Final Essay: The Last Chapter

Megan Stevens 

Doctor David Preston

AP English Literature & Composition

June 9, 2015

The Last Chapter

As I entered my senior year of high school, I didn’t know what to expect, I knew I wanted to work hard for good grades to ensure my college education. But i wasn’t expecting to be able to pursue good grades by following my passion in life; which is 

exactly what Open Source Learning had in store for me.

One of the biggest trials in the process of undergoing Open Source Learning was the amount of trust the course demanded from the student to teacher relationship. One of the biggest lessons the class taught me is to take responsibility. Even stretching that further, it also taught me to take credibility for the assignments and to be proud of my finished products of work. Although this is a very rewarding experience, this very criteria is also one of the system’s biggest flaws. A lot of kids in the system abused the freedom and trust they were given. The course requires you to take responsibility and complete the assignments. I for one, found the work to be enjoyable to learn rather than typical style homework. 

"And then he spends most of his time by himself—alone." Brave New World was without any hesitation my favorite piece of literature throughout the duration of the course. I have never felt so connected to a fictional character in that they see the world the way I do. Aldous Huxley’s theme of a conformed world stripped of humanity and individuality centered in a time of technology could very well be subtly identical to what we are living in today. I have always grown bored of repetitiveness in Shakespeare because it is so impressed into our high school curriculum, but Open Source Learning changed my understanding of his plays. I was surprised to be so intrigued by Hamlet and Macbeth because it isn’t something I would pick to read myself. But I thoroughly enjoyed the suspense, betrayal, and gloomy endings. This course broadened my spectrum of writing and has made me more diverse in literature. 

I have always known my love for writing, and I knew I would pursue a career that would allow me to pursue it. After a lot of jumping around, I have to decide on majoring in communications. I can’t pinpoint a specific career just yet until I test the water at college, but I at least know what waters to test knowing my passion is for writing. I will be attending school in San Francisco, and i plan on getting internships, jobs, anything that will enhance or further my knowledge towards a writing career that I love. In addition to my academic side, I have also been given he most amazing opportunity to continue my passion for soccer in college. I have always loved the sport. It’s grown to be so much more than an after school activity, it’s become a way of life for me, and I’m so incredibly excited to get to continue that into my next step of education. 

My favorite moments of the course occurred when I became a spectator within the classroom walls. The moments when you look around and just take in what everyone else is doing, you hear some pretty funny conversations and you learn a lot of people. For me, the enriching moments occurred not when I was talking, but when I stopped and listened. A wise lesson to carry into everything. 

Finally

My Masterpiece

Part 1: Getting the Tools

Conducting a Q&A with head public affairs associate/journalist Robin Jackson:

• Describe an average day in your field of work?

“It’s exciting! We like to think PA Stands for publicly anything, and not just Public Affairs. The job covers everything from Air Force relations, for example, it might be communicating with flight/launch operations, and stretches to media coverage like broadcasting.”

• What are some of the more rewarding aspect of your job? Some of the hardest?

“The greatest part about my job is being able to tell people’s stories. Having the ability to go out and cover a story for the public is such a unique experience. The most rewarding part of the job is getting to unfold stories for the public to see. On the contrary, The hardest is having to tell the tragic stories, the ones that don’t always have a happy ending. But as a journalist, you have to do it, the public is depending on it. 

Recently there was an issue with the water on base and it made it unsafe to drink. We had to immediately warn the public and it was already so late at night. Jobs like this are when you really have to persevere and focus on the issue at hand.”

• What advice would you give to aspiring journalist?

“Don’t take your tasks lightly. Fulfill them with the upmost work ethic. Accuracy is everything in this industry. Something as simple as a misspelled name can be detrimental. The public is reliant on the story you produce to gather information, make sure every story is done with responsibility. 

• What aspects make your job different from others?

“Since I'm under the Air Force Base, my work is closely associated with the projects going on there. We work by relaying inside stories and update the public from the inside out. However, the stories are not limited to just ongoing  Air Force projects, we have a wide variety of coverage including community events and other interesting stories going on in our community. Being a writer allows for a spectrum of topics to write about, every day brings something new. 

• How does it feel to be able to tell people’s stories/writing in general as a career?

“Being able to telling people’s stories is by far the best part of the job. Whether it’s good or bad, being apart of the process to relay information into the world is a hard, but fascinating job. It’s our duty to tell these stories and bring them to the public.”

• Whats the biggest lesson the industry has taught you?

“In one word: Credibility. Say what you do, and do what you say. Whether you're going to be a public affairs associate, journalist, any career, make sure you go into it with integrity. In the wiring field, you are telling people’s stories. You are sharing/documenting a piece of someone’s life to the world, so do it with the maximum amount of effort. Tell their story in such a way, that you are going to affect the people who hear it.” 

• I want to inspire other kids through my project, what words would you give to kids wanting to pursue their dreams?  

“Simply follow your passion. Whatever you are interested in, pursue it, and never give up.”

