Letter from OU

Dear Seniors,

I know you are having a hectic year and seem overwhelmed with tons of priorities. Don't give up. You are almost done and you shouldn't quit now. My counselor told me that our education has been similar to a ruler, as in we have completed 11 inches or years on that ruler and to give up all that education with just one inch left would be tragic. I hope you all realize how important it is to complete high school or all 12 inches on the ruler. I also know that senioritous is setting in and you don't want to work as hard as you use to, but find ways to motivate yourself.

Don't be afraid of the unknown after high school. For instance, college is a great experience and if you wish to pursue more education, you should definitely find a college that interests you. Also don't be worried about choosing a major so quickly, there are millions of things to do when it comes to careers, so please take your time. Find things that interest you like hobbies and people to think about along the way in order to find what you love. Get involved in organizations; they are great ways to meet people, to help your school and community, and to build your resume. Encourage your friends to join.

Important things to know if you are going to college are to be prepared, so during your senior year be sure to take the ACT if you have not already done so and apply for several colleges of your choice. Don't just apply for one thinking you will absolutely get accepted. If you apply to several you can weigh the pro's and con's of each and see which school offers the best advantages. Also apply for as many scholarships as possible, there are thousands of scholarships offered to college students. Education is expensive so ask your counselors about scholarship applications. The most important of all is to graduate! You need your diploma to enter into college no matter what year you start. So finish what you started 13 years ago and enjoy your last year of high school.

DCHS Alumni,
Kaeli

Bystander Behavior

I have been a bystander to many things in all kinds of situations. I have been a bystander in class. When a teacher makes a mistake on the board, instead of correcting them I correct it on my paper without saying anything. This could cause others to make the same mistake the teacher has if no one says anything. I have been a bystander to friends smoking, doing drugs, or drinking alcohol. Instead of telling them its not healthy and that they should stop, I allow them to continue. I feel this doesn't make me a good friend if I'm not honest with them, but I also feel that it is not my place to tell them how to live their life, so I get torn in between. I have been a bystander to gossip as well as a gossiper myself within my family and at work. This is an action that many people do, but it is wrong if it is bad gossip that degrades another person. I have been a bystander to a heated argument between friends or family. Throughout my life I have sat by and watched many things happen that I disagree with, and I felt it was best to just keep quiet and not put myself out there.

I remember one instance when I was in 1st or 3rd grade and I was playing with my friend Gabie, we were at the slides running around and being silly. Well, we started to throw rocks up the slide seeing how far they would go and how fast they could make it up to the top. We were having fun until I threw one up and didn't realize that there was a boy at the top, so the rock hit him on the face. I felt horrible and was going to apologize, but he looked mad. He started down the slide with such anger that I took off running. He chased me for a ways and finally knocked me to the ground, but the teacher on duty was only 5 yards away and saw him chasing me. He got in trouble and I did too for throwing rocks, but I was in fear for my life the whole time this happened, and my friend Gabie was no where to be found. I wish she would have stood by my side and helped me in my time of need. I understand that we were young and we were both small compared to this older boy, but I felt like I was abandoned by my friend that day.

I think college students don't speak up against wrong doing because they are afraid to stand out. Everyone wants to fit in and be cool with their friends, and standing up against their friends or anyone else makes them vulnerable. I think people are afraid of what others think of them. Going against bystander behavior is hard because the outcome is not always clear. Taking a chance to change an action could lead to something worse and not better. I am definitely not one for confrontation, so I would never put myself in that type of situation unless I felt really strong about it. Also, colleges hold thousands of students on campus, and if several people see something wrong they expect someone else to step in and correct it. (Diffusion of Responsibility) The main and overall reason why students don't step up is because of fear. The fear that they will lose their social standing, reputation, and friends keeps them from standing up.

Priorities

My priorities before coming to OU in high school were to make straight A's in all my classes and to graduate a valedictorian. I also had a job and it was a priority to maintain my status there. Being president of National Honor Society also was a strong priority in my high school life. Some of my High Importance and High Urgency priorities were homework that was due the following day or studying for Finals at the end of the semester. Some of my High Importance but Low Urgency priorities were applying for colleges and scholarships to those colleges along with filling out a FAFSA form. Some of my Low Importance but High Urgency priorities were getting gas in my tank, doing laundry, and taking care of pets. All of these can be important at the last minute, but they are not usually on the top of the list. Finally, some of my Low importance and Low Urgency priorities would be cooking or organizing, reading or seeing a movie.

My priorities now are getting an education in order to get a career and working. My high importance and high urgency priorities are getting homework done on time for each of my courses and learning the material in time for finals. My high importance but low urgency priorities are applying for scholarships and the FAFSA in order to have some of my school finances paid for next year. My low importance but high urgency priorities are still getting gas in my tank or having my car fixed or doing laundry. My low importance and low urgency priorities are cooking, organizing, reading, seeing a movie, or taking care of pets.

My priorities are mostly the same since high school, the only big change I see are my career goals versus my graduation goals in high school, and also taking care of pets are not a priority for me since I don't live at home as much. It is important to get things done in order of priority which to me goes along with time management. I feel I am still learning and growing with the college life and managing time, but I think I am doing well with my priorities.

Influences

A person who has influenced me is my brother. If not for him, I would not be the person I am today. Growing up with him, I believe, has shaped the type of person that I am, which is kind-hearted and responsible. Because he is mentally disabled, I had to mature a little faster than normal children. I had to understand that my brother is different. I would not change a thing because he has influenced me to love everyone equally and to show no prejudice or discrimination towards any one human being because we are all special and deserve happiness and love.

There are many things that have influenced me throughout my life; my family and friends have always been in my life and affect the decisions I make on situations. They affect my opinions and views about the world. But the most important thing that has influenced me to be the type of student and worker that I am is the feeling of proudness that I give my loved ones, especially my parents. It makes me feel good to make them feel good about me. This feeling gives me encouragement along with determination. My parents have given me this strength to be the best that I can be, and I try not to let them down.

This influence hasn't changed since high school, but I do see it less than normal because I live in the dorms and don't see my parents everyday. They tell me that I am doing a good job every once in awhile but I do feel I am more dependent on my own determination and less on there encouragement and acceptance than I use to be. I enjoy the independence but at the same time I miss the attention. I think it's helping me grow as a person though. I know they can't always be there to give me a pat on the back. But I do know I have their full support and it does influence me to continue with my college education and to not give up no matter how discouraged I am.

Who I am

I am a semester old freshman in college. I am independent but can't live without family and friends. I love math and art. I also love the color purple and butterflies. I am curtious and optimistic. I like to do fun things like ride roller coasters and see movies with my friends. I am a page at my local library. I shelve books and help customers check out items. I am a sister and a daughter. I love my cats. I wish to be an Engineer, maybe Aerospace, and to work with NASA.