Novel Project Q4 (4)

The only words flowing through my head right now are: wow, genius, and re-read. When I finished the book “The Gatekeepers” by Jacques Steinberg I was completely blown away by his style of writing and particularly the story itself. This story is no faux at all. It’s reality.

The story rotates around a group of high school students applying to Wesleyan University and how their applications are being looked at from the Admission Offices and their members. Steinberg is showing both sides of the story. He shows to the world what is the reality of trying to be admitted in one of America’s most prestigious colleges, not nouveau in the minds of some people. Not entirely fiction because he uses real events and real facts to the story. One of the things that I most liked about this book is that it kind of gives you advice of how to apply to a premier collage when your time comes.

Talking about the story itself my favorite characters indeed are Becca Jannol and Julianna Bentes because both of them are very brave young women and give the spark to the story because of their ambition and dedication to be admitted into Wesleyan. I found Jordan to be arrogant and not a character that portrays the theme, it looks like he tries to impoverish everyone with his comments. I would have liked more the participation of Angie and Tiffany (liked her “soothing voice”) since they were characters that made the story comfortable since both of them had a really good attitude and were not “spoiling” certain moments. It seemed like they were shied all the time.

One of my favorite parts of the book is when Becca is bumped on the waiting list and when more and more students from all over the world are being put on the waiting list, Becca does whatever she needs and can do to get out of the list. She fights and fights and even though she stays there for a long time, she never gives up. I kind of found that part of the book very inspirational.

Another of my favorite parts of the book is when all the Wesleyan University admissions staff is having their annual meeting in their private annex and they talk about all the places they went looking for interested high school students wanting to apply. You would imagine that the members of such an important organ (clearly a meritocracy) would be really diplomatic and serious about their job when they actually aren’t as mature as you and I expect them to be. They look as if they were in a pomp, or even worse; a pageantry. Quite disappointing for some people, but some folks would find it a benefit.

Every part of the book has its different events and different conflicts, which involve how people solve them, which gives the reader a theme (teaching). Apart from the many themes that are found in this book the one that id present through out the entire story is: never give up on your dreams. In such a difficult thing as being admitted to a prestigious college in the United States one very important thing you want to have on your mind is: never give up. Because if you give up on trying to get admitted; directly, you are giving up on your dreams.

Reading this book made me think about a lot of things about my personal expectations and goals when its time for me to apply to a college. This books really shows how it’s like for the different students and their talents. The story made me wake up and think about the things that I critically need to have by the time I am a senior. It didn’t scare me at all but the good thing is that it shows the reality of the situation. It also motivated you to go up there and be successful in life (no mater how old are you) it makes you feel motivated for that very important moment of your life.

Personally, I would definitely recommend this book 100%. Although it is a good idea for older audiences and older teenagers to read because even though it is a really fun and interesting book there are contents inside the story that are complex and are meant to be read and understood by older teenager and young adults. Young kids wouldn’t enjoy this book as much as other people because they would not understand what’s really going on in the story, they would just be scurrying to finish the book. Adults would also enjoy this book a lot.

Jacques Steinberg made the perfect combination of real facts and events mixing it with fiction and invented characters, it was very idiosyncratic. I find it to be a really good way of portraying information, especially for young people. How could he deign to think that he was helping people!

Novel Project Q4 (3.5)

Nicolas Cruz and Triana's comments on my project:

I believe this is a great comment to the book. It is not short nor long. It refers to all the aspects of your book. It still needs to add  the 12 necessary words. I am impressed and I believe I am going to read this book soon with such a great description... It is enthusiastic, but you could improve not repeating so much words such as think, my, etc. Good job! 


Pablo your work is very good. The only thing I recommend you is checking on spelling and grammar in some places. Overall great work.




My comments on Nicolas Cruz's work: 


• Nice work Nicolas. Good idea to put the word, definition, page # and the modified phrase in the same post. Your definitions are very good and the way that you re-wrote the phrases was efficient because you did not change the meaning of the sentence and the other word fit perfectly. Go on and finish all your words but thus far you are doing great!


