it is the peoples responsibility to now their capabilities and restrictions to prevent injury.

Overall, it is shown that each incident was caused for a different reason. So knowing this, you can see that the fault is on both the People's and the location's fault. In the near future it should be known that the owners and the people should do what they're supposed to do in order to be safe and to prevent injury.

Parent Comment for Portfolio

First off, I was very impressed by this assignment in itself...the amount of energy that he has put into it.  Then again, I've noticed that throughout the year, Lennon has been extremely involved with this MeneMac projects.  The amount of energy that the students are required to put into their various assignments, has help Lennon remain interested in school.  Coming from a private middle school that challenged him, I was worried that he wouldn't be challenged in high school and he would lose interest in his studies.  The exact opposite occured and I was thankfully proven wrong...I believe it is due to the MeneMac program.  The other concern I had with Lennon transitioning into Moanalua High School, was his adjustment to a much bigger student population and how he would adapt to meeting new students in such a large capacity.  Thanks to this program and the familiar classmates and smaller cohorts in their classes, he has adjusted very well socially and comfortably.  I am proud of what he has achieved so far and look forward to his continued interested and involvement in the MeneMAC program, a program that Moanalua HS should be 200% proud of.

Lennon 2014 Portfolio Link

http://lennonportfolio2014.weebly.com/

Merchant of Venice: Final Draft

In todays society, it is very hard to trust someone. The reason being is because many people could double ross you or not hold up their end of a certain deal. There are very little people that are able to do buisness with little stakes. The story, A Merchant of Venice, is a story that tells the story of many themes. When this story was written, the times were very much different from ours. The author, William Shakespeare, lived in a time were one could only trust anothers word. Business was corrupt from segregation with religion, race, and gender.  The main character of this story, Antonio, is a prime example of a great business man that would survive in both modern and ancient times. He has the intellects and values of someone that thinks critically and outside the box. Throughout this play, it is shown that the character Antonio portraits a person of great intellegence that the people of both the 1500s and modern times need so that the aspects of society remain stable.

In the beginning of the story, we find Antonio very sad, almost depressed. "In sooth I know not why I am so sad: It wearies me, you say, it wearies you; But how I caught it, found it, or came by it, What stuff 'tis made of, whereof it is born, I am to learn."(Act 1, Scene 1, lines 1-5) Unlike most depression cases, he knows not why he feels this way. Although not very touched upon further in the story, it is believed that love is the thing that keeps he spirit on the low end. But disregarding he inner feelings and self conflicts, he decides to help he "BFF" Bassanio. This is the first example of Antonio's kind side. "You know me well, and herein spend but time To wind about my love with circumstance, And doubt you do me now more wrong In making question of my uttermost Than if you had made waste of all I have: Then do say to me what i should do, That in your knowledge may by me be done, And I am preset into it: therefore, speak."( Act 1, Scene1, lines 153-160) This particular saying shows the audience how he feels to his friend. He would be more hurt if Bassanio told him none of his social foibles than if Bassanio squandered with his fortune. He also, toward the ending of the story, is willing to give his life so that his friend could remain happy. In this particular time period, kindness was a little difficult to come by mostly because areas would be over cumbered by business and religious segregation. Antonio breaks that barrier and shows to Bassanio the kindness that most certainly he wouldn't have received from anyone else.

Another trait of Antonio that is shown to us through the play is his slightly wise yet very clever way of thinking. We most see this we he is striking the deal with Shylock for the three thousand ducats. While discussing with Bassanio the terms of the actual contract, Shylock nearly has a change of heart when he finally meets Antonio. Reason being is that Antonio discriminated Shylock because of his religon being Jewish. But finding a way to talk him into loaning the money, Shylock was forced to give in. "If though lend this money, lend it not As thy friends- for when did friendship take A breed for barren metal of his friend? But lend it rather to thine enemy,Who if he break, thou mayst with better face Exact the penalty." (Act 1, Scene 3, lines 129-134) This line shows Antonio's true intellects. He doesn't beg that Shylock loans the money, yet, he basically tempts Shylock to. He persuades Shylock, knowing that with the way he thinks, he will do anything to embrace his enemies suffering. Although this is really the only evidence of his cleverness, it is proven to be a very powerful example. The reason is that you can tell by modern day examples and history that enemies aren't very well persuaded by each other. so you can see the cunning intellects that Antonio has.

Lastly, the main trait that basically makes the story so great is Antonio's way of keeping his promises. Antonio is a great example of a man of his word. In this story, he promises many things. He promises Bassanio that he would help him see Portia and get him the money, and He also promised Shylock that he would pay back all three thousand ducats, and if not, he would basically give his life. Although there are only 2 main promises, they are very divine in a way. He put himself in a life or death situation and was willing to suffer the consequences. Knowing that it wasn't gonna be easy, he still undertook the task of asking a loan from his archenemy Shylock. And after thoroughly convincing him, which wasn't a very easy job, he was able to get the required money. Also, he was willing to keep the promise of cutting a pound of flesh because he wasn't able to pay back the loan. Most people would have found a way out of the punishment, of escaped in hopes of relieving themselves of the responsibility. But Antonio was ready to go through with what he put himself into.

Our modern world has many problems equivalent to the historical world of Shakespeare. We still have racial and religious segregation in some places, we still have many people that do not keep their word. Although there may not harsh business or religious segregation, there are still major foibles that go against our values, such as unequal salary, incomplete deals, etc. The character of Antonio is someone that is still needed in the modern world. A person that is clever/wise, kind, and a man of the word, is a person that can survive through hardships and set the example for people who are corrupt. He has the intelligence of a business man, yet the somewhat values of a monk. Overall, Antonio is a very important character to this story that reveals one of the many morals that is to be learned by people of our society, and that is selflessness and respect to all.