Emma Dine
Mrs. Culver
Honers English 10
"Letter to Someone "Gone Away"
Dearest Grandpa,
It doesn’t seem like that long ago since you have passed on. I wish I still had that presence that brought me to life, and warmed the hearts of not only myself
but many others and brightened up the world. It saddens me to think that sometimes I pushed you away and shut you out. I long for just one last chance to let
you in now that you’re gone. I can only look back at the little details to remind me of your existence, which is what keeps you alive. But just like what happened
to you, as time goes on, these things that make up my memory are slowly fading away until there is nothing left to see.
The biggest part I have left of you is the tiny yellow house that sits on the corner of a busy street. When you could call this home, the house was bright and
happy. The flowers and crisply cut grass used to dance in the breeze, mesmerizing people with their charming colors. The big window in the front used to be
open and inviting, and it was our spot to just sit and watch the world go by. As much as I want to say it still remains the same way, I can’t. The curtains in our
window are always shut, and I have never seen them open since that dreadful day. The flowers and bushes in the front are drowsy and wilted, along with the
overgrown crabgrass that sits in the front yard. Peeling paint is now what makes up the outside of the house, and it pains me just to look at it. Your house is now
dull and dark, and I don’t think it could ever be that beautiful little house I once knew.
There’s this place on the river right across from the Whitcomb where I go when I’m angry or just to think. Dad told me about it after you were gone, but I still
wish I could hear it from you. He told me that’s where you fell in love with Grandma. He told me that’s where you picked her up from work and watched
hand-in-hand as boats floated down the river. One day, I found that seat in the back of a pickup truck. Tearing up, I nearly went ballistic trying to figure out why
they were taking your bench away. the construction man said it was “too old” and “a hazard,” as they screwed a new set of seats into the concrete. I still go there
to cry, relax, or just watch the water. But it’s not the same.
Even though you were older, I still remember how you threw me up in the air, played outdoor hide-and-go-seek, and taught me how to ride a bike without the
training wheels that I absolutely hated. You would take me up and down the freshly paved sidewalks and guide me until I could do it without help. I felt so
independent. Today I look at those sidewalks, cracked with some replaced squares. They crumbled and deteriorated just as you did. As I ride my bike down the
road, I can still hear my screams and the crunching of those white Nike sneakers you always wore against the pavement. I would always wonder why one step
sounded heavier than the other. That was before I realized that you did anything to make me smile even if it meant going through pain.
I still sometimes go back to that moment when I ran into your house crying. You were sitting in that tan chair across from the empty big brown rocking chair
where Grandma would sit. My dad and mom had been fighting, so father took me over to your place. I ran into the room and jumped on you. My face was wet
with tears, and they were flying out of my eyes. I choked on them and tried to catch my breath. Snot ran down my nose and onto my lips, hiccups took my breath
away and my body felt limp. You took me into your arms and buried my tiny face into that brown knit sweater. I remember smelling your authentic Grandpa
smell as you patted my head with your wrinkled veiny hands and repeated “It’s okay” over and over. I looked out our big window at a tree outside in the front
lawn. I never told you this, but it reminded me of you, old yet strong. It made me thankful that I was there with you, just rocking back and forth. Now your chairs,
along with our favorite sweater, are just three of the items stuffed into your vacant but cluttered bedroom. The door is shut tight and locked forbidding anybody
past the entrance. The big oak tree was cut down and the only thing left for me to stare at is a rotting stump. I wish you were still here to tell me everything is
going to be alright. I just wish you were still here.
Your old white Mercury van still sits in the brick driveway behind your house. You were always so proud of that car. I think it was the freedom it gave you to go
wherever you wanted. Since you’ve been gone, it has just sat there and became run-down, but miraculously it still works. It was actually that first car I drove since
I got my permit, and will hopefully be my first car. I still remember the most memorable conversation I had with you. One that will stay with me forever. You told
me all about how you met Grandma, all of the things she did that made you happy, and how much you missed her. I looked into your old, wise eyes and let you
talk without interruption. I just wish you were still here so we could have more conversations like that now that I’m older.
