My Academic Life: My First Assignment for Mr. Smeby

It happens every year. This year was certainly no exception. I fell behind in my math class. I know I have almost as good of a handle on the subject as anyone else in the class. For some reason, though, I failed to get my grade of choice. I barely passed with a D. It's nothing new. My entire freshman year in high school I finished only one semester's worth of algebra. (There was a work at your own pace program at the school I was at.) You would think that I would have gotten it right by now, but I am still trying. This is my last semester in high school and I'm determined to do the best I can.

Despite my seemingly hard time in advanced math, things aren't that bad in my other classes. I just received word today that I got a C+ in American government for this last semester. Sure, some people would commit suicide over a grade like that. I, on the other hand, am extremely happy with this grade.

This year I am the vice-president of the Calvary Chapel Concert Choir. I'm excited about what God has in store for us and our ministry. We have already come a long way this year - in both our music and ministry. We are planning on going to about three choir festivals and clinics soon. Our director, Mr. Taylor, has a pretty full concert schedule for us as well. The reason I get so giddy about choir is because I hope to become a choir teacher myself someday. Choral music fascinates me! All music does, actually. I'm looking forward to the future.

Now to the subject of English. I love it! Well, at least in theory. Last semester I learned absolutely nothing about the subject. I love grammar, though (basically because I think I'm good at it). I don't read books a lot. However, I do read a plethora of magazines. I subscribe to Heaven's Metal, CCM, True Tunes News, Notebored, The Rock, Charisma & Christian Life, and Musician's Friend. I am absolutely in love with C.S. (Clive Staples) Lewis. I have his Narnia series, his space trilogy and I'm planning on buying , and reading, even more from him. Other than that I still like literature. It intrigues me. It's fortunate that I do. The reason being: I want to be an English teacher when I grow up.

This last semester I had the privilege of being appointed editor-in-chief of our school paper, The End Times. I had never been involved in something like that before. I was not disappointed with my choice to take that class (journalism). My initial purpose for joining that class was to get some sort of journalistic background. I was uncertain, at the time of what I wanted to do after high school. I didn't know how I would get involved in it. All I knew was that I kind of interested in writing album reviews in music magazines. (That's what happens when almost all you read is music magazines.) Well, anyway, that's what got me into the class. Since my receiving the title of editor-in-chief I have taken on many responsibilities. I, of course, have edited articles, but I've done so much more. I have learned to develop film. I have learned how to cut and paste. I have had the distinct privilege of being the only member of the staff to have seen the paper's production - from the actual writing to the printing. I have met and talked to some of the staff at the Redlands Daily Facts. I have been given the authority to assign work in class (which was cool). I have just thoroughly enjoyed journalism. I am looking forward to a productive future.

I am trying to decide if I should take a class 6th period. I don't want to be overloaded with responsibility. However, I want to learn as much as I can. Today I sat in on the speech class. My other option would be economics, which would be just as interesting. I'm leaning towards taking speech. I think both economics and speech would be just as useful in my life. But the experience of a speech meet cannot be found in a book. I can, on the other hand learn e-con from a book. Speech would be invaluable to me if, indeed, I do continue to work as a youth minister, or if I become a teacher.

So there you have it. A pretty complete summary of my academic activities and goals. I hope I've not bored you. But such is my life. Right now it's 11:19p.m. and I'm counting the minutes till my next English class.