“What are you thankful for?”
“When I was 9 years old, I was diagnosed with a cancer called Hodgkin’s disease. I went through 6 months of chemo before going through 15 days of radiation. I was home schooled for that whole year since I was always in and out of the hospital. Towards the end of the school year, I had to go back to public school and I was scared. I had no hair, but the nurses from the hospital and my teachers talked to my classmates about it and they made the adjustment easier for me. I didn’t like how people treated me better as if they were obligated to just because I had cancer. I’m thankful for all the people in my life that helped me get through it. I’m thankful for the few friends that were there for me during everything and still my friends now. I’m thankful for my family and doctors that helped me get through this. But most of all, I’m thankful for God giving me a second chance in life.”
“I’ve been struggling a lot in managing school and track because I get home late and I sleep late even though I have to wake up early. It’s really hard because I feel as if my coach and others expect a lot from me. I was always that person that didn’t care and was really lazy… so now having to lead a big team is a really big change in my life. I don’t find it a hassle at all. I’m not trying to imply that I regret joining, but sometimes I just need a break. I got too attached to some of the girls on my team and leaving them will definitely kill me. But honestly, despite my lack of sleep I never stop trying to be the best captain to my girls. I show up all the time, whether I’ve had 4 hours of sleep or not. Yes, it’s really hard, but whenever I hear ‘I’m going to miss you when you graduate, Gaby’ or 'No one is going to be able to replace you as captain’, it really touches me. Right now I’m struggling, but no matter what, I’m not gonna let these girls see me down because if I keep going, I know they will.”
“The happiest moments of my life are when I go backpacking. I’m always amazed at how there’s so much to learn from just being in foreign places, eating foreign foods, and talking to people from around the world. There’s a sense of adventure that backpacking provides, like getting lost in the back alleys of Bangkok and accidentally finding the best congee you’ve ever had, cooked out of a pot balanced over cinder blocks, or exploring a medieval castle with friends you made along a thousand-year old pilgrimage route in Northern Spain.”
“People look surprised when I tell them I can play the guitar. Maybe it’s because they usually see me with a saxophone. They start treating you slightly differently with this knowledge. Why should a talent factor into how people see you? I’m still the same person, right? When told I should flaunt my skills more to "get girls” or “be cool” I just laugh it off. If I played guitar to be cool, the very skill I possess would suddenly become meaningless. You don’t use music to get you things! That’s like using a best friend to get you things! And that’s just cruel.“
“There I was, standing before my Drill Instructor. Endless tears and the emotions behind them roll down my face. I have earned what so many wish to earn. I have worked long and hard to earn the title of United States Marine.
When I was 8 years old, I was watching television and I saw a commercial of a Marine climbing a mountain. I knew then and there- that was all I ever wanted to be in life. Things got tough, crap got in my way. I wanted to quit, but my family kept me going. I’m here because of them. I love them more than anything and I can’t thank them enough for their support and love in all my decisions. Never quit on your dreams.”
“He likes it when I call him princess.”
“The way we met each other was pretty funny, actually. What we thought of each other was contradicting. I thought she was a really outgoing person that could talk to anyone similar to her personality. I’ve only heard about her and never got the chance to see or talk to her until last year. When we would be in class, I would back away from conversation because I didn’t think I would fit in to her "style”.
I thought he was a fun person to be around with, so I wasn’t shy to make conversation with him first. I would go up to him after inspection ended and I’d take his tie out just to annoy him. But honestly, we weren’t that close until we realized we have our 9th period class together. We failed the class miserably the first semester, which made us study together either through internet or in JROTC class.
Conclusion: We’re glad we met each other. “
“I was lucky enough not to be there during the riots, which is awesome, because riots are no place for tall people. Cause like…I’m a tree, and they would'a chopped me down and stuff. No, but seriously, as a senior, this is the first time I’ve ever seen anything like rioting inside the school. And hopefully it’ll never happen again…my best wishes to all the tall young ones out there.”
“As your first year in Francis Lewis, what do you think about the school, and the riots that were occurring last week? Where you in one of the riots that occurred?”
“As a new student in Francis Lewis High School, I was very impressed by the way the school system works and they way Dr. Marmor runs the school. However, the riots that occurred last week were frightening and dangerous. As a freshman, just entering the school was very petrifying, but after the riots last week, it scared me more than I already was. Honestly, it was not a fun experience. Unfortunately, I did get stuck in one of the riots after third period and it was absolute chaos. There were people screaming and water being thrown. I can assure that any freshmen would not want to endure this crazy amount of chaos. It was a absurd topic to protest, but I wouldn’t understand Sophomores, Juniors, or Seniors well because I never went out for lunch. I would never want to undergo another situation like the riots. On the other hand, I love Francis Lewis and it’s a truly great and sophisticated school.”
“Who would’ve thought 2 hours a day would make us this close.”