"Start with what is right rather than what is acceptable." Student Success Statement

Student Success Statement

“Start with what is right rather than what is acceptable.”

-Peter F. Drucker

What this statement means is that we should always take a step in doing what is right and not what is said to believe “acceptable”. There can be many things that are accepted in society; but within those acceptations, there can be some things that are not the correct decisions or actions to make.  For example, back then into history, African Americans were not accepted anywhere. Everyone thought it was acceptable to dislike them; but it was not the correct thing to do.  Now that we look back to history, we know that to society it was accepted to dislike them but we understand that it wasn’t because it was unfair to dislike African Americans. Something may be accepted, but that does not mean it is the correct thing to do.

NEVER "There is no justification ever for choosing any part of what you know to be evil." Student Success Statement

Student Success Statement

NEVER

“There is no justification ever for choosing any part of what you know to be evil.”

-Ayn Rand

(novelist, philosopher, playwright, screenwriter)

I agree with this statement because I strongly believe that there shouldn’t be an excuse in choosing the wrong. Maybe one might think that just once is ok to choose the wrong, but it’s not. It doesn’t matter how small that wrong is, if it’s wrong then it’s wrong and you shouldn’t do it. For example, you may be at a party and your friends are drinking and they offer you some alcohol. You might deny them at first because you know it’s wrong but they are just going to keep pressuring you until you accept. Then you might have a second thought and be like “Why not? It’s just a small sip?” If You do take a sip, you are choosing the wrong because you are choosing to drink alcoholic beverages yet you know it’s not right to drink but you still do.

"The Three Nevers- Never Lie Never Cheat Never Steal" Student Success Statement

Student Success Statement

“The Three Nevers”

Never lie

Never cheat

Never steal

-John Wooden

I strongly agree with John Wooden’s statement because no one should ever choose the wrong. As he states, no one should ever lie, cheat or steal; it would only bring you to a guilty conscience. Once you have done any of these wrongs, you have already chosen to go the wrong path in life and you will be faced with negative consequences. An example can be that if you go to a store and decide to steal some candy that is choosing the wrong. Even though it may not be worth a lot, it still is a crime to steal. It does not matter how small lying, cheating, or stealing can be; if you do it, you did it, and that’s choosing the wrong.

Tony Farmer Basketball Player CTW

Summary:

This story was about a high school story named Tony Farmer who was sent to prison. He was sentenced to three years for kidnapping his girlfriend and stealing her valuable things such as credit card, wallet, and keys.

Reflection:

What I think about this situation is that it is really disappointing. He was one of the best basketball players in the Ohio high school. He was the highest recruited player. He chose the wrong when he decided to kidnap his girlfriend and take her belongings. It does not make sense how someone who is doing good and is going in the right paths all of a sudden does something bad that changes their life completely.

Alex Schwazer banned for using drugs

Summary:

This story was about Alex Schwazer, a competitor in the Olympics. He had won a medal for finishing his race. When getting to the finish line he was happy and proud to have accomplished the goal. But his happiness did not last when he was banned for using drugs. He stated how he was actually happy that he was caught because he couldn’t take it anymore.

Reflection:

I think that this story is really interesting and sad because it is really sad to know that Olympian contestant can be winning through cheating. The contestants do get to their finish line but after that is over, that is when they start revealing things that they have done. In this case Alex was caught using drugs. Even though he was banned and was happy to get caught, he should have not used them in the first place.

Marion Jones Cheating!

Summary:

This was a story about an Olympic athlete. It was Marion Jones who had been given medals and awards for accomplishing her goal. She was known as one of the best athletes. She had a good reputation and people respected and loved her. But in reality she hid a horrific secret about her. She took drugs that helped her become a faster and better athlete. She also had lied to federal officers when they questioned her. She later confessed what she had done and was sentenced to six months in prison.

Reflection:

What I think about this story is that it was interesting and shocking. A professional athlete, one who was respected and loved, one who was known for her great accomplishments, could do such a horrible thing like that. Taking drugs to become better helped her yes, but that is called cheating and choosing the wrong. There was no need for her to intake drugs to help her achieve her goal; she could as well achieve it without the use of drugs. Instead of benefiting herself, she made it worse for herself, facing time in prison.

A girl locked up in the restroom

Summary:

This story was about some grandparents who locked up a little girl in the bathroom for 6 years. The only times that she was able to go out was when she had to go to school or when “Visitors came over the house on special occasions,” stated the grandfather, Brian G. Hart who was 50 years old.

Reflection:

This is a very disappointing and sad story to hear. It’s sad to hear that the girl, their own granddaughter, was locked up in the restroom and couldn’t go out; only on school days. It’s disappointing to hear that there is such disgusting people in the world who can do such a horrible thing, especially from your own family.

If it is not right, do not do it; if it is not the true, do not say it." Student Success Statement

Student Success Statement

“If it is not right, do not do it; if it is not true, do no say it.”

