Assignment 16: Speech

Protection. At our moments most intimate, that is what we desire. A tangle of lovemaking loses its frivolity when those involved refuse to value the good of the whole over the benefits of the one. Imagine, if you will, two partners. Their involvement with one another is guaranteed, but, to stave off childbearing, they consider using protection. In this unfortunate situation, however, the cost of protection is astronomical and the chances of impregnation miniscule. But, if one partner were to be with child, millions would die. The protection? Anti-missile defense systems: machines which literally try to shoot down one missile with another. The partners? America and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, otherwise known as North Korea. Anti-missile systems provide the best defense against rogue nuclear launches after North Korea collapses, and, despite having a mixed track record, are better than alternative options in case of an attack.  

But to consider the question in whole, we must first know the background upon which this sordid tale of woe occurs. To the North Korean leadership, America, imperialistic and power-hungry, threatens the sovereignty of a country ruled by God. Prophetic in nature, North Korea’s narrative paints a literal battle between good and evil, God (North Korea) and Satan (America and its allies). No surprise is warranted, therefore, by any extreme governmental actions. When dissenters disappear from the public sphere and concentration camps spring up, it is justified—to the North Koreans—by the need for solidarity. Who cares for human rights when you’re fighting evil incarnate? The only way to defend the racially superior Korean people, Kim Jong-Un believes, is through the acquisition of nuclear weapons, enacting that great equalizer: mutually assured destruction.

 Insane he may be, but Kim Jong-Un is a shrewd leader. Since his rise to power in 2011, Jong-Un took North Korea from an isolated outpost of primitive dictatorship to one of the most feared countries in the world. This rise was formulated on an understanding of the power of nuclear weapons. Mutually assured destruction works only if two countries have nuclear arsenals, and, by developing ICBMs, little doubt remains in American minds that North Korea has just that. Of course, mutually assured destruction must be mutual, and Jong-Un knows this. North Korea cannot destroy America (as it vows to do), but America could easily destroy North Korea. Invasion, even by an administration as volatile as Trump’s, is unthinkable, and the status quo, with North Korea continually expanding its nuclear arsenal, is bound to continue.

The fact that the North isn’t going to attack the South begs the question of whether or not we need anti-missile defense systems. Unfortunately, we must consider all probabilities, and it's becoming increasingly likely that nuclear weapons will fall into rogue hands once the North Korean state collapses. This collapse may not be imminent, but it will happen, and, as long a doubt to when it will remains, a guessing game we cannot play. Testaments from within the country hold pertinent. Thae Yong Ho, a high-level defector, said recently that the influx of information from outside the country and expansion of market activities within it are sapping traditional structures of the North Korean system. The regime is “crumbling” and the days of Kim Jong Un… are “numbered,” said North Korea's deputy ambassador to the United Kingdom, prior to defecting (Bertram, 2017). Dr. Bruce Bennett, an expert at the Rand Corporation, concurs, writing “Given that Kim Jong-un in two years has turned over the North Korean military leadership as many times as his father did in 17 years, there is now more concern that Kim Jong-un could become the target of an assassination...by senior military personnel. Many of these personnel already likely fear for their future and the future of their families, given North Korean brutality” (as qtd. in Ingersoll, 2014).Should North Korea collapse, “Hardliners may be tempted to use (nuclear weapons), fulfilling their purpose of regime survival, or warlord minded generals may use them to set up their own quasi-kingdoms,” states Phil W. Reynolds (2016), Asian Affairs expert at the University of Hawaii. He continues, “In the chaos that follows… American forces would most likely attempt to capture (nuclear) sites quickly.” “If they are not contained immediately after the government falls,” writes the New York Times (2017) “(nuclear weapons) may be (launched) or sold to the black market and be lost.” South Korea cannot afford even the slightest chance that nuclear weapons will cross its borders- it needs preventative, not abortive, care.

Unfortunately, anti-missile defense systems have somewhat of a mixed record. Field tests, even under relatively ideal conditions, have been riddled with failure. According to a report by the US Department of Defense, of the 13 THAAD tests since 1999, two were considered “no tests” because the system malfunctioned (PBS, 2010). If North Korea wanted to kill millions of South Korean civilians, it would not need to use any missiles at all, but rather can use its substantial artillery units for which Seoul, South Korea’s largest system, is fully within range. THAAD and other anti-missile systems are entirely useless against artillery. Moreover, there are any number of strategies that render the missile defense system ineffective. The military's testing may not reflect the danger of swarm-type attacks by multiple incoming ballistic missiles from North Korea or other enemies.  Such a scenario could overwhelm or confuse the system and render it useless.

Lockeed Martin, the maker of most of America’s anti-missile defense systems, reports that they have an 100% success rate (THAAD, 2017). Though these statistics are overly optimistic and reflect the interests of a company trying to push its products, they are the only detailed reports we have and must be taken into consideration. Additionally, missile defense systems will improve only when tested in the field, not isolated in a factory. So, while systems may fail when subject to an actual attack, their placement creates an opportunity for development and testing.

