TOW #30: Letter to New APELC Student

Dear incoming AP English student,

         First, I'm going to be honest. Those who have told you that AP English is hard, they weren't exaggerating. However, I am aware that you have most likely heard that AP English is absolutely impossible, which is most definitely an overstatement. You are capable of working your way through the course and managing the work. AP English is a college level course that is going to prepare you for the AP exam and your future years ahead, whether it's in college, for your career, or even helping your child when it's their turn to write a paper. There will be some days and nights that lie ahead when you wish you never would've taken the course, but I'm telling you, every second, every minute, every hour; it's all worth it.
       If you're reading this and have decided to take AP English, I'm sure you are a very diligent, hard-working student who is striving for success. Whatever you do, don't change. This college level course requires the mind set of a student like you. Even if your best ability only earns you a B, that is still incredible. You must keep in mind throughout the year and the tough grades that you will receive, that this course is meant for college students. You are a junior in high school! In the beginning, try not to beat yourself up about a poor grade that you get. I know you're not used to it, trust me, neither was I. I spent several hours on my summer assignment paper, and received a 3 out of 8 on the AP scale. I wasn't used to getting such low grades on my writing, and I couldn't think of anything I did wrong. Looking back on that, I realize how much I've improved as a student and a writer, thanks to AP English. Throughout the course of the year, you will write an overwhelming amount of essays and read a ridiculous amount writings that you barely understand. What's the point of all this? To prepare you for the AP exam in June. In my opinion, Mr. Yost and Ms. Pronko do an absolute fantastic job in preparing me for the exam. In fact, the exam actually seemed less difficult in contrast to all the work I did throughout the year.
      As I stated before, you will write A LOT in this class. In prior years, I'm sure you have gotten away with waiting until last minute to write a paper for English or Social Studies class. You probably even did pretty well on it too. Please, take my advice, and don't procrastinate in this class. Specifically for take home essays, make sure you conference with Mr. Yost or Ms. Pronko to go over each draft you write. You have absolutely nothing to lose in conferencing with them, except maybe another poor grade. Mr. Yost & Ms. Pronko are here to help you prepare for the exam in June. The two of them want the best for you and are willing to help you in whatever way possible. Don't be afraid to ask questions, ask for edits on your papers, or conference with them after you received a low grade. It can only help you. After I conferenced with Mr. Yost or had Ms. Pronko edit my paper, it improved my writing a great amount. Throughout the year, I was consistently scoring 4's and 5's on my essays, which aren't great scores. Finally, I began scoring 6's, which isn't even an A. But I was improving and that is what mattered. I actually regret not conferencing more with either of them, so I suggest you take advantage of any free time you have whether it's study hall, lunch, before school or after school. Conferencing with them is a large advantage they give you so you shouldn't let it go to waste!
       To wrap things up, try and have fun with this class. Some of the reading you do is actually fairly interesting, and if you keep yourself engaged the class isn't so bad. Junior year is the year to prove to yourself that you are the student you've always been and the student you've always wanted to be. Always keep in mind that this course isn't necessarily easy for anyone, and it's an accomplishment alone that you're deciding to dedicate your time in improving your knowledge and capabilities through the course. If you have absolutely any questions about anything dealing with the course or junior year, do not hesitate to ask me, or any senior! It's going to be really tough sometimes, but keep pushing. The year goes by incredibly fast and before you know it, you'll be me, writing a letter for the next years students, explaining to them that AP English isn't the worst thing in the world like everyone has told them. Good luck with everything, future APELC student, and remember to always try your best and work hard. Every single second of work and studying will be worth it in the end.

Sincerely,
Anna Chiodo Ortiz

TOW #29: Documentary

Recently I watched the documentary Usain Bolt: The Fastest Man Alive, which is about the fastest sprinter in the world. Usain Bolt has won several world championship and olympic titles and is planning to continue his legacy. Bolt has made history, and holds the World Records in the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m. In the documentary, the director focuses on Bolt's journey with his family, training, and competing leading up until the 2012 London Olympic Games. Throughout the documentary, many claims are made, but the biggest one is obviously that Usain Bolt is and remains to be the fastest man alive. I, as a huge fan of Bolt, agree with this statement. If one were to look at all of Bolt's successes, the evidence is there. Beginning from his teenage years, he won the Junior World Championships in the 200m and set a new record! From 2002-2012, Bolt has set records and won gold medals. More specifically, according to usainbolt.com, in 2002, Usain set the world junior record in the 200m while also snatching the gold medal. After a harsh hamstring injury in 2006, Bolt finally bounced back in 2008 Olympic Games winning the 100m and 200m dashes and the 4x100m relay. With the fire lit, Bolt went on to set two new world records (the old ones being his own) in 2009 in the 100 and 200m dash. Finally, in London of 2012, he won gold for the second olympics in a row in the 100, 200, and 4x100, setting a new world record with his relay team. It's very clear that Usain Bolt is the fastest man in the world, although some argue that he may not be. Perhaps a man who has never thought to run track is faster than Bolt, but that is very difficult to determine and therefore makes Usain Bolt the fastest man alive. Maybe one day he won't be, but as long as he's alive and those records stand, Bolt will continue to be the great legacy of the fastest man in the world.