Racing

    As we got our karts out to change our oil and adjust our gears, we knew that that night was going to be a great night of racing.  With seven years of experience, my brother and I knew what to do with our go-karts to adjust to the Cedar Mills track.  On my kart, I adjusted my gear to a 59, which was about my average for that track and changed my oil. 
    It was about 4:15, when we decided that we were going to head out so we could get to the track early.  It was always kind of a tradition for my family and the Coverts, who race with us every week,  to go early to the track and grill hamburgers, enjoy the time together, and get pumped up for racing.  In the meantime, before the races even got close to starting and after we ate our supper, we found some other kids about our age and hung out with them.  Mary and I decided to play football with our friend, Caleb, a racer whose family usually hangs out with us too and his other racing friends. 
    By the time we were about getting tired of playing football the announcer, Alvie, boomed over the microphone that hot laps were about ready to start.  I decided that I wasn’t going to do hot laps that night because usually I get crashed up from other racers thinking that it was the Daytona 500 and that they had to do everything in the world to crash everyone when hot laps aren’t even a race and it is just to test your kart out.  So Mary and I decided to go watch the hot laps to look out for my competition that I would be facing soon.  We watch each corner determining which one was slippery and which were the fast lanes where I could get some momentum.
    One kart in particular caught our attention as he zoomed past every other kart like there was no tomorrow.  This kart, #67, was known for being undefeated for a whole year and a half and was racing in my class.  He was a pretty clean driver but for some reason every kart he went up against could never even get a chance to catch up.  He was just that fast.
    The hot laps didn’t last that long because a lot of karts didn’t go out for hot laps because they realized the same things about hot laps that I did.  So soon after they were over, the board members that worked on the track took out the tractor so they could water the track to make it more tacky and sweep it so it wouldn’t be so dusty.
    It was about a fifteen minute break where people hustled around trying to get their kart to the perfect condition for the track until the pit meeting.  In the pit meeting, they talked mainly about the usual stuff: not bumping each other and being a good sportsman.  The flag man was especially excited that the track was in perfect condition and that it was going to be a great night of racing and indeed it was.
    My race was the fifth one and they were up to the Jr. 1, the third race for the first heat.  Mary and I decided to push my kart up to find out where I was supposed to start.  I ended up starting second row inside which was a pretty good spot for the number I drew to determine where I started.  Number 67, the undefeated champ, was on outside poll (first row outside).  They called my class up to get in order and I got in my kart as they started it.  I watched anxiously as the other classes raced and concentrated on how the track conditions were so I knew how to handle the track.  We got out on the track and the flag man waved his green flag.  Number 67 pulled ahead to the front with me in second.  There was no way I could catch him so I stayed in second hoping I wouldn’t feel someone pushing me from behind, but they never did.  I ended up getting second for the first heat. 
    The time went by and as soon as I knew it, I was up for my second heat.  I started in the back with number 67 behind me.  I passed people all the way to third place to only see number 67 passing me and heading for the lead.  I ended up getting third place for that race.
    It was the feature and I knew it was my time to shine.  I looked at the line up board and saw that I was second row inside, right behind my big enemy.
    As I got into my kart, Mary turned to me and said,”Go fast, and turn left.”  We did our usual fist bump, which is the sign of good luck in racing, and then they called my class out onto the track.
      As the flag man threw the green flag, I waited as number 23, a fairly fast racer, and number 67 duked out who was going to take the lead.  I followed closely behind them as they went side by side fighting for the lead until the second to last lap.  Number 67 was on the inside and number 23 was on the outside and they slowly moved up so there was just enough room for me to fit.  This was my chance.  I squeezed under them on the back stretch.  Everyone waited, fearful of who might pull out into first.  And just like that, I got my nose in to the front, I pulled ahead of them!!  I had one more lap and then I would see that glorious checkered flag.  I held them off just long enough, and there it was, the flag I had been waiting for! I had beat the undefeated champ and won!
    I pulled off the track and grabbed my trophy as everyone congratulated me for the big win and told me how great that move was and how proud they were of me.  That night I had a great time with my friends and family and I will never forget it.
     If you put your heart to something you can do it.  You have to keep trying and never give up because you never know what’s going to happen and something good almost always comes out of it.