To counter this, opponents state that, while testing is important, anti-missile defense systems cost money. Lots of money. Depending on the mechanism, most machines cost millions of dollars, with some even ranging into the billions. However, if North Korea launches a nuclear weapon and missile defense systems aren’t operational, South Korea will be forced to initiate a horrific and high-costing alternative: the ominously-named kill chain. Kill chain is an official part of South Korea’s nuclear defense system in which, if the government feels an attack is eminent, the South Korean military will launch a preemptive strike on North Korea’s nuclear system. The South Korean President vowed to enhance a self-reliant defence capability plans include the deployment of a kill chain. Jeff Nesbit, an ex-Pentagon chief, stated the following regarding the possibility of preemptive strikes: “I have myself - both when I was secretary of defense and, later, when I was advising the government - seriously considered preemptive strikes as a military option. But whether or not this was a good idea ... I am convinced it's not a good idea today” (qtd. in Knigge, 2017). Unfortunately, with such a volatile administration in office, the kill chain has an enormous chance of failure. Lucy Diamond (2017) of The Atlantic wrote that a preemptive strike “would likely fail to eliminate all of Kim’s short-range missiles (many of which are mobile) or his nuclear weapons (which are surely hidden). And so... a furious military response from North Korea with its nuclear arsenal still intact puts millions of lives in South Korea and potentially Japan as well at imminent risk.”

Lovemaking may not be the best word to describe the US/North Korean relationship, but it is certainly an apt metaphor for protection.  Anti-missile systems provide the best defense against rogue nuclear launches after North Korea collapses, and, despite having a mixed track record, are better than alternative options in case of an attack.  Never before has the Korean Peninsula been as fertile as now. America must insert its will.

 Works Cited

Bertrand, P. (2017, January 26). Top North Korean defector says Kim Jung-un's days "are numbered". Retrieved December 12, 2017, from http://www.euronews.com/2017/01/26/top-north-korean-defector-says-kim-jung-un-s-days-are-numbered

Broad, W. J., & Sanger, D. E. (2017, August 14). North Korea’s Missile Success Is Linked to Ukrainian Plant, Investigators Say. Retrieved December 12, 2017, from https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/14/world/asia/north-korea-missiles-ukraine-factory.html

Diamond, L. (2017, April 26). There Is a Peaceful Way Out of the North Korea Crisis. Retrieved December 12, 2017, from https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2017/04/north-korea-trump-china/524349/

Ingersoll, G. (2014, January 29). North Korea's Looming Collapse In One Statistic. Retrieved December 12, 2017, from http://www.businessinsider.com/north-korea-collapse-2014-1

Knigge, Michael. (2017). Preemptive strike against North Korea not an option, says former Pentagon chief Perry | News | DW | 22.06.2017. Retrieved December 12, 2017, from http://www.dw.com/en/preemptive-strike-against-north-korea-not-an-option-says-former-pentagon-chief-perry/a-39376198

Motion picture on DVD. (2016). America: National Geographic . Retrieved December 12, 2017, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MatC-sS9NB0

PBS. (n.d.). Theater Missile Defense. Retrieved December 12, 2017, from https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline//////////shows/missile/technology/theater.html

Reynolds, P. W. (2016, September 05). What Happens If North Korea Collapses? Retrieved December 12, 2017, from https://thediplomat.com/2016/09/what-happens-if-north-korea-collapses/

THAAD [Advertisement]. (2017). Retrieved 2017, from https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&ved=0ahUKEwiqmKyW8oXYAhWPQ98KHTTaBokQjhwIBQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lockheedmartin.com%2Fus%2Fproducts%2Fthaad.html&psig=AOvVaw038kYv2NJi8QHBXkRbbk2D&ust=1513216842556286

Assignment 16-Andrew

Why music? Why should one study music? If you ask Frances Rauscher and Gordon Shaw it is because music gives a small boost in special reasoning. And through that came the “Mozart Effect”, the notion that music education is beneficial, only because it slightly boosts test scores. This idea was grasped onto by our education system and music became a something of an enzyme. A way to speed up the process of learning, and nothing more. Only use was to boost grades on standardized testing. However, music is so much deeper and richer than what we have classified it as, and we must acknowledge and understand what true music education really is, and how it plays a key role in a student’s education, not a means to an end.

First, music is a universal language. Lou Rawls once said, “Music is the greatest communication in the world. Even if people don’t understand the language that you’re singing in, they know good music when they hear it.” Music speaks to every person, that’s why there are so many genres of it. Everyone in this room has been exposed to countless of hours of music in every capacity, from watching a movie to eating in a restaurant. Music exists on a global scale in our world and its evident that language doesn’t matter, from even this past summer with songs like Despacito crushing American Billboard rankings and Korean-Pop music stars BTS performing at American Music Awards. Music genuinely has no boundaries.

