Essay # 16 - Forgotten

2ND DRAFT FOR GRADING

Cassy

Mr. Salsich

English 8

February 25, 2010

Forgotten


Dear Reader:
This is a graceful essay that is full of thoughts of the meaning of being "forgotten". There will be four genres describing the feelings, thoughts, and situations when being forgotten is welcomed into your life. We have all remembered the old friends who forget your existence making you feel invisible to the world. I want to be remembered by my family and friends whenever I go out into the big world. I do not want to dissolve into the common surroundings you see everyday. I want, you want, we want, everybody wants to be remembered by their unique characteristics. I hope this essay reminds you of your moments when you don't feel noticed but you remind yourself that you are unique.

Sincerely,
Cassy

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FORGOTTEN

Nobody wants to be forgotten into the mist,
We don't like the feeling of being dismissed,
We want to be remembered,
We want to be cherished,
We want to be loved,
Forever and always by the ones we know,
and by the ones we like,
Also by the ones we remember for their individuality.
Is it a crime to want to be remembered?
"Oh yeah, I remember you, you're the one who...-",
What?
What did you remember me by?
I need a reason not to be forgotten by anyone.
The only person that will forget me,
Is a person who won't recognize them self,
They will think of what they have become,
Is it bad or good?
It is me.

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A Recipe to Make Sure You Are Not Forgotten

1. Ask one of your friends what they will remember you most for.
2. Try something new to be unique: a new genre of music, new food, or new people to hang out with. Will your friends be surprised?
3. Ask one of your friends to describe you with five words.
4. Ask yourself what you would remember yourself most by if you were someone else.
5. Find out an interesting fact about yourself that will change your opinion of yourself.
6. Think of a memorable song that describes your life and personality most.

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Forgotten Ad

ALL HELP NEEDED. There is a girl who thinks she has been forgotten by her friends. They don't look at her in the same way they used to do with a strong bond. There is a change to her family. She feels that she is being forgotten by everybody. She would do anything to be remembered. She doesn't realize that her family is going through a tough decision that has her heart and mind in their thoughts and discussions. They are getting a divorce. Would you like to be her friend? A companion? Someone to remind her that there is nothing wrong with her. She was not forgotten. She was welcomed to her old friend "happiness" again.

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The Short Story of the Forgotten Girl

She sits at her windowsill watching the patterns of the raindrops run down the glass window. She sees one of her friends in each face of the drops. She remembers they were all having a sleepover that night without her. She doesn't know what to think or do. She wants to be a part of the inside jokes, the hilarious events that happen by accident. Do her friends want her to be with them too? She thinks more of her personality. Did she do something wrong? Was she someone you didn't want to share secrets with? This all ran through her mind. She grabs her iPod to think it through. She listens to the music she always listens to. She likes the kind of music that cheers her up or makes her sad, and the music with the lyrics that relates to her. She wants to be remembered not forgotten. She does not want to be in the shadows where nobody sees her or hears her. She wants to be in the open air where everyone can experience and see things in her eyes that they have never seen before. What does she expect from her friends the next time she sees them? A hug. An invitation, an invitation to companionship?

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TS Feeling unwanted leads to the thought of being forgotten. SD Dill went through this stage of being forgotten. CM When he decided to live with his family, he wanted to play with them every chance he got. CM His family didn't want to play with him every waking hour of the day. They had other important things to do. SD Dill felt rejected and unloved, unwanted; he especially felt forgotten. CM He feels that he is a vapor of air in the household that they think nothing of. CM He remembers he has a family of friends back in Maycomb. CM He has the Finch's, who all love him so dearly that they consider him a part of their family. CS If they cared for Dill so much, why did he feel unwanted, which transformed into the feeling of being forgotten?

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SELF-ASSESSMENT

1. One writing issue I am continuing to work on:
I find it hard to find my mistakes when I read over my essay. I do think I did better at that this time.

2. One strong point I see in this writing:
I think my essay seems to have a lot of unity and clarity.

3. One possible weak point I see:
A weak point could be my statements I make in the paragraph about TKAM are a little weak.

