Tonight was one of the most enjoyable nights I've had in a while up here at school. We had a poetry slam: a few guys from the ward put together an amazing stage with lights, microphone, and music. It was well attended and poems read ranged from the silly to the humorous to the deeply profound. Rudyard Kipling, Invictus, Shel Silverstein - the gamut of emotions was arrayed there. We had a rousing performance of a wardmember using the lyrics of a popular song. He it was, in fact, who won the best performance.
What other collection of youth in the world would organically put together such an event? They had some books of poetry lying around and I found one I'd never heard before called "Regarding a Door" and read that. Overall a great night.
Showing posts with label fun. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fun. Show all posts
Friday, February 24, 2012
Saturday, December 6, 2008
At a Break
Today is the lull before the storm.
Yesterday was a very cathartic day. I went to Chemistry, as always (every day at 8am!), came home, and saw an email that told me I had won the Freshman Learning in the Light of Faith essay contest. Guidelines can be found at the essay contest website. Yes, there is a grand prize of $500. Winning was totally unexpected! 41 essays were entered. Here is the essay, written the day before the deadline:
On top of that great news, I took our Chemistry test and was very pleased with my score on the multiple choice section. What I love about Chemistry is the sense of wonder emanating from our professor. He truly sparks that natural curiosity about the world in his students. I was wondering the other day about the hard water deposits on our glasses after we do the dishwasher. Having just studied about solubility and acid-base reactions I was curious as to how detergent manages to tie up ions in the water. I learned that the harder the water, the more detergent needs to be used. Knowing what I know now I can equate that to Ksp and the five solubility rules. I would be interested to learn more.
After the test I played some Super Smash Bros., which I haven't done for a while. It was quite fun. After that I took some soup up to a girl in our ward who is sick, then went to eat dinner at the all-you-can-eat cannon center (or cancer center, as my biology professor calls it). Stuffed, our Freshman Academy community walked to the Marriott center, where one of our roommates performed in a celebration of Christmas with folk dances around the world. Very fun. After that I was privileged to go to the creamery with some friends, then come back and play catch phrase. Overall, a very, very good day.
Today there is hardly anything going on. Tests and assignments are mostly over. It is the slow inhalation of air before the "final" push. Finals are the week after next and everything is wrapping up in classes.
Furhermore, I got my Elks Lodge Scholarship form turned in a couple days ago and they just notified me that the Byrd scholarship checks are on their way. These are both beneficial to my financial situation at college and I was excited to hear about them!
Until next time,
Sean
Yesterday was a very cathartic day. I went to Chemistry, as always (every day at 8am!), came home, and saw an email that told me I had won the Freshman Learning in the Light of Faith essay contest. Guidelines can be found at the essay contest website. Yes, there is a grand prize of $500. Winning was totally unexpected! 41 essays were entered. Here is the essay, written the day before the deadline:
Quandary
It is soot black. Rural Idaho has no streetlights; one would be hard pressed to say the two-rut weed patch meandering around the country is any sort of a road, let alone a street. No moon shines.
If the outside is soot, inside the garage is soot burned a thousand times over, coated with pitch, ensconced in the blackness of a glistening stallion, and laying at the bottom of a five hundred foot pit. Black as night. Blacker than night.
Stumbling through the garage, my toe is stubbed by an unknown solid. By feeling around with hands I can deduce the texture and shape of a wooden box. Why is it there? What purpose does it serve? I can’t tell in this overwhelming darkness. Everything seems jumbled up, patternless.
Secular scientists the world over comfortably establish the metaphorical ground on which they stand and then reach out into the darkness carefully until touching something. By feeling around the object they may deduce various physical properties about the object or even its identity. However, there is no illumination. It is meekness as a disciple-scholar that allows one to bring the lights up and see not only the box but also how it fits into the garage’s overall pattern.
First year biology, Brigham Young University. Evolution unit. Nobody is late for today’s class: Discussion on Science, Evolution, and Creationism. Apparently there are not many people disinterested in this subject; most, like me, are listening intently. As we read the BYU evolution packet I remember Elder Neal A. Maxwell’s assertion that “Restoration theology is expansive, not constraining” (Maxwell 6). I must remember to keep an open mind about evolution and the processes whereby organisms adapt.
Scientists have documented natural selection really happening. During a drought on Isle Daphne Major of the Galápagos, medium ground finches’ beaks increased in depth considerably, heightening their ability to survive eating harder seeds (Freeman 506-08). Over time, this natural selection leads to evolution. The process is occurring. The problem I was left to grapple with is how this process fits into the larger plan presented by the Bible and Book of Mormon, which I know are true with far more certainty than evolution. How is this reconciliation possible?
The answer is through meekness. Both Maxwell and Cecil O. Samuelson Jr. cite meekness not as just one of many characteristics of a disciple-scholar, but as the chief characteristic of a disciple-scholar (Maxwell 12-15; Samuelson 44). Nephi, the Book of Mormon prophet, is a quintessential example of meekness.
While journeying in the wilderness, all of Lehi’s sons lose the use of their bows. When Lamen, Lemuel, and even the stalwart Lehi murmur, Nephi humbly makes another bow and asks his father, “Whither shall I go to obtain food?” (1 Nephi 16:23). This meekness is one of the characteristics of Nephi that qualifies him for his glorious vision in chapter 11. Nephi’s vision sheds light upon the mysteries of Lehi’s dream. The big picture is shown and the individual events are explained.