Students can derive many other benefits, such as experiencing group effort. In schools, there are multiple music programs that are made up of many large groups of individuals. When assigned parts, students are held accountable for his or her individual part. This requires each student to practice their own part then cooperate with other students to create a complete piece. Thomas Südhof, a Nobel prize for medicine recipient in 2010, named his most influential teacher, “My bassoon teacher, Herbert Tauscher, who taught me that the only way to do something right is to practice and listen and practice and listen, hours, and hours, and hours.” It’s that type of practice, that only music can deliver, which instills determination and a hard-working spirit into students who receive this education.

Music allows for students to express themselves in ways that other facets of education cannot. In the same quote I mentioned before, Südhof also said, “You cannot be creative on a bassoon if you don’t know it inside out, and you cannot be creative in science if you don’t have a deep knowledge of the details” As you can see*, music education transcends its subject matter and providing necessary resources for all students in multiple different fields of study. Even if you only study music education through high school, the benefits of it you will reap for the rest of your life. For Südhof it was his scientific field of work that greatly benefited from his bassoon playing.

Although music education should be kept for many reasons besides increased test scores, I will concede that music does boost test scores. But, all of us in this room either are (look at Mr. Logsdon) or will be adults who will desire to provide their child with the best education possible. One that lets them discover new things, express their creativity, and to prepare them for any career we wish to choose.

I will leave you today with a quote from Plato. He once said, “Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything. So I ask you, do we intend to clip the wings of the mind? Or, do we recognize the need for music, set into flight their imagination’s, and deliver life unto us all.

Assignment 16: Olivia Klee

Driving Is Not a Joke (But Kentucky's Licensing Process Is)

Congratulations! You’re finally ready to take your drivers test! You’ve probably called our office forty times and had to wait six months, so you should be prepared! As your test administer, I will be riding with you around a small neighborhood for nine minutes, and I’ll have you do some fancy parking so that I can declare you a competent driver! What’s that? You’ve never gone more than twenty-five miles an hour? No big deal! I won’t be able to tell! Never been driving in rain, fog, snow, or ice? I’m sure you can figure it out! Did you forge the whole practice log? Don’t worry! I’m sure you can still pass! Gotta get that orange sticker!

This scenario might seem ridiculous, but it’s the reality of the licensing process in Kentucky. It’s no wonder that WalletHub, a financial data website, ranked Kentucky runner up for the most teen driving fatalities by state. According to the CDC, motor vehicle accidents continue to be the leading cause of death for teens. The number one risk factor? Not knowing how to drive.

So what can we, a class full of nerdy academy kids, do to stop this? For one, we take it upon ourselves to excede the grossly inadequate requirements for getting a license in Kentucky, we can avoid distracted driving, and we can stop ourselves and our friends from getting in the driver’s seat while impaired.

So to those of you who have your restricted license, how many of you know that you have to come to a complete stop at stop signs? Good. Just making sure. How many of you know what to do when a deer runs out in front of your car? How many of you have practice regaining control of a car that’s skidding on ice? Anyone? And yet, don’t we all see deer in Kentucky? Doesn’t it snow here? Based on the CDC's findings, 2000 16-19-year olds die each year due to motor vehicle accidents. This is not a joke.

Vanderbilt University concluded that for automatic skills like driving, you learn best by actually doing the activity. So don’t forge the practice log! If you just can’t stand driving with your parents, find an older friend or sign up for Boone Driver’s School. The Fayette County Attorney’s Office offers classes that will teach you to drive defensively, even on snow and ice. Although these courses may be costly, the knowledge and skills that they provide are worth far more than the expense. Just think of all the deer we could save if we all took one extra class! We know from The Teenage Brain that teens are more likely than older drivers to underestimate dangerous situations and to make critical decision errors that lead to severe crashes. This means that you have to practice until you feel ready, and then practice some more. Even licensed drivers should practice driving in stressful situations with guidance from an adult because as we’ve already established, just passing the roads test proves nothing. Work up to driving in more difficult conditions like rush hour traffic, busy highways, fog, or rain. Trust me; you don’t want to learn to merge by trial and error.

The second thing we can do to reduce the number of deaths on the road is to avoid distracted driving. Reggie Shaw was on his way to work one morning, on a road he had been driving for years, on a road he had been texting and driving on for years. He looked down at his phone to send a text. In that second, he crossed the centerline and hit another car head-on, killing two people. The man in the car behind him rear ends Shaw and suffers multiple herniated disks, destroying his career as a horseshoer. Shaw, the driver that caused the collision, said this in an interview: “All I can think about is their families. While I was driving, I decided that texting and driving were more important to me than those men were to their families. It’s been seven years, and it’s still very difficult. If I had put my phone away, I would have saved those two people’s lives.”