4. The grade I would give myself:
I think this is probably one of my best essays that is why I would probably give myself the grade of an A-.

Assessment Essay

Cassy
Mr. Salsich
English 8
1/9/10

Assessment Essay:
A Progression of Confidence and Experience

1. 4.5 million people are served at the Boys and Girls Club of America (www.bgca.org), and I am proud that I was able to help out in the organization. 2. With this act of service you and I will benefit from. 3. I expected that I was going to learn many things from this experience. 4. I wondered if I think more deeply about this experience would I find my life lessons.

TS When I picked the Boys and Girls Club of America I was thinking of early childhood education. SD I was thinking about how the kids would benefit from my help. CM I hoped that I would be someone they could look up to. CM I hoped to boost their confidence in there selves knowing that they could do the homework effectively. SD I felt that this was an organization that would be more helpful and effective. CM I needed to set high standards for myself. CM When the kids knew there was someone around to help them with homework it possibly increased their chances of being successful in the future. CM I wanted to be a friendly helper by helping them with friend and homework troubles. SD I created a goal to not think so much of having to be there for the project but to enjoy helping the kids. CM I wished for the children to appreciate the presence of someone older than them. CM I wanted to be comfortable with each other. CS I chose this service because I wanted to realize how this experience would impact us both.

TS From the beginning, I was always worried about working with the children. SD I was afraid that because I didn’t have siblings I wouldn’t be able to handle this opportunity in the project. CM I dreamed to show that this little fact would not stop me working with the children. CM I tried my best to be someone the kids would be able to trust. SD When I entered the building for the first few visits I felt ill at ease. CM I never understood exactly what I should start doing when I came to the site. CM It was hard to come out of my shell and try to help the kids with homework if they needed it. SD I was worried that the children would not be fond of me. CM It was hard for me to know how much discipline I should give them without being mean. CM I was in high spirits when I found that some of the kids got attached to me. CS With these few minor challenges I think I succeeded on pleasing the children.

TS Doing good is what helping the community service out is about and I am sure that I helped quite a few kids. SD During the many Power Hours of my visits I was able to help kids out with there homework if they were having trouble. CM I was pleased when I knew I was able to help the education of a peer younger than me. CM I made sure that the kids were focused when I gained enough confidence. SD Some of the young girls were having some trouble with sharing. CM I made sure to see both of the girl’s sides and help them with an equal solution. CM Even if I knew that one of the sides was wrong. CM I didn’t want to choose both sides instead of making the minor matter worse. SD Some of the boys were calling each other names that they were not happy about. CM I helped them realize that it was wrong and they went back to playing. CM I helped them realize that it was not polite to do that to your friends. CS The drama of a young child still reminds me when I was young.

TS Boys and Girls Club of America helps kids learn right from wrong when certain situations occur. SD When the economy went bad it was harder for after school care or any business to keep so much staff. CM The amount of staff in after school programs were forced to be decreased. CM The only way to keep their staff was to increase the fees for parents with there kids attending the program (www.afterschoolalliance.org). SD After researching, with the shortage of staff they really needed help. CM Some days at the Boys and Girls Club of America were really stressful and hectic because kids would not listen to the rules. CM BGCA needed all the help they could get with controlling the kids which is why they appreciated my help. SD The U.S Department of Justice is supposed to help distribute the funds and make sure they are used properly in the businesses (www2.ed.gov). CM With the little help of the funds BGCA is able to serve 4.5 million kids. CM This successful organization has spread to all fifty states (www.bgca.org). CS With these facts now known it makes me understand the appreciated help I have given to them.