• Nicolas, I enjoyed reading your review. Especially I liked how the historical content of the book and your personal opinion are expressed within your review. Watch out for run-on sentences. Overall great work keep it up! 

Novel Project Q4 (3)

The only words flowing through my head right now are: wow, genius, and re-read. When I finished the book “The Gatekeepers” by Jacques Steinberg I was completely blown away by his style of writing and particularly the story itself.

The story rotates around a group of high school students applying to Wesleyan University and how their applications are being looked at from the Admission Offices and their members. Steinberg is showing both sides of the story. He shows to the world what is the reality of trying to be admitted in one of America’s most prestigious colleges. Not entirely fiction because he uses real events and real facts to the story. One of the things that I most liked about this book is that it kind of gives you advice of how to apply to a premier collage when you time comes.

Talking about the story itself my favorite characters indeed are Becca Jannol and Julianna Bentes because both of them are very brave young women and give the spark to the story because of their ambition and dedication to be admitted into Wesleyan. I found Jordan to be arrogant and not a character that portrays the theme. I would have liked more the participation of Angie and Tiffany since they were characters that made the story comfortable since both of them had a really good attitude and were not “spoiling” certain moments.

One of my favorite parts of the book is when Becca is bumped on the waiting list and when more and more students from all over the world are being put on the waiting list, Becca does whatever she needs and can do to get out of the list. She fights and fights and even though she stays there for a long time, she never gives up. I kind of found that part of the book very inspirational.

Another of my favorite parts of the book is when all the Wesleyan University admissions staff is having their annual meeting and they talk about all the places they went looking for interested high school students wanting to apply. You would imagine that the members of such an important organ would be really diplomatic and serious about their job when they actually aren’t as mature as you and I expect them to be. Quite disappointing for some people, but some folks would find it a benefit.

Every part of the book has its different events and different conflicts, which involve how people solve them, which gives the reader a theme (teaching). Apart from the many themes that are found in this book the one that id present through out the entire story is: never give up on your dreams. In such a difficult thing as being admitted to a prestigious college in the United States one very important thing you want to have on your mind is: never give up. Because if you give up on trying to get admitted; directly, you are giving up on your dreams.

Reading this book made me think about a lot of things about my personal expectations and goals when its time for me to apply to a college. This books really shows how it’s like for the different students and their talents. The story made me wake up and think about the things that I critically need to have by the time I am a senior. It didn’t scare me at all but the good thing is that it shows the reality of the situation. It also motivated you to go up there and be successful in life (no mater how old are you) it makes you feel motivated for that very important moment of your life.

Personally, I would definitely recommend this book 100%. Although it is a good idea for older audiences and older teenagers to read because even though it is a really fun and interesting book there are contents inside the story that are complex and are meant to be read and understood by older teenager and young adults. Young kids wouldn’t enjoy this book as much as other people because they would not understand what’s really going on in the story. Adults would also enjoy this book a lot.

Jacques Steinberg made the perfect combination of real facts and events mixing it with fiction and invented characters. I find it to be a really good way of portraying information, especially for young people.

Novel Project Q4 (2.5)

Material Things	Non-Material	Both
Pomp	Deign	Pitches
Pageantry	Soothing	Meritocracy
Vault	Idiosyncratic	Unbearable
Imprimatur	Elusive	Shied
Annex	Dislodged	Prevailed
Rungs	Scurrying
Faux	Impoverished
Dope	Quotas
	Frenzy
	Nouveau
	Reluctant
	Vaunted

Novel Project Q4 (2)

Although Wesleyan and other colleges have adapted numerous techniques from social science to help then sift each year's freshman class, their judgments are just as often intuitive and distinct from others. (Idiosyncratic)

By then the prize that those families peer perusing, the first class private education described in the brochure for the American Dream, had become at once more accessible, and more difficult, than ever. (Elusive)

Thus the college admissions season opened each September at NACAC with all the ceremony, display, excess and anxious anticipation of the Olympics but without the primary competitors. (Pomp and pageantry)

