East Central High School 10th & 11th Grade Anthology

Cove A: Dais Albiz an Aeraly Whitehor

Essa an Reflection

Phot Credi: M. Flor’ student Insta phot

Lili Zunig

MyfamilyandIgotoMexicoeveryyearinDecember.WeliveinTulsa,Oklahomasowe havetopassthroughTexastoget totheMexicanborder.Mymom’ssideofthefamilylivesinRio grandeZacatecas,Mexico, andwevisitthemeveryonceinawhiletoseehowthingsaregoing. Mywholefamilypackedthe weekbeforethetrip.Mydadwantedtotakeagokart,sowecould driveitaroundinMexico ThereislotsoflandinRiograndeSalinas,sowecanhavefunanddrive aroundtown.Ihavetwoyoungerbrothers; Brianis10,Noeis14,andIam16 Itwaswinterbreak andwewereheadedtoMexico.

Theroad-trip hadjuststartedandIwasalreadybored.Eventually,Ifellasleephalfwayto theborder.IboughtUnoand WhoWantstobeaMillionairecardsforthetrip.“Let’splayUno guys;"Iambored.”Isaid“Oksure.”Noesaid.“Doyouknowwhoyouaretalkingto?”saidBrian “Huh?”Isaid“YouaretalkingtotheUnoKing,KingofUnoandwillalwayswin”,Briansaid confindently “Wewillseeaboutthat.”NoeandIbothsaid BrianwoneverysingleroundofUno, soweallgaveupandplayedIspyinstead.“Toldya”Briansaidwithacockyvoice.Theroadtrip feltsolong,buteventuallywegottheretovisitmyuncles,auntsandcousins.

Myauntshadfoodforuswhenwecameinandmadeusawelcomingparty.Thepartyfelt sowelcomingofcourse,theyhadballoonsandcolorfuldecorationsliketheyhad justsetupfora surprisebirthdayparty,insteaditwasawelcomingsurpriseparty.Theyhadalsopoppedsome confettiwhenmyfamilyandIenteredtheirhouse.Theroomwasfilledwiththescreamsof excitementandrelief.Theyhadpreparedfoodthatwelikedsuchascake,snacksandMexicanfood.

Itmademefeelveryappreciativeandsawhowmuchwemeantothemthatwecomeandvisitthem everyyear.MydadcameandbroughttheGoKartformycousinsandI.MycousinsDavid,Wendy andGuerohuggedmeandtheysaid“HolaLilia,comoestasteextrañamosmucho!”which translatestoEnglishas“HiLilia,howareyou,wemissedyousomuch!”Isaid“Holaprimos,muy biengraciasaDiosyyotambiénlosextrañaba!”TheyallwantedtodrivetheGoKart.“Kidscome andeat,ortherewillbenofoodleft”Mymomsaid.Wehadtoeatfirstbeforewewentandhave funonthegokart.AfterIate,Iwentandgotonthegokart.“Becarefulandbesafe,alsodon'tdo anythingcrazy.”Mydadsaid.“Iwilldaddon’tworryIgotthis”Isaid.

Iwantedtodrivethekartfirst,butaftermydadleftNoecametomeandstarted begging metolethimdriveit.Iwasthinkingifhehaseverdrivenitbefore,butbeingagoodsisterIwanted tolethimtry MycousinGuerocame.Hewantedtotryitalso.Mybrotherwasdriving,Iwasinthe passengerseatandGuerowasatthebackoftheKartholdingontohisdearlife.Mybrotherdidn’t knowhowtodrive,hewashorribleatitbutheknewhowtogoforwardandbackward.Thesoccer fieldwasrockybecauseitwasmostlyjustsand,dirt,andgrasswithrocksinit.Thethreeofuswent toalargesoccerfieldandstarteddoingdonuts.Ifeltrebelliousdoingsuchathing.Itfeltlikewe wereinoneofthosecaractionmovies,oneinparticularIwasthinkingofwas“TheFastandthe Furious”,oneofNoe’sfavoritemovies.Wewerespeedingalot,itseemedlikeacopcarwas chasingafterus.Myadrenalineincreasedwitheverysingledonutwemade,whichmademethink thiswasnotagoodideabecauseitwasn’tsafeatall.Ihadabadstomachfeelinglikesomething horriblewasgoingtohappenbutIjustbrusheditoffandfeltunwaryafter.LittledidIknowthatI wasrightinthebeginning.WetookturnsdrivingitanditwasNoe’sturn,hestartedtospeedand speedandtookahardleftturnandthenCRASH.Suddenly,everythingturned blackforme.Iwas layingonthefieldwithmyarmsopenlikewhenyou’redoingasnowangelinthesnow,Icouldfeel

thetinyrocksonthegroundandthesmellofburntgrassandburningrubber. Myrighthandstarted tohurtthemoreItriedtowakeup.Iopenedmyeyes,everythingwasablurafter.However,I rememberseeingmyhandbleedingandswellingupsofast.“Didwejustflip?”Ithoughttomyself. Thepainstartedtogetworse,itfeltlikelittletinyneedlespuncturingmyhand.Myhandstartedto burn, likeextremelyhotoiljustspilledontomyhand.NoeandGuerohelpedmeup.“Estasbien?” y“Tesientesbien?”wasallIheardwhileIwasseeingmyhandbleeding.Theywereworriedand scaredformeatthatmoment.Nonetheless,Idon'tremembersayinganythingtothem,Iwasjust shocked,Icouldn’tsayanything.Theywerefine,withnotevenascratchonthem.

WewenthomewalkingsincetheKartwastotaledandcouldn'tfunctionanymore.My parentsheardmecryinpain,andthentheyrushedmetothehospital.Fortunately,Ididn’tlose muchblood,andthedoctorssaidIwouldbefine.Later,Igotintroubleandhadthelongestlecture Ihadwithmyparents,whotoldmethatIwasthematureoneandIshould’veknownbetter.They arerightofcourse,Iknewinthebeginningofthesituationsomethingwasboundtohappen.I learnedagoodlessonthatday:Attheendoftheday,listentoyourthoughtsandyourintuitionas wellastothosearoundyou.