At the end of the lecture the only pragmatic statement on evolution was that Adam and Eve are the primal parents of our race. At first I wished something more tangible could be given out, but perhaps this quandary is best put to rest by the words of a wise roommate on the subject: “It’s not hard. That’s what faith is all about. You know the important stuff; you don’t need to know everything yet.”
Still dark. Almost as quiet. Unable to get anywhere without running into another quite-solid object, I call out quietly. To my surprise, the deep baritone tone of my father’s voice rings out strong and true. “I’ll get the light, son.”
Gradually, light fills the room from the dimmer switch. A path materializes out of the darkness and confusion melts away. Noticing my interest at the suddenly clear box, my father reminds me, “That’s our Christmas box I made.” The box fits neatly into a clear grid pattern. As I thread my way through the narrow, before-unseen path, my father puts his arm around me and together we walk inside. I don’t yet need to see what else I could have bumped into.
Secular science explores boxes in the dark. I would rather explore boxes in the light with the Maker close by, exploring the ones that He tells me about, listening to how the box fits into the larger pattern, and meekly trusting Him explicitly.
Works Cited
Freeman, Scott. Biological Science. 2nd ed. New Jersey: Pearson/Prentice Hall, 2005.
Maxwell, Neal. “The Disciple-Scholar.” Learning in the Light of Faith. Ed. Henry B. Eyring. Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1999. 1-18.
Samuelson, Cecil O. Jr. “The Importance of Meekness in the Disciple-Scholar.” Learning in the Light of Faith. Ed. Henry B. Eyring. Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1999. 35-48.
On top of that great news, I took our Chemistry test and was very pleased with my score on the multiple choice section. What I love about Chemistry is the sense of wonder emanating from our professor. He truly sparks that natural curiosity about the world in his students. I was wondering the other day about the hard water deposits on our glasses after we do the dishwasher. Having just studied about solubility and acid-base reactions I was curious as to how detergent manages to tie up ions in the water. I learned that the harder the water, the more detergent needs to be used. Knowing what I know now I can equate that to Ksp and the five solubility rules. I would be interested to learn more.
After the test I played some Super Smash Bros., which I haven't done for a while. It was quite fun. After that I took some soup up to a girl in our ward who is sick, then went to eat dinner at the all-you-can-eat cannon center (or cancer center, as my biology professor calls it). Stuffed, our Freshman Academy community walked to the Marriott center, where one of our roommates performed in a celebration of Christmas with folk dances around the world. Very fun. After that I was privileged to go to the creamery with some friends, then come back and play catch phrase. Overall, a very, very good day.
Today there is hardly anything going on. Tests and assignments are mostly over. It is the slow inhalation of air before the "final" push. Finals are the week after next and everything is wrapping up in classes.
Furhermore, I got my Elks Lodge Scholarship form turned in a couple days ago and they just notified me that the Byrd scholarship checks are on their way. These are both beneficial to my financial situation at college and I was excited to hear about them!
Until next time,
Sean
Friday, November 14, 2008
The Here and Now
OK, so it's time for a real update.
Preference was great, both nights. The first night we took Panda Express food up into the canyon and ate it around a campfire, and then roasted starbursts. After that we went to the dance, which was either ice skating or an actual dance. We skated until about 15 minutes left, and then danced. It was quite fun - I love ice skating and haven't been for a long time! I need to learn to stop though...
On Saturday we made homemade pizzas and then went to a fun dance at the Wilkinson Student Center. After that it was ice cream! It was very fun as well. We danced and had a grand old time.
Preference was great, both nights. The first night we took Panda Express food up into the canyon and ate it around a campfire, and then roasted starbursts. After that we went to the dance, which was either ice skating or an actual dance. We skated until about 15 minutes left, and then danced. It was quite fun - I love ice skating and haven't been for a long time! I need to learn to stop though...
On Saturday we made homemade pizzas and then went to a fun dance at the Wilkinson Student Center. After that it was ice cream! It was very fun as well. We danced and had a grand old time.
Rori and I holding our hanger to roast starbursts on on Friday night (7 Nov 2008)
Amanda and I after our date on Saturday (8 Nov 2008)
So preference was quite fun.
I just bought Jesus the Christ, by James E. Talmage, at the bookstore. So far it's a really, really great book. I'm only done with the first two chapters though, but I'm plugging away on it.
That reminds me: for mission prep this last little bit we had to talk to 10 complete strangers about the gospel. It was difficult. Talking to strangers is uncomfortable sometimes, but it's good practice.
School is going well; chemistry is difficult but getting easier, biology is surprisingly easier than I thought it would be, missionary prep is great, English is my lowest grade but one of my favorite classes, and next semester should be fun. Signing up for classes is stressing and confusing. I want to take general ed classes, but I want some fun classes as well. I want to take more advanced classes in my major but I'm not sure if they will transfer with me if I decide to switch schools. A fine balance must be struck between fun and hard, general and specific; a academic quadruple point, if you will (closely related to chemistry's triple point).
The weather is very nice. Today is the perfect temperature - bordering on jackets. Sunny and bright, the clouds hover high overhead, wispy threads of cotton.
If I think of anything else, I'll throw it up here.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Jon Schmidt Concert
Tonight our FHE (family home evening) group was planning to go to a Jon Schmidt concert. Everybody felt they had too much homework except for Jerry and me, so it was only the two of us that attended. Which is too bad.
IT WAS AWESOME!