After inherited privilege was removed as a primary cranial or elite college admission, the SAT an aptitude test that was originally intended for limited use as a screen of scholarship applications at Harvard was enlisted to fill the void, creating the foundation for the establishment of a government of the people and sending several million students a year walking fast to sharpen their no. 2 pencils. (Dislodged, meritocracy and scurrying)

Thus, the process of distributing precious seats at Ivy League and other elite institutions beach e more democratic, as did the distribution of the primary perk that usually accompanied those possessed apertures. (Coveted, slots)

It wasn’t just that more students were now graduating from high school annually, or that more minority students and students from poor backgrounds were applying to such colleges. (Impoverished)

As it became clear that money was giving some applicants an implicit advantage, jeopardizing the fledging meritocracy, the colleges began adjusting the admissions process to raise the bar that they would expect students of means to arch. (Vault)

Like their focus on the SAT and AP courses, the colleges increasing emphasis on the early decision process began further getting in on the high school experience. (Encroaching)

Soon, students as young as those on the sixth grade were reporting that the pressure of preparing for college; had become intolerable. (Unbearable)

In a hall illuminated by artificial skylights and decorated with giant pastel flowers, representatives of nearly 450 colleges stopped shoulder to shoulder behind long rows of tables that seemed to go on forever. (Faux)

They dared to approve only a fraction of the endless series of opportunities that are presented to them in rapid-fire succession. (Deign and pitches)

His voice was as soft and caring as a pediatrician’s. (Soothing)

She had not faded away from the spotlight. (Shied)

The administrators of those institutions had helped win her a job at a prep school that was regarded as one of the best in the country. (Imprimatur)

To house it’s college counseling office, the school had attached a glorious, glass-roofed room to it’s administrative building. (Annex)

But that was before the civil rights movement had helped force many of those institutions to eliminate restrictions and open their doors to non-white applicants and before the women’s rights movement had succeeded on most male-only colleges to admit women. (Quotas and prevailed)

The resulting rule by collages to draw the best applicants out of those fresh pools only intensified the mid 1970s. (Frenzy)

“I want to assure you, Ralph,” the person said. “It had nothing to do with the event. (Dope)

Wesleyan was always significant to admit someone with C’s and D’s. (Reluctant)

And he was eager to be a part of the sophisticated Wesleyan film program. (Vaunted)

Ralph would also have the title of assistant director of admission, several ladders above entry level. (Rungs)

Many of these modern rich parents had themselves been educated at the nations finest public universities. (Nouveau)

Novel Project Q4 (1&1.5)

Deign - pg. 2

• To think in the same way that you feel it’s right.

Pitches – pg. 2

• To set up something (Pitch).

Soothing – pg. 2

• To assuage pain

Idiosyncratic – pg. 3

• Pertaining to the nature, peculiar.

Elusive – pg. 3

• When something is hard to obtain.

Pomp – pg. 5

• A public ceremony.

Pageantry – pg. 5

• An ordinary ceremony or display.

Dislodged – pg. 6

• To change something from a fixed position.

Meritocracy – pg. 6

• A type of government in which certain individuals rule over others.

Scurrying – pg. 6

• To move quickly in small steps.

Impoverished – pg. 8

• Make someone or something poor.

Vault – pg. 11

• Arched-shaped roof.

Unbearable – pg. 15

• Intolerable.

Shied – pg. 28           

• Being extremely shy.

Imprimatur – pg. 32

• A license to publish something.

Annex – pg. 32

• Closed space taken without permission.

Quotas – pg. 35

• To share something proportional.

Prevailed – pg. 35

• Being widespread.

Frenzy – pg. 42

• Being mentally agitated.

Rungs – pg. 50

• A rounded shape.

Nouveau – pg. 53

• Recently made.

Faux – pg. 102

• Something that is artificial or fake.

Dope – pg. 183

• A thick liquid.

Reluctant – pg. 189

• Unwilling and struggling.

Vaunted – pg. 189

• Something that it praised in excess. 

Storyboard Questions

1. Our audience are students that want a change in their school.

2. Our voice is coming from the minds of the students that want to change their school for good. Persuasive and motivating.

3. Our dramatic questions are:

• Do you think this is boring?
• Like it parents?
• Tests? Ppfff who needs tests?

