Friday evening, I drove to Tacoma, Washington to witness a once-in-a-lifetime speech made by archbishop Desmond Tutu--a Nobel Peace Prize winner and civil rights activist in South Africa, known for being a part of the movement involving people such as Nelson Mandela. This was nearing the end of his American speaking tour, and possibly the last visit he will make to the U.S. as far as I and others are aware.
While I found it quite odd that some of my educated peers shook their heads and wrote off the event as if they "didn't know who Desmond Tutu was and didn't care", I was pleasantly surprised at who did attend. I was sitting next to an individual who I have had small conflicts with, which just so happened to be the cherry on top of a beautiful night. Why, you may ask? Tutu's belief incorporates forgiveness and love to all humans, and compassion between two that come together. Being able to share a bittersweet message with someone I earlier had trouble understanding, created a spark within my soul, reminding me that I can accept and appreciate everyone, regardless of our differences.
Unlike many Americans at this moment, I am strongly against celebrating the death of any human life, regardless of how dangerous they could be. It is not humane, and not compassionate. Mr. Tutu mentioned this as well, and said that he agreed with my forgiving belief. We are all God's children, and when one of God's children murders another of God's children, that is truly something to mourn. I am a fair, loving individual, and certainly not a hypocrite. My prayers were with every troubled individual that night: those who wish to cause harm to another individual, or that have personal conflicts of their own that they do not deserve to battle.
With religious preachers, my only concern is their agenda and morale on "taboo" subjects such as homosexuality, which to me, within a Christian-based religion, should not be a debated question, but automatically accepted. The predicted teachings of Jesus Christ were much the same to individuals who follow through with his message, such as Martin Luther King Jr., and Mr. Tutu, who expressed the heart and soul of *a Christian* that night--one that is loving of all walks of life, who speaks out the message of Jesus with a steady voice, and lives exactly the way a true Christian would, in my opinion (I am not God, so I cannot say "should").
Desmond Tutu showed incredible confidence, humor, education, hope, and the BELIEF in my generation that will carry on the message of our choice for years to come--a message we have immense impact on and need to decide a peaceful, giving, and solving resolution within. A big thanks to "the arch"; you inspired me.
What a day! I spent last Wednesday with some of the most wonderful classmates, setting up, relaxing, and running a successful project showcase from 9A.M. to 6P.M.
I thought I would share some of the art with you all!
I received a letter in the mail today, in what seemed as fancy as white house stationary, inviting me to the National Young Leaders Conference (NYLC) to be held in Washington, D.C. this coming summer.
NYLC selects the top high school students in the nation that have extreme educational merit and leadership in their community, volunteer service and activism, to meet our government officials and president assistants, along with news broadcasters (CNN, ABC, NPR) and other influential speakers.
NYLC starts out with a nomination from someone who works with the student (faculty at the school, mentor, community leader), and then nominates the student as a organization if they qualify. While I am awfully flattered and blown away that YOU out there would want me as a "future world leader", the tuition, I'm afraid, is far too pricey, and I'm not diggin' the fact I have to walk around for hours in dress shoes.
However, NYLC, I'll give you the benefit of the doubt, and I will be following up on details with my school. Thank you, thank you, thank you to George Mason University!
For this year's science fair and showcase, I created a project in one of my interest areas: biology and the effect genetics have on the ability of the individual to taste certain substances and foods.
Firstly, I ordered four test strips from a laboratory: the control strip (plain paper), sodium benzoate, PTC, and thiourea. Then, I proceeded to survey sets of genetically related families, pairing each parent with each child, and recording the data. I also asked them if they enjoyed eating veggies, chocolate, soda, and if they had a history of thyroid disease in their family. Secondly, I conducted a survey of about 20 classmates and compared their results randomly, for a control group of non-genetically related subjects. I got some pretty strange results.
Out of the pairs I selected, approx. 90% of genetically related pairs had the ability to taste thiourea, and about 68% of non-genetically related pairs did. Thiourea is a substance that can either taste bitter, sweet, salty, or spicy, along with the other three substances I tested for. It is claimed that some individuals can taste thiourea, or PTC, but not both. PTC is an organosulfer thiourea, with a phenyl ring. According to a study conducted at Yale University, heavy thiourea tasters will be less likely to consume any bitter foods, including green-leafy vegetables, coffee or chocolate, and make up about 10 to 15% of the population. Non-tasters will be more likely to have a genetic risk in the family of thyroid disease, because thiourea is an anti-thyroid acting agent, and is seemingly used to treat patients with thyroid disease.