“Blastit”

Joe Lar

Haveyoueverheardanyoneusethetermwhenyougetclosetotheball“Blastit”?Itisoneofthe termsIhaveusedinthepast.ThefirsttimeIheardthewordwasinmiddleschool,whenmeand myfriendswereinthegymplayingsoccer.Itisafunterm,butifyoudon'tunderstandityoucould messupthegameandnotmakeashotyoucouldhavemadeifyoureadtheplayoftheball.

Forexample,backinmiddleschool,whenIwas14,wewereplayingsoccerinthegym. The gamewastied,anditwasalmosttimeforgymtobeover,sowewereallsuperfocusedand playingashardaswecould.Irememberseeingoneofmyfriendswiththeball,andoneofmyother friendssaid“blastit”, sotheballwentsuperfastpasttheopposinggoalieandmadeitintothegoal andwewon!

Somepeoplemightthinkthistermisconfusingatfirstbecauseit'llbeyourfirsttime hearingitandyoucouldprobablymisunderstanditandthinkitmeanstheactualterm.However,it isjustatermwecameupwithforthefunofit,andit'seasytounderstandwhenyougetthegistof it.“Blastit’doesn’tmeantoactuallyblowsomethingup.It’susuallyjustusedasatermthatmeans tokicktheballashardasyoucanwhenyouhavetheopportunity It’susuallyusedasacommand fromoneplayertoanother,saidsothattheplayerkickingtheballcanmakeagoalandwin.LikeI rememberIwasplayingagameonedayandImadeapasstooneofmyfriendsandherushedpast thedefendersandclosedontothegoalandIandsomeotherofmyteammatesshouted“blastit”

“Blastit”canalsobeused whenit’sagoalkick,andaplayercantellthegoalieto“blast it”farawaysotheattackersgettheball,oryoucanjusttelladefendertoblasttheballawayincase it'sgettingtooclosetothegoaliebecauseyoudon’twanttogetscoredon,butitsmostcommonly usedforshootinggoals.

Whensomeonesays”blastit”,orsomethingalongthoselines,italwaysmakesmethinkof middleschool,becauseItremindsmeofallthefuntimeswewouldhaveplayingsoccerandall themistakeswewouldmakeandwouldjustgetupandcontinueplaying.“Blastit”shows you canmakememoriesbasedaroundjustoneword,andthosememoriesmaylastalifetime.

RenaeChasengnou

Doesincomeinequalityexistinsports?Isthepayjustified?Onecouldarguethat thepayisequalbetweenmenandwomenorfairbecauseoftheamountofaudiencesaplayer attracts,orhowpopularthesportmaybe.Somesportsaremorepopularthantheother,meaning betterpayforaparticularsport,forexampletwoprofootballplayershavingadifferentincomedue torevenue.Now,weknowthatwomenarepaidlessthanmeningeneral,womenearnaround80% ofwhatamalemakes,itwouldbelogicaltoassumethatwomenmakelessthanmeninthesame sport.Incomeinequalityexistsbetweenmenandwomen,andisbiasedtowardsmen.Sportsarea greatexampleofdisplayingthevastdifferenceinincomebetweenmenandwomen.Weseethe incomedifferenceinsportslikebasketball(NBA&WNBA)andsoccer(MLS&NWSL).

Whatisrevenueinsports?Revenueishowmuchasportmakesoritsincomebasedon sponsorships,andmore.Comparingtherevenuedifferencesbetweenvarioussportsyoucanseethat theNBAhasthehighestrevenueperplayerandthehighestaveragepayperplayer.

(Imagefromhttps://medium.com/nightingale/visualizing-the-gap-eccb912d75e2)

YoucanseethedifferenceintherangebetweentheWNBAandtheNBA.Theaverageplayerinthe NBAmakes8millioncomparedtotheWNBA(75k).DespiteplayersfromtheNBAandthe WNBAhavingalmostthesamestatistics,theaveragesalaryofaplayerintheWNBAmakes around1%ofthesalaryofamaleplayerintheNBA.Howexactlydoesthischartprovethat revenuehasnothingtodowiththedifferenceinincomebetweenmenandwomen?

(Imagefromhttps://medium.com/nightingale/visualizing-the-gap-eccb912d75e2)

Comparingtheviewershippergamebetweenmen’ssoccerandwomen’sbasketball,theyhave aboutthesameviewershipbutstillhavelessofanaveragesalaryandthepaypergame.Despitethe vastdifferencebetweentheviewershipinOverwatchandtheWNBA,Overwatchstillhasahigher

averagepayandpaypergamethantheWNBA.Thechartnotonlyshowsthatrevenuedoesnot playapartintheincomeinequality,butshowsabiastowardsmeninsports.

Statisticsareonewaytoprovethatincomeinequalityinsportsexists,butanotheristhe factthatmenintheNBAalsoacknowledgethisdifferenceandinequalityinincome.StephenCurry playsfortheGoldenStateWarriorsoftheNBA.In The Players’ Tribune,anarticlewrittenby StephenCurrytalksabouthowhisdaughterwantedtobeabasketballplayer Curryrealizesthat thereisaninequalitybetweenmenandwomen,heacknowledgesthepaydifferencesandmore. Currystatesinthearticle,“Iwantourgirlstogrowupknowingthattherearenoboundariesthat canbeplacedontheirfutures,period.Iwantthemtogrowupinaworldwheretheirgenderdoes notfeellikearulebookforwhattheyshouldthink,orbe,ordo.AndIwantthemtogrowup believingthattheycandreambig,andstriveforcareerswherethey’llbetreatedfairly.Andof course:paidequally”(Curry,2022).TowardstheendofthisarticleCurrytalksabouthow passionatewomenareaboutsportsjustlikemen,andtheydeserveequalitytoo.

Istheincomeforwomeninsportsjustified?Whatisthereasonforwomenhaving lesspay?Isittheskills?Theperceptionofwomeninsociety?Dowomennothavethesame amountofambitionorputinthesameamountofworkasmen?“StopPlayinglikeaGirl”isaquote I’msureeveryonehasheard.Whatexactlydoesitmeantoplaylikeagirl?Whetheritmeansinthe aspectofweakness,orinabilitytoplay?Thistermisusedtodegradeandisusedasaninsult.