When you died, I was in middle school, and now I have moved on to the high school. That little girl you once knew has lost most of her innocence and has
moved on to thinking about the world and how she wants to make her mark. You always said that I was the one keeping you alive after Grandma died. As my
inner spirit started to die, so did you. Since you left the world, many traces of you have also disappeared. The place where you grew up by the House of David is
now vastly overgrown with corn, covering up all of the remains of your existence. The neighbor’s dog that you fed every morning now begs and whines for a
morning meal. The blanket that you wrapped yourself in every night is stuffed into the dark top shelf of a closet. I often look back at Christmas cards from the past
and touch your sloppy signature and think that at one point in time you were writing that. I also think about the letter I wrote you that sits six feet underground
with your cold, lifeless body. Part of me will stay with you forever. I think about when I was lying with you in your last moments and you asked me who I was. It
killed me inside. The most important thing I think about is having one last chance to say “I Love You.”
As the years go by, it seems as if every piece of you is disappearing. I always want to remember your beautiful face. Your hair like you always had it, with all of
the strands combed back. The dark marks and moles on your face which I had always loved to look at. All of the deep wrinkles, creases, and scars. You would
always tell me how you got them and it seemed like there was a story behind every one. Every little hair of your thick eyebrows, dainty eyelashes, and nose. Your
pink lips that you always used Chapstick or your lips to wet. But I’m afraid that one day my memory will fail to keep you in mind, just like everything else I have
lost. Each day of your absence, my heart has gotten a little harder. My spirit a little deader. My world a little darker.
Loving you always,
Emma
(I just fixed some punctuation and other grammatical errors, and capitalization errors.)
Emma Dine
Mrs. Culver
Honors English 10
December 21, 2012
Cell Phones and Social Media: Communication in a Changing World
Today’s modern technology that is used for social purposes has both its benefits and disadvantages. They tend to take away from the adventure and curiosity of
everyday life. However, as our society tends to strive for convenience along with speed and accuracy, advanced technology provides these for us in our daily
lives. Overall, it has brought immense growth and improvements to mankind. Technology influences almost everything we do, and our global society revolves
around it. It has become a big part of our lives and we each rely on it day to day. As it continues to rapidly and dramatically advance, the world grows smaller
because wherever we find ourselves, we are able to stay connected and in contact with the people surrounding us. These advancements have transformed our
individual lives and our society as a whole so much that our very own characteristics might change. While the speed of technology is great for so many things,
where does it leave us in terms of actual conversation (“How We Communicate in Today’s Fast paced World”). Cell phones and social media, the most commonly
used type of technology in our society today, seem to dominate today’s society. They affect the way we communicate so greatly that we say goodbye to
face-to-face, real time conversations and instead say hello over a text message.
It doesn’t matter where you are, or what environment surrounds you. There is always constant buzzing. Facebook uploads, Twitter updates, and Instagram
photos work their way into the lives of millions of people no matter where they are and have become somewhat of a controversial issue in our society. At our
school, people walk with their heads down, fingers fast at work typing on their miniature keypads. Instead of being involved in the already very social
atmosphere, they exclude themselves and choose to instead be active in an online “social” world. Also there’s always that one person who chooses to turn their
earbuds on and turn the world off by walking with their headphones in. In many cases it seems that when you plug in, you’re pulled out of the beautiful world
around you. We have now become encompassed in a world where texting has overruled face-to-face conversations and where “likes” and “followers” determine
your social status. Personally, I can’t say that I have never been in one of these situations, and am sad to admit that I have the tendency to constantly check my
phone. Even though I have bad habits, obviously along with some other individuals at our school, I was drawn to this topic because I thought it would be
interesting to see, worldwide, how this new technology and social media affects us as a whole. The world is only getting smarter and smarter, therefore only
getting more technologically advanced.