Horseback Riding

    Do you love to see God’s creation when you are on an enjoyable and relaxing ride?  Do you love to spend time with your friends and family while being outside?  If so, the perfect thing to do is go horseback riding.
    While going horse back riding you have to be responsible.  You must take good care of your horse and before riding you have to have all things needed to go out on your ride.  Being responsible can get you far in life and this is one of the best ways to do that.
    Building arm and leg muscle is another thing you gain from riding horse.  You have to be able to lift a saddle up onto the horse and have enough muscle to control the horse if they misbehave.  You also get arm muscle from steering the horse by holding the reins.  Some times the horse doesn’t want to go a certain way so you have to have muscles to lead them the right way.  Leg muscle is made by pushing your horse if the horse is neck reined.
    Going outside and seeing God’s creation is one of the best things about riding.  You can be with your friends or family while sitting on the back of your favorite horse.  While riding on a horse you can go many places that cars can’t and you get to see things from a whole different view.  You can relax and look in awe at the beautiful world God created.  There is no other way to go outside and have a great time exploring the world on the top of a horse that you built a special bond with.
    There are many different types of riding you can do.  If you are into a relaxed and calming ride out in the wilderness, you can go trail riding.  If you want to get super into the whole horse business, you can start shows.  Different types of shows include showmanship, pleasure classes, halter classes, and games you can play.  There are also two styles of riding: western and english.  Western is what people ride in rodeos and at ranches.  English is more of an elegant type of riding where you can do dressage or other classes.  Most classes are judged either on the horse or how the rider handles the horse.  At the end of usually every horse show, they have games.  These games can include going around poles as fast you can, jumping competitions, and other fun games like trying to hold an egg on a spoon while trying to go as fast you can.  You don’t have to do any of these shows because it is just as fun owning a horse and riding for pleasure.
    Owning a horse gives you the pleasure of building a relationship with an animal that you know will never be broken.  You can also learn many life lessons from taking care of a horse.  Building a trust is something you always need with anyone and having it with a horse can help you in the future with meeting other people.
    A lot of people use horseback riding for kids with disabilities in their therapy.  The horses help calm the kids and give them an enjoyable ride.  The kids get a chance to relax and look at life in a whole other way.
    By far, one of the best things to do is ride horse just for fun or for a little competition.  Riding a horse can benefit anyone in many ways that a lot of people don’t expect.  They are good with old people, young kids, and people with disabilities.  In short, horseback riding is good for all and I know everyone will enjoy it once they try it.

Bball vs Vball Essay

   Basketball and volleyball are both sports that a lot of people love to play.  My personal favorite is basketball.  These two sports have a lot of differences and many reasons that they are alike.
    Basketball and volleyball have different amounts of players on the courts.  In basketball, there are five players on the court.  The players usually consist of a point guard, two wings or guards, a forward, and a center.  Their positions can change depending on what the coach thinks is best.   In volleyball, they have six players.  It is normally a setter, two hitters, a libero, and two defensive specialists that are out on the floor.  This arrangement can also vary depending on what positions the players are and what your coach wants.
    These two sports are usually played in different seasons of the year.  For a school sport, basketball is played in the winter and volleyball is played in the fall.  Either of these two can be played in the spring or summer.  For example, you can play JO volleyball and AAU basketball in the spring or go to summer league games and camps for either sport in the summer.  That is where a lot of people learn their fundamentals and improve their play in the sport by playing in the off season and interacting with kids you don’t know and playing with them.
    Girls and boys are involve with either sport.  It started out way back when that mostly boys played basketball and girls played volleyball, but that quickly changed.  Throughout the years that passed after that girls have developed the skills to play basketball and boys have learned to play volleyball.  As of now, girls and boys play both sports but are on separate teams.  If you are a girl, you normally wouldn’t play basketball and volleyball against a boy in any organized games.  There are many reasons for boys and girls being separated.  For one, boys are somewhat stronger than some girls and boys also grow taller.  But don’t be too scared to challenge one another, for there is a chance that either boy or girl could win.
    Playing either of these sports you get tremendous exercise.  For basketball, you get more arm muscle from pushing people around and shooting the ball.  You get more leg muscle from shuffling on defense, jumping, and running down the court.  In the sport of volleyball, you get a lot of muscles in your arms for spiking the ball, blocking someone else’s spike, and serving.  Jumping to hit or block, shuffling, and diving help you get lots of leg muscles.
    Basketball and volleyball are alike and different in many ways for props, too.  If you have common sense you would know that to play either of these sports, you would have to use either a basketball or a volleyball.  Both sports also are played on a rectangular court each split in half.  Although, in basketball you can cross the line, in volleyball you can’t.  In volleyball you have a net that separates the players and you want to avoid hitting the ball into the net or touching the top of it.  In basketball, you have a smaller net but the goal is to get the ball in the net so you can score.
    There are many more differences and ways basketball and volleyball are alike, but these these are just examples of a few.  Anybody will enjoy either basketball or volleyball.  These two sports are ones that you will fall in love with every time you play them.