Womeninsocietyareseenasweakandfragile,whichiswhythistermisusedasaninsult.Does thisreallyjustifythepayforwomen?InanarticlebySamanthaHarvittshestates,“TheNational Women’sSoccerLeague(NWSL)paysfemaleplayersbetween$6,000and$30,000ayear,while MajorLeagueSoccer(MLS)playersreceiveaminimumsalaryof$50,000peryear.TheUSWNT wonaWorldCupTitlein2015.TheUSMNTplaced9thinthe2014WorldCup.Yet,U.S.men

received$9millioninprizemoneywhilethechampionwomen'steamreceivedonly$2million.

TheGermanmen,whowonthe2014FIFAMen'sWorldCup,received$35million”(Harvitt, 2016).Thisshowsthatwomenarenottreatedequallyinsports,inpayandinrecognition.

Thedifferenceinincomebetweenmenandwomeninsportsisvast.Women’s payinsportsisunequalandbiasedtowardsmen. Inreality,revenuedoesnotplayarolein women’spayforsportsanddoesn’tjustifythepay.Menareshowntohavegreaterpaythanwomen despitewomenoutplayingmen,andwomenhavingalargeraudience.Incomeinequalityisharmful anddisregardstheamountofhardworkwomenputintotheircareers.

References

Curry,S (2022,February28) This is Personal: By Stephen Curry ThePlayers'Tribune RetrievedMarch

30,2023,from https://wwwtheplayerstribunecom/articles/stephen-currywomens-equality

Strupp,J (2021,March10) Visualizing The Gap Medium RetrievedMarch30,2023,from

https://medium.com/nightingale/visualizing-the-gap-eccb912d75e2

Harvitt,S.(2016,October23). The USWNT play like girls, and that's exactly why they should get paid the same The18 RetrievedApril3,2023,from

https://the18com/soccer-news/opinion-uswnt-playlike-girls-exactly-why-should-get-paid-equally

Aragão,C.(2023,March1). Gender pay gap in U.S. hasn't changed much in two decades.PewResearch Center.RetrievedApril7,2023,from

https://wwwpewresearchorg/fact-tank/2023/03/01/genderpay-gapfacts/#:~:text=The%20gender%20 gap%20in%20pay,%2D%20and%20part%2Dtime%20workers.

TryingaNewHobby Juliss Charle

Itallstartedwithquarantine,in2020,whencovid-19causedtheworldtoshutdownandgo intolockdown.Everyonewasdoingtheirownthingintheirhouses,beingisolatedandbored.With thebirdschirpinginthemorningswithsilenceandpeaceoutside,Iwantedtogoaheadandtrya newanddifferenttypeofhobby Idecidedtotryandlearntodomyownacrylicnails.Ittookalong timetolearninthebeginning,lotsofstressandtimewentintoit.However,itwaseventuallyworth thestrugglesandstressthatitwentinto.

Atthetimethatquarantinewashappening,Iwasreallyboredandhadnothingtodoat home.IstartedseeingvideospopupeverynowandthenonTikTokandYouTube,ofgirlsgettinga kitofnailsuppliesanddoingtheirownacrylicnailswiththethingsthattheygetinthekit.I decidedtobuythekitandothernailsuppliesthatIneededtodomyownacrylicnails.Myparents weren’treallyconvincedonbuyingallofthenailsupplies,justbecauseitwasreallyexpensive.My momwouldalwaystellme“Youdon’treallyneedthesenailsuppliesbecausetheywillonlyendup inthetrashandjustwastemoney”.Iwouldalwayssay“IfIdomyownacrylicnailsyouwouldnot havetowasteanymoremoneyonmegoingtoanailsalon,becauseIwillbeabletodothemmyself andsaveyouevenmoremoney”.Mymomwouldalwaysjustrollhereyesbutsheneverheldme backontryingtolearnthisnewhobby WhileIwaswaitingforthenailsuppliestoarrive,Ibegan watchingsometutorialsonhowtodoacrylicnails.Mynailsuppliesstartedtoarrive,butittook aboutawholeweektogetallthesuppliesgatheredup.Istartedpracticingbyonenailatatimeand Iwouldpracticeonmyselfatthekitchentable.Mymomwouldsay“Don’tdothemonthekitchen table,you'respillingthenailsuppliesandstainingit”.Iwouldsay“Idon’tknowwhereelseto practice,thisistheonlyspotthatI’mabletopractice”.Shewouldalwaysrespondwith“Dothem anywhereelsebutherebecausesomeofthenailsupplieswon’tcomeoffthetable.”Ireallyhad nothingelsetodobecauseofquarantine,allIwoulddoispracticeandpractice.Thereweretimes whereIwouldgetsofrustratedifanailwasn’tcomingoutright,thatIwouldjustwanttothrow

awayallthenailsuppliesinthetrashandjustforgetaboutallofit.OvertimeIlearnedtobepatient andIstartedseeingprogressoverthemonthsthatpassed.SoIwasfinallyabletodomyown acrylicnails,withoutneedingtogotoanailsalon.

Tothisday,I’malwayssogratefulthatIdecidedtotakethetimeofthequarantineerato learnanewhobby.Wakingupeveryday,excitedaboutwhatnaildesignsIwouldpractice.Being abletosavemyparentsmoneybyjustdoingmyownacrylicsratherthangoingtoanailsalon. FromthisexperienceIlearnedthatlearninganewhobbycouldbeabetteroutcomethanwhatyou hadanticipated.

OurSweet16

Lamer Marcellu

OnmytwinsisterLeañaandmybirthdaywedecidedforoursweetsixteenwewantedtogo toHawaii,andmymothersaid“okbutwehavetogowhenschoolisout”.Afewmonthslater(in May)whenschoolwasoutshetoldustopackourbagssowecouldheadtotheairportat6:00am thenextmorning.At5:30ammymotherwokemeandLeañaupandwebeganourdrivetothe airport.ThiswasourfirsttimeonaplaneandIwasexcitedwhileLeañawaskindofscared.Our flighthadalayoverinDenver.Whenwegotthereweweresurprisedtoseethatitwasstill snowing.Wealsohadalayoverthereforanhour,weexploredtheairportandateatthefoodplaces theyhadthere.