Kind of.
At the end of the video al questions ate answered.

4. This will help teachers, parents and students. And scientists will help us with our idea because our idea is totally supportes by science.

5. Our major obstacle will be parents because they will not trust the new systems of education. We will overpower them by persuading them in to the idea.

6. Colors, cool architecture and the elimination of strandarized testing helps generate creataivity and if the studentsd are allowed to be creatove at all times they will learn faster because they are learning their way.

7. Students: they want school to be fun and productive.
Parents: their kids will have a higher academic level.
Teachers: they will have less work and a fun way to teach.
Admin: their school will have higher leevels in everything which benefits them.

8. Sad and happy music.

9. Before after style.

School Improving Storyboard

WE EXPRESSED THE QUESTIONS WE DID LAST CLASS IN RED PEN!!!!

My Portfolio In The Eyes Of A Stranger

If a stranger would enter to my school portfolio he would say various things about me. The cover page will tell him that I am all about international stuff, which makes me seem like a very intelligent person. As he/she browses through the tabs of my portfolio he/she would think that I put the best into my work in every single class and that the different styles I use in each one of my different areas of study are very diverse and creative.

In each section there is a significant piece of work which were the ones that I felt the most proud of. Unfortunately not all of them are there but each one is described really well. You would see that each subject that I study are reflected in those specific pieces of work.

School Improving Script

Felipe: Do you think this is boring?

(Pictures of really boring schools)

Felipe: Yeah, I knew you would think that way. What if schools looked a little like this:

(Picture of amazing schools, colorful and modern classrooms, cool architecture, etc.)

Nicolas: Our idea is to redesign the school architecture wise and evaluating systems. We would like the classrooms to be redesigned in the way that color will be very present in the classroom plus having more modern furniture such as sofa-chairs and more advanced technology.

Nicolas: Not only will you have fun with these classrooms:

(Classroom pictures)

Nicolas: But look at this amazing campus:

(campus pictures)

Pablo: Not only will you have fun, but, your education will be a lot higher in quality! In every single aspect! Even if you don't believe it:

*SCIENTIFIC FACTS*

Pablo: I know parents will think this will distract you but, I bet they will like this:

*EFFECTIVENESS OF CLASSROOMS*

Pablo: Like it parents? Yeah, we do too.

Felipe: Your kids will love to go to school from now on!

Nicolas: Let's be realistic, nobody likes test. Not even the teachers. So why not change this into a more complex way of evaluating standards and benchmarks.

Pablo: Our idea is to have projects evaluating the same standards that a test wants to grade but the difference will be that the students will be allowed to mix their own creativity to their work.

Felipe: Every class will have at least one technology unit per semester to mix computer skills with learning. The "paper and pencil" style will be used sprangly.

Revised And Changed Myth

BEFORE: 

Once upon a time, in London United Kingdom. A magical witch founded a school called “Rowena’s Castle of Wizardry” in honor of the gods. In the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, Rowena grabbed a pair of scissors and gave them to her baby Stacy (she was 3 years old) and she cut the ribbon celebrating the opening of the school. In that moment, Rowena gave her necklace to her daughter (it had goddess Athena in the middle). 

36 years later...

Stacy’s daughter Alisha attended her grandmother’s school and she was in 8th grade. she was the best student of her grade (by far). She had n amazing talent in battle magic. Her dream was to be the captain of the battle team of her school and remain being the best student. 

Her school was placed on a floating rock in the sky. The students transported themselves magically to the school so there was no need for school buses. Every single day was like this for her. She never had trouble getting things done. One day she was walking down the hallway and she encountered her battle club trainer, he told her that they had a very important meeting at 3:30 in the gym. 

She went to the gym at that time and her coach had them sitting down in a circle on the floor. “Ladies, today we will name the new captain of our club”, he said. Everyone was really exited. “Our new captain is... Alisha!”, he finished. Alisha in the moment jumped into the air in excitement. Lindsey, her worst enemy since kindergarden stared at her with madness and grief. 