This is not a joke. CDC reports show that three thousand people die in crashes involving distracted driving each year. That would be three thousand avoidable deaths if we all focused on the road. While Kentucky’s lackadaisical penalties for texting and driving may not scare you, the potential damage to another human being should. Use hands-free calling if you have it, or pull over to send a text. Make a playlist of songs instead of always messing with the radio. Let your friends know that you never text and drive, so if you don’t answer, just call or assume you’re on your way.

The third thing we can do to reduce the number of deaths on the road is don’t drive while impaired! Notice I didn't say don’t drive while under the influence. According to the National Sleep Foundation, driving while sleepy can be just as dangerous as driving drunk. In fact, after being awake for eighteen hours, your driving is equivalent to someone who has had three beers. That’s teetering on the edge of too intoxicated to drive. It’s not a joke. Pull over, lock your doors, and take a twenty-minute nap, or stop and buy a coffee or other caffeinated drink. While it may be tempting to try and push yourself to arrive on time, you have to consider what’s more important; your safety or your punctuality?

And finally, I know that Partying 101 is the most anticipated class in college, and maybe some of us overachievers take AP Partying in high school, but inexperienced drinkers combined with a higher degree of risk-taking in groups is a recipe for disaster. Every fifty-one minutes, someone dies in the US because one person decided they were sober enough to drive. It’s not hard to choose a designated driver for after the party, call an uber, or agree to all walk home together.

So today we have discussed three issues and how to prevent them: 1.) Merely passing Kentucky’s drivers test proves nothing. We are all responsible for learning to drive safely, even under challenging conditions. 2.) Texting while driving is never okay. One text can mean the difference between life, life in jail, or death. 3.) Driving while impaired, whether that be high, drunk, stoned, hammered, sleepy, or otherwise, is not safe. Thank you for your attention and remember this is not a joke.

Bibliography:

Werner Herzog, director. From One Second to the Next-Texting While Driving Documentary. Youtube, AT&T, 9 Aug. 2013, www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xk1vCqfYpos.

“Motor Vehicle Safety.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 16 Oct. 2017, www.cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/teen_drivers/teendrivers_factsheet.html.

Weatherly, Karl. “Salmon River to Sun Valley, Idaho.” Travel + Leisure, Affluent Travel Group.

MLASchweizer, Tom A. et al. “Brain Activity during Driving with Distraction: An Immersive fMRI Study.” Frontiers in Human Neuroscience 7 (2013): 53. PMC. Web. 9 Dec. 2017.

Blaszczak-Boxe, Agata. “Best and Worst States for Teenage Drivers.” CBS News, CBS Interactive, 18 June 2014, www.cbsnews.com/news/best-and-worst-states-for-teenage-drivers/.

“Safe Winter Roads | Safety.” Safe Winter Roads RSS, 2011, www.safewinterroads.org/safety/.

“Study Gives New Meaning to ‘Let Your Fingers Do the Walking.’” Vanderbilt University, Vanderbilt University, 4 Dec. 1970, news.vanderbilt.edu/2013/12/04/automatic-typing/.

“Drowsy Driving vs. Drunk Driving: How Similar Are They?” National Sleep Foundation, 2017, sleepfoundation.org/sleep-topics/drowsy-driving-vs-drunk-driving-how-similar-are-they.

Assignment 17: Hurray of Hollywood

It's Oscar season,  that time when movie studios parade out their Oscar contenders.  So for this post I'd like you to go to the movies over the break.

Actually you can just watch at home but I like the idea of you telling your parents that you HAVE to go for a homework assignment. 

Please pick one:

1. I'd like you to pick a genre or director and watch two films by that director and then compare/contrast the two in whatever way you deem appropriate.

2. Go see a film and submit a review of that film on rotten tomatoes.  Once you post, link the post in your blog so I can read it.  Be sure I have access to your post.

Minimum of 150 words - due Sunday, January 7th at 11:59 pm

February 11th is the last day to make up blogs 17-19

Assignment 15- Andrew Rogers

I've got this thing for potatoes. I believe I may have addressed this a little earlier in one of my other blog posts, but I'll expand on it now. Ever since the end of the summer before my sophomore year, I've been fascinated with the history of this legume. It started when I read 1493, a book about the results of the Columbian exchange (really good book by the way). They had an entire chapter dedicated to potatoes, a full 45-50 pages about potatoes. I was indifferent when I entered those pages, but I exited a changed man. I had been enlightened about how a small plant from Central and South America traveled the world, utilizing its toughness to provide nourishment to the poor in Ireland to Western China. It's amazing to think that something I had taken for granted on a daily basis changed the world. I was so intrigued I did more research on the history of this little plant. I won't bore you with the details, but the potato has had such profound impact on so many people, and I am lucky to call myself one of them.

