12. Keep Moving Forward

It's a dark night the year is 1997 and the carnival is in town. The next thing you hear is a cry for help no one to be seen just a man running, people far behind trying to catch the man. No one has a chance, but my cousin takes charge and cuts of the man off before he could get into his car. My parents coming from behind finally catching up, the man starts to panic and drops what he was carrying. With no hesitation the man shoves my cousin, quickly gets into his car, and drives away. My mom's cry loud, sister feeling blame, and me having no clue what was going on could have been seeing a world from a different perspective. Three years later and I have my Coconut hair cut on my first day of the first grade. Wishing to make friends and enjoy what I knew was my school until we had to move after the first grade. Then the bitter yelling began, although it wasn't because of me at least I hoped not. Weeks pass and my mom seems depressed, I tried finding my dad, a no show. My parents had divorced. I began seeing my dad on the weekends, having a morose tone as I spoke. Two years after the divorce I had began playing soccer with the most amiable attitude on the field. I was now in the third grade and the year began with a Bang! I get to school early on a beautiful day. Minding my own business as I walk up to the breakfast line which was always open before school. The line is not that long and I wait my turn. The next thing I know is this kid with the up-most flippant attitude cuts right in front of me. I was starving and I wanted my Frosted Flakes. I was outraged especially since the line wasn't that long. He had a pony tail, which I grabbed and pulled him back. The next thing I know is that i'm on the floor getting ridiculed and kicked in all the wrong places. We both went to the office where he got in trouble and I didn't, but he did walk away the winner. Never make any rash decisions due to impious activity.

13. Roommate Letter

Dear Future Roommate,

             Hello, my name is Carlos Curiel and I look forward to attending Oregon university. I'm from the San Diego, California and have lived in California my whole life. I decided to go to Oregon because I felt like I needed to experience something new. I'm the youngest in my family with three brothers and two sisters and the only one that is going to a university. I feel great, yet nervous since it's up to me to show my mom that I won't end up as failure. I love sports, particularly soccer and football. My favorite soccer team is Manchester United and my favorite football team you might have guessed are the Chargers. I grew up with my Mexican heritage influencing my favorite foods and way of dance. I love to party, but I don't drink or do any drugs. I have been to Oregon with family during winter breaks back in high school and I enjoyed the natural surroundings. Everything so green, so fresh and plus there is no sales tax. The only thing I didn't like as much was that there was always a possibility of rain. I like the cold, but I need the sun as well. Besides the weather there is nothing that might get on my case. Music is also a big part of my life which has helped me as a musician and as an athlete. I play the Piano and the Saxophone. I prefer the piano, but the saxophone is more uncommon so it excites more people. My favorite type of music is R&B and I also listen to some rock. I'm also into video games which since I was little has been a big part of my life. I'm a huge SONY fan and I dislike the idea of Microsoft making video game consoles. The XBOX 360 will never beat the PS3, but that's my opinion and I will always stand by it. Well I have nothing else to say, but GO DUCKS! See you later.  

                                                                                          Sincerely, Carlos Curiel

                                                                                                  

14. Response to quote

Since I was young I have always dreamed of being wealthy. My great performance in school was due to my goal of being a wealthy man with no problems, but quotes like this have reminded me that money isn't everything. Making money is important, but it's not everything. Technology has driven us to the point where commercials are longer, ads are bigger, and products are life savers. Money can't buy true happiness, another saying that has erupted due to all the suicidal effects of being alone with plenty of money. Some who do attain plenty of wealth spend their money on planes, cars, watches, clothes, all that cost more than a year supply of food. Food that can feed starving mouths in many countries around the world. It's sad to see money spent on things that won't even give you any warmth in your heart from doing a good deed. Paparazzi following you around, people only knowing your famous title besides your family, and never getting peace of mind, all apart of living a famous life. Fame provides wealth, and "He does not possess wealth, it possess him."