TheflighttoHawaiiwasabout10-11hours,butitwasfinebecausetheplanehadtheselittle tvthingsattachedtothebackofeveryseat.Onthelittletv'syoucouldwatchshows,listentomusic, watchmovies,andyoucouldevenchargeyourphone.Duringtheflightwe(me,mymother,and mysister)metalotofinterestingpeoplewhowereallkind,andthepilotgavemeandalltheother “firsttimers”(firsttimeonaplane)theselittleplasticwingsthatwepinnedtoourshirts.Whenwe landedwewere5or6hoursbehindthetimeinTulsasothenmymomsaid“It’slikewetime traveled”.Wecalledacabtotakeustoourhotelandthescenerywasbeautiful.Thereweresomany beautifulplantsandwildlizardseverywhere.

Our1stdayinHawaiiwewenttoexploretheareasaroundourhotel.Wesawthenative Hawaiiflowerandwemetsomeofthelocals.Thelocalswereverysweetpeople,thelocals recommendedfoodplacesthattheylovedandtheyguidedusthereandthatwasallwedidonthe firstday.TheseconddaywewereinHawaiiwewenttothegoldensandbeachanditwasgorgeous. Thesealifeatthatbeachwasveryactive.Itwassoactivethatwhilewewereswimminginthe oceanwegottoswimwithseaturtlesandschoolsoffish.Therewasarestaurantonthebeachso wewenttheretoeatbecauseitsmelledgoodandthefoodtastedamazingthenwewentbacktoour hotel.OnthethirddayIwokeupearlysoIcouldwatchthesunriseonthebalconyinourhotel room.ItfeltsopeacefulanditfeltlikeI'veneverseenthesunrisebeforeinmyentirelifeandIsaw beautifulbirdsthatIhaveneverseenbeforealongwithlittlelizards.Lateronthatdaywewent

exploringtofindtheblacksandbeachandafteranhourortwoofsearchingwefounditanditwas extremelyduckedoffinthewild.

Thewaterwasbeyondcrystalclearandthesandlookedlikecharcoalabitandthesealife therewasmoreactivethanthesealifeatthegoldensandbeach.WhenIgotinthewaterthereit wassupercoldandIonlystayedinforaboutfifteenminutesbeforeIfeltaneelorsomethingonmy leg.Westayedoutofthewateratthatbeachandmadesandcastlesinsteadthenwentnight swimmingatthegoldensandbeach.Onthefourth/lastdaywewentshoppingforsouvenirsand otherthings.OurbirthdaytriptoHawaiihastobeoneofmyfavoritetripstothebeachme,my mom,andmysisterhaveevertaken.Wedidn’tgettoseethegreensandbeachbecausethepathto itwasunavailableatthetimesowewerealittlesad.WedefinitelywanttogotoHawaiiagainin thefutureandIwouldratethetripa10/10.

“Homework”

by Elb Morale

Haveyoueverheardanyoneusetheterm:word“homework”?ItisoneofthetermsIhaveheard frequently.ThefirsttimeIheardthewordwaswhenIwasinfirstgrade,wheremyteacherwas explainingthe“homework”.Itisaregularterm,butsometimesitcouldbehardhomework.

Somepeoplemightthinkofthistermasboring.Howeveritisjustatermtorepresentthecaseof doinghomework.It’susuallyjustatermteachersgivetheirstudents.It’susuallyusedforworkthat thestudentshavetocompleteathome.Forexample, theteacheriswritingonthewhiteboard aboutthehomeworkthatisgoingtobeduethenextday

Therearemoremeaningstothisterm,ascanbedemonstratedfromthefollowingexample:my momkeepsaskingmeifIhavedonemyhomework,butIalreadytoldherIdon’thavehomework.

Homeworkalwaysmakesmethinkofmelyinginmybed,listeningtomusic,becausethat’swhatI alwaysdowhenIdomyhomework.ItshowsthatIconcentrateonmyhomework.

Discussionboardreflectionsonthegenderpaygapinsports

Equalplay,equalpay?Playersshouldgetpaidbasedonhowmuchmoneytheybringinbythe amountofwatchers,endorsementsorsponsorstheyhave.

Accordingtoasourcecitedin2019intheArkansasDemocrat-Gazette,maleplayersgenerate4 billiondollarswhentheywintheWorldCup,whilewomengenerate73milliondollars.The women'sshareofthetotalrevenuerateisalothigherthanmenssharerateofthetotalrevenue, Womensharerateis13%andthemenplayerssharerateis9%,andthatiswhymenalsothinkitis unfair,becausewomengetmoreoftherevenue.Althoughyouhavetolookatitfrombothsides. Womenhavealwayshadlowersalariesandfeweropportunitiesforendorsementdealscomparedto men,evenwhentheymayachieveequalorgreatersuccessonthefield.

Menandwomensoccerteamsbothrepresenttheircountrythesamebywinningandcompeting, theyshouldgetequalcompanionshipandalsowomenhavegrownalotinpopularityandsuccessin recentyears,manyargueitshouldreflecttheirpay Thereisalwaystheissueofgenderequalityand fairnessbuttherearestillplentythatbelievetheyshouldgetpaidoffiftheyperformnotgender Playersshouldgetpaidoffofwhattheybringinlikeendorsementsandviewers.

b Konno Dun

Thegenderpaygapinprofessionalsportshasbeenatopicofmuchdebateinrecentyears.Onone hand,therearethosewhoarguethatmaleandfemaleathletesshouldbepaidequallyforequal work,regardlessoftherevenuegeneratedbytheirrespectiveteams.Ontheotherhand,some peoplebelievethatwomen'steamsdonotgenerateasmuchrevenueasmen'steams,andtherefore theyshouldn'tbepaidasmuch.Ibelievethatfemaleathletesshouldgetpaidmore,butnotasmuch asmales,butpayingmaleandfemaleathletesequallywouldbeasteptowardspromotinggender equalityinsports.

Womenhavebeenhistoricallyunderrepresentedandundervaluedinsports,andequalpaywould helptoaddressthisissue.Moreover,femaleathletesoftenfacemorechallengesthantheirmales

suchaspregnancyandchildbirth,whichcantakethemoutofthegameforextendedperiodsof time.Thesechallengesshouldnotbeabarriertoequalpay.Secondly,therevenueargumentdoes notholdup.Whileitistruethatmen'ssportsoftengeneratemorerevenuethanwomen'ssports,this islargelyduetootherfactorsratherthanadifferenceintalentorability Thegenderpaygapin professionalsportsisacomplexissue,butfemalesshouldgetpaidmore,regardlessoftherevenue generatedbytheirrespectiveteams.

b Eri Da

Whenitcomestothetopicofthegenderpaygapinprofessionalsports,somepeoplebelievemale andfemaleprofessionalathletesshouldbepaidequallyforequalwork,whileothersbelieve women'steamsdon'tgenerateasmuchrevenue;therefore,theyshouldntbepaidasmuch.Ibelieve allfemalesshouldbepaidequallyasthemalesbecauseeverythingshouldbeequal.It'snotfairfor thefemalesbecausesportsfansarestillintotheWNBA,andwatchitlikeifitwastheNBAand makebetsonit.ThereforeIbelieveWNBAandNBAplayersshouldallgetpaidthesame.