-Marcus Aurelius

Roman Emperor from 161 AD to 180 AD

I agree with this statement because people should always choose the right and should never do the wrong thing. Like the quote states that we shouldn’t do something that we know isn’t the right thing to do. For example, if we know we have a lot of homework to do and we know that it’s better to stay home and work on it rather than go out with friends, then do it. You should go out knowing that you have a lot of work to do. Also when the quote states that we should say something that isn’t true. Saying the things that aren’t true will harm others, and that’s how rumor start. Talking about things that aren’t true and spreading it around is Gossip. Gossipers are not the best people, they are the one who choose the wrong and based on those rumors, people do get hurt. For example at school, some kids might talk bad about a new student who comes to school. They might say that that student thinks he is the best or a rumor which is not true, and people might not like him based on the rumors. They won’t give him the chance to get to know him.

"To know what is right and not do it is the worst cowardice" Student Success Statement

Student Success Statement

“To know what is right and not do it is the worst cowardice”

-Confucius

I agree with this statement because if someone knows what the right thing to do is at a certain moment and they don’t do it that means that they are cowards. For example if a teacher is absent and leaves work to do, one should follow directions and do the assignment. Others might not do it because the teacher isn’t there to be behind them and telling them what to do. The teacher won’t be there to make sure they are doing the assignment. But it is one’s responsibility to get the work done, whether the teacher is or is not there. If others are not doing the work, it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t do it either; you know you should do it, so you go on and do it. If you don’t do it, you are choosing the wrong. You must not be a follower. You must be a leader and choose the right.

Man returns stolen cash to Seattle, Washington Sears 60 years later

Summary:

This story was about a man who returned stolen money from a Seattle Washington Sears. The man had stolen money that was worth about $20-$30. 60 years later the man came to the store and gave an envelope to a worker. The envelope was to be given to the store manager. Inside the envelope, he gave $100.  Along with the money, the man wrote a note saying that the manager can add that money to the theft money.

Reflection:

I think that it was generous of the man to give back the money, even after 60 years. Many people would think that he would never return the money especially after such a long time. The main reason the man returned the money was because he felt guilty. He knew he had made a wrong decision in stealing the money, but 60 years later made “the right decision” to give it back. Consciousness will never leave you alone because you know you are guilty for committing a crime.

"Nobody ever did, or ever will, escape the consequences of his choices." Student Success Statement

Student Success Statement

“Nobody ever did, or ever will, escape the consequences of his choices.”

-Albert A. Montapert

This statement means that anything you do in life, consequences will always happen. Depending on the choices you make, the consequences you will receive. For example if you decide to make the correct choice in studying for a test, then you will receive a good consequence, or reward. The good reward or consequence will be that most likely you will pass the test. Another example of making decisions is when you choose to do the wrong choices. For example if you don’t study for a test, the bad consequences will be that most likely you won’t pass the test. Whether you choose the right or choose the wrong decisions, there will always be consequences as your result.

"It's better to be alone than to be in bad company" Student Success Statement

Student Success Statement

“It’s better to be alone than to be in bad company.”

-Anon

This statement means that we should never be around people who chose the wrong. It’s better off to be alone than to hang around with people who chose the wrong. If you hang around with those people, you might get influenced. They might pressure you to do something that you don’t want, but if everyone from that group of people keep telling you to do it, you might give up on yourself and do it. Then you might keep on doing it and you will become like one of them. For example, they can tell you to join them and do drugs. You might not want to because you know its the correct thing to do. But if they pressure you, you might end up doing it. You might become a drug addict. The best way is to say NO and walk away from them if they pressure you to do something you know is bad; you shouldn’t even be with them in the first place. Better to be alone than to be around people who CTW.

 

7 Habits of Highly Successful Teens Habit 7 Part 2

7 Habits of Highly Successful Teens

Habit 7

Part 2

Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw

3) Heart: Always do what is right so your heart, your conscience, will feel peaceful. When you do wrong, your conscience will prick you and create regretful sensations within your heart. When you do what you honestly feel, you won’t have any regrets. Your heart is your internal compass—it gives you direction and discernment. Just like a magnetic compass gives directions, even true north, your personal compass, your heart, will point you in the true north, the exact directions and paths you need to trod.

4) Soul: study scriptures and other sacred literature daily. In other words, feed your spirit because your spirit needs spiritual food just like your physical body needs temporal food to survive. Pondering, meditating, and reflecting are excellent Soul-sharpening activities. Try writing your thoughts, feelings, aspirations, concerns, and decisions in a diary or journal. Writing helps you focus and make good decisions.

Get into the habit of daily improving your body (physical fitness), your mind, your heart, and your soul.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT!!!