Basketball Essay

Basketball is a great sport that every high school student should play.  Playing this amazing game will affect you with everything in your life in a good way and will give lasting memories that you will never forget. There are so many things that will help you on and off the court. It has many things that teach you different essences about your body or you life.
    Basketball keeps you in shape.  It builds your upper and lower body strength by many ways.  You build your lower body strength by running a lot up and down the court.  You also get lower body strength by jumping in the air for shooting or grabbing a rebound.  It also helps you improve your leg strength by shuffling on defense on whatever position you play.  Basketball makes arm muscles by having you push around people on defense or get around them on offense.  You can also get it from shooting the ball so many times or trying to block shots.
    Basketball helps you condition for other sports as well.  If you are in track, soccer, or basically any sport with running, basketball will definitely get you in shape for all sports involving leg muscles.  Having arm muscle from basketball can benefit you in anything even if you aren't in any sports.   Being in shape and exercising is something that everyone needs to do so basketball can help you develop that plus you can have tons of fun while doing it.  I can’t think of a better sport that exercises all parts of the body and instead of realizing your pain you don't think about it and have fun spending time with your friends and playing a sport you will fall in love with.
    The main reason basketball helps you besides getting in spiffy shape is meeting new people.  Basketball gives you the chance to meet people that you normally wouldn't hang out with.  You can get to know new people and create a special bond that you won’t ever have besides being with your basketball team.  It teaches you that you don't have to rely on the rest of your team for something.  You can do your part in the game and know that you can count on the rest of the team to do their part too.  Basketball gives you a special ability of learning how to trust other people.  No matter what you do, you can trust that the rest of the team has your back and will be there for you when you need them.  Knowing you have this trust on the court will make you want to develop different trusts with other people off the court as well.  On or off the court basketball will help you discover the special talents that God gave you that you didn't even know that you had. Encouraging each other is a main thing that every team gains from being with each other.  This is an element in life that can get you far in anything you do by just telling people good job or other uplifting words or phrases. Becoming a team player is something that everyone needs to work on and realize that it’s not all about yourself is made out of becoming a basketball player.
    This sport helps you mentally.  It gives you the mindset, in other sports too, of what it takes to be a great athlete.  You can also learn of what it takes to win and what it means to win which once you experience it, you will want to do it again.
    Basketball can assist you in so so many aspects of life on or off the court or whatever sport you are playing.  Basketball teaches you a lot of fundamentals of life that can affect you spiritually, mentally, or physically.  Even if you don't play the sport, you learn from what the players are doing.  Basketball can benefit something for everyone so that is why I think any high school student or anyone should play basketball and you will find the love I have for it from the first time you touch the basketball or step onto the court.