Ifeeleverysportshouldbepaidequally,soifsomebodymakesittoanyleveltheyshouldfeellike theyhavemadeitand feelliketheyshouldn'thavetoworkhardtomakeittoanotherlevel.

WNBAplayers shouldbeabletoprovideforthemselvesandmostimportantlytheirfamiliesfor generationstocome.TheWNBAshouldhaveasmuchpublicityandtheplayersshouldhaveas muchexposureasNBAplayershave.

Itisalreadyhardenoughtomakeitasaprofessionalathlete.Alowpercentageofathletesmakeit tothebigleaguesinanysport.Femaleathletesshouldbepaidequallyaslongastheyareableto addtotherevenueoftheirteams.

Myconclusionisthatallathletesshouldbeallpaidequallywithoutanyproblemsandshoulddoit fastwithmotivationanddetermination!

b Laront Clayto

TheAmericanDream Jsely Romer-Roch

TheAmericandreamisabiggoalthateveryonetriestoachieve.It’snoteasytoachieveThe Americandream.Itmeansleavingyourwholelifebehindthatyouhadinyourcountryandstarting anewlifeinawholedifferentcountry.Therearealsoalotofdangerswhenyoudecidetochase thatdream,asalotofpeopletrytocrosstheborderortheriver.Sometimestherearepeoplethat, unfortunately,don'tmakeittoseeTheAmericanDream.

BothofmyparentsarepartofTheAmericanDream.Myfatherwasthefirstonewhodecidedtogo totheUnitedStatesbecausetherewasn’tenoughmoneytoprovideforhisparentsatthetime.It wasn’teasytomovetoaplacewherehedidn’tknowthelanguageanditwasn'teasytoleavethe countrywherehewasraisedforsolong,andleavehisfamilybehind.Hesaidtryingtocrossthe borderwasdifficultandexhaustingsinceyoucouldn’tstopandgetabreakbecauseyouwereafraid thatyoumightbecaughtoryourgroupmightleaveyoubehind.Nowmyfatherhasbeenthemost hardworkingpersoneversincehecametotheUnitedStates,tryingtoprovideeverythinghe couldn’thavewhenhewasyounger.

MymothersaidwhatTheAmericanDreamistoheris“Tryingtogetabetterlife“.Mymother didn’tnecessarilyhavetocometotheUnitedStatesbutshedidbecauseofmyfather Theywere married,soshefeltlikeitwastherightthingtodo.Sherememberswhenshehadtoleaveherhome whereshewasgoingtoleavemygrandma,andleavetheplacewhereshewasraisedforherwhole lifeandmightneverseeitagain.Tillthisdayshestillstrivesforeachandeverydaytogetabetter lifeforherchildren,it'snotjusthertryingtogetabetterlifeforherself.Shewantsustogetabetter educationanddoesn’twanttoseeusstruggleliketheydid.

Everyonehastheirownreasonforwhytheycometothiscountry Itmightbetogivetheirchildren abetterlife,providefortheirparentsorjusthavemoremoney Sometimesinthebeginningit’sa struggleforthosepeoplebecausetheydon’tunderstandthelanguageoranythingatall.I’veseena lotofpeoplechasetheAmericandreameverysingleday.Theyspendmostoftheirtimeworking justfortheirfamilytohavefoodonthetable.MyparentsareexamplesoftheAmericanDream.

SleepyStudents Aeraly Whitehor

Manystudentshaveaskedthemselveswhydon'ttheirschoolsstartlater.Allyouthand adolescentshaveexperiencedsleepdeprivationonewayoranother.Studyinglateforatestthenext dayornothavingenoughtimeintheafternoontocompletehomeworkafterasport.

Duetomanyreasonsstudentsareforcedtonothaveahealthyamountoftimetosleep whichtheirdevelopingbrainsneed.InarecentstudyfromResultsfromtheSchoolHealthPolicies andPracticesStudy2014,83%ofmiddleschoolsstartbefore8;30AMandevenmorehighschools at93%.Mostelementarieshavebeenreportedtostartearlylikehighschoolsandmiddleschoolsbut mostyoungchildrenhavenohardtimefallingasleeporwakingupwhichisaharshcontrasttothe other.HighSchoolandmiddleschoolstudentshaveshowna14%rateofnotbeingabletoreach thatnightlygoal.Adolescentsarenottheonlyonesimpactedbyearlystarttimes.Teachersusually havethesameissueswiththeirsleepingpatterns,theymaygetupatthesametimeorevenearlier thanstudentsachievingevenlessthantherecommended8to9hoursofsleep,thoughstudentsget muchharshereffectsfromtheirlackofsleep.Studentswhosleeplessthantherecommendedtime areshowntohavemoreriskofbeingoverweight,notparticipatinginphysicalactivity,having symptomsofdepression,performingpoorlyinschoolsandaremorelikelytoparticipatein drinking,smokingorusingillicitdrugs(“Results”)..

Studentsthemselvesmaynotbesleepingduetochangesintheirbehaviororbodydueto puberty.Adolescentsusuallydon'tfeelsleepyuntillaterinthenightthenhavingtowakeupearly becauseoftheirschool.Somethingyouthcan'tcontrolcausingmoresymptomsfromdepressionor evenfeelinghopeless.Theissuesofschedulechangeslikesportsorforparentsarewhatsomeof theconcernedsaybutothersthinkitwouldbeaminorsetbacktoabigleapaheadinmentalillness inyouth.Notonlycanithelpmentalhealthbutalsoeducation.Manystudentsrathernotattend theirfirstfewhoursofschoolelectingtocomeinlatercausingmajorabsencesandtheirgraduation progresstohaltbutithasbeenproventhatlatertimesimprovementalhealthandphysicalhealthas wellasgraduationandacademicperformance.