We got there about 45 minutes early, bought our tickets, and then stood in line to get in. We were near the front of the line. As soon as we got in line about 300 more people got in line behind us, so we came at the perfect time. We got into the theater and sat down almost on the front row right in the middle. They pulled the piano out and we realized that we would be 20 feet away from him at a perfect angle to see his hands play the piano. The music was incredible and impeccably presented. He is not just a piano player: he is an entertainer. We laughed when he did a backflip, when he told his corny jokes, and when he played the piano laying down on the bench under it and when he played with his toes and head. He played a song that I'd never heard before that was awesome that he said was new and was coming out soon. He played all of the favorites and then a few more.
It's really too bad that nobody else could go. It was totally worth the measly $10 a ticket to see.
Afterwards I got to see Janessa because she was up here in Provo for a Leadership Academy field trip thing. That was fun too.
IT WAS AWESOME!
We got there about 45 minutes early, bought our tickets, and then stood in line to get in. We were near the front of the line. As soon as we got in line about 300 more people got in line behind us, so we came at the perfect time. We got into the theater and sat down almost on the front row right in the middle. They pulled the piano out and we realized that we would be 20 feet away from him at a perfect angle to see his hands play the piano. The music was incredible and impeccably presented. He is not just a piano player: he is an entertainer. We laughed when he did a backflip, when he told his corny jokes, and when he played the piano laying down on the bench under it and when he played with his toes and head. He played a song that I'd never heard before that was awesome that he said was new and was coming out soon. He played all of the favorites and then a few more.
It's really too bad that nobody else could go. It was totally worth the measly $10 a ticket to see.
Afterwards I got to see Janessa because she was up here in Provo for a Leadership Academy field trip thing. That was fun too.
Monday, September 22, 2008
What's an "idear"?
As in, "I had a great idear the other day!" With the accent and everything...
Well, here is my idea(r) about what an "idear" is:
It's a camouflage suit made by Apple (for hunters, of course).
And here is Jerry's:
An Apple girlfriend.
Well, here is my idea(r) about what an "idear" is:
It's a camouflage suit made by Apple (for hunters, of course).
And here is Jerry's:
An Apple girlfriend.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Friday, August 22, 2008
Skydiving! *Video coming soon
(Beware - the problem with describing skydiving and friends is you quickly run out of different appropriate words like, "awesome", "exhilarating", "intense", etc...so there may be some repetition)
Well, I finally did it. My dream that, as my mom pointed out, I would never have done before moving to Hurricane. IT WAS AWESOME! EXHILARATION! INTENSE! Lots of people have told me they would never do it because it is scary. There is some truth to that, but I believe that it is NOT as scary as a lot of people believe. Whoa! As I'm writing this I keep reliving my favorite part of the whole deal, and that is the actual part where you jump out of the plane.
Skydiving creates a feeling that is really hard to explain. Falling from 14,000 feet above sea level at 120 miles per hour is exhilarating. The first mile and a half go by in about 45 seconds of pure, unadulterated joy. The ripcord pull signal came WAY too quick for me, but I am sort of glad that it did come - another twenty seconds or so and I would have made a small crater. Whoa! I just keep feeling that feeling!
I got to the skydive place and there were two other people there ready to go - since we booked first, I was the first to go. We received about an hour of training. Most of that hour was signing legal documents and watching a legal video. After that the instructions seemed really simple! Jumping tandem is the way to go. The awesome skydiver guy took care of everything and I just had FUN!
After the training the pilot warmed up the engine and we took off. The awesome skydiver guy was videoing pretty much the whole time, too. If you go, I would recommend paying the extra money for a video. As much as I hate watching myself, I have to admit that it is fun, and good to watch with friends and future posterity.
The best part of the jump, for me, was falling out of the plane. Being on your back, falling, looking up at the increasingly small plane, is a thrill like no other. After three seconds I arched, like he told me to, and we stabalized. Then we went into the free-fall part, which is so fun! Too soon he motioned for me to pull the ripcord, and then the parachute opened. When it opened the wind immediately died, and we could talk as easily as anybody can on the ground in calm weather. It was so awesome. I took off my goggles, popped my ears, and then proceeded to thouroughly enjoy the ride down, where awesome friends were waiting! What a perfect way to spend your time! I want to do it again, for sure. (On my own funds, mom)
The place is really easy to get to, it's run by the same guy strapped to your back on the way down, and it's highly recommended. The guy was amazingly awesome, fun to be around, and responsible. He gives you personal attention and makes sure you understand before you jump. He's had over 4000 jumps and is very experienced. I would HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommend skydiving and particularly this establishment as a form of exhilarating entertainment. You have to be 18 though. More information can be found at http://www.skydivezion.com.
I would especially like to thank my parents, who surprised me with this trip for my 18th birthday. They are so awesome! I love them so much and will miss them greatly when going off to college. Thanks mom and dad!
Well, I finally did it. My dream that, as my mom pointed out, I would never have done before moving to Hurricane. IT WAS AWESOME! EXHILARATION! INTENSE! Lots of people have told me they would never do it because it is scary. There is some truth to that, but I believe that it is NOT as scary as a lot of people believe. Whoa! As I'm writing this I keep reliving my favorite part of the whole deal, and that is the actual part where you jump out of the plane.
Skydiving creates a feeling that is really hard to explain. Falling from 14,000 feet above sea level at 120 miles per hour is exhilarating. The first mile and a half go by in about 45 seconds of pure, unadulterated joy. The ripcord pull signal came WAY too quick for me, but I am sort of glad that it did come - another twenty seconds or so and I would have made a small crater. Whoa! I just keep feeling that feeling!