Dropbox

"So often, in our quest to be more popular and to be part of the "in-group," we lose sight of things that are far more important." Student Success Statement

Student Success Statement

“So often, in our quest to be more popular and to be part of the “in-group,” we lose sight of things that are far more important.”

-Sean Covey

In life, there will always be a set of people who have their own groups, or cliques. Most have these groups in order to be identified and maybe even respected. Then we have another set of people who don’t have a group and don’t mind. But then there’s some that don’t have a group and want to be in one because they think that if they are, then they will be more popular. So in order for them to go in, they stop being who they truly are and become more like the people in the group. By doing so, they might get the attention from that group and ask them to be part of them. But the problem is that there are some people that might ask you to do the wrong choices in order to be part of their group. For example, those who want to be part of a gang, most likely they are asked to do something illegally like robbing, breaking in to a house, or maybe even killing. These “new comers” choose the wrong and will have to live with the negative consequences later on in life. They don’t know that they are losing the most important thing about them, which is their own uniqueness.

"You cannot do wrong and feel right. it is impossible." Student Success Statement

Student Success Statement

“You cannot do wrong and feel right. It is impossible.”

-Ezra T. Benson

It is impossible to do something wrong and feeling good about it. Doing the wrong will bring negative consequences and you might be living a miserable life.  If you feel good about something that you did wrong, then there is something that is obviously wrong with you. Doing something wrong will cause you to be aware of your conscience and it should make you think about the things you had done.

"You make your habits and your habits make you"

Student Success Statement

“You make your habits and your habits make you.”

Anon

Whatever you choose to do in life, it will later impact you for good or bad. Doing something repeatedly affects you, it becomes a habit. When you do something right and you do it continuously, it would be habit to do the right things. Choosing the wrong and doing it continuously will also become a habit in doing the wrong things. An example of doing what’s right is going to practice when you are in a sport. For example, if you are required to go to practice every day and practice on things you need to work on, then you will get better at those things. Doing it often will become a habit and you will become a better player. An example of doing what’s wrong is missing practice. For example, if you know you need to go to practice and you need to work on things you need improvement on, choosing the wrong in not going will affect you. It will become a habit on missing practice and you won’t become a better player.

"Nothing is ever gained in doing what's wrong" Student Success Statement

Student Success Statement

“Nothing is ever gained in doing what’s wrong.”

-Wilford Woodruff

When making a decision, there will always be consequences. If you choose the right, you will gain respect and happiness. But if you choose the wrong, you will not gain anything. You would not have people’s trust and you will portray yourself as a liar. When choosing the wrong, you receive consequences but you don’t gain anything. There is nothing to gain when you choose to make the wrong choices.

Tennesse Walking Horse

Summary:

This event took place in Tennessee, where horses were being tortured. There were competitions of horses, the “Tennessee Walking Horse.” There was a contestant who cheated in order to get the winning prize. Jackie McConnell was the contestant who cheated for this competition. Him and his “Partners in crime” tortured the horses so they can understand what to do when they are told and what not to do when they are asked. In the video, we saw how the horses were in so much pain that they couldn’t get up but the trainers whipped them, forcing them to get up.

Reflection:

This is a really sad story. I can’t understand how there are such evil people in the world. There is no point in torturing animals or anyone else to make them win something. Just because they are animals it does not mean that they can’t feel anything or have feelings; they are just like any other living thing in the world. I am proud that this person got caught.

Summary & Reflection Jermaine Jones- American Idol

Summary:

A contestant from American Idol, Jermaine Jones was disqualified for having a criminal record. He chose to enter into the American Idol show, but with pure lies. He did not say the truth about having a bad record. He had been charged for using violence and for public nuisance and obstruction of justice. He was then charged for giving a false identity. Later, according to the article he was arrested for having four outstanding warrants. Three of those were for driving on a suspended license and the other for disorderly conduct. Again he gave a false identification.

Reflection:

In my opinion, Jermaine Jones was not much of a good person for lying about his past. He should of come cleaned before he auditioned. He also should not have lied when he got arrested. He shouldn’t of given a false identification. He chose the wrong .

Tiger Woods

Summary:

The famous powerful and rich golfer, Tiger Woods, has a half-brother, Kevin Woods. His half-brother is really sick with the disease of multiple sclerosis. He is in a very critical situation to the point where he is losing his home. He can’t work so he looked out for Tiger Woods so he can help him. The problem is that Tiger Woods never replied to him. Kevin Woods tried every possible way to reach out to Tiger but never got an answer. Kevin says that he has not heard anything from Tiger since his father died.

Reflection:

I think that it is really wrong for Tiger Woods to be acting that way. He has a half-brother that is sick who tried reaching out to him but never got an answer. I think what Tiger Woods did was choosing the wrong! It’s not very thoughtful that Tiger does not help out his brother in need. In my opinion, it doesn’t matter if he does not answer the calls, but at least Tiger should send some money so his brother Kevin won’t lose his home and gets better.