According to Charles Guertler, it all started in 1983 when Motorola introduced the first portable mobile phone. The device was enormous and bulky, whose
single function was to make phone calls. Even though it was possible, it was difficult and considered a hassle to carry around. Throughout the 1990s, many
manufacturers were trying to incorporate other features into the phones (Guertler). Simple internet access, not full web browsing like today, GPS, and text
messaging were developed. Our society has come a very long way since then. Today, most of our devices come with additional features and can accomplish
more than one essential task: to make a phone call. These supplementary features are what attracts most cell phone users. Smart phones preside over today’s
growing market. It is very apparent that cell phones and their markets have come a long way since their meek beginning. The history and evolution of social
networking sites share a similar story. Usenet systems, the precursor of social media, were first conceived in 1979 which allowed users to post articles to
newsgroups. Decades later, there is now Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter, which are now considered fundamental parts of modern society.
Being the heaviest users of new technology before the rest of the population, we have often heard teens say “I can’t live without my cell phone” (“Teens ‘Need’
Their Phones”) A new study from OTX explains that cell phones have become the primary way of staying connected to friends and family (“Teens ‘Need’ Their
Phones”). When asked how their phones made them feel, teens selected connectivity with friends (71%), connectivity with family (63%), being responsible (61%),
importance (31%) and trendy (27%) (“Teens ‘Need’ Their Phones”). Nearly half of United States teenagers say that their social life would be ruined or worsened
without their cell phone, and over half credited that their device is the key to their social life by improving their social status also known as “popularity”
(MarketingCharts Staff).
Text messaging has now become the centerpiece in basic communication (Lenhart). Besides all the good that it has to offer, there is fear that texting and
todays technology is isolating us from each other and interfering with our interhuman relationships, making it uncomfortable to deal with our problems face to
face (DnForum). For the majority of American teenagers, the mobile phone has become the favored communication hub and has become an indespensable
tool in teen communication patterns (Lenhart). In fact, two-thirds of teen texters say that they are more likely to use their cell phones to text their friends instead
of talking to them (Lenhart). Most say that it is the convenience of being able to communicate from anywhere, portability, and the ability of constant
communication that drives them to use their phones (“Teens ‘Need’ Their Phones”). Among the teens who say their favorite way of communicating is by texting,
the main reason is because it is the quickest (30%), it is the easiest (23%), it gives more time to think how to respond (16%), it is more private (11%), it is less
awkward (5%), it gives the option to avoid face-to-face communication, speed, and how easy it is (Lenhart and “Common Sense Media Research Study”). Teens
have created a new form of communication, and have admitted spending nearly an equal amount of time talking as they do texting each month
(MarketingCharts Staff). This statistic is especially so among females (Lawrence). Not only was text messaging cited as the feature teens most want, but also as
the feature they most use (“Teens ‘Need’ Their Phones”). On average, teens send 3,417 messages per month, which breaks down to 100 or more messages a day
(“Generation Text” and Lawrence).
Despite being fanatical technology users, many teens report that talking to each other in person is still their favorite way to communicate (“Common Sense
Media Research Study”). The main reason kids prefer this method is because it’s more fun (38%), and you can understand what people really mean better in
person (29%) (“Common Sense Media Research Study”). Some teens think that the amount of technology used today is affecting face-to-face communication by
agreeing that using technology takes away from the time they could be spending with people (“Common Sense Media Research Study”).
This study continues its way into the halls of our very own Saint Joseph High School. When asked the question “How do you prefer to communicate with your
friends,” 79% of the 29 male students surveyed responded texting, 13% prefer talking face to face, and five of them said talking on the phone. Out of 37 female
students surveyed, 86% prefer texting, two out of 39 people said face-to-face conversations, and three people responded to talking on the phone. Overall, 80%
out of the 66 students surveyed prefer texting, eight out of 66 prefer face-to-face communication, and five prefer talking on the phone. Out of all the students
surveyed, only three acknowledged they did not have a phone and they were all male (Dine). The data from the nationwide surveys noticeably carried over to
this survey. It is apparent that girls tend to more fully embrace more aspects of cell phone based communication (Lenhart).
