Holiday Joy!

Holidays have always been a time for families to come together to celebrate and reminisce. When I was little the only Holidays I cared about was Christmas and Easter; the two main Holidays where you the most presents. Growing up, you realize that it’s so much more. Over the years, most people unfortunately lose people that are close to them, every year a Holiday could be spent without a loved one. Over the years I’ve learned that Holidays are so much more than the gifts, it’s about being together with your family. Christmas is my favorite Holiday for many reasons.  Every Christmas my extended family all comes together; from North Carolina, Arizona, and Nevada. The entire family comes to my house on December 23^rd with all their gifts for each other, and we put all the present under the tree; which usually takes over my living room.  There’s about twenty people living in my house for 3-5 days every year; people are sleeping on the floor, air mattresses’, one year on the dinner table. Needless to say, Christmas day is udder chaos.  I have thirteen cousins ranging from two years old to twenty- six; the gifts go from Barbie’s to gas cards. As years go by, we all get older and we grow more apart; when the Holidays come around it’s so nice reuniting with one another. We started doing this tradition about three years ago, before it was just My mom, dad, sister, and I every Christmas morning which was fun; but when the family comes together it’s always fun watching the younger kids filling the room with excitement.  For me, goodbyes are always the hardest. I’m really close with my family, even if they do live on the other side of the country, every time we’re together; we leave right where we left off.

Decisions Decisions Decisions

During high school, most students don’t think that after senior year it’s the real deal; we have to start making our own choices for ourselves and become responsible.  High school, school in general flies by before we can even realize, it’s hard to realize that I’m almost half way done with my senior year. When I first started thinking about college, I went back and forth way too much. I thought that going to GCC for two years and then transferring to a four year school was a great idea. Then, came the idea to go out of state for College and get away from the “same old’ same old’.  I wanted to go to ASU (Arizona State University), I went there over the summer and went all over campus and I knew that I couldn’t regret making my decision to go to this school. I wasn’t thinking about the entire situation though, I was thinking mainly of myself; not thinking about other people that it could/would effect. Each day I brought it up more and more to my parents and finally, one day they told me how upset they were, that they’d do anything in order for me to stay in state for school. I realize that college is mainly going to affect me in the long run, but some things aren’t worth it. I looked at the entire situation and came to the conclusion that whether I stay in Buffalo or decide to go out of state, I’m still going to college and I will still end up getting a great education in order to have a great future.  Plus, part of me knows that I wouldn’t be able to leave my family for four years.  In conclusion, I’ve been debating between Buffalo State College and Medaille College. The main thing that is stopping me is that I’m not 100% sure on what’d I’d like to do for a career; I’d much rather save a ton of money and go to GCC to figure out what it is that I want to do, and in the end I’d be ending with a better education!

Classes Throught The Years!

Out of twelve years of being in school, we’ve all experienced many classes. We’ve experienced classes we like, some we hated, and some we loved. This year I’ve found my favorite class of all time though which is ironically taught by my favorite teacher, Mr. Casillo.  FYE is a class for seniors that prepares us to be ready for college. So far in the class, we’ve learned to do a resume, letter or recommendation, how to fill out a college application, and how to make the right decisions for our future. Mr. Casillo always manages to make every class enjoyable which is hard to do because I have first block. Mr. Casillo breaks the class up; we’re not sitting in class for eighty minutes listening to lecture. We’re active and learning in a comfortable way for everyone. I didn’t quite know what to expect from taking this class but I’m so glad that I decided to. It’s only been about two months since school has started and I find myself never bored in the class and I’ve learned a lot. During class I’ve already filled out two college applications and got tips from Mr. Casillo on which college’s I could benefit from. A lot of teachers come into work for a paycheck and that’s all; Mr. Casillo truly likes his job and likes helping every student that walks into his door as much as he can. It’s so much nicer being in a room where there is always good vibes in and out. I think the reason why FYE is my favorite class is because how much I have benefitted from it already. I never knew how to write a professional resume for a college or even a job. In my opinion, I think the class should be mandatory. It’s an easy grade if you do your work, you receive a great relationship between the teacher, and it really does prepare you for the obstacles to come.  

Mr. Casillo!