“Thank you guys so much for this opportunity and this honor, I promise to be the best captain this team has ever had”, said Alisha panting with excitement. After the practice her coach gave her the contract for her to sign. The condition to remain captain was to attend practice practice every single plus write essays on the development of the team. In the middle of her emotion she didn’t consider that it was going to be a little heavy and she signed the contract. 

For and entire week she attended practice happily. Although, she was noticing she was having less free time because she also needed her homework done on time and with perfect quality. Two weeks later, her science teacher came to her and told her to come to his room at the end of the day. She did so. “Alisha, I have a preposition to make; I want you  to be an executive member of the Wizard Council (Student Council), are you in?”, he asked. She was completely astonished because she always wanted to a member. She said yes instantly. The requirements were to keep high grades, to stay one hour after her battle practice and to have no discipline problems. 

Alisha was filled with happiness, she was so excited that when she got home she told her mom. Stacy was very happy for her daughter, but also a little bit worried.  

Over the days Alisha completed her duties in her classes, as captain of the school’s battle club, and as an executive member of the Wizard Council. In the middle of all these hard duties she didn’t notice that she wasn’t in touch with any of her friends and that she was sleeping less and not very good. 

The next morning on school she was practically sleepwalking because she wasn’t having good sleep. 

Walking down the hallway she saw her battle coach. “Hey captain, hey I need you to make a page about every teammate for tomorrow please”, he said. Alisha panted. Then she saw Mr. Sprout (director of the Wizard Council). “Alisha, I need you to help me this afternoon with the decorations of the homecoming, can I count on you?”, he asked. “I, I...”, she mumbled. “Great, see you there”, he said walking way. Oh no, oh no, oh no”, she thought in her mind. She saw both her english and math teachers at the same time. “Remember the project is for tomorrow”, they said together. Alisha started to run to run down the hallway desperately. When she was right in front of her locker, she fell down and all of her books landed on the floor. When she looked up, the least wanted person was looking at her. 

Lindsey, her worst enemy. “Oh, look who is on the floor, Alisha, the granddaughter of the founder of this school. Hahahahahahaha, whats wrong? Can’y you handle the pressure anymore. I always knew the position of captain was rightfully mine, another thing you ruined”, she said with anger. “Shut up! You don’t get all the privileges i get for one reason; you are a horrible person”, Alisha said with pleasure. “Me?, at least i wasn’t the one that ruined another persons’ life!”, she shouted. 

                                                              “FLASHBACK”

“Welcome back kindergarden students!”, said the teacher. “So, you guys are going to draw what you did on spring break”. Lindsey was sitting beside Alisha; they had a cup of water for both of them. Alisha turned around to ask the teacher a question and she accidentally spilled the water all over Lindsey’s pants. “Oh, I am sorry Lindsey”, Alisha apologized. The entire class started: “Lindsey peed her pants” over and over. Before Alisha could do anything else could do anything else, she ran out of the class crying. 

                                                                  "REALITY"

“Oh m god, seriously?” said Alisha. “I can’t believe you are still mad at me for that stupid accident that happened 7 years ago”. “Not if they called you Pipi Pants for over three years more. “You are jealous”, Alisha said. “You admit that you are having trouble being the best”, Lindsey said. Alisha stayed quite, she couldn’t say anything else because that was her darkest secret. 

“Well... you are having trouble finding friends!” said Alisha. In that same moment Lindsey jumped over Alisha to hit her; they were on the floor hitting each other and screaming. The principal came to them and separated them with a flick of his wand. “What is going on?!” he demanded to know. Suddenly, Alisha loss strengths and fainted. 

She woke up in the nurse, she noticed her mom was talking to the nurse to know what happened. “I can’t keep up with this anymore”, she whispered to herself. When she was strong enough to stand, she went home. When she was in her bedroom, her grandfather came in. “Hey, your mom told me you fainted today in school, I know why”. Alisha looked a him. “You have too many responsibilities Alisha, you are loosing friends, focus and concentration and most importantly; rest. Your mom use to be the same, she had the same problem when she was in eighth grade. What she did to fix it was really simple. “What?”, Alisha asked. 