Out of the pairs I selected, exactly 75% of genetically related pairs had the ability to taste PTC, while about 43% of non-genetically related pairs did. Out of my knowledge, PTC is the only substance out of the three I tested that individuals can taste and be labeled what is called a “supertaster”! A “supertaster” is someone who is extremely sensitive to the taste of most substances—this influences their body type and the food they choose to eat. I found an even score of nearly 11% in each genetic/non-genetic category for “supertasters”. People who can taste PTC are less likely to smoke cigarettes and less likely to enjoy coffee/tea, while “supertasters” are also less likely to enjoy the taste of green vegetables. 70% of our population can taste PTC, even if they are not a “supertaster”, making PTC the second substance of the three, if given a popularity ranking.
Out of the pairs I selected, approx. 86% of the genetically related pairs had the ability to taste sodium benzoate, along with 100% of non-genetically related pairs. Sodium benzoate is in fact the substance discovered in soft drinks (Coca-Cola, Sprite, etc), which could hint at how widespread the ability to taste may be. None of my non-genetically related test subjects said that they disliked the taste of soda, nor couldn’t taste it, which could be the answer to this 100% even data. Approximately 75% of our population can taste sodium benzoate, giving it the ranking of #1 in popularity.
Throughout my findings I did discover that genetic factors do influence the ability to taste, however, due to the non-genetic percentage of findings in the sodium benzoate test, I have to reject a portion of my hypothesis. Due to the reliability of my test subjects, I am well aware this test is far from “professional” status, and enjoyed the experience I had with the individuals I interviewed. I collected the data, but did not analyze the data as far as to group what exactly these individuals tasted, exactly how much they tasted, etc. These results are merely based upon the individuals that tasted something, sometime, somewhere, of all different ages, racial backgrounds, weights, and lineage.
My favorite part of this experiment was being able to find out how similar my adoptive parents were to me, and what traits my boyfriend held, to compare the differences we had—it certainly settled the debate regarding why we dislike the opposite foods! I think everybody could learn and have fun with this experiment or one similar. Taste strips are easy to get your hands on, affordable, and can be ordered directly from a high-quality lab. I would recommend this experiment to any individual looking to discover themselves, and/or what possible genetic factors them and their partner could be contributing to their future offspring.
So, I received my first college recruitment letter. Sure, over the last few months, I have been getting tons of emails with over 50 colleges and universities sending me advertisements, but nothing special. This time, it came to my mailbox, and it was from UW: University of Washington, the prestigious university of the state of Washington. I suppose this invitation came to be with the help of my PSAT scores.
During the beginning process of applying for scholarships and acceptance, there are several websites that I have found handy and helpful within the state of Washington
I love TheWashBoard.org. The WashBoard is a seemingly nonprofit organization that creates a space for Washington state high school and transferring college students who wish to receive scholarships--they can submit a personal statement, add personal blurbs, financial statements and letters of recommendation, and be quickly and efficiently matched with the scholarships available.
I have also used WOIS often. WOIS is the Washington career information system which provides individuals the opportunity to take selective quizzes and applications in order to give them ideas of where to go and what to do in their post-high school experience.
I have a few colleges in mind, and have my heart set on one, but I may apply to UW for the fun of it just to see if I get accepted (depending upon the cost). The best counselors have had my back, and the most wonderful parents have supported me. Thank you to all who have helped me reach my dreams, and given me the great educational opportunities I have had.
"This student not only turns in the work on time, when she is asked to, she just so happens to turn it directly into my hands and says: "When is the soonest you can grade it?" She watches me from afar, lifting up her head to check every now and then, making sure I am looking the assignment over. This may seem like a stress routine to some, but it is really what makes her the assertive student that she is." (replica excerpt of nomination speech)
So, the hard work payed off, as I was nominated for Student of the Month for December 2010. While I did not win the nomination, I feel so fortunate to have been picked out of three selective students.
Talk about irony: it was the science department that nominated me! Science has always been a weak point of mine; I've scraped by with the minimum knowledge and tried to take in what I could along the way.
However, it is refreshing to have the knowledge that I was not nominated for skill this time around. I was nominated for determination, assertiveness, and quick action with quality work to top it off (c'mon, it would be silly if I were nominated for smarts).
I am not gonna lie: I was waiting for a nomination for quite some time. I kept witnessing these unmotivated students win the award when my friends and I were busting our butts off to be even slightly recognized.
An acquaintance and close friend were nominated, along with myself. I have to say: the recipient of the award deserved it fair and square. She did tons of work and pushed herself beyond the normal limit. I attempt to believe that she tries to be a kind and considerate peer, but the brief settings I have been in with this person have not been ones I can speak too highly of.