Book Review

Dear John is by Nicholas Sparks and it is a fiction story. The story is about a man and a woman falling in love. The couple are complete opposites, but they have one thing in common.  That one thing is love.
     The story starts out by a beach when John is on his leave from the army. Every two years, John gets to go home and stay with his father. John doesn’t get along really well with his father because his father is obsessed with collecting coins and talking about the different types of coins with John.  Ever since John was little, he never got along well with him.
    As he was strolling along the beach after he got done surfing, he sees that a girl had dropped her purse into the water.  John jumps in the ocean to retrieve it for her before Savannah’s “boyfriend” can go get it.  Savannah thanks John and asks if he wanted to go to a bonfire that night.  Ever since that little meeting they had together, they started hanging out a lot and getting together almost every day.  It was a start to a whole new beginning.
    Savannah goes to John’s house and meets John’s father.  Savannah is very intrigued about all the coins he collects and likes listening to him.  Savannah listens to John’s father talk about the coins and asks a lot of different questions that most people would think were very boring to listen to.  They get along very well, because John’s father has someone to talk to about his coins. His father loves to tell people about his hobby because no one else seems to care about what he does with them. 
    The next day, John and Savannah were sitting on the beach talking about themselves and many different things.  Savannah brings up the topic of John’s father and says she knows what’s wrong with him. Savannah tells about all these different diseases that she thinks John’s father might have. She tries to tell John how to deal with him and get along better with him.  John gets really upset with her that she is trying to tell him that his dad has a problem and that she tries to tell him what to do with him, so John breaks up with her. 
    John and Savannah can’t resist staying away from each other.  Every night, they would think of the special times they had together.  They realized what loss they had not being together.  After quite a while Savannah and John get back together, but Savannah is depressed because the next day John had to go back to the army.  She wouldn’t get to see him for about two years.  They decide to write letters back and forth to each other.  Their letters consisted of how their days were going for them and their feelings about how much they missed each other.  Every full moon they would go outside, wherever they would be and think of the first two weeks they spent together.  They would think about the love they had for each other and the fun times they had spent.
    John realizes that he loves fighting for his country after he hears about numerous terrorist attacks and wants to keep his country safe so he decides to reenlist for another two years.  They keep writing letters but they start to get shorter and not as frequent.  The letters start coming weeks or even months later. 
    John goes back to the United States and learns that his father was very sick.  He comforts him and sends him to a nursing home.  Soon after his father dies.  He leaves John with all his coins that he had collected all his life.  John decides he would go find Savannah.  He finds out that Savannah and Tim had gotten married.  They lived on a horse farm and have autistic kids ride their horses as a healing therapy to help them.  Savannah tells John that Tim has cancer and was at the hospital most of the time so she had to do all the chores.  She talks about how much she wants Tim to go to a better hospital and get better treatments. 
    John sells most of his coins and takes the money to give to Tim’s hospital bills and to get him to better hospital.  Tim gets accepted into the better hospital and they get to run a new treatment to test it on him.  The treatment was going to be tested so they could use it on more people if it worked.
    I really liked this book and would recommend it to anyone.  It teaches many different lessons about life.  It shows how you need to respect your parents, not like how John did really with his father.  It also shows the risks and efforts it takes in fighting in the army and the impact it has on a person.  This book also teaches about the love you can have for a person and what it does to you.  Dear John shows that you have to look at all the little things in life and details to get to the big picture and the true meaning of life. 
    What I liked about this book was that they really showed how John changed throughout the story.  Dear John has a great plot and theme that can mean something to anyone who reads it.  The setting makes you feel as if you were actually there in the story and experiencing everything with them.  Dear John teaches so many lessons and has many themes that anyone of any age can understand and take into the real world and use it. This is definitely a book I would recommend to anyone no matter what kind of story they are looking for.