Assignment 13: Elizabeth Piper

Dress code. It has been a point of argument for many years. Students still try to rebel everyday by wearing low-cut tops and short shorts. The students end up if Safe all day and they aren't allowed to go to classes and learn. Along with this issue students are also forced to compare what they can afford and the clothes they wear to those of the "popular" kids. Some kids are even called out and bullied for the clothes they wear. Dress code has many problems all around, but I have come up with the solution. Everyone should just come to school naked.
Think about it, this will cut down on the amount of time you take to choose an outfit in the morning. You will never have to compare what you are wearing to others and no one will get bullied for lacking the name brands. If students came to school undressed we wouldn't have to worry about the distraction that clothes bring about during the school day. No kids will ever get sent to Safe again for breaking the dress code. There will be no dress code. Everything will be equal. Nudity is the answer to the dress code problems.

Assignment 14: Brennan Cegelka

Thanksgiving. I hear stories of upwards of 30 people in a chaotic house for a big fat thanksgiving meal. This is not the thanksgiving I tend to have. Both my parents are only children so no cousins, no aunts, and no uncles. Our closest relative from Kentucky, my grandfather, lives in Florida. But, life works in mysterious ways. Five years ago, my dad was on a business trip in San Fransisco, and who else would he see but one of his best friends from high school Scott Winter. They started talking and my dad invited them to have thanksgiving with us in Kentucky. Their son was a freshman at Ohio State, so for the past four years the Winters have met us in Lexington to have a “friendsgiving” of sorts. Our pre-thanksgiving preparation usually consists of my mother taking the reigns of the household and telling the rest of the family to clean up because “Winter is coming.” And it always seemed that the second we finished and could take a breather, there was a knock at the door. My poor brother is the baby of the eight of us who have thanksgiving, at 13. The four parents, me (16), Sterling the college student, and Sophia who will be a freshman in college next year. Our family likes to show the Winters a piece of Kentucky when they come out to visit. We’ve taken them to Keenland, and a horse farm to name a few. Our thanksgiving day consists of an argument of what the difference between a sweet potato and a Yam, football, and of course, turkey. Next year the Winters plan on taking us to the Michigan vs. Ohio State football game for Sterling’s last year in college. And finally on that fateful day after thanksgiving: Black Friday, the winters pack their bags and as one Winter leaves, another winter approaches Lexington

Assignment 13: Brennan Cegelka

Ugh I only got 200 likes on my post. I should take it down or tell people to like it, then I’ll get more likes. Use social media to get more followers on social media. Absorb yourself in your own social media account. Why enjoy the beauties of nature, and life in general when you could look at pictures of nature and other people being adventurous and making the most of their day. For example, in the time it takes a person to have dinner with a group of friends you could stare at your phone. And in the time it takes to watch a movie or go to a sporting event with friends, why not just watch other people enjoying life. Without social media, how will people know what events they should’ve gone to. Without social media how are you supposed to keep up with what really matters in the world, cat videos and your friends getting into twitter fights. Also, where else can someone see other people be rude to each other. Needless to say, without social media how are we supposed to see the best parts of humanity.

Assignment 12: Brennan Cegelka

Jeez where do I start. Well, I’m Brennan and I enjoy playing sports. I feel like I play a sport every day so I hope to play a lot of intramural sports here at college university. Along with being active, I hope to mainly bike a lot around campus.

I’m going to be upfront and say I’m not the most organized person on the planet, but I hope to improve upon my organization and overall cleanliness. I also tend to wait until the last minute to do projects and assignments, but I would like to think that I am trending upwards when it comes to that aspect of my flaws. I love music and movies. Just about anything can get my feet taping to a beat. My car has a mini CD collection filled with my personal favorites from the 70’s and 80’s. Dollar movie night at the college university theatre and you will find me there. Well that’s enough about me, how are you?

Assignment 11: Brennan Cegelka

Assigned seats! Aw hell nah. Doug, Ben, and I had it all mapped out. We were going to sit next to each other and that was that. But with a last name of Cegelka, I was the odd man out. But without these assigned seats I would’ve never really gotten to know Katie Chen and Rachel Burns. 

Unfortunately, tragedy has struck 4th hour AP Language and Composition. Rachel Burns no longer sits next to me. I viewed myself as the peanut butter in the plain just peanut butter sandwich metaphor that is my two “neighbors” in this class. And without the other piece of bread this second helping after lunch is incomplete. Burns, Cegelka, Chen. When I walk in from lunch everyday I see Katie and Rachel either in my seat, or somewhere else in the classroom chatting it up. I typically hear the conclusion of their conversations as the bell rings for class to start. Most of the time, it’s about work. Katie works at Cold Stone Creamery and Rachel is a hostess at Logan’s Roadhouse. Their personalities to me is a cross between the carefree nature of childhood, and the “time is money” motto that resembles a New York lifestyle. I can’t say I’m surprised though. Rachel is from New York, and her New York Yankees lost in the playoffs. We talked about the fact that I envied the fact that she even had a team to root for as my San Diego Padres ended our phenomenal season 33 games out of the division. But I digress. Katie and Rachel both have impressive work ethics that I envy. Both want to be successful. And Rachel personally wants to go to Michigan University in the freezing cold. I have no doubt that Katie and Rachel attain success in college that propels them into careers in the next 5 years or so.