I am taking this incident as a way to reflect and take a step back, trying my hand at not being a sore loser, and being appreciative for that person's accomplishments and inspiration. Regardless of the small bumps her and I have had while becoming more acquainted, I plan on congratulating her for her hard work. I wish I looked as happy and carefree as she does, every day walking in the school with a smile on her face and a hand free for a wave, regardless of the person you are. She is someone to look up to at our school, and as a whole. Therefore, I congratulate her for winning Student of the Month.
The school I attend is far above unique. There is absolutely no physical violence, nor bullying, and it is mirrored around independent learning.We are famous for our dabble in the arts program, and can even help students create robots. Yes, robots. We have a dark room for photography, teach web and graphic design, and can even help students work on a novel they might like to write.
The school is based around personal goals and interests, matching them with the right course material. The students get to choose which classes they are interested in taking, and progress on their own curriculum at their own pace.
Since this is such a special program, only about 140 students can enter the school at a given school year, and must pass a series of steps before acceptance. First step: interview. The student sits down with the principle to discuss their past and their future. If the interview goes well, you move on to step two: orientation. If the student finishes the tasks given to them in orientation with no grade below a B, they have passed the test, and are now officially a part of the school.
Using another special program, a junior may choose to go to a neighborhood College and take some courses to get College credits for the next two years! That is like two years of College courses paid off, and gained.
The other unique thing about the school is the fact it's only 4 days a week - we only attend Fridays if we're behind in work, or get "in trouble" with the teachers. We also only go 3 hours a day. Some may say this is odd, we just say this is "tight".
There are two blocks: morning and afternoon. Morning session runs from 8:20-11:00 and afternoon session runs from 11:40-2:20. Back at the house, we expect to complete 3 (or so) hours of homework daily in order to keep up with our work, or close to that.
The experience of enriching myself in my school has been one like no other, and I am so glad I found this wonderful program. If there is an option to attend an alternative route proven more effective than regular high school, I encourage you to do so.
* For the safety and well-being of myself, I have had to remove city names, hide identities, and take a mere few details out of the paper. It is still a master piece, and I am very proud of it. I scored an A on this paper, with a 28 out of 30. This was my entry biography piece during my freshman year, altered and edited as I have learned to punctuate and add details over the years.
I am a teenage girl: an example of life. I am extroverted. I am opinionated and I am confident in what I do. I am not perfect. I am stubborn. I am defensive. I am nervous. I am different. But I am me. I am Kathryn. And I am resilient, amazing, talented, loud, happy, a little bit complicated, and a whole lot unique. I was born on May 24th, 1994 in a California town called “Fresno”, to mother Sharon, and father Joseph. Sharon and Joseph met when Sharon dialed the wrong number, and as fate would have it, ended up having a long conversation with an intriguing man, whom she would later meet and fall in love with. I was a planned baby: nothing out of the ordinary. Sharon was an artist. An organized woman: a decorator, and a writer. Joseph was quite opposite. He enjoyed automobile engineering, and fixing car radios. Sadly, shortly after I was born, Sharon got notification that her father who she hadn't seen in 9 years wanted to have word with her. He sent her a one-way ticket to Washington, said some hurtful, racist connotations about her "mutt Mexican baby" and convinced her into adoption. At this point, Joseph would not forgive the fact that Sharon left against his wishes. She knew she had to make a heart-breaking decision, and put me up for adoption.
Six weeks after my birth, the papers were signed, the interviews had been made, and I was given to an incredible family, consisting of couple Margaret and David, who resided in Washington. They were so joyful to have a baby of their own, and to watch every new development I made. I was a very kooky baby. I talked early on, ate pretty much anything including rocks, and never crawled. All in all, I developed into a healthy tot, who hinted at artistic talents since pre-school, creating my own plates and light switch covers, decorating most everything with pasta shells. Acting, among other things, was also something I enjoyed doing.
I began kindergarten in 1999 with a teacher I will never forget. Her name was Wendy. On the first day of school, she laid all the kindergarteners down, and sprinkled what she called “fairy dust” on our heads: promising us that our wishes would be fulfilled and we’d have a super great elementary experience. I still remember that moment with perfect clarity.
All this changed when I entered first grade that next fall. I lost my best friend that I had since pre-school when she picked a new best friend over me, and I began experiencing fear of separation from my parents. Little did I know, when I was 12 years old, I would be diagnosed with a severe anxiety disorder that would make it nearly impossible for me to live life like the average kid. I went through that selfish phase, like every other kid, but there were other occurrences that stood out from the rest. I would pick one friend, and cling to them. They were my security blanket when my parents could not be there. We would exclude other people from our duo, and made other kids feel bad. When I say feel “bad”, no, I do not mean bully them. That was turned around on me for six traumatic years. Hating is not in my nature, I tend to forgive and let go easily. Though some of the kids in fifth and sixth grade have not changed since, I have to the extreme. I am done with the close-minded, immature, ignorant, and pathetic atmosphere that my elementary and middle school possessed.