Many teens recognize that their friends and family, especially themselves, are getting increasingly attached to their electronic devices, and a substantial
number of them often express a desire to “unplug” sometimes (“Common Sense Research Media Study”). A small study conducted by Baylor University suggests
that the urges that drive compulsive cell phone use are materialism and impulsiveness (“Cell Phone Addiction: Study”). Although this “addiction” is not yet
defined, experts say that it is most often characterized by feelings of withdrawl and panick if you don’t have it, constant checking of the phone, and using it to
feel good (“Cell Phone Addiction: Study”). Technology is so integrated into teens’ lives that it’s difficult to measure where their offline life begins and their
online life ends (MnNamara). TIME Magazine released a poll that showed 84% of people don’t think they could be separated from their phones for at least one
day (McNamara). Among the teens who own cell phones, 41% answered “yes” when they were asked if they were addicted to their phones (McNamara). For
many teens, checking their phones or Facebook is the first and last thing they do each day before and after they check them at least once every 30 minutes per
day. At Saint Joseph High School, when asked “Would you call yourself ‘addicted’ to your cell phone,” 11 out of 29 males answered “yes” and so did 24 out of 3
7 females. Overall, out of 66 people surveyed, 53% of these teens described themselves as addicted (Dine).
Almost all teenagers in America today have used social media and as it grows in popularity and becomes more and more of a mainstream, it has been faced
with growing controversy and criticism (Chapman). It has become a huge part of how people communicate, stay in touch, and connect with the world around
them. Nine out of ten 13-17 year olds have some form of social media (“Common Sense Media Research Study”). According to the Saint Joseph High School
survey results, 93% of males have a social networking account compared to the 100% of girls surveyed. Overall, 96% of the 66 people surveyed use a social
networking account (Dine). For the majority of them, social and other communications media are a daily part of life. Although many of these sites have gone
through harsh judgements, teens are much more likely to report that using social media has a positive impact on their social and emotional well-being lives
than a negative one (“Common Sense Media Research Study”). More than one in four teens say that using their social networking site makes them feel less shy
(29%), and more outgoing (28%); one in five says it makes them feel more confident (20%), more popular (19%), and 15% say it makes them feel more
confident about themselves (“Common Sense Media Research Study”). In particular, teens think that using social media has helped their relationships(“Common
Sense Media Research Study”). For example, 52% of all users say that using social media has helped their relationships with their friends and 37% say with their
family members. In addition, 88% say it helps them keep in touch with friends that they don’t get to see regularly, get to know other students at their school
(69%) and connect with other people who share a common interest (57%) (“Common Sense Media Research Study”). With major social networks and social
media sites making changes and improvements on an almost daily basis, it’s sure to keep evolving in coming years.
One thing we can be pretty sure of at this point in time is that technology is not just a phase, and it most likely won’t go away anytime soon (Chapman).
Despite all the positives of technology, the breakthroughs and advances, there have always been negative arguments surrounding the positive buzz (“Benefits of
Technology”). Arguing that due to the global society devoting a good portion of their lives to technology, studies show that technology has negative effects. We
cannot slow down the rate of technology or the rate of our lives, so technology needs to be embraced (“How We Communicate In Today’s Fast Paced World”). It
is the future and though it may be forever changing, we can at least count on the fact that it is continually becoming greater, faster, and even more convenient
(“How We Communicate In Today’s Fast Paced World”). No matter what the future holds, the present is an environment influenced by communication technology
(Smith). Heads looking down at their cell phones, it’s not uncommon to see someone wandering down a crowded street completely absorbed by the display. The
way we choose to connect with people has become largely dependent on technology (Smith). One can easily see the changes that have taken place in our
society regarding to media and communication (Meadows). Constant information and communication have impacted us forever. The way we communicate and
its frequency have increased from the past. Because of these changes, even our personal lives have been impacted. It is best to embrace the new “wave” of the
future. It is best not to take for granted the revolutionary changes that have taken place in the world of media and mass communications (Meadows).