Assignment 10: Brennan Cegelka

The day has come. The Walking Dead fans were right all along. Zombies have risen, and humanity is doomed to fall. What will I do. Now I’m going to be honest I don’t know much about zombies other than the fact that they like brains. So I’m taking all I need for survival, water, canned food, etc. along with my valuable possessions: My car, my CD’s, and my top 3 baseball bats. Oh yeah and I guess I’ll bring my family along. Where to? I’m speeding my family across the country to California! That’s where the rest of my family lives so we are going straight there. We will take turns driving, sleeping and keeping a close eye out for those creepy zombies. But Brennan, you’re going to be attacked at some point, so what do you do? We will do donuts in the car if they get close or if worse comes to worst we use the bats. Once we get to California we head to mission bay/beach. Which is basically a mini-peninsula. While there, we will fortify the only land entrance to with the other survivors. And that is how you survive the zombie apocalypse.

Assignment 9: Brennan Cegelka

“The Last Good War.” How could my father agree with such a thing. The war he was referring to was World War Two. The bloodiest global conflict to date. I was shocked. I argued vigorously against him and asking how could it be a “Good War” no war is good. I insisted and pleaded with him. In this conflict, entire groups of people who were trying to exterminate another, sieges on civilians (Stalingrad) and unholy weapons of mass destruction all accumulated over a decade of gory war. How could anybody categorize this as a “good war.” Then I understood. The allied forces victory meant an end to one of the horrific authoritarian regimes humanity has ever seen. Nazi Germany. Just imagine if the allied forces had lost the war. All of Western Europe would be in the control of Germany. A terrifying alternate reality. The causes and results of this war was not shrouded or tainted by political smog and corruption that modern wars have become. But rather, this war was one for the freedom of humanity from evil. This war is not alone in its importance. The Civil War, America’s bloodiest war to this date, was necessary in the preservation of America and the abolishment of slavery.
 Unfortunately, my biggest fear is the war to come. “I know not what weapons the next war will hold, but I know the one after will be waged with sticks and stones.” The technologies of modern warfare makes me side with my father of the last good war. What if a war were to break out at this very moment between two superpowers. There would be no heroic stories of risking or saving lives. Simply civilian deaths. That is my take on war. It proved to be just at times, but now I fear there will be one last war.

Assignment 15: Doug Vaughan

I geek out at expansive universes like Star Wars, Marvel, and Lord of The Rings. I guess these things interest me and geek me out as I find totally new societies and history interesting. I could spend hours researching the backstories and history of an expansive universe and enjoy every second of it. I am actually more interested in their fictional history than our real one. As I am typing this I can not stop thinking about the Avengers: Infinity War trailer that just came out. It gives me chills just thinking about it.The same goes for the recent Star Wars trailer too. I just get all caught up in these fictional worlds probably because it seems better or at least more interesting than this one. Would I rather learn about the history of real African nations or the fictional one of Wakanda? Would I rather learn about Chines rice farmers or Tatooine moister farmers? The answer is always the fictional one.

Assignment 14: Megan Meadors

    All of my family lives in town, so seeing my family isn’t weird for me. But on Thanksgiving, each side of my family has separate Thanksgivings.

    In the morning, we are with our dad’s side of the family. We go to our Grandmother’s house and we have a Thanksgiving lunch. We have foods like turkey, mashed potatoes, green beans, dumplings, stuffing, broccoli casserole, and rolls. We also have things like apple pie and jello for dessert. Normally our grandparents prepare all of the food for thanksgiving (and Christmas) and are finishing preparations for the meal by the time we go over to their house for lunch. My dad’s two brothers and their wives and kids are normally at Thanksgiving as well.

    We normally stay over at their house for a few hours before going to celebrate Thanksgiving with our mom’s side of the family. For that, we go over to our cousin’s house and then have thanksgiving dinner. There we have a much smaller meal that’s more like a potluck with foods like turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, corn, cranberry sauce, and croissants. We also have cream puffs, apple pie, and macaroons for dessert (there was no apple pie this year though L). We normally stay there until we go home really late.

    I’ll be honest, I don’t like many Thanksgiving foods, but Christmas is at my house, so we get to choose what’s on the menu.

Assignment 13: Megan Meadors

Dear Parents and Students,

    We have recently become aware of some issues among our staff. After receiving multiple complaints about all departments, we have decided to revamp our entire school day. We hope that this change will be an acceptable solution for recent problems detailed below.
Many parents have brought to our attention the excessive amounts of homework being assigned to their children each day at school. These students go home each day, unable to participate in anything “fun.” This issue has been reviewed by several committees of teachers throughout every department and we have come to a conclusive decision.

