"Pants With Pockets - It's a Must"

Months ago, student council agreed to do a clothing sale.
We knew we were going to raise a lot of money - it couldn't fail.
It was my job to create the best design,
So I took the time to make up a few, which were all done online.

We thought the pants were going to be a big hit,
But only if they had open bottoms, pockets, and a nice fit.
On CustomInk.com, this item was available to order.
However, we went to Mr. Ricciardelli, who told us he knows another vendor.

He has a friend who owns a printing business.
We received good prices, and would make a great profit, regardless.
The amount of orders we received was overwhelming.
We had no idea how much stress counting and organizing them would bring.

There were numerous requests to have printed on the back a last name.
All on different items and different sizes, nothing was the same.
After a week of constantly double-checking each and every order,
We organized a chart with each customer, the item, and the name they would prefer.

It was such a relief to finally submit the order for a total item count of 382.
Until Mr. Ricciardelli confronted us with a problem that was long overdue.
Each time we asked him about the pants, he said they had pockets.
"Unfortunately, my friend told me the pants don't have them," he admits.

Pants with pockets was our major selling point.
We couldn't distribute orders that would disappoint!
We still had the options of ordering from his vendor, submitting it online,
Or getting the pants and tops separately from both companies, to just combine.

In fear of receiving different shades of green, we considered our options and had to rethink.
At the end, we decided it was best to order it all from CustomInk.

“Preparing for the National Honor Society Induction Ceremony”

Last month I was called down by Ms. Perna during homeroom.

National Honor Society hasn't been too busy, so I didn't know what to assume.

Once I got down, she told me I won the election for secretary.

The other positions were awarded to Kelly, Merin, and Mari.

Directing the induction ceremony was our first assignment.

We needed to make sure everyone sat in unison and stayed silent.

So we held the first rehearsal on the second Tuesday of November.

For the principal, vice principal, and guest speaker, each officer was a presenter.

Then we noticed the possibility of not being available after school the next day.

Attending The Challenge was a big event that stood in the way.

We didn't know if we'd be back in time to rehearse once more.

We had the choice to practice eighth period, or right before.

Ms. Perna found both options inconvenient, but there was nothing she could do.

Luckily, we were able to make the Wednesday rehearsal, since we arrived back to school around two.

This made everyone feel more comfortable before the ceremony to be held the next night.

Practicing in the auditorium allowed us all to lose some stage fright.

Twenty minutes before Thursday night's ceremony,

We noticed we had no sugar or milk for the coffee!

While the clock kept ticking, we couldn't decide if we could leave and buy some,

But I went out quickly and got back just in time to meet the guest speaker - a New Milford High School Alum.

Everything leading up to the induction ceremony was definitely hectic,

But congratulations to all the new inductees for being studious, involved, and athletic!

"Where Am I Going to Spend the Next Four Years of My Life?"

As a future college tennis player,
I got the opportunity to go on recruiting visits.
I stayed a night with the team on campus.
And got to see for myself which school best fits.

In September I went up to Vermont to visit Middlebury College,
A small liberal arts school in a small rural city.
What struck me the most was how breath-taking the campus was.
When I woke up the next day, it just seemed like the perfect fit for me.

I knew the coach was very willing to recruit me for his team.
And I wanted to accept his offer right then and there.
But in two weeks I had my official recruiting visit to Columbia University.
I had to wait for that trip, and then I could compare.

My mother has worked across the street from campus for almost twenty years.
So I basically knew what to expect.
She is employed by the University, which makes tuition free.
A huge factor that simply couldn't go unchecked.

I don't think I have ever shed so many tears.
I felt pressured - it was the first major decision I ever needed to make.
I couldn't even consult anyone, only I would know what's best for me.
Within a week, I had to let the coaches know which offer I would take.

No matter how hard I tried,
I was unable to convince myself I wanted to be a Columbia student.
I didn't think an Ivy League school was right for me.
But how could someone turn down an offer that wouldn't make them pay another cent?

In the end, I couldn't let myself choose a school based on money.
I needed to decide on where I would always be happy.
Since both schools are academically renowned, my parents supported either decision I made.
And Middlebury was where I wanted to be.

"AP Calculus Isn't the Same as Pre-Calculus"

Prepared to spend another year with the same math teacher,
I walked into fourth period knowing what to expect.
I aced most of my tests in Pre-Calculus, some without studying.
But in AP Calculus it had a new effect.

On the first Friday we were given a test.
The summer assignment material seemed easy to me.
I took the test without any worry.
Unfortunately, I got a B.

We moved onto limits, new material for everyone.
Continuous or discontinuous, it's up to us to figure out.
For the quiz, I made sure I knew how to decipher between the two types.
If it is continuous, we only follow one route.

I studied and practiced to make sure I didn't end up in the eighties.
However, my high expectations were not met once again.
While I practice more and more, I need to make sure I keep my head up.
The year's early and my grades will improve; I just didn't know when.

At one point I thought it was too late for my first marking period grade to be an A.
But my hopes had risen when I scored a ninety-five on my third test.
It's a great feeling knowing all my studying had finally paid off.
Hopefully I can reach my goal, as long as I try my best.