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My Birth
I was born in Holy Redeemer Hospital at 6:25 AM. I am the youngest of two. I am a spring baby. I like the spring. -
9/11
On the morning of September 11, 2001, two commercial airplanes crashed into the World Trade Center buildings in New York City. The same day, another plane crashed into the Pentagon in Washington D.C., and a fourth was supposed to crash into the capital building, but instead crashed else where because of brave passengers. The people responsible for these attacks were members of al-Qaueda who, caused many people to die this tragic day in American history. (galegroup.com) -
War in Afghanistan
As a response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, military forces from the United States and Great Britain began Operation Enduring Freedom. The goal of this operation was to take down any terrorists facilities and capture or kill leaders of al-Qaeda, the group who was responsible for the attacks of 9/11. The war against al- Qaeda and another group, Taliban lasted for more than thirteen years. (galegroup.com) -
US Patriot Act
This act allowed the government to be able to access certain people's private information. It was put in place in order to prevent any terrorist attacks. This included wire tapping, and access to one's computer. Many Americans complained that this was a major intrusion of privacy. (galegroup.com) -
No Child Left Behind Act
This act affects what students are taught, what tests they take, the way money is spent on education, and teacher training. The act enforces certain standardized tests children must take. This is mostly prominent in public schools. Many argue that the law cannot help education. (galegroup.com) -
Homeland Security Act
As a response to the terrorist attacks that took place on 9/11, Congress created the Department of Homeland Security. The department was made to protect the country from any more terrorists attacks. Originally this was done by many agencies, but was then combined for a stronger more productive angle. (galegroup.com) -
The Amber Alert Bill
This bill passed by both houses of congress was named after Amber Hagerman, a 9-year-old girl who was kidnapped and murdered in Texas in 1996. The goal of this system was to create a national network devoted to tracking missing children, allow government funds to be put into finding said children, and to alert families all over. Although similar systems were enforced in several states, nothing like this was made on a national level. (galegroup.com) -
Hurricane Katrina
At the end of August of 2005, parts of Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, and Louisiana were in ruin because of Hurricane Katrina. Although the number of persons deceased is not exact, it is said to be more than 1,800, along with 700 people who were reported missing. The number of refugees created by the hurricane was more than any other natural disaster in America other than during the Dust Bowl era. (galegroup.com) -
2nd Election of President George Bush
George Bush was elected for a 2nd term in 2005. He was the 43rd president of the United States. One historic yet tragic moment in US history he is associated with is the events of 9/11. During this day he helped American citizens through their struggles and eventually responded by calling war of Afghanistan. (galegroup.com) -
Cats
When I was in third grade, my parents surprised my sister and I with two cats. My dad took my sister and I to PetSmart without any previous notice. At first, when we got inside, I thought maybe we were getting a small pet, but to my great surprise we were getting two kittens. My sister and I were so happy when we brought home our new pets, Tobi and Tyler. My cats are "purrrrrfect." -
Stock Market Crash of 2008
Starting around 2006, until its large collapse in 2008, the US stock market suffered from great recession affecting not only the economy of the United States, but also the economy of nations all over the world. This started with the collapse of the US housing market in 2006. The people who were most affected were average middle class citizens of America. Salaries were reduced and many were laid off. (galegroup.com) -
Election of President Barack Obama
Barack Obama was the first ever black president to be elected for the United States of America. He became 44th when this occurred. Obama ran against Hillary Clinton. He was the Democrat out of the two. (galegroup.com) -
Good Shepherd
When I was in third grade, my former elementary school, Saint John of the Cross, closed down because of the small number of students attending the school. We were told that the next year, our school would be called Good Shepherd after merging with Queen of Peace. The new school would be at the Queen of Peace building. By going to this school I made friends that lasted me all the way up to today, (and hopefully even longer) and I faced many new obstacles and realities during this switch. -
Osama bin Laden's Death