I got to the skydive place and there were two other people there ready to go - since we booked first, I was the first to go. We received about an hour of training. Most of that hour was signing legal documents and watching a legal video. After that the instructions seemed really simple! Jumping tandem is the way to go. The awesome skydiver guy took care of everything and I just had FUN!
After the training the pilot warmed up the engine and we took off. The awesome skydiver guy was videoing pretty much the whole time, too. If you go, I would recommend paying the extra money for a video. As much as I hate watching myself, I have to admit that it is fun, and good to watch with friends and future posterity.
The best part of the jump, for me, was falling out of the plane. Being on your back, falling, looking up at the increasingly small plane, is a thrill like no other. After three seconds I arched, like he told me to, and we stabalized. Then we went into the free-fall part, which is so fun! Too soon he motioned for me to pull the ripcord, and then the parachute opened. When it opened the wind immediately died, and we could talk as easily as anybody can on the ground in calm weather. It was so awesome. I took off my goggles, popped my ears, and then proceeded to thouroughly enjoy the ride down, where awesome friends were waiting! What a perfect way to spend your time! I want to do it again, for sure. (On my own funds, mom)
The place is really easy to get to, it's run by the same guy strapped to your back on the way down, and it's highly recommended. The guy was amazingly awesome, fun to be around, and responsible. He gives you personal attention and makes sure you understand before you jump. He's had over 4000 jumps and is very experienced. I would HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommend skydiving and particularly this establishment as a form of exhilarating entertainment. You have to be 18 though. More information can be found at http://www.skydivezion.com.
I would especially like to thank my parents, who surprised me with this trip for my 18th birthday. They are so awesome! I love them so much and will miss them greatly when going off to college. Thanks mom and dad!
Excited before going.
My funny shirt I thought was appropriate...
The awesome friends who came to see - thanks guys! You are incredible!
In the air - thank Janessa for the good pictures.
After landing
The awesome skydiver guy and I after the jump - he was cool.
Friday, August 1, 2008
Exciting Events
Well, there are really three parts to this post:
- I got an iPhone for graduation. It's kind of a reward for the hours and hours of homework, the 4.0, the 35, the Valedictorian, the scholarships, and the honors. My mom and dad don't have to pay anything for my college. Anyway, hesitant as I am to post up a phone number to a public website in case of spammers or any drive-by cell-phone number collectors or weird people, I will tell you that there are beginning to be lots of people that know the number, so you'll have to get it from them. I was trying to think of a way to tell you so that only those that know me would find out the number, but it's late.
- I finally, finally succumbed to the mountains of pressure coming from blog posts telling about how to earn money on it, the countless friends who have one, the countable but still numerous friends who asked me or, rather, told me to get one, and even the pressure of my sister, mom, and grandmother. I am now on Facebook. It is interesting, and there's no way I have time to write and respond to every single one of my 94 and counting friends on there, and I'm still trying to figure things out with it.
- I am going skydiving. It was a present for my birthday. Every time I think about doing it my stomach knots up, but I'm super excited. You can all come, I'll let people know when.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
The Perfect Cookie
No-nut semi-sweet chocolate chip warm yellow-ish brown on the outside slightly brown on the inside except where gooey semi-sweet chocolate chips pervade the cookie three-inch diameter crystalized sugar lightly buttery rich taste and texture smelling of a fresh oven bright and cheery making after a huge rainstorm the night before eaten with friends cookie.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
FBLA Nationals 2008 - Atlanta, Georgia
OK, it's finally time for the moment you've all (no doubt) been waiting for: a report on nationals!!
You know...actually, I just had a better idea.
I'm going to do it "graphic design" style, since that's all I do all day anyway.
But it might take a day or two.
So please be patient! It should be pretty cool, though!
You know...actually, I just had a better idea.
I'm going to do it "graphic design" style, since that's all I do all day anyway.
But it might take a day or two.
So please be patient! It should be pretty cool, though!
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Graduation Pictures
The moment you've all been waiting for!
OK, maybe not.
Here's a slideshow of the images - for full-sized pictures and captions, visit my web album at http://picasaweb.google.com/mathgraph/Graduation2008
If you've got any pictures, I have started a group on flickr called hhs2008. Anybody can join, so join and upload your pictures! I'll upload mine and we can start it off. Please!
OK, maybe not.
Here's a slideshow of the images - for full-sized pictures and captions, visit my web album at http://picasaweb.google.com/mathgraph/Graduation2008
If you've got any pictures, I have started a group on flickr called hhs2008. Anybody can join, so join and upload your pictures! I'll upload mine and we can start it off. Please!
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Recap on Graduation
This is just a text-only recap. Pictures will be dealt with in an upcoming post.
My family left at noon for St. George. We met my mother's parents at the Temple Visitor's Center. My father's parents were already here and traveled with us. We went through the statue display that is completely amazing! Wow. If you haven't been, I highly encourage a trip to the Temple Visitor's center to see the statues.
After that, we traveled over to ye olde Olive Garden and had some most excellent comestibles (I just learned that word). In fact, I'm going to go have a left over breadstick immediately.
OK, I'm back.
So then it was time for graduation. We arrived at the Burns arena at roughly 3:30ish. It was a dreary day, but the weather's disparity with the elation floating in each of the seniors couldn't be greater.