Manywhosufferfromthesymptomsofdepressioncangreatlyimproveallowingbetter sociallivesandfriendships.Adecreaseofbadchoicesthatcanincludeviolence,crimeratesand drugusagecanalsobeexpected.Forexample,Ihadafriendwhocouldn'teverseemtofocusand wakeupinthemorning.Heturnedtodrugusagetowakehimup.Ionlyknewhimonlinesowhen hisschoolswitchedtolaterhourshecouldbetterhimself.Heslowlystopped.Andeventhoughwe lostcontactheiswhatinspiredmetowriteaboutthistopic.Eventhoughtherewouldhavetobe manychangesnotonlytoschoolsbutforotherschedulesithasbeenproventhatstartinglateris definitelyworththeriskandhardworkforstudents'healthandfuture.

WhyIWantedtoJoinJROTC

Dr’Zon Claybo

ThereasonIjoinedjuniorROTCisbecauseIthoughtIwouldenjoyit.Ilikedthelookofthe uniforms.Iwantedtobemoredisciplined.Ididitforalltheopportunitiesthatcanopenup.Iknowit looksgoodoncollegeapplications.

Iknowitwillhelpwithmyleadershipandhelpmebecomeabettercitizen.WhatIhavelearned fromjuniorROTCarethingslikehowtofoldaflag.WelearnedalotaboutformationsbutIdid rememberalotofthatknowledgebutIlookforwardtoimprovingmoreaboutit.SoIlearneda littlebitmoreaboutlifechoicesandhowtomakegoodones.

Itwillhelpsharpenmyteamworkandteambuildingskills.Ihavecompletelyrememberedthe calloutsandwhattodowhenIhearthem.Itmakesmefeelhappyandconfident whenIgetthrough theday.WhatdoyouexpectFromSAIandAI?IexpectalotfromtheSAIandTheAI,for example,respectandunderstanding.Iwantmorewisdomalso.Irespectbothofthem.Theyare awesome.Iexpectthemtobenicebutconsistent.

Ihopetheystaythisway,andIwillstayintheJROTCprogramfortherestof myhighschool yearsandcomeoutbeingmorereliableandresponsiblegoingintocollege.Sobasicallytheexact samethingaslastyear.

Poem

GraciasPoem

Graciastomyfamilyforbeingsosupportive

Graciastomysiblingsfortheiradvice,and beinghelpful

Graciastomyteachersforhelpingmelearnnewthingseveryday

Graciastothosecommunitieswhohelpthepeopleinneed

Graciastomyparentswhomademebewhoiamtoday

Graciastomyfriendsfamilieswhohavewelcomedmeintheirhome

GraciastoanyMexicanrestaurantformakingmefeelbetterwiththeirfood

Also,abiggraciastothemanabove youhaveletmebewithmyfamilyeveryday

Thankyou.

Isabel Lope Duro

Gracias to my family for supporting me through everything

Gracias to my siblings for always helping me out

Gracias to my teachers for teaching me everything that I know

Gracias to my church who have helped and changed many lives

Gracias to my friend who helped me be a better person

Gracias to my friends who welcomed me into their group

Gracias to my favorite entertainer for making me laugh

Also, a big gracias to my best friend

You have given me some of the best memories

Thank you.

Rube Acst

Graciastomyparentsforgivingmeeverything

Graciastomybrotherforgivingmeadvice

GraciasformycounselorformakingsureIwasontherightpass

Graciastogarbagemenwhokeepthecityclean

Graciastomymomwhotaughtmelifelessons

Graciastomyfriendwhotookmeinasfamily

Graciastomyhouseforgivingmeacomfortableplacetostay

Alsoabigthankstomygrandma

Youhavealwaysacceptedme

Thankyou.

Jessic Mez

gracias poem

graciastomymomforgivingmelife

graciastomybrotherforthebest,funmoments

graciastospradlingforhelpingmeallthetime

graciastoteachersforgivingusagoodeducation

graciastomybrotherforbeingmyinspirationandhope

graciastomyuncleforlettingmestayathishouseforafewdays

graciastodrivingthroughthecitywithsomeoneItrust

Also,abiggraciastoafriend….forneverlettingmedowninhardtimes

youhavemytrust

thankyou

Foundpoem

Greenwoodwealth

Segregationtales

Discriminationplace

Businessentrepreneurs

Economics

Xale Lo

I’m from a comfortable bed from a warm house and a nice family, I am from the west part of Florida where I feel the greatest, I am from the palm tree parts, the flowery parts at my home with a smell I’ll never forget.

I’m from my mothers cooking and my culture's food

I am from my mom and dad, I’m from cookouts and pools and from going to fun places.

I’m from “I love you” “have fun” and “show me your friends and I’ll show you your future”

I’m from Haitian flag day

I’m from Florida and hard workers from bibles and time from the death of my cousin, a legend of the long car rides in West Palm Beach

Now all of these memories are in my head and set in stone and will be waiting for me till I get back to my home.

Isaia

Fileu

Graciaspoem

Graciastomybestfriendforalwaysmakingmelaugh

Graciastomycousinsformakingmychildhoodareallyhappyandadventurousone

Graciastomyteacherforteachingmemoreusefulknowledge

Graciastofirstresponderswhohelpoutthecommunityinneed

Graciastomyfriendswhohavealwaysbeenthereformeandhelpedmegrowandgrowtogether

Graciastomyfriendswhoalwaysmademefeelwelcomedintheirhomes

GraciastomysisterwhoalwaysmakesmelaughwhenIwasdown

Alsoabiggraciastomymom

Youhavemademeabetterperson

Thankyou

Deli Garci

Graciastomymomanddadforhavingme

Graciastomybrotherandsisterforbeingthere

Graciastocoachgforpushingme

Graciastojoshjacobsforputtingtulsaonthemap

Graciastomymomwhomademewhoiamtoday

Graciastomyfriendsforcheckinguponme

Graciastofootballandtrackforbeingmyhappyplace

Graciastoeveryoneinmylifeyouhavehelpedmealot

Jorda Wilso

Graciastomyfriendsandfamilyforbeingthereforme.

Graciastomycousinsforgivingmethemomentsofjoy&laughter

Graciastomyteachersfortakingtheirtimetoshowmesomethingnew.

GraciastothosewhohelpothersInEastTulsamakethiscityabetterplace.