    From now on, the school day will be extended by one hour. This solution was brought up to help aid our students by giving them time during the school day to cram for exams and to complete this unnecessary level of homework.

    Though we as staff don’t care about our students’ well-being, we would like to show our minimal concern with this adjustment. Trapping these students at school for an extra hour will allow us to provide them this time while still restricting any free time our students would normally have outside of school hours.

    We thank everyone for their cooperation during this adjustment. If you have any questions please call the school where an answering machine that never gets checked will delete your call or email us at idontcare@gmail.com where your complaint will be put with all the other useless parent emails.

    Thank you again for being cooperative and understanding throughout this transition. On the behalf of our faculty and staff, we appreciate your patience and input on our school community.


    Sincerely,
            Administration

Assignment 15 - Ben Sanner

I've always had a thing for planes. Ever since I was little I just found a big thing of metal flying in the sky to be so mesmerizing. I did not really act on this interest until I was about twelve. I had been bugging my parents to sign me up for this aviation camp for a few years and they finally did when I was twelve. The camp was one of the most fun experiences I can remember. Ever since I have gone back this camp going on 5 years now. Now whenever I have enough free time I venture online and try to learn the most about the field that I can. I'm not sure if piloting will be my career but I will definitely have a role in the field in my future. I have also recently begun to learn the basics of the field of aeronautical engineering and I look forward to learning more in the future.

assignment 15: Luke Taylor

I can geek out over many things from video games to basketball to comic book movies and shows. But the thing that causes me to lose track of time the most is probably drawing and art even though I'm still not all that great at creating it. When I was younger I made several comic books about batman (my favorite hero) fighting a villain name Peanut Butter Nut Head (I'm allergic to peanut butter). The thing gets so interested in drawing is that all my other interests can be expressed in art. Cartoons, comic books, and manga really spiked my interests as a kid. I remember going to the library to check out about 10 different comic books to practice drawing my favorite super heroes throughout the week. I stopped drawing for a while because I was so busy with basketball and music I think I lost to time to do it, but now that I'm not playing basketball I have more time to practice my art. But going back to Cartoons, I'm a huge fan for animation. I have a huge appreciation for animators because they spend so much time working toward their final product, about 2 minutes of animation takes about month to make. Imagine how long it takes to make Disney Pixar movies? That thought alone leaves me awestruck.

Assignment 12: Megan Meadors

    Okay, let’s get down to business (to defeat the Huns)

    As you can see above, I am slightly (okay more than slightly) obsessed with Disney. If you’re not down for singalongs, then I don’t think we can be roommates. You should probably leave now (I’m kidding!). With that being said, pretty much all I listen to is Broadway Cast Albums from just about every Broadway show. Let’s just clear up that I sing 24/7. Sorry.

    I am also a theatre kid, so I apologize in advance if I start going on and on about some recent theatre drama or anything like that. Or if I start complaining about how some Broadway show you’ve probably not heard about is going off Broadway because of some recent mishap in casting (*cough* Great Comet *cough*). But in all honesty, just tell me to stop, and I will. I know my endless stories will probably get annoying at some point, especially when I’m using them to procrastinate on an essay due the next class.

    Also, I am a Girl Scout. You will probably hear stories about my friend Bubbles. Don’t worry her name isn’t actually Bubbles, but I work at a camp and we go by weird names. So, yeah. On that same note, I have sold goodness knows how many boxes of Girl Scout Cookies, and I will probably buy who knows how many boxes. Yes I will share, but eating the last cookie is asking for a fight. (I’ve grown up with three siblings, so I’ve had my food eaten all too often and I am very protective of it. Hopefully you’ll understand)

    I do have a twin. Yes we do look alike. No, we can’t communicate telepathically. No, we don’t like the exact same things. I don’t care who is smarter, prettier, better at (insert activity here), or anything like that. Yes, I am shorter than my sister. Yes, you can talk to her. We do get along. Yes I am technically a triplet, but it’s easier to just say I am a twin in most situations. With all that being cleared up, I actually do get along with my sister really really well. We don’t have that normal sister bond where we hate each other, so don’t worry. You will definitely see her show up to our room at some point and start going through my things to find something I may or may not have taken without asking. Just a warning.

    But honestly, I’m a people pleaser. So don’t hesitate to tell me if anything I do annoys you! I promise I’ll do my best to stop anything I do that’s annoying or disruptive. Besides, I’ve shared a room with my twin sister for my whole life so if there’s one thing I have learned, is there has to be a middle ground. So don’t be afraid to let me know!

Assignment 11: Megan Meadors

On my left: Anne Nombe
    I met Anne last year in AP Seminar, and I immediately knew she was a great person. Last year was her first year in the Academy, and although we didn’t talk a whole bunch last year, I’ve gotten to know her better this year. She is extremely interested in medicine and has helped start the medical club at Henry Clay. I can tell she is extremely passionate about this because her face lights up when she talks about it, and she is really excited. She is also extremely motivated in school and does her best on everything!

