One Lesson From Joe Opatowski's Life & Death

Joe seems like a very influential person. He went from a very stressful life situation, with having problems at home and having his brother being taken away from him, to running away and making only meets end to rent out a place as an undergraduate. This was a touching story because Joe goes to a camp after talking to a guy who never usually talks to him and focusing on what the camp is there for. Rather than focusing on all the girls like his friend. After the camp he continues on staying with the Free the Children program. He got involved in his own town and managed to help out some street runners and others in need. Eventually he moved to bigger situations that were incredibly difficult to see and bare with but he managed to make a difference no matter where he went just be making people happy.

We're A Minga!

My group of friends and I were recently "Minga's" at my dad's house. We went there for a sleepover, girls night, and he was working on building a fence in his back yard. Before he knew it, it was Sunday afternoon and there was no way he was going to finish the fence before Monday. My friends and I decided if we all pitch in we'll easily help him finish it before Monday. So we all helped out whether it was holding wood together, moving all the tools or just cheering on, we got the job done and it felt great. My dad was so happy which made us feel even better about helping out. I think everyone could use more "mingas" whether they're personally close to you or just a group from the community people should always be willing to help others out for nothing in return. It's about giving not receiving!

Lindsay Avner And The Run For The Cure

This women is one in a million, who prefers to look her destiny straight in the eye. She took control of her future rather than being afraid the rest of her life. Now, she knows she will never have to live in fear of getting breast cancer again. She now is trying to help others who may become a part of this horrible, deadly disease. I think she's a very talented women. She could have helped herself and said good, my life is all set now, but instead she made her story heard and is out to help others! No one in my family has ever had breast cancer and therefore it doesn't scare me but there is always still that chance and it should never been forgotten. Even though I've never had it and no one in my family has doesn't mean I don't admire this women. This disease and fear is out of her life for good but she is still looking out for others. It takes a strong women to do that since she's lost family to it before.

Victor Frankl's Words Of Wisdom

He says "life ultimately means taking the responsibility to find the right answer to its problems and to fulfill the tasks which it constantly sets for each individual." I do agree with his definition of life. I think that life is about finding your purpose and doing what your suppose to do while overcoming obstacles. Some obstacles might be big, like death, or loosing a friend. Others may be small like falling off a bike, and loosing a friends number. This is a huge concept and to be completely honest I don't know my purpose in life, most people don't, and I don't know if I want to live for that or not. I'd rather live to have fun and do the most fun things I possibly can. I work hard at basketball and fitness but not so hard at finding a job and school. some things are more important personally to me, and others are more important in the wide range looks of things. Overall I think however you live your life, you have to live it to the fullest because you never know what could happen, and once it's gone, it's gone.

Cleanup/Brighten Up IDCI!

IDCI definitely has to be cleaned up and brighten up! When you are in a location that is clean and bright you automatically feel happy. More people will want to attend school if we have a bright cheery school that is fun to be around and very clean, with no garbage in the halls and nice bathrooms. Personally I think we need to do something different with the lockers, for instance paint them a brighter blue and have bombers written across 30 in white. Also, bathrooms and change rooms are a huge deal! For starters bathrooms are a place for girls to freshen up and do their business. No girl wants to shower at our school because we have dirty moldy showers and they are tiny! Why not have two or three nice, big, clean showers? Also, a change room is a place for teams to meet before the big game! This has to be a big, open, clean smelling place where it's comfortable and everyone has their own locker to put their bags in before the game so no one can steel their stuff and it doesn't have to be kept behind their bench. Lastly, everyone at the school hangs out outside the cafeteria. Teachers complain that we're in the way and they can't get through then why don't we open up that area with the stairs and hall and put in benches for students to sit and lounge while they wait around at lunch and break. These are just some things that could make IDCI a better place!

Oprah's Story

Oprah is an amazing person. I wouldn't say I'm a fan but I definitely think she's a great influence on people and I do idolize her. She works hard and her willing to give for nothing in return is unreal. I think her "big heart" definitely plays the biggest role in why she has such a successful show. She cares about everyone and that's why she has so many people following her show.

Belonging

I feel like I most belong to my social group in and outside of school. This group is a group of people who I can tell anything to and they won't judge me nor tell anyone. I can confide in them and they can do the same in me. We are always there for each other and if you have any problems their always there to talk or just listen. I will always stay in touch with these people when I'm out of high school because they mean the world to me.