Graciastomyone&onlymotherwho'shelpedmegrowasaperson&lookedoutformealong withmyfather

GraciastomyfriendsfrommiddleschoolthatintroducemetotheboyImet.

GraciastothelatenightwalksbyriverthatmademefeelbetterwhenIneededsomewheretorelax.

Also,abiggraciastomyself,theonewhohadtoputupwitheverychallengethat'severcome across,veryproudofhowfarI'vecome.

Yahair Hernande

WhereI'mfrompoem

Iamfromalovingfamily

fromhappymomentsandtraumatic

Iamfrombeautifulbedwithmanyflowers

pinkandredroseswithlongleaves

Beautifulpedalsandbushesthatrunthroughmyyard.

I'mfromgratefulnessandwillingness

frommomandsister

I'mfrommaturingtocleaning andbeingunderstanding

I'mfromTulsaOKandVeracruz

whereIraisedeatingriceandbeans

I'mfromdon'teatlateandrespectyourself

anddon’tgiveuponwhatyouwant

Fromseeingmyboyfriendformonths

toyears

Heispatientandamazinggreatmemories, PicturesofdatesI'llalwaysremember

RosesI'vesavedandnotesI'llbethankfulforallmylife.

Sherli Hernande

Graciastomydadfor

Teachingmetoworkhard

Graciastomymomfor

Raisingmetonotquit

Graciastomyteachersfor

Helpingmewithmywork

Graciastomygrandmafor

Teachingmehowtocook

GraciastoMs.Daviswho

Iskeepingmeontracktograduate

Graciastomyunclefor

Beingtherewhenweneedhim

Graciastomyhomeforkeepingmyfamilysafe

Alsograciastomygrandpa

Youhaveshownmehardworkpaysoff

Thankyou

Jua Luevan-Velazque

Graciastomymomanddadforbeingsuchgoodmodels.

Graciastomysiblingsforalwaysgivingmeasecondchanceandbelievinginme.

Graciastovolleyballforbeingfreetherapyforme.

Graciastotheteachersinmyschoolwhoalwaysmademefeelsafe.

Graciastomybestfriendswhohelpedmebecomethebetterversionofmyself.

Graciastomyclosefriendsforalwaysmakingmefeelwelcomed.

GraciastohomeforalwaysbeingasafeplacethatIcanalwaysbeatwhenI'mfeelingdown.

Also,abiggraciastomygrandparents

Youhavebuiltsuchabigimpactonme.

ThankYou!

IAmFrom

IamfromtheCatholiccrosseshangingineveryroom

FromtortillasandChilewitheverymeal

I’mfromthehousethat’salwaysbeingbuiltand

Alwayssmellingofmymotherscooking

I’mfrommymothersvegetablegardenandtheshadeofour2fronttrees

I’mfromprayingonChristmasandchurcheverySunday

FromRamonandGuadalupe

I’mfromgettingsleepyonthecouchandeverymealdownedwithacoke

Andpartyingeveryweekend

I’mfrom“yoatuedad”and“pontelaspilas”

ImfromTulsaandrincónderomos

Frompanandatole

Fromthestoriesofmyparentsfamilies

FromthephotobookwithcapturedmomentIcan’trecallbutdeeplycherish

Iamfromplayingvideogames,fromeatingtacosandshrimpcocktails

Iamfromthesmalltownpeopleoftenignore

Iamfromthewestwherethefoodisthebest

Iamfromplayingsoccerandbaseball,fromworkingoncarstoworkingonanimals

Iamfromhardlaborandeffort

Iamfromgettingcallednicknamesandlisteningtolosviejitos

Iamfromcelebrating15's

IamfromAguascalientes,andTulsa

fromtakingcareofcattleandhorses

fromtakingpictureswithfamily,whileoutcamping atthemountainofpiedrasnegras fromsavingthesememoriesinphotobookstohavingthealbumdigitally

Lui Velasc

Graciasforgodhe’sgreat Graciasformoneyit’sgreat GraciasformyXboxIhavefriendsonit

GraciasforEduardoandjammarithey’remyfriends

GraciasforNetflixILIKEMOVIES

Graciasfortheoceanitswateriscool

Graciasforfoodit’scool

Graciasformusicithelps

Graciasforshowersthey’reamazing

Graciasfortheeconomydoingbetter

GraciastotheUSAIloveAmerica

GraciasforfootballIlikeplayingit

GraciasfortheNFLIlovethecowboys

GraciasforDakPrescott

GraciasforJerryJones

GraciasfortheweatherIlikeit

Tre McFarlan

The Legend

Blades of grass rustle in the breeze

All is lost by a great calamity

How he destroyed it all with ease

The blood moon appears, violent yet pretty

The fallen princess and courageous hero

He who yields the blade to seal away darkness

Strike him down and defeat the foe

Oh how the Demon King was monstrous

Hero and Princess side by side

They descend into castle depths consumed by gloom

Unknown depths with them as it’s guide

The center of all gloom, a withered body spelling doom

White jewel falling from the fallen king, reanimated he wakes

Sword in hand the hero steps in, armed consumed by evil the hero fights back

The blade to seal away darkness so easily shattered, so fragile it was if it were a fake

This gloom erupts shattering the ground they stand on, they fall into the abyss so black

The hand imprisoning the demon reaches out to the hero saving him just barely, all seems lost till the hero reawakens from his slumber.

Julia Chan

GraciastomybrotherYang,foralwaystakingmeouttoplacesandbuyingmestuffwhenthere'sno needto.

'GraciastomyNephew,foralwayscheckinguponmewhenIamdownandforhavingmyback.

GraciastomyMom,shemotivatesmetocometoschoolanddomywork.

GraciastomyGirlfriend,whoencouragesmetochasemydreams.

GraciastomyFriends,formakingmylifesomuchfunandknowledgethattheygiveme.

GraciastotheteachersatEC,fordoingtheirbesttryingtoteachthestudents.