“Drop some of it off; not all of that can be as important as you relationship with your friends, nor your brain getting damaged from so much work”, he finished tapping her for head with his finger. 

The next day at school she went to her battle coach and told him that she dropped of as captain, and that she just wanted to be another member of the team. Later that day, she went to Mr. Sprout and told him she didn’t want to be in the Wizard Council anymore. 

The results couldn’t be more satisfying. She was sleeping very well and she had a lot more time for her friends. Still, she was the best student of the entire grade. 

One of her friends told her that they named Lindsey captain and that she was also accepted in the Wizard Council. Alisha thought it was going to be hell but then she realized that she was going to suffer the same way she did or even more. 

The next morning Lindsey came and bragged her new titles in Alisha’s face. Alisha said two things: Congratulations and It not as it seems. Lindsey was really confused. 

That night in her house her mom came into her room. “Hey hon, I heard that you dropped off as captain and as a member of the council”. “Yeah, it was not worth it”, Alisha said. “I remember I used to be like that too, my father told me to drop all those things, or at least to try and not have too many responsibilities. Always remember Alisha, the gods are always there for you, they lead you to the right path. Stacy took her necklace and gave it to Alisha. “Thanks mom”, she said. 

In the end, Alisha’s secret was revealed, she could’t be the best in everything.

THE END

AFTER: 

Once upon a time; A magical witch founded a school called “Rowena’s
Castle of Wizardry” In London. In the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, Rowena
(headmistress) grabbed a pair of scissors and gave them to her baby Stacy (she
was 3 years old) and she cut the ribbon celebrating the opening of the school. In
that moment, Rowena gave her necklace to her daughter (it had Greek goddess
Athena in the middle).

36 years later...

Stacy’s daughter Alisha attended her grandmother’s school and she was
in 8th grade. She was the best student of her grade (by far). She had an amazing
talent in battle magic. Nobody could ever beat her. Her dream was to be the
captain of the battle team of her school and remain being the best student.
it took a lot of responsibility and commitment; she needed to be even more
responsible than she was before.

Her school was placed on a levitating rock in the sky. The students
transported themselves magically to the school so there was no need for school
buses. Every single day was like this for her and her fellow classmates. She never
had trouble getting things done. One day she was walking down the hallway and
she encountered her battle club trainer, he told her that they had a very important
meeting in the gym at 3:30pm.

She went to the gym at that time and her coach had them sitting down in
a circle on the floor. “Ladies, today we will name the new captain of our club”, he
said. Everyone was really exited. “Our new captain is... Alisha!”, he finished. Alisha
in the moment jumped into the air in excitement. Lindsey, her worst enemy since
kinder garden stared at her with madness and grief.

“Thank you guys so much for this opportunity and this honor, I promise to be the
best captain this team has ever had”, said Alisha panting with excitement. After
the practice her coach gave her the contract for her to sign. The condition to
remain captain was to attend practice every single day plus write essays on the
development of the team. In the middle of her emotion she didn’t consider that it
was going to be a little heavy and she signed the contract.

For and entire week she attended practice happily. Although, she was noticing
she was having less free time because she also needed her homework done on
time and with perfect quality. Two weeks later, her science teacher came to her
and told her to come to his room at the end of the day. She did so. “Alisha, I have a
preposition to make; I want you to be an executive member of the Wizard Council
(Student Council), are you in?”, he asked. She was completely astonished because
she always wanted to a member. She said yes instantly. The requirements were
to keep high grades, to stay one hour after her battle practice and to have no
discipline problems.

Alisha was filled with happiness; she was so excited that when she got
home she told her mom. Stacy was very happy for her daughter, but also a little bit
worried.

Over the days Alisha completed her duties in her classes, as captain of the
school’s battle club, and as an executive member of the Wizard Council. In the
middle of all these hard duties she didn’t notice that she wasn’t in touch with any of
her friends and that she was sleeping less and not very good.

The next morning on school she was practically sleepwalking because she
wasn’t having good sleep.