15. Valuable Contribution

The most valuable contribution I can make to a college campus is my determination in success. Growing up being told that anything is possible I took every chance to make my self better in sports and education. My grades are not perfect, I make mistakes, I have hard times, but giving up is no option. I let my haters be my motivaters and never give in till my last breath. Sports have gave me strength, discipline, and responsibility. Family has provided encouragement, health, and love. These two provide fifty percent, but a coach can only do so much, the player has to want to take charge and never quit. My life is just beginning and my confidence keeps rising. People will try to bring me down mentally, physically, emotionally, but I will not collapse and I will not try, just do. College is for everyone, but that president position of a large corporation is not. Hours reading, notes taking, study planning, will be building blocks to get to the top. Any college would be honored to have me as a student because i'm going to the president position no matter what anyone says. Failure will break you, but don't ever let it make you. My determination will change lives and the school, forever ;)            

16. Significant Experience

Two years ago I went on a Catholic church retreat with my cousin. No electronics, new people, and a environment I wasn't familiar with. I was told that the four day retreat was crazy fun and an experience I would never forget and little did I know it changed my life. The first day leaving my house without my phone I felt naked, unusual to the fact that technology has change me to feel lonely without it. The cabins were old, but refurnished and everyone looked forward to the first day. The teenagers listened and took notes while instructors talked about the word of God for 4 hours a day. Breaks in between were 30 minutes, but we did this for three days leaving everyone to complain and be disruptive. I thought to myself, this is suppose to be fun not another four days of school. The first three days were terrible, but as the teens of today judge a book by its cover we tend to give up or stop caring. The last day of the retreat was one of the most emotional days of my life and for the other teens as well. Three days passed of note taking and the fourth day surprised us all. We played games, ate tons of junk food, and talked about what we look forward to in our lives. Sunday was our last day and we needed to go back to the cabin to change for service. Finally, everyone walked down to the main room awaited to see our parents sitting there applauding to have seen us complete our retreat. When we finished service, our coordinators walked up to the stage and began to explain what we were going to do next. I listened as my heart sank, we were suppose to walk up to the stage with our parents as our named was called, take the microphone, and explain from the bottom of our hearts why we loved our parents and say sorry for any problems that we might have caused. The parents were to do the same after their kid. Seven teens before me with tears falling, and forgiveness in their hearts led me to see how and why we all need to express our emotions. "Carlos Curiel" my name is called out, I take a deep breath trying to hold in my tears knowing that I haven't been the most perfect son as well. I began and in the middle I stopped, tears were falling like raindrops and I ended telling my sorrows. My parents began and I now felt better to see that they had a hard time as well showing me forgiveness. The night ended with hearts relieved and family ties stronger than ever. This night did turn out to be unforgettable; my phone was now history.   

17. Issue discussion

I have a personal issue with kids and teens disrespecting their parents. I grew up with a loving family, but i have witnessed close friends with a family as well as mine or even better, but treat their parents with the greatest disrespect. Watching my brother get spanked due to the ungrateful words spoken back to my mother showed me how wrong it looked to treat someone with no respect. No ones perfect, we all make mistakes, but it's up to the parents to raise their children up right. Kids who start talking to their parents with grotesque language end up being teens with more terrible effects. Last year, I again witnessed a friend bad mouthing her mom when she had taken me and another two friends all the way to Disneyland. Her mother willing to miss work, drop chores, and waste gas in order to be yelled at by her daughter made me feel disgusted. I wanted to speak, but was it in my place to do so? Did i have a good enough relationship with her to not lose her as a friend? These questions flowed through my mind and I ended up keeping my mouth shut. I felt like it was something that needed to be dealt in a controlled manner not when she has invited me to go have a good time. Some parents treat their children horribly leading their children to do the same to their kids, but that cycle needs to stop or else no one ends up happy. Discipline is needed, but love is key :) 

18. High school change

I believe that our high school campus can use changes in the security staff and better lunch food. The security at our school needs way more improvement. Eighty percent of the time when I walk into the restrooms the smell of drugs lingers. I want to be able to use the restroom and come out without smelling like a disastrous chemical. Our security needs to improve or the students will take advantage of every opportunity they get. Food is energy, power, and a delicious item that everyone dies for. At the school the food served during lunch is not even close to these descriptions. The salad is the only thing that seems well suited to consume, but the pizza and the cheeseburgers are to gross. Pizza with way too much grease and burgers with weird meat have given me reason to bring lunch from home. The economy is terrible and good food is hard to provide, but if we would have made smarter decisions with sport financing then better food may have been possible. Security and food are problems, but the way are school uses money can lead to every Castle Park students downfall.