TS Scout learned that it is okay to help with community service: “-She wants me to come every afternoon after school and Saturdays and read to her out loud for two hours. Atticus, do I have to?”(Lee, page 140). SD Scout and I both had to do services; we both needed to realize that it is the right thing to do. CM Scout, at first, does not realize how helpful she is being, neither did I. CM At first, I thought of this strictly as a project that I needed to complete. SD Scout and I did not want to do community service in the beginning. CM We soon learned to enjoy it. CM We realized how selfish we sounded when we didn’t want to help out at first. SD If we didn’t do these services we wouldn’t appreciate how fortunate we are for the privileges we already have. CM Thinking of how selfish we sounded we became keener on continuing the service. CM In To Kill a Mockingbird the Finches become conscious how the blacks are less fortunate in those times due to racism. CS In To Kill a Mockingbird we both have to comprehend all the things everybody does and does not have.

TS When we cross a conflict we never know what to do at first until we realize later the better solution. SD I now have convinced myself that I needed to be more interactive with the kids. CM When I frequently became uncomfortable I didn’t want to interact as much with the kids. CM The thought of not having much experience with kids also held me back. SD When the feeling of being awkward overwhelms me I tend to be shy. CM When I’m shy I usually get really nervous and I don’t help handle the kids as much. CM I should have thought of how I could be calm and not worry so much about how I handle things. SD I found that it was hard to discipline the children. CM I didn’t want to be mean or too nice so the kids get away with things they shouldn’t do. CM I think it would have been better if I didn’t fret about what the counselor’s though of my service to the BGCA. CS I plan on continuing to go back to BGCA so I can improve my contribution to the service.

TS This project would change anyone. SD This project has given me the experience of helping out children. CM It felt swell to help out someone younger than me with homework. CM I will now feel more confident to help younger children in future. SD I learned that Boys and Girls Club of America is pleasurable. CM I learned that there is more than just the internet, there is service that is satisfying and beneficial. CM I won’t watch the clock hands tick every second away until I have to go home in the future when I go back to BGCA. SD My confidence level seems like it increased. CM By improving my confidence level I can easily feel more relaxed in territory I have not been to before. CM In the future, I will be more inclined to do these projects because I already have experience and I gained lots of confidence. CS This experience will always stay in my soul, in my mind, in my actions.

1. I wanted a challenge, and I was given one. 2. I learned a few life lessons in the process of my visits to Boys and Girls Club of America. 3. You should always spend your time wisely and don’t waste it on silly things like the TV and the internet. 4. This experience will be treasured for a very long time in my heart.

Assessment Essay Outline

Assessment Essay:

A Progression of Confidence and Experience 

OPENING PARAGRAPH

1. 4.5 million people served at BGCA ( www.bgca.org)- I'm proud that I was able to help out.
2. The act of service-you will benefit from-I will benefit from
3.  I will learn many things from this experience
4.  If I think more deeply will I find my life lessons?

1. WHY DID YOU CHOOSE YOUR PARTICULAR SERVICE SITE?

TS - Picking the BGCA was chosen in thought of early childhood education
SD 1- thought of how the children could benefit from my being there
CM - I would be someone for them to look up to
CM - Help boost their confidence in doing homework
SD 2 - This is one of the charity's that is more effective
CM - I will increase the level of them being successful in the future
CM - I will be a friendly helper
SD 3 - my goal- not to think so much of strictly the project and enjoy helping kids
CM - I wanted the kids to enjoy my presence
CM -I wanted the kids to be comfortable with me/ me be comfortable with them
CS - I chose this service because of how I may impact the kids and I

2. WHAT WERE SOME CHALLENGES YOU EXPERIENCED AT YOUR SITE?

TS - From the beginning I was worried about working with children
SD 1- I was afraid because I didn't have siblings I wouldn't have enough experience
CM - I wanted to show that little fact was not a problem for me
CM - I tried my best to be someone they can trust
SD 2 - I always felt awkward there
CM - I never understood exactly what I should of started out doing when I came to the site
CM - It was hard for me to adjust to helping the kids
SD 3 - I was afraid the kids would not like me
CM - If the kids thought I was too mean or not someone they want to hang out with I wouldn't know what to do
CM - I was happy that the worry went away when the kids got attached to me
CS - With these few minor challenges I think I succeeded on pleasing the children

3. WHAT GOOD DO YOU THINK YOU DID DURING YOUR TIME AT THE SITE?

TS - Doing good is about community service and I sure helped a few of the kids
SD 1 - During Power Hour I helped a few kids out on their homework
CM - It felt good that I was able to help and educate someone
CM - I made sure the were focused in a way that was not harsh
SD 2 - Some of the girls would have troubles with sharing
CM - I made things equal
CM - I made sure I did not choose a side to favor so I wouldn't make things worse
SD 3 - Some of the boys would call each other names and complain about it
CM - I helped them make sure calling each other names was not okay
CM - When they realize that they would go back to playing
CS - The drama of a young child still reminds when I was young.