Walking down the hallway she saw her battle coach. “Hey captain, hey I
need you to make a page about every teammate for tomorrow please”, he said.
Alisha panted. Then she saw Mr. Sprout (director of the Wizard Council). “Alisha,
I need you to help me this afternoon with the decorations of the homecoming, can
I count on you?” he asked. “I, I...” she mumbled. “Great, see you there”, he said
walking way. Oh no, oh no, oh no”, she thought in her mind.

She saw both her English and math teachers at the same time. “Remember
the project is for tomorrow”, they said together. Alisha started to run to run down
the hallway desperately. When she was right in front of her locker, she fell down
and all of her books landed on the floor. When she looked up, the least wanted
person was looking at her.

Lindsey is her worst enemy. “Oh, look who is on the floor, Alisha, the
granddaughter of the founder of this school. Hahahahahahaha, what’s wrong?
Can’t you handle the pressure any more? I always knew the position of captain
was rightfully mine, another thing you ruined”, she said with anger. “Shut up! You
don’t get all the privileges i get for one reason; you are a horrible person”, Alisha
said with pleasure. “Me? at least I wasn’t the one that ruined another persons’ life!”,
she shouted.

“FLASHBACK”

“Welcome back kinder garden students!”, said the teacher. “So, you guys
are going to draw what you did on spring break”. Lindsey was sitting beside Alisha;
they had a cup of water for both of them. Alisha turned around to ask the teacher
a question and she accidentally spilled the water all over Lindsey’s pants. “Oh, I
am sorry Lindsey”, Alisha apologized. The entire class started: “Lindsey peed her
pants” over and over. Before Alisha could do anything else could do anything else,
she ran out of the class crying.

"REALITY"

“Oh m god, seriously?” said Alisha. “I can’t believe you are still mad at me
for that stupid accident that happened 7 years ago”. “Not if they called you Pipi
Pants for over three years more. “You are jealous”, Alisha said. “You admit that
you are having trouble being the best”, Lindsey said. Alisha stayed quiet; she
couldn’t say anything else because that was her darkest secret.

“Well... you are having trouble finding friends!” said Alisha. In that same
moment Lindsey jumped over Alisha to hit her; they were on the floor hitting each
other and screaming. The principal came to them and separated them with a flick
of his wand. “What is going on?!” he demanded to know. Suddenly, Alisha lost
strengths, and fainted.

She woke up in the nurse; she noticed her mom was talking to the nurse
to know what happened. “I can’t keep up with this anymore”, she whispered to
herself. When she was strong enough to stand, she went home. When she was in
her bedroom, her grandfather came in. “Hey, your mom told me you fainted today
in school, I know why”. Alisha looked at him. “You have too many responsibilities
Alisha, you are loosing friends, focus and concentration and most importantly; rest.
Your mom use to be the same, she had the same problem when she was in eighth
grade. What she did to fix it was really simple. “What?”, Alisha asked.

“Drop some of it off; not all of that can be as important as you relationship
with your friends, nor your brain getting damaged from so much work”, he finished
tapping her for head with his finger.

The next day at school she went to her battle coach and told him that she
dropped of as captain, and that she just wanted to be another member of the team.
Later that day, she went to Mr. Sprout and told him she didn’t want to be in the
Wizard Council anymore.

The results couldn’t be more satisfying. She was sleeping very well and
she had a lot more time for her friends. Still, she was the best student of the entire
grade.

One of her friends told her that they named Lindsey captain and that she
was also accepted in the Wizard Council. Alisha thought it was going to be hell but
then she realized that she was going to suffer the same way she did or even more.

The next morning Lindsey came and bragged her new titles in Alisha’s face.
Alisha said two things: Congratulations and It not as it seems. Lindsey was really
confused.

That night in her house her mom came into her room. “Hey honey, I heard
that you dropped off as captain and as a member of the council”. “Yeah, it was
not worth it”, Alisha said. “I remember I used to be like that too, my father told me
to drop all those things, or at least to try and not have too many responsibilities.
Always remember Alisha, the gods are always there for you, they lead you to the
right path. Stacy took her necklace and gave it to Alisha. “Thanks mom”, she said.

In the end, Alisha’s secret was revealed; she couldn’t be the best in everything.

THE END