I helped get the percussion ready for the two songs we were playing (A Pirates of the Caribbean medley and the William Tell overture). Then, I went and picked up my gold ropes for good grades and the National Honors Society cape thing. It was then just about time to line up. Jordan, Richard, and I were not allowed to walk in with our class, nor accompany anybody. We were honored, I guess, to walk in at the very beginning with Principal Hoyt, the School Board President, and other dignitaries.
The program proceeded as follows:
A Camber Choir piece called "My Shepherd Will Supply My Need"
The Pledge, led by McKay Butler, Student Body President
A Devotional/Prayer, led by Claire Chamberlain, the Seminary Vice President
The Introduction of the Salutatorian by Tia Beatty, Senior Class Secretary
Richard Wixom's remarks
The Pirates medley by the orchestra
Senior Class Officer Tyson Winder's introduction of Jordan and I
Jordan's and my combined speeches
The slideshow
A Salyce Scarth special presentation
The presentation, acceptation, and presentation of diplomas of and to graduates
The Turn Your Tassels/2008 Cheer and Hat Throw done by all of us Senior Class Officers
Overall it was a good length ceremony. Richard and Jordan both did fabulous jobs. Richard talked about how to be a star to others. Jordan recapped on some experiences and gave some great advice. Afterwords the slew of picture-wanting parents and friends we might not see again drew us into a constantly smiling photograph mode.
My speech went fairly well, I guess. At first I got up and said:
I then sat down. You could hear an audible gasp come from the audience. When I sat down, Kirsten Helms leaned over to me and whispered, "are you for real?" in an amazed whisper. It was actually quite entertaining. Jordan got up and said his speech and then went to sit down, paused, returned to the microphone and told the audience he wasn't going to let me get away with that. He gave a few of my more humorous statements and then turned the time over to me. I got up and gave the rest of my speech. We had planned the whole thing from the beginning. After all, I decided, "It's me and Jordan, one of my best buds. Let's have some fun up here!" Besides, it's graduation! It was quite fun to be a part of and shock everybody like that.
Here is my whole Valedictorian speech from where I left off above:
My family left at noon for St. George. We met my mother's parents at the Temple Visitor's Center. My father's parents were already here and traveled with us. We went through the statue display that is completely amazing! Wow. If you haven't been, I highly encourage a trip to the Temple Visitor's center to see the statues.
After that, we traveled over to ye olde Olive Garden and had some most excellent comestibles (I just learned that word). In fact, I'm going to go have a left over breadstick immediately.
OK, I'm back.
So then it was time for graduation. We arrived at the Burns arena at roughly 3:30ish. It was a dreary day, but the weather's disparity with the elation floating in each of the seniors couldn't be greater.
I helped get the percussion ready for the two songs we were playing (A Pirates of the Caribbean medley and the William Tell overture). Then, I went and picked up my gold ropes for good grades and the National Honors Society cape thing. It was then just about time to line up. Jordan, Richard, and I were not allowed to walk in with our class, nor accompany anybody. We were honored, I guess, to walk in at the very beginning with Principal Hoyt, the School Board President, and other dignitaries.
The program proceeded as follows:
A Camber Choir piece called "My Shepherd Will Supply My Need"
The Pledge, led by McKay Butler, Student Body President
A Devotional/Prayer, led by Claire Chamberlain, the Seminary Vice President
The Introduction of the Salutatorian by Tia Beatty, Senior Class Secretary
Richard Wixom's remarks
The Pirates medley by the orchestra
Senior Class Officer Tyson Winder's introduction of Jordan and I
Jordan's and my combined speeches
The slideshow
A Salyce Scarth special presentation
The presentation, acceptation, and presentation of diplomas of and to graduates
The Turn Your Tassels/2008 Cheer and Hat Throw done by all of us Senior Class Officers
Overall it was a good length ceremony. Richard and Jordan both did fabulous jobs. Richard talked about how to be a star to others. Jordan recapped on some experiences and gave some great advice. Afterwords the slew of picture-wanting parents and friends we might not see again drew us into a constantly smiling photograph mode.
My speech went fairly well, I guess. At first I got up and said:
Good afternoon Principal Hoyt, administrators, faculty, families, and guests. To the class of 2008: Congratulations!
Jordan and I have been joking for a long time now that somebody would get up, introduce me, and then I would get up and for my speech introduce Jordan, and then he would take over. So – ladies and gentlemen: Jordan Hall.
I then sat down. You could hear an audible gasp come from the audience. When I sat down, Kirsten Helms leaned over to me and whispered, "are you for real?" in an amazed whisper. It was actually quite entertaining. Jordan got up and said his speech and then went to sit down, paused, returned to the microphone and told the audience he wasn't going to let me get away with that. He gave a few of my more humorous statements and then turned the time over to me. I got up and gave the rest of my speech. We had planned the whole thing from the beginning. After all, I decided, "It's me and Jordan, one of my best buds. Let's have some fun up here!" Besides, it's graduation! It was quite fun to be a part of and shock everybody like that.
Here is my whole Valedictorian speech from where I left off above:
It’s an absolute honor to be up here with Jordan and Richard, two of the greatest guys I know. They are a lot better than me. I can’t think of anyone better deserving of their numerous awards, including this one. I thank them for their example and friendship. I also thank the faculty and staff. Moreover – – – – you know you’ve been in English class for too many years when that slips out without even thinking about it – I thank my parents and my religion. Together they have at the same time both anchored and lifted me.