On my right: Olivia Klee
    I met Olivia this year in AP Lang. She is extremely kind and passionate, and is an amazing person to be around. She’s really good at giving advice when you need it and is awesome to talk to. She is generally very open and willing to tolerate my constant theatre stories, even if they do get a little annoying sometimes. I love hearing the stories she tells in class.

    Both Anne and Olivia are great seat partners and we all have fun debating tv shows, favorite foods, and many other things.

Assignment 15: Eli Wrinn

I'm sure whoever wrote the prompt to this blog post had something in mind that they really enjoy thinking about. I, on the other hand, do not have anything that stops time whenever I think about it. Of course, I am a rare case of the oxymoron a "sports nerd." I love watching and following basketball, baseball, and football at both the college and professional levels. I know you are thinking How can this guy watch MLB for 162 games. The trick for watching leagues that seem boring is to have a team to root for, it makes it much more exciting when the team isn't awful. I have this covered at the college level, being the biggest UK fan there is by my age. (Honestly, find me a bigger one) For the professional level, I love the Steelers, the Orioles, and the Wizards. Another thing that "stops time and transports me to a place of Zen" is philosophical and theoretical physics. This is the only thing that I enjoy learning about. This is another reason I am excited for college, because I will finally get to learn it and it seems like I will be able to fully enjoy what I'm learning. (Except for AP Language and Composition, I love this class!!)

Assignment 10: Megan Meadors

Public speaking is terrifying. Now, I know what you might be thinking, and the answer is yes. I am a theater kid. But I am also terrified of getting in front of people and talking. How can that work? Easy. When you’re acting in a play you can be someone else, but for public speaking it’s a different story. You’re simply yourself. There’s nowhere to hide and that’s absolutely terrifying. I mean, pretty much everyone I know is scared of public speaking, at least a little bit. It’s easier with practice to speak in front of people, but how often would you want to practice a speech or a presentation? Even if you go over it 100 times there’s still like 30 people in each class who you have to worry about messing up in front of. You can tell me that this is a “safe space” all you want, but nothing will keep the judgement from being there. You can tell me all you want that practicing will make that easier, but looking at yourself in the mirror is NOT the same thing.

Assignment 9: Megan Meadors

Personally, I don’t think there is a time for war. Imagine two (or more) countries sending their soldiers into battle. Imagine families letting their young boys and girls go into battle where they could potentially be killed. Imagine the worry their parents go through on a daily basis, wondering if their little boy (or girl) is coming home. Though there’s that, I still think it’s a necessary evil. If another country is directly threatening your country, I think their governments have the responsibility to protect their people. Diplomacy should definitely be the top option but if that and other options don’t work, then sometimes war is the only option and must be taken. Keeping diplomatic relations should definitely be a priority to keep tensions lower so that war can be avoided, but this only can go so far. Sometimes countries don’t want to cooperate or make a deal, which limits the effectiveness of this option.

Assignment 15: Elizabeth Piper

The smooth lines on a fresh blank sheet. The colorful post-it notes that line my walls. I have always loved office supplies, some may say I'm even addicted. I love to get the latest pens and try them out on my many pads of note paper. The thought of having a desk full of every office supply imaginable is so appealing and it would be a dream come true. When I am at my desk organizing my many index cards and paperclips among the myriad of other supplies I have I lose track of time. I can't help but be happy. The colors, the smell of the paper, everything is so wonderful.
As a child I always loved to do arts and crafts and now that I am older it seems foolish for me to pull out a sheet of construction paper and start gluing and cutting. I feel that office supplies are the grown-up version of arts and crafts. They are much more useful but you still get the pleasure of playing with your fancy pens and colorful highlighters. It makes it so much fun to write notes and to make lists.
When I want to learn more or get new ideas, I always turn to Pinterest. It is heaven for those who love to organize, take notes and above all love office supplies. I am always get new ideas on how to write my notes and what next to buy to add to my collection of office supplies. Whenever I am feeling down, I always turn to Pinterest and look up all of the aesthetically pleasing notes and pens. It always brings my geeky side to the forefront.

Assignment 14 - Ben Sanner

Thanksgiving for me has been the same for nearly all of my life with a few changes here and there. Me and my family always head out to my grandmothers house the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and arrive at her house at about 2-4 in the afternoon. After we are all settled in and unpacked we eat a home-cooked meal that my grandmother usually prepares for the whole day. Now onto Thanksgiving day itself, I usually get to sleep in to around 11 as I never eat any breakfast so I can make sure to stuff myself for the big dinner. Football is on every Thanksgiving and me and my family almost always watch it before and after the meal. After the meal I wind down on the couch watching football and dozing off here and there. Thanksgiving is a fun time for me and I look forward to it every year.