WC
“Benefits of Technology.” Thinkuknow.org.au. Think U Know, 2012. Web. 12 Dec. 2012.
“Cell Phone Addiction: Study.” Huffingtonpost.com. Huffpost Healthy Living, 2012. Web. 6 Dec.
2012
“Cell Phones Key To Teens’ Social Lives.” Marketingcharts.com. Harris Interactive,
2008. Web. 6 Dec. 2010.
Chapman, Cameron. Webdesignerdepot.com. Webdesigner Depot, 2009. Web. 2 Dec. 2012.
Dine, Emily. Survey of SJHS Students. 11 Dec. 2012.
Guerther, Charles. Charlesguerther.blogspot.com. The Evolution of Cell Phones, 2011. Web. 14
Dec. 2012.
“How We Communicate In Today’s Fast Paced World.” Bruzwear.com. Bruzwear, 2010. Web. 3
Dec. 2012.
“Is Today’s Communication Technology Really Helping Us Communicate With Each Other?”
Dnforum.com. Dnforum, 2010. Web. 5 Dec. 2012.
Lawrence, Debbie. Socialmediatoday.com. Social Media Today, 2012. Web. 7 Dec. 2012.
Lenhart, Amanda. Pewresearch.com. Pew Research Center Publications, 2010.
Web. 4 Dec. 2012.
McNamara, Melissa. Cbsnews.com. CBS News, 2009. Web. 2 Dec. 2012.
Meadows, Melissa. Voice.yahoo.com. Yahoo Voice, 2010. Web. 6 Dec. 2012.
Smith, Christopher. Csedev.com. CSEDEV, 2012. Web. 5 Dec. 2012.
“Survey: Teens Cell Phones Indespensible.” Cbsnews.com. CBS News, 2009. Web. 6
Dec. 2012.
“Teens Need Their Phones.” Ypulse.com. YPulse, 2007. Web. 5 Dec. 2012.
“The Effects of Technology On Teens.” Teenink.com. TeenInk, 2010. Web. 4 Dec. 2012.
“The Impact of Technology On Adolescent Development.” Australiacounseling.com.
Australia Counseling, 2011. Web. 3 Dec. 2012.
(Fixed sentence fluency and looked over it to make sure everything was correctly placed.)
Emma Dine
Mrs. Culver
Honors English 10
May 4, 2013
Walking/Writing Trip to the Cemetery
Amidst the sea of tangled weeds and wilted dandelions
lies me, F.
No name or epithet,
just a faint imprint in cracked cement.
My identity revealed only with a swipe of a hand
to remove the crusted dirt piled on the spotless stone I at one time had.
I once existed but now nonexistent I lie,
memory of me growing hazy as time goes by.
With every passing day
I am merely fading away.
A small part of history- unremembered
Just another one of many whose lives were unfairly severed.
I am still a sight left unknown,
isolated in an eerie field of stone.
Here before you I lie.
Longing to be looked at,
not just passed by.
Yet I remain hidden,
I thought I would be noticed but I guess I didn’t.
I hope you enjoy your life now while it lasts because here it’s so rotten.
Sincerely F,
which stands for Forgotten.
Statement of Purpose:
I was walking to the back of the graveyard and I stepped on a slab of concrete that was covered in dirt. So I kneeled down and wiped the dirt off of the stone to
reveal a letter “F”. There weren’t any dates or a name just that letter.
(I made the lines shorter and fixed punctuation to make the poem flow easier.)