To begin I would like to share some memories that we have had together. Let’s begin with the faculty. They are the greatest, aren’t they? Learning mathematics from teachers like Mr. Esplin and Mrs. Kidd-Thomas allows us to plot the number of people that got Mr. Moore’s chemistry jokes on a nice graph and laugh at how it goes zero – zero – one – two – two – and then, all of sudden - twenty. Especially memorable is the librarians’ eagerness to open the doors of the library early on everyday but checkout day, when they look through the little windows at the massive crowd around the door and smile and wave, but make no move for the door. We have a great faculty and staff. I know that I particularly enjoyed the janitor’s clever announcement on free cleaning lessons during the summer to those interested in littering in the school.
Remember the good times and what our class has accomplished. Remember when Jared Behunin broke the school discus record and went on to take first in state. Remember when the girls attacked the high school with sidewalk chalk at Spirit week and the boys had an almost instant rebuttal. Remember when we buried Tyson in the sand at Senior Sunrise and Jake got stuck on the H at H day. Remember the procrastinators, those that would get up at four AM the day a five-page paper was due and have it done in time for school. I guess most of us are procrastinators – almost all of us have waited until the very last day of high school to graduate. I would tell you to stop procrastinating from experience, but…I won’t even mention when I wrote this speech. I’m doing well, though – I mentioned procrastination in the middle of the speech, not at the end.
At commencement our thoughts naturally turn to the future. Incidentally, it is these memories of the past, anecdotal and humorous though they may be, which link us to the future. The future is built upon the past. It is these past experiences that provide the framework for our current and future actions. Each experience tempers character like metal in a forge. Or like the construction of a golf ball. I learned this from my neighbor. Golf balls used to be smooth until it was discovered that the chinks or marks made in the ball made from hitting it would allow the ball to fly farther. So it is with us. Each experience molds our character and when applied appropriately helps us to fly farther and achieve greater heights. Let our experiences, and those of people gone before us, refresh our mind and help guide decisions for the future.
Stay loose. Don’t get so caught up in the system that you think you can’t do something you really want to do. Go for it anyway. We’ve seen in high school that the times we remember the most are those when something…unorthodox occurs. Unorthodoxy happens when we do not succumb to the unifying pressure placed upon us by fear. I am not advocating breaking rules or anything like that. Rather, take courage in pursuing your own dreams. Each of us has our own utopia. Define it and work for it. Seriously. Why shouldn’t that be our ultimate goal? Miraculous things can and will happen when you bend your will to accomplish something.
And remember that with the privilege of contentment, accomplishment and success comes an equally important obligation to perpetuate privilege for others. Success without service is like drawing interest on somebody else’s bank account. As part of that charge, may we always remember our alma mater, Hurricane High School, and give back to the school and community that sustained us.
We have an amazing class. I moved here a few years ago from Bountiful and so I could really see people’s character stand in sharp relief because I didn’t know anybody. You are great. I have seen deep compassion and kindness, acceptance, tolerance, a little mischievousness – especially when it comes to spirit week – and unity. These last few weeks have really shown how as a senior class we are all – well, most of us – friends. Despite our differences, we are one. We respect each other, know each other well, and have a bond. Look around. Smile at each other. 12 long years. We did it. Together. Once again, congratulations class of 2008!
Well...done!
Last night was grad-nite. We got done at about 5:30 A.M. I went home, went to sleep, and when I woke up, it was 3:30 P.M.! Wow! It totally felt like it was 10 in the morning. I have NEVER slept that long into the day before! It kind of wasted my whole day. But hey - I'm not sleepy!
Monday, May 19, 2008
Whew!
Graduation!
Not just graduation, but the End of Year Video Yearbook, the Senior DVD, and the Senior Slideshow are all finished now! Each took a great deal of work! Now they're done! Free at last!
Not just graduation, but the End of Year Video Yearbook, the Senior DVD, and the Senior Slideshow are all finished now! Each took a great deal of work! Now they're done! Free at last!
Monday, April 7, 2008
Machines are toast at State Jazz
I guess the manufacturer is so certain of the machine's inefficacy or inability...
Perhaps the Busiest Week
Warning: Long Post Ahead
This last week has been...insane. I've been to four class periods the whole week - two on Monday and two on Friday. I've slept in my own bed once in the last seven days. Here's the story.
We'll start with Monday. At lunch-time FBLA left for our State Competition. We had a long six hour bus-ride up there, and then stayed up there until late at night Wednesday. We had lots of fun (I guess) in Ogden, where there is nothing to do. Especially by our convention center. However, here are the awards I remember:
*Desktop Publishing requires the submittal of a production test; our team had to create a logo, calendar, flyer, and other Desktop Publishing creations to be prejudged, then take an objective test at the State Leadership Conference (SLC)
Which means that James and I are going to Nationals, and there is a good chance that both Josh M. and the team of Sarah and Kassarah could be coming as well. Kirsten is also attending as a new state officer.
On Thursday the day was devoted to Sterling Scholar Region. Long and boring intervals were interspaced with brief moments of heart-attackish type adreneline rushes. We practiced the awards ceremony, broke for interviews, had lunch (hamburgers), had dinner, then had the awards ceremony. We had one Sterling Scholar Region Winner (Jordan H. in Mathematics) and about five runners up (I got runner up in General Scholarship). The winner of the General Scholarship competition had a 33 ACT score and had been out of the country for several weeks helping poor children in Cambodia or somewhere.