Part 2: Conducting The Interview 

Never Give Up: A Story of Triumph 

"I Don't think I've done a story where I grew as fond of the beings as I did with these elephants."

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-secret-language-of-elephants/

Learn about the Sharkman:

http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/the-sharkman-2/

Rock climbing to a whole new level:

http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/the-ascent-of-alex-honnold/

Bringing healthcare to the poor:

http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/dr-farmers-remedy

Part 3: Drive Your Inspiration and Follow Your Passion

"I want to hear what you have to say." - Bob Simon 1941-2015

The purpose of my masterpiece was to explore the things I am passionate about. My goal is to relay that onto my peers in the hopes you all will do the same. No matter what obstacle lies in the way, never give up. Nothing worth having comes easy. Simply. follow yours dreams. Whatever it is you want to do, accept who you are and revel in it. You single handedly are in charge of the course of your life. Whatever you pursue in life, pursue it with the up most effort and ambition. As we all take on the next grand adventure of tackling college, remember: In the wise words of Confucius, “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” 

Be Water Wise

I recently read  This  article in the local Santa Maria Times newspaper. And it made me wonder just how serious the drought is and how much it directly affects us.

Researches have scaled the drought as extreme and the Santa maria drought monitor has labeled it "exceptional drought" since February. The drought has out us on the map of "metropolitan areas in California prone to crop failures, water shortages, and other water emergencies." The solution for our city is to create water restrictions and regulations. These reparations would help in the drought situation by cutting water used by 25% . Supervisor Adam Peter stated, “These things happen and they often come on the heels of a dry spot. While it’s prudent to be talking about emergencies right now, it may be a little premature.” But statistically, last year this time the community didn't begin taking steps to help the cause until much later, and it put us in a time crunch to spontaneously apply restrictions. This year, we are further along and it has helped the situation. Even if some find it "premature," it has helped the community in preserving water.

Controversy has risen over just how necessary these restrictions regarding the drought. One of the biggest industries affected are cattle and other agriculture. The Santa Barbara County Agricultural Commissioner's office estimates that nearly 75 percent or more of all county cattle have been sold or moved.  UC Davis students have calculated the drought cost statewide at about $2.2 billion, with the 2014 drought directly costing agriculture about $1.5 billion, according to the university's study, "Economic Analysis of the 2014 Drought for California Agriculture." These numbers are an important factor. Even if you don't find the drought a major issue because it doesn't directly affect you, economically it will. Crops, cattle, and other agriculture are instantly affected by the drought, and that causes ripples in our economy. Locally, the community is expected to see rises in produce. The affects will eventually trickle down and affect everyone. 

Fixing leaky faucets, taking shorter showers, washing your car at a better time, these are all very minimal efforts the community can and will take to save water in helping the cause. If you don't think the drought is a big deal, reconsider the disastrous outcomes that it could cause. The drought has already taken quite a toll. If we do not take steps now in fixing the issues, we won't be able to in the future if things get worse. The first step in fixing the issue is awareness. Be aware and cautious of saving water, and the results will follow. These restrictions are a small price to pay to avoid making the affects of the drought disastrous in the future.

Crafty

Notes: Macbeth Act 5

Notes: Macbeth Act 4

Journal Topic: Ruler type

"What kind of ruler do you think Macbeth will be? Why? Provide at least three textual examples that support your main points."

• "Fair is foul, and foul is fair"-Witches

• "But this blow might be the be-all and the end-all—here,But here, upon this bank and shoal of time,We'ld jump the life to come" -Macbeth 

• "I heard a voice cry, "Sleep no more! Macbeth does murder sleep," the innocent sleep..."           -Macbeth

• The times have been that, when the brains were out, the man would die, And there an end, but now they rise again, With twenty mortal murders on their crowns, And push us from our stools: this is more strange Than such a murder is." -Macbeth

I find that Macbeth is a poor leader, for a variety of reasons. A good leader does what is best fro his people, Macbeth is only concerned about himself and his actions support his. Instead of rising up to leadership, he stoops so low as to kill off his other competitors for the throne. For these actions ad murderous ways, I consider Macbeth nothing more than a coward. He is strung along like a puppet from Lady Macbeth and after he does some course of action, he is haunted by his guilt and he has the audacity to wonder why thing have played out the way they have. "I heard a voice cry, 'sleep no more! Macbeth does murder sleep!' The innocent sleep." Macbeth is haunted by murdering and believes he heard this chant after he killed Duncan. Macbeth's conscious is finally taking a toll. Another example of his conscious streaming through is when he sees Banquo's ghost lurking during a dinner.  "The times have been that, when the brains were out, the man would die, And there an end, but now they rise again, With twenty mortal murders on their crowns, And push us from our stools: this is more strange Than such a murder is." Macbeth is unable to back up his reasoning for anything he does. After every action he takes, he sits and contemplates after it's committed as oppose to the traditional thinking before he acts. He is such a poor leader, because he never learns from hi mistakes. Normally people grow and further their understandings to not make the same mistake twice. Macbeth not only continues to commit the same mistakes, but he is doing so and acts oblvious when his plans fail.