4. HOW DID YOUR RESEARCH INCREASE YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE SITUATION YOUR SITE DEALS WITH?

TS - BGCA helps kids learn right from wrong when certain situations occur
SD 1 - When the economy went down it was harder for after school care to have more staff
CM - Staff amounts in after school programs were decreased
CM - Fees were increase (www.afterschoolalliance.org)
SD 2 - I realize because of staff decrease they really needed help
CM - Some days were really hectic and stressful
CM - BGCA needed all the help in controlling the kids
SD 3 - The U.S. Department of Justice helps distribute the funds and make sure they are used properly ( www2.ed.gov)
CM - This helps the 4.5 million kids get served by BGCA
CM - In ALL of the 50 states ( www.bgca.org)
CS - It makes me understand the help that I have given to them has been appreciated

5. HOW CAN YOU RELATE THE STORY AND THE THEMES IN TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD TO YOUR WORK AT THIS SITE?

TS - Scout - service - " -She wants me to come every afternoon after school and Saturdays and read to her out loud for two hours. Atticus, do I have to?" ( Lee, page 140)
SD 1 - Scout and I both had to do services
CM - Scout does not realize that what she has to do is helpful
CM - At first, I just thought of this strictly as a project -- you realize that you are being very helpful to the community
SD 2 - Scout did not want to be doing this at first and neither did I
CM - When learned to enjoy it
CM - We realize how selfish we seemed when we didn't want to help out at first
SD 3 - If we didn't do these types of things we wouldn't learn to appreciate how fortunate we are for all of the other privileges we have
CM - When we realize that we are more keen to do more service
CM - In To Kill A Mockingbird the Finches realize that blacks are less fortunate in those times --> racism
CS - In To Kill A Mockingbird we both have to realize what people don't have and what we have --> appreciation

6. LOOKING BACK WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE DONE DIFFERENTLY?

TS - When we come to a conflict we never know what to do at first, we only realize the better solution later.
SD 1 - I needed to be more interactive with the kids I thought.
CM - Being uncomfortable held me back
CM - The thought of not having much experience with kids also held me back
SD 2 - When I feel awkward I tend to be shy too
CM - When I'm shy I usually get really nervous and don't help control the kids as much
CM - I watch the clock waiting to go because of the awkwardness
SD 3 - It is hard for me to discipline the children
CM - I don't want to be mean or be too nice that a kid gets away with something
CM -  I think it would be better for me not to be as worried about what the counselors think of my help in the service
CS - I plan on continuing to go back to BGCA so I can improve my contribution to the service

7. HOW HAS THIS EXPERIENCE CHANGED YOU?

TS - This project would change anyone
SD 1 - It has given me experience with children
CM - It feels good to help out someone younger than you with homework
CM - I will now feel more confident to help younger children in future service projects or not even a project
SD 2 -  I learned that BGCA is fun
CM - I learned that there is more than just the internet, theres a service that is fun and beneficial.
CM - I won't watch the clocks hands tick every second away until I have to go home in the future when I go to BGCA again
SD 3 - My confidence seems higher after this project
CM - By improving my confidence level I can easily feel more relaxed in territory I have not been in before
CM - In the future I will be more inclined to do these projects because I already have experience and lots of confidence
CS - This experience will always stay in my soul

CONCLUSION PARAGRAPH

1. I wanted a challenge
2. I learned a few life lessons
3. Spend your time wisely, don't waste it on silly things like the internet
4. This is an experience that is going to be treasured for a very long time