Friday was the day I went to school for half of the day again. The other half was spent decorating for Prom. At about 3:15 I left the Prom decoration event and went to the high school to travel on a bus back up north for the State Jazz Festival. Strangely enough I got the same bus driver I had for the FBLA trip, so I spent more than 25 hours in that exact bus. Big time waster. We played That's Cool by Shelly Berg, In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning, by I'm not sure, and Mongo's Mood, by I'm not sure (a different I'm not sure). We received a II, another II, and a II+. Pretty good considering this is the first time we've even qualified for State Jazz in approximately ten years.
We got back from our trip on Saturday at around 5:00 p.m., just in time to go home, get ready for Prom, then attend the Priesthood Session, then go pick up our dates (Jerry R. took Sarah C., and I took Whitney S.). We ate at Olive Garden, then attended the dance. Jerry and I were both at State Jazz, which means that we were not around on Saturday to do any sort of "day date" thing, so we are planning a cool date for next Saturday, which I'm looking forward to.
Prom was generally awesome. All three of the others in my group, including my date (Whitney, Jerry, and Sarah) were fun to be around. The only complaint I have is that the picture line was too long; we only were actually on the dance floor for about an hour and fifteen minutes. So I was pretty annoyed, and when I'm annoyed I'm edgy, and so I probably wasn't the most fun to be around in the line ;). We had a bunch of fun though. Swinging is always a fun dance style, even if your flower falls off. (That reminds me...a quick note...I learned how to make corsages from Jerry's sister, and we both made one for our dates; it's so cheap and easy I don't know why we don't do them all the time ourselves) I was elected as Prom King, a great honor that is nice to have and boosts self-esteem, but it was an award I would rather not have received (at least in front of everybody at the dance). I am not built for publicity and stuff, and then people come up to me in the hallway all the time and say stuff like, "Congratulations on being Prom King!" and some try to be sneaky and come up and say hi and then under their breath breathe, "Prom King," like I'm supposed to say, "Oh, thanks" rather sneakily and give them a big fake wink. I never know what to say when people say stuff like that. I thank them, but I'd much rather everybody forgot about the whole deal. This kind of stuff makes me uncomfortable. Natalie H. was the queen, Cody P. was the prince, and Tanya H. was the princess.
The best part of the logistical side of the dance was the music; because we picked all of the music beforehand ourselves, and because we spent the little extra money to hire a good DJ, the music was awesome.
We sold out of Prom tickets beforehand and then sold some more at the door. We sold about 175 tickets, which means about 350 people at the dance. After the dance we stayed to help clean up, because I'm on the Prom committee, and then we went to Tia B.'s house to eat crepes. We did get a picture of the Prom committee, but not of the royalty.
Sunday we left again, this time to watch general conference at my grandparents house in St. George (we don't have T.V.). Hectic. More posts coming soon.
This last week has been...insane. I've been to four class periods the whole week - two on Monday and two on Friday. I've slept in my own bed once in the last seven days. Here's the story.
We'll start with Monday. At lunch-time FBLA left for our State Competition. We had a long six hour bus-ride up there, and then stayed up there until late at night Wednesday. We had lots of fun (I guess) in Ogden, where there is nothing to do. Especially by our convention center. However, here are the awards I remember:
- Josh M. - 3rd in Accounting I
- Sarah C. and Kassara S. - 3rd in *Desktop Publishing
- James P. - 6th in Cyber Security, 8th in Computer Problem Solving, 9th in Networking Concepts
- Kirsten W. - Was elected as a State Officer - Secretary
- Sean F. - 1st Place in Business Communication, 5th Place in Cyber Security, 6th Place in Business Calculations
- Sean F. and James P. - 1st Place in E-business
*Desktop Publishing requires the submittal of a production test; our team had to create a logo, calendar, flyer, and other Desktop Publishing creations to be prejudged, then take an objective test at the State Leadership Conference (SLC)
Which means that James and I are going to Nationals, and there is a good chance that both Josh M. and the team of Sarah and Kassarah could be coming as well. Kirsten is also attending as a new state officer.
On Thursday the day was devoted to Sterling Scholar Region. Long and boring intervals were interspaced with brief moments of heart-attackish type adreneline rushes. We practiced the awards ceremony, broke for interviews, had lunch (hamburgers), had dinner, then had the awards ceremony. We had one Sterling Scholar Region Winner (Jordan H. in Mathematics) and about five runners up (I got runner up in General Scholarship). The winner of the General Scholarship competition had a 33 ACT score and had been out of the country for several weeks helping poor children in Cambodia or somewhere.
Friday was the day I went to school for half of the day again. The other half was spent decorating for Prom. At about 3:15 I left the Prom decoration event and went to the high school to travel on a bus back up north for the State Jazz Festival. Strangely enough I got the same bus driver I had for the FBLA trip, so I spent more than 25 hours in that exact bus. Big time waster. We played That's Cool by Shelly Berg, In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning, by I'm not sure, and Mongo's Mood, by I'm not sure (a different I'm not sure). We received a II, another II, and a II+. Pretty good considering this is the first time we've even qualified for State Jazz in approximately ten years.
We got back from our trip on Saturday at around 5:00 p.m., just in time to go home, get ready for Prom, then attend the Priesthood Session, then go pick up our dates (Jerry R. took Sarah C., and I took Whitney S.). We ate at Olive Garden, then attended the dance. Jerry and I were both at State Jazz, which means that we were not around on Saturday to do any sort of "day date" thing, so we are planning a cool date for next Saturday, which I'm looking forward to.