Emma Dine
Mrs. Culver
Honors English 10
May 9, 2013
Group Podcast- Comma Splice
All: (chicken noise) Grammar Chicks here!
Alyssa: Momma cow called in this morning concerned about little Henry.
Jessica: He used a comma splice!
Hannah: Everyone needs to know the comma splice! You can’t live without it.
Emma: What do we do first?
Jessica: You start with two sentences.
Hannah: What two sentences does Momma cow have?
Emma: Henry had the sentences.
Alyssa: Right. Henry’s sentences were “This summer has been very hot, therefore, I sweat a ton standing in the fields.” And “Martin is not only mean, he is also lazy.”
Jessica: First we should tell Henry what a comma splice is.
Emma: Henry I hope you’re listening! A comma splice is the use of a comma to join two independent clauses instead of a conjunction, semicolon, or period.
Hannah: Now we shall add the two sentences together, showing Henry how to avoid a comma splice.
Alyssa: “This summer has been very hot. Therefore, I sweat a ton standing in the fields.” And “Martin is not only mean, but he is also lazy.”
Jessica: We also have a trick to help you remember how to avoid a comma splice!
Emma: When you are writing a sentence, check to see if the sentences can stand alone with just a period..
Hannah: If you combined them with a comma when the sentences can stand separately, simply add a period or semicolon instead.
Alyssa: Therefore, a semicolon is used simply to combine two independent clauses in a sentence.
Jessica: This fix is easier than you might think. Once you get the hang of it, it’s a piece of cake!
Emma: I hope this has helped you Henry! Thanks for informing us on this issue Momma cow!
Hannah: Thank you for listening everyone. This has been another grammatical podcast by the grammar chicks, recording live from our coop on the farm!
All: Bye everyone!
Emma Dine
Mrs. Culver
Honors English 10
May 27, 2013
Character Tea Letter
Hey Ya'll,
When I think about this sophomore year in high school, everything sorta blends together and becomes a blur. I remember bits and pieces but it all seems like it
happened at the same time. I never thought that the year would go by so quickly but as fast as it was, I still learned a lot from all of the experiences I had. There were times
when I didn't think I'd make it, and times where I felt like I could do anything. From the highs, the lows, and all of the confusing experiences in between, I'm pleased as
punch they happened because I don't think I'd be who I am at the end of this school year without them.
I always wanted to be someone who could excel at anything. I was always jealous of people like that; I admired them for their perseverance. The fact that this is my last
year bein' an underclassman sort of scares me and makes me realize that I cant mess around. I gotta buckle down and get my priorities straight and do what needs to be
done. And the truth is, as much as I tried throughout the year, I always seemed to be average at most of the things I did. That's why I'm so glad to be surrounded by students
who are mature and accept challenge. Students who are hardworking and put love, heart, and effort into everything that they do. People who are fully devoted to gain
knowledge, who have a hunger for it, because they are the ones who are smart enough to know that knowledge leads to success. Students with a molded, well-developed
character. Those who cultivate virtues and hold values true to them. Students who are driven, curious, and open-minded. People who propell those around them and
introduce them to new perspectives and ideas. Students who are engaged, and excited and interested in uncovering, learning, and discovering new things each and every
day. Ya'll are the ones who made me realize that I can be, I am more than just average.
Overall, this year has taught me a lot about myself and the world surrounding me. This class especially has introduced me to so many cultural roots through literature
and poetry, and has been quite a transformative class. I have so much more confidence and security in myself and the future now that I have gotten through all of the
obstacles thrown at me over the course of the challenging yet exciting sophomore year. I have learned many things that will definitely help me in life and have faith that I am
ready for whatever difficulties and hardship that I will come to face. Sophomore year has helped to define and shape my character, and I hope that my remaining years of
school will continue to further to do so. I know these experiences will never be forgotten, and neither will you, fellow Honors English ten students. Each and every one of ya's
makes up a group of mighty fine folks.