When I was seven years old I was diagnosed with medium level asthma. I did not enjoy the medicated heat through tubes, so twice every day I had to do a medicated puffer. When I was ten, I had a cold, and I ate some tomato soup. Tomato soup is spicy, and it seemingly aggravated my throat – causing my airways to become blocked. I was choking for air, and the emergency medication would not work. This is what has become my little near-death experience. Since then, I have nearly recovered from my troubles with asthma. I battled it for about six years. I have overcome other health problems, including poor stomach health, breast cysts, allergies to just about anything and everything, skin conditions, A.D.D., and an intolerance to the protein in cow’s milk. I cured myself with hope and by not giving up on my faith that I would heal. Some of these were easy diagnoses, and I could easily work on curing them. Others included paranoia and anxiety of what the heck was inside of me, affecting my body in these strange ways. Each one of my health complications has made me the strong person I am today. It has taught me to not give up, even if it is horribly hard to fight. It has also taught me to see the good in life, even when it goes sour.
I left public school after sixth grade ended, with the drive to pursue online school for the following three years, including my freshman year in high school. While I was online, I developed relationships and friendships with people in cyberspace. I interacted through web camera, microphone and texting with these individuals. They were some of the most inspiring human beings I have met in my life.
Growing up, figure skating was a big part of my life. My grandmother would record tapes, and I would curl up in front of the TV contently watching their grace and talent. In June 2007, I began posting my own figure skating montages on YouTube.com, becoming one of the biggest and best known figure skating montage makers. I began publishing my poetry online in March of 2008, and received positive feedback from decent grown-up authors with publicized novels, such as Richard Lee Orey, a court room drama novelist and poet. In September of 2008, I figured I would open a blog-slash-website, to put it all together in one place. All of my talents have continued to grow, and I am very pleased with them.
My favorite figure skaters are Ekaterina Gordeeva and Sergei Grinkov. Ekaterina, "Katia", lost Sergei at the age of 24. He died of an unexpected heart attack while practicing for an upcoming tour of Stars on Ice, one of America’s most famous ice shows including World and Olympic champions. He was 28. Even though this death did not affect me personally, it left an inspiring mark on my heart. Death, you could say, has been a semi-big part of my life.
The first death I experienced was a driver running a red light, crushing a bicycle rider onto the sidewalk. My dad noticed the accident and told me he was going to get out of the car and help the man, and told me not to look at the sidewalk. Being curious me, of course I had to. To this day I wish I had not, but I realize that sometimes seeing the bad in life makes you thankful for the good you have.
Shortly after that, I was affected by the death of peace activist Cor. Cor had visited our fourth grade classroom right before visiting Pakistan to protest against the destruction of homes. She was standing in front of a bulldozer, and it ran her over. I attended memorials, and a march in honor of her. That was the first time I pondered the meaning of life and death. I came up with the association that it was a healthy, natural thing that we all will have to endure someday. While unexplainable, it is also something we have to deal with from a witness’s point of view.
A year later, I witnessed my mother and grandmother struggle with the death of my uncle John, who committed suicide from incurable depression. Two years later, my best friend Caz died from a tragic drowning incident while white-water rafting. Three months later, my father’s mother Marge passed away of old age.
I am not positive about what I want to do with my life, but I know I want to be some sort of therapist: possibly a relationship or teen counselor. I believe that my duty here on earth is to heal and help people, as that is a natural talent and something I enjoy doing immensely. I chose my current school because I was sick of being out-casted and thought it could help me fit in better. I am mature and attend to learn--I am not some nobody who does not care about their future. I want everything for myself. Everything I can get my hands on.
I would say I have been through a lot, but not half as much as some other people. It saddens me to this day, how much I had to experience at such a young age with poor health, deaths and ongoing hatred. I used to be a lost, confused and saddened kid, living in a world of turmoil. Now I can breathe, let loose and realize that this is what life is about: learning, and improving. Holding on to the past: only as a reference to the future. I suppose my own conscience taught me to let go of things I cannot control, and some self soul-searching helped me find happiness from life. You’re never going to get anywhere if you let somebody trample all over you. I hope you can look around you and find happiness in every day, no matter what your situation happens to be. Take my advice when I say that life is over before you know it. It is the journey that truly matters, not the destination.
