State of the Union Address

President Barrack Obama recently spoke at the State of the Union Address. He spoke of a time of change and reform, in hopes of turning our economy around. It may not be apparent, but he is speaking mostly to the youth. The youth is the future of America, and our participation in helping our community and economy get through this time of struggle. Colleges will become more affordable, homes will be more efficient, and strives toward renewable fuels will be made.

"Dropping out of high school is not an option." Obama said this quote, and I believe we should live to that statement. We really DO need every American's talents and potentials. Not only within our individual communities, but in the world itself. One individual can possess the power to change a city, a nation, or even the world. With higher education, these individuals have a higher chance of helping themselves and others, including this nation. Why waste your talents and potentials? Any person can do anything they put their mind to. Application and a strong will to succeed are two things that act as the fuel for talent. Don't waste yourself by dropping out and working for minimum wage for the rest of your life. You CAN get through it.

One thing I didn't really relate with is Obama's idea for new energy. He is planning to lay down miles of power lines, bringing more power to cities, and making homes more efficient, so that they use less electricity. The ideas sound great in conjunction, but I think recycling could help that as well. If every American participated in recycling avidly, and used less destructive materials on a daily basis, we could use LESS energy recycling them rather than incinerating them or letting them sit around in a landfill. Clearing out landfills to recycle the trash would help clean up the air, earth and make things even more liveable, as well as reducing the amount of energy we use.

Obama has his heart in the right place. His sympathy towards the school teacher who wrote to congress about the poor conditions of the building shows that he is a man of pure heart. The woman's class was run down, the paint peeling, roofs leaking, and a train would go by 4 to 6 times a day, interrupting lessons. She wrote "We are just students trying to become teachers, lawyers, medical practicioners, and congressmen like yourself." Obama's recognition of this plea and giving funding to her class means that he really does care about the country and its inhabitants. Such acts of kindness are things I have yet to see by an American president without being a lie through the teeth.

Some people call him an "idealist," But I see the potential within that man to change the world forever, or at least our country. He speaks kindly and gently, and speaks of hope and love between ourselves and others. His high hopes and equally high expectations may be just what this country needs to get itself out of the hole that's been dug. We are all human beings, and you could be an average joe or an all star hocky player. No matter the position, any person can change the world, and I believe that is the moral behind his opinions and thoughts. He's trying to motivate us to find the will inside of ourselves to get up and change the world for the better!

Graduation.

I would like to start off by saying that it wasn't easy. Others may disagree, but my high school experience was particularly difficult. The only reason being, I made it that way. I always made it so difficult for myself by telling myself that I couldn't make it through. But guess what? Cheers to the people that told me I couldn't.

My four years in high school were extravagant, yet languid. Spending the time that I did testing and studying, and eventually not doing either, made me feel like I was just jumping through hoops. But I learned almost near the end that you have to learn to jump through hoops before they are set ablaze, risking a lot of things. I met and conversed with many people who I have come to know and love. I hit a few major obstacles in my junior year, but Jeffconet helped me rise above them, and live a healthier, happier life.

I give my gratitude to every single person I've met along the way. Teachers I love, teachers who I disliked, and students alike. People who dared to cross my path in a negative fashion were not ignored, but were observed with no bias. I realized that these people and problems are teachers themselves. Life lessons and moral values that stuck out to me after a while came from dealing with the pain, the bliss, and everything in between.

The only reasons that I'm here is because of Jeffconet and their wonderful teachers and staff, and my own desire. I lived with people always telling me I can't. Well hey, I AM. And nothing can stop me. I'm on a one way street to achieving my dreams. Any nay-sayers in your life can only be observed and learned from. Never let anyone have to power to get you down. The only reason you would be discouraged is because you let them. Life is about being happy and living your dreams. Who are they to say nay?