The mastermind behind the attacks of 9/11, Osama bin Laden, was killed by American commandos on May 2nd 2011. This occurred in Abbottabad Pakistan. Americans were relieved to hear that bin Laden was killed although a threat still remained, but many others were still skeptical. These skeptics were soon put to rest when one of his wives identified him and DNA evidence was released. (cnn.com) -
Shooting at Sandy Hook
Adam Lanza shot and killed 26 people at Sandy Hook Elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut. 20 were children and 6 were adults. Quickly police arrived at the scene. When this happened, Lanza killed himself. (cnn.com) -
First Competition
In seventh grade I went to my first dance competition. This is when I discovered my true love for dancing on stage. I already had known I'd liked to perform for people, but dancing was even better. Seventh grade was the year I started becoming serious about dance and considering having a career in it, which is what I still aspire to do today. -
Boston Marathon
During the Boston Marathon on April 15, 2013, Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev set off bombs killing six people. It also resulted in the injuries of over 200 people around the area. Two different bombs were set off within the same day. The two responsible, (brothers) believed in the radical teachings of terrorist Islamics, as this was the reason for their attack. (galegroup.com) -
Willy Wonka
This was the first time I played a main role in a musical. I was Veruca Salt in my elementary school's production of Willy Wonka Jr. It was the first time I experienced what it was like to perform on stage practically alone. Although the part was easy to get, considering the small size of my school, it was still a big accomplishment for me, and I had a great time acting and singing on stage. -
Abington Junior High
I don't recall being very nervous to go to the Junior High. I was pretty indifferent towards the whole thing and felt as though it was just like any other year. But as I now know, going to Abington, especially in 9th grade, for me, was probably one of the best things that could have happened to me. I really feel as though the people, teachers and kids included, who I have met during my three years in junior high have shaped me into who I am, which I'm grateful for. -
7th Grade English
In 7th grade, I had Ms. Black for English. Towards the end of the year, we read a book called "The House on Mango Street." After reading this book we were required to write several vignettes, or short poems, in the style of the book we read. This is when I really began to notice my love for writing. This one assignment given to me in 7th grade inspired me to begin writing a book that I have been working on up until today. It also inspired many other pieces of writing I have done. -
Las Vegas
In April of 2014, I went to Las Vegas for the first time to visit my grandparents. I had never seen anything like it before. The resort we stayed at was beautiful and going to the strip at night was breathtaking. I never knew that people lived the way they do in Las Vegas. Everything seemed fabulous and exciting. This was the first time since I was a child that I saw my grandparents. Because I was now older, I got to connect with them and understand them in a way i never did before. -
Aruba
For my parents' honeymoon they went to Aruba. While there, they decided to buy a time share which they now have had for over twenty years. We own a room for a week every October. When I was in eighth grade, I got to go for the first time. The experience was unlike anything I could ever imagine. The beach was incomparable to the Jersey shore. Everything about it was pristine and serene. My family had a great time. We were celebrating my parents' twentieth anniversary. -
Same-Sex Marriage
Although in many states gay marriage was legal, in many it was still not. People from all over America were fighting for this to change, and for same-sex marriage to be authorized in all fifty states. On June 26, 2015 with a ruling of 5-4, it was decided that same-sex marriage would be legal in every state. Gay rights activist from all over the country showed pride for this victory proclaiming "Love wins." (galegroup.com) -
Orlando Shooting
A 29- year old American man named Omar Mateen shot and killed 49 people at a club in Orlando. Mateen pledged to Isis and was supposedly mentally ill. Although the police did eventually catch him, great devastation was caused because of the event. It was said to be one of the most significant acts of terrorism since 9/11. (cnn.com) -
Core Elite
This summer I got invited to be on the "Core Elite" team for my dance studio. This is a team of eleven of the best dancers who go to extra competitions and compete against more advanced studios, seeing as they are more advanced themselves. I am able to live my dream of traveling for dance and competing in many dances, along with meeting others who will help me fulfill my full potential.