Over twelve years of schooling I’ve met a lot of teachers; some that I liked and others that I didn’t. Sophomore year of high school I was in Mr. Casillo’s health class. I never liked health during middle school but Mr. Casillo put me in a different perspective. Most classes are mainly lectures. It generally feels like it is anyway, that’s teaching though: someone stands in front of you for eighty minutes and you have to take notes and listen. I know that not all teachers teach this way but a good handful of them do. I actually looked forward going to health class. This year I decided to take FYE which Mr. Casillo also teaches and it’s a great way to start off any day! From my point of view, it seems like Mr. Casillo understands his students, he tries to make class fun for us and him. Every day in class in a new, we’re never doing the same thing day after day, which keeps us all interested. No matter what we’re talking about in class, Mr. Casillo always has a story to go along with it and it’s never a disappointment. Over the years of high school, Mr. Casillo and I have become close with one another. He’s a teacher that I’ll easily go to whenever I need help or advice. Mr. Casillo is someone who is willing to do anything for anyone. I’m extremely glad that I chose to take FYE – a class that prepares us for college because Mr. Casillo has been through everything that we’re about to experience. In class he often breaks things down for us so that the students can fully understand the topic and what needs to be accomplished.  Mr. Casillo has impacted me in a positive way by opening my eyes to the experiences that are out there and it’s always comfortable in his classroom. I really appreciate everything that Mr. Casillo has done for me and the rest of students at Alden High School.  

Jamey Rodemeyer

C3. The death of Jamie Rodemeyer is nothing but an unnecessary tragedy.  I can’t even imagine saying the words that were said to Jamey, let alone having it be about me. The internet has changed our society in such bad ways when it comes to this particular situation. The website Formspring was a website that should have never been thought of.  Why would anyone think of a website where you can post whatever you want to anyone you want and have them never know who you are..? I think bullying has just gotten ten times worse than what it used to be and not enough are attempting to do anything about it. This isn’t the first time that suicide has happened because of bullying, it’s just one of the few times that it’s been announced nationally. Children/people are getting meaner and more careless.  It’s such a shame that more people don’t take action so that tragedy’s like this can’t be prevented.  In today’s world, many don’t know how much words can hurt; the kids that bullied Jamey knew exactly what they were doing and how bad it hurt Jamey. For the fact that after Jamey decided to commit suicide they were cheering and saying “I’m glad he killed himself”, it’s so wrong to me; I can’t fathom how any person could be so mean to someone who didn’t do anything to deserve it. In high school, especially freshman year is hard to fit in and find friends, Jamey seemed careless and he wasn’t afraid to be himself, but kids couldn’t accept it. Most high school kids do whatever it takes in order for them to fit in and get through a day. People are mean today, so mean that people that are brave enough to be themselves are ending up dying before they got the chance to see the real world.

Alden Restaurants

C2. There are many good restaurants to eat at in small town Alden. Just a few of my favorite restaurants in Alden would have to be Town and Country and Carbone’s! It’s a close call between the other four pizzerias in Alden. I don’t usually go out to in Alden but the times I do I feel very welcomed. I can easily say I’ve never had a problem with any restaurant in Alden; the workers are always very welcoming! When I do go to Town and Country I usually am going in the morning for an early breakfast. My order never changes, two scramble eggs, two pieces of rye toast, and ham and it’s always perfect. Carbone’s and I happen to go way back. I’m very proud to say that I’m a former employee of Carbone’s pizzeria (it’s a true honor). The workers of Carbone’s always find a way to have a great time while working and helping customers when they walk in to make sure their leaving happy. Every time I order form Carbone’s I never seem to have a problem with my order.  Prices are very reasonable for such great food!

Alden School Lunches!

C1. School lunches... so much to say. Out of all the years of school that I’ve experienced I generally bought all of my lunches from the school. My favorite lunches received from Alden High School were usually the spaghetti without the sauce and meatballs, chicken nuggets with tater tots or the buttered noodles. After twelve years of school though, it was time for a change. So far this year I’ve been packing my lunch... well my Mom has been packing my lunch.  In my pink princess lunch bag I usually drink a blue Gatorade or a half and half Arizona tea. Next comes a bowl of cucumbers with a side Italian dressing found in my Mom’s Tupperware. Following after comes a chicken sandwich with lettuce, crispy chicken, and Italian dressing found under the Italian bread. This year my goal for eating was to try and eat a lot healthier but as most of us know… that normally doesn’t ever go as we plan. What I do love about school lunches is around the Holidays; that’s when the soft pretzels come with our lunch or the juicy cups! Also, usually towards the end of the school year the school has really good apples. Most of the time they’re generally bruised or super tiny, but towards June they are perfect apples. Also, when they offer peaches it’s always a good day!