Awestruck Wonder

Awestruck Wonder

    Do you ever wonder what makes up dreams and how you can fulfill them?  The awestruck wonder of doing the most impossible things done start with dreams.  Well, Arabeth figures out that her dream was fulfilled and she couldn’t have done it with out the help of a friend.
    The final buzzer rang, they won by one point!  The ending score was 67-66 and Arabeth scored 33 points.  It was her senior year and she had college recruits looking at her to be the next top point guard in the state.  Arabeth and her best friend, Josie, who was and all star in volleyball, wanted to go to the same college together.
    “Arabeth, you are getting a D- in algebra,” implied her dad as they drove home from the game. “You have to get that grade up if you want to keep playing basketball.” 
    “It’s not my fault that I don’t get it!” wined Arabeth. 
    “Well, have Josie tutor you then,” suggested dad.
    “OK, I will,” sighed Arabeth.
    At school the next day, everyone was hyped up about the championship game in two weeks.  They would get the chance to play their biggest rivals, the Torpedoes.  The Torpedoes were known for their violent play and the mysterious way to get inside the other team’s mind and make them scared.  Josie agreed to tutor Arabeth and they decided to have lessons every day after Arabeth’s basketball practice.  Arabeth’s team, the Orioles, have one game to go before the state championship and tomorrow night was their game.
    The next day, Josie helped Arabeth in Algebra during their breaks.  Arabeth got the chance to get extra credit and raise her grade to a D+.  School that day was very energetic because everyone was pumped for the game.  The time of the game had come.  As they announced Arabeth’s name as a started, the crowd went crazy.  Tonight was a special night, not only because if they won they would get closer to going to the championship, but that a college recruit from the college Josie was going to was watching her.
    The game started out with the Falcons ahead by six.  The game was very brutal and the refs didn’t call much.  Shoes squeaking down the court and a couple swishes, brought the Orioles only down by two.  The Orioles got a basket by Arabeth, who was leading with points, assists, and rebounds.  The first half finished with the score 39-39.  In the second half, the Orioles brought up a lead by twelve points.  The Orioles won the game 68-56.  Arabeth was going to bring her team to the championship game vs. the Torpedoes!
    After the game, Arabeth remembered she had an algebra test the next day.  Josie slept overnight that night to help her study.  The day of the test came.  It was surprisingly kind of easy for her.  After Arabeth’s test was graded she hurried to see what she got.  Her heart was filled with anticipation and then she looked at the test.  Arabeth got a B+!!  She rushed to Josie to tell her about it.  Now she could play in the championship!
    The next week went in a blur, until the championship game day came.  Arabeth was paraded down the halls and was the highlight of the pep rally after school.  The ref threw the ball in the air and it got tipped right to Arabeth.  She was able to get an assist off in one of their plays.  The Torpedoes led most of the first half, but it was a really tough game.
    In the second half, one of Arabeth’s teammates made a three pointer to tie up the game with the Torpedoes with 10 seconds left in the game and the Torpedoes had possession of the ball.  A player for the Torpedoes shot the ball and missed.  Arabeth grabbed the rebound and dribbled down the court weaving in and out of players.  She dished the ball out to her teammate who takes a shot.  Another player gets the rebound and passes it out.  Arabeth cuts in the lane and they pass it to her.  She went up with a post move which she barely ever does.  Pumping a fake getting the girl flying in the air, she went up again to shoot and gets fouled.  Arabeth waits for the ref to hand her the ball, nervous for the next few seconds that were approaching.  She grips the ball with her perfect form and released with a nice follow threw.  She ends up making both free throws and wins the game!!  The Orioles are the new state champions!!
    After the game, many people went to talk to her, plus the recruiter.  The college recruiter told her how much he had been impressed with her play and gave her a full ride scholarship.  Arabeth was so happy she would get to go to college with her best friend and do what she loved to do, play basketball.
    Dreams really can come true if you work at it.  Arabeth never thought that she would get close to playing basketball in college but she worked at it and made it.  She couldn’t have done it without the help of a friend and achieve the awestruck wonder that was in store for her.

My Story

Whenever I smell mints and candy,

   it is in a nursing home about 9 years ago.

I am sitting next to my great grandpa,

   listening to him play his guitar

              while I sing.

But that is not my story.

My story is sitting with my family

   at his funeral 3 years ago.

I am singing to the song Amazing Grace

   as they carry him away to heaven

      where I will meet him

                 again.