Yu Yan

GraciastomyteammateswhoIcallbrothersforgoodmemoriesduringfootballseasonGraciasto myfamilyforputtingaroofovermyheadandgivingmeaplacetosleepeveryday

Graciastomycoachesforcoachingmeandmakingmebettereverypractice

Graciastoalltheworkerswhoworkontheeastsideforworkinghardeveryday

Graciastomymom,dad,grandpa,grandmawhohelpedmeandteachedmehowtocookand everythingagrownmanneedstoknow

Graciastomyclosefriends/brothersforalwaysmakingmefeelwelcomedwhenI’maroundthem ortheirfamily

GraciastothefootballfieldforgivingmeaplacetogowhenI’mfeelingdown

Alsoabiggraciastofamily,friends,footballyouguyshavehelpedmehealupeverydayandmade keepasmileonmyfaceeveryday

THANKYOU.

Edwi Flore

Graciastomyauntanduncofortakingmein.

Graciastomysiblingsforbeingtherewhenneeded.

Graciastovolleyballforbeingmyescape.

Graciastothelunchladieswhomakeourfood.

Graciastomyparentswhoprovidedmewithallmyneeds.

GraciastoJeniferandNayeliforintroducingthemselvesandbefriendingme.

Graciastomusicforrelaxingmymindwhenstressed.

Graciastomyyoungauntwhohasbeenrealeversincewemet.

GraciastoallEastcentralteachersforworkinghardtoteachusstudents.

Graciastotheairthatwebreathe.

Graciastothecolorpalegreen.

Graciastothewaterthatwehave.

Graciastothefoodwegetfromthestores.

Graciastotheweekends.

Graciastomytwobestfriends.

Youhavebroughtmehappinessevenatmylowest.

Belind Lenj

graciastomymomforgivingmewhatshecananddoingwhatshecan

graciastomysisterforalwaysmakingmelaugh

Graciastomyteachersforgivingmeanopportunity

graciastothepeoplewhogivebacktootheraroundeastTulsa

graciastomyoldermanowhotoldmehowtodogoodandnotdoanythingdumbandfocuson school

graciastomytiaforbeingthereformeandmakingmelaugh

GraciastomydogthatmademefeelbetterwhenIwasdown

andalsoabig graciastomyfamily

Ihaveafunnierlife

thankyou.

Evely Medran

HerSkin

Lenaandherfamily,from Lena and the Burning of Greenwood byNikkiShannonSmith,believed theywerelivingaperfectlifeinGreenwoodbutassoonastheyear1921cameby,Lenaandher familyrapidlyfellintochaoswithangryriotingwhitepeople.Thatriotquicklyturnedintoa massacre,andLena’sfamilystruggledtostaytogetherandsurviveduringthistime.TheTulsaRace MassacrecompletelyerasedGreenwood,butLena’sfatherguidedandinspiredthetowntorebuild theircity

Herskinisdarkandsmooth

She’syoungandinnocent

But they don’tcareifsheisorisn’t

Theytellthemselvestheyaresuperior

Notbecausetheyarebigger

Notbecausetheyarestronger

Norbecausetheyaretallerorsmarter

Theirskiniswhattheybelievedin, Skinaspaleasthesnowwaswhatshouldbetreated, Treatedwithcareandgoodness

Theirwhiteskin’swhattheytookpridein, Theirwhiteskin’swhatgavethemprivilege

Theydidnotcarethatitwasacrime

Buildingsfallonebyone

Theytorethecitydownlikeitwasallthetime

Everyoneranlikeitwasamarathon

Rantillitwasdaytime,criedtilltheycouldtastelime

Peoplescreamedbuttheyweren’thavingagoodtime

Nowshe’sonthegroundcrying

Everyonewasdying

Deadbodiesontheground,laying

But he canstillseetheircityshining

Dais Albiz

GRACIASPOEM

Graciastothemybigfamily,foralwaysencouragingmetodogood

Graciastomymom,whotakescareofmeandprotectsme

Graciastomybigbrother,whoIcanalwayslookupto

Graciastotheteachersthatwerepatientandcaredaboutme

Andmostofallgraciastomydad,forworkinghardtotakecareofthefamilyandalways encouragingmetobesuccessful.

ChengkonXion

GraciastomygroupandBrandonforstickingwithmethroughoutmytroubles.

GraciastomysiblingsforkeepingmehappywhenI’mdown.

GraciastomyteacherforteachingmemorethanIalreadyknewinschoolandoutofschool.

Graciastotheparamedicsforhelpingotherswhentheyaresick.

Graciastomyunclewhogivesmeadviceandsupportsmewithmydecisions.

GraciastoBrandonforsupportingmethroughthisjourneyI’mtaking.

Graciastotheskatepark,Also,abiggraciastomyfamily.

Damia Figuero

Graciaspoem

Graciastomymomforeverything

Graciastomycousinsforthegoodmemories

Graciastomycoworkersforhelpingmework

GraciastoLeonelwhoshowedmearoundTulsa

Graciastomyparentswhoraisedmethruhardtimes

GraciastomyhouseforhelpingmewhenIfeeldown

Also,abiggraciastomymother

Youhaveaamazingday

Thankyou

Nat lomel

Graciastomyfriendsforalwaysbeingthereformeandmakingmelaugh

Graciastomysiblingsforbringingjoytomylifeandmakingmehappy

Graciastomyteachersforhelpingmeunderstandandlearnnewmaterial

Graciastootherpeoplethatdon'tgetrecognizedwholiveinEastTulsa

GraciastoGodforhelpingmegrowandbeabetterperson

Graciastomyfriendsforhelpingme

Graciastothefootballfieldforalwaysmakingmeforgetmyproblems

AlsoabigGraciastoGodformakingeverythinginmylife

Nicollija William

Gracias to poem

Gracias to my mom and stepdad for their kindness, love, and support

Gracias to my siblings and my cousin for cheering me up when i'm down

Gracias to all my teachers for pushing and educating me

Gracias to my bf for helping me grow and feel good about myself

Gracias to family members for always respecting each other and making me feel welcome

Gracias to my room and outside for feeling so peaceful

Gracias to music for getting me through school

Gracias to my pets for making me happy

Also, A big gracias to me and my motivation

Thank You

Jazmin Cazari

Graciaspoemoflife

Gracias vida por cada día, por las oportunidades y la alegría

Gracias por el sol y la lluvia, por las rosas y la música.

Gracias por los momentos buenos y los malos días frios

Gracias por las amistades y el amor que puedo tener

Gracias por la belleza del mundo que me rodea, por la naturaleza, la familia y la idea.

Gracias por la vida que me has dado, por la oportunidad de vivirla y de crecer cada día

Gracias vida