Prom was generally awesome. All three of the others in my group, including my date (Whitney, Jerry, and Sarah) were fun to be around. The only complaint I have is that the picture line was too long; we only were actually on the dance floor for about an hour and fifteen minutes. So I was pretty annoyed, and when I'm annoyed I'm edgy, and so I probably wasn't the most fun to be around in the line ;). We had a bunch of fun though. Swinging is always a fun dance style, even if your flower falls off. (That reminds me...a quick note...I learned how to make corsages from Jerry's sister, and we both made one for our dates; it's so cheap and easy I don't know why we don't do them all the time ourselves) I was elected as Prom King, a great honor that is nice to have and boosts self-esteem, but it was an award I would rather not have received (at least in front of everybody at the dance). I am not built for publicity and stuff, and then people come up to me in the hallway all the time and say stuff like, "Congratulations on being Prom King!" and some try to be sneaky and come up and say hi and then under their breath breathe, "Prom King," like I'm supposed to say, "Oh, thanks" rather sneakily and give them a big fake wink. I never know what to say when people say stuff like that. I thank them, but I'd much rather everybody forgot about the whole deal. This kind of stuff makes me uncomfortable. Natalie H. was the queen, Cody P. was the prince, and Tanya H. was the princess.
The best part of the logistical side of the dance was the music; because we picked all of the music beforehand ourselves, and because we spent the little extra money to hire a good DJ, the music was awesome.
We sold out of Prom tickets beforehand and then sold some more at the door. We sold about 175 tickets, which means about 350 people at the dance. After the dance we stayed to help clean up, because I'm on the Prom committee, and then we went to Tia B.'s house to eat crepes. We did get a picture of the Prom committee, but not of the royalty.
Sunday we left again, this time to watch general conference at my grandparents house in St. George (we don't have T.V.). Hectic. More posts coming soon.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Happenings
I'll quickly breeze through some happenings.
We're counting up ballots for Prom 2008 royalty right now...every free minute at school is spent doing it, and they're not ScanTrons, either. We are going to have a run-off ballot, where the top eight or ten are put on a ScanTron to finalize the vote.
The Photography Club field trip is on Thursday, March 27th, to Michael Fatali's gallery up in Zion.
The State Jazz Band Festival is coming up on April 4th and 5th.
Prom is April 5th. I'm on the committee, so we have to plan it.
Website work is fun. I must say.
We're counting up ballots for Prom 2008 royalty right now...every free minute at school is spent doing it, and they're not ScanTrons, either. We are going to have a run-off ballot, where the top eight or ten are put on a ScanTron to finalize the vote.
The Photography Club field trip is on Thursday, March 27th, to Michael Fatali's gallery up in Zion.
The State Jazz Band Festival is coming up on April 4th and 5th.
Prom is April 5th. I'm on the committee, so we have to plan it.
Website work is fun. I must say.
Friday, March 14, 2008
Backpacking
I love backpacking. There is something elemental about it, and it draws me in.
I love the simplicity of backpacking. A person lives off what he or she carries in a pack on his or her back. That's it.
I love the self-sufficiency style of backpacking and backpackers. Ben and I carved a fork out of a stick we found because we forgot ours. They worked like a charm. After we were done, we threw them into the fire. Simple.
Jess, Ben, and I are planning a backpacking trip to King's Peak, the highest peak in Utah during the summer, tentatively for the first week of August. We'll plan it for four days, plus driving. One day to hike in and set up base camp, two days to summit (in case one day is rainy and it is dangerous to summit), and then one day to leave. We are going to invite several people from school to do it. We thought about making an announcement in school, but then we open the door for some of the less-desirables to join. Much better to be hand picked and invited, so we know the reliability of the people we will be spending a week away from any civilization with. We can't have any girls, not because they wouldn't be able, but because there might be problems on a weeklong campout with girls and guys together. We'll have a meeting or two to educate people on the dangers of the Unitahs and just about backpacking in general. We'll have to have lists of food possibilities and packing lists. It will be fun, though, I hope.
I'm excited.
I love the simplicity of backpacking. A person lives off what he or she carries in a pack on his or her back. That's it.
I love the self-sufficiency style of backpacking and backpackers. Ben and I carved a fork out of a stick we found because we forgot ours. They worked like a charm. After we were done, we threw them into the fire. Simple.
Jess, Ben, and I are planning a backpacking trip to King's Peak, the highest peak in Utah during the summer, tentatively for the first week of August. We'll plan it for four days, plus driving. One day to hike in and set up base camp, two days to summit (in case one day is rainy and it is dangerous to summit), and then one day to leave. We are going to invite several people from school to do it. We thought about making an announcement in school, but then we open the door for some of the less-desirables to join. Much better to be hand picked and invited, so we know the reliability of the people we will be spending a week away from any civilization with. We can't have any girls, not because they wouldn't be able, but because there might be problems on a weeklong campout with girls and guys together. We'll have a meeting or two to educate people on the dangers of the Unitahs and just about backpacking in general. We'll have to have lists of food possibilities and packing lists. It will be fun, though, I hope.
I'm excited.
Pictures from the Camp
Here is all of us, taken Friday morning. You can see our cool fire-pit off right.
My backpack, not packed as it was during the hike.
Our campsite with the mountain in the background. My tent is the brownish one on the left. I am standing approximately in the fire pit we made.
Ben and Jess, packed and at the start of the trail.
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