Heath Hood

English 1

4/6/2015

How Fear Affects People’s Lives

In Elie Wiesel’s memoir Night, fear is struck upon Elie with the thought of being separated from his father. When the time came to be set apart, Elie dashed after his father to remain by his side. Just like Elie, people often suffer from fear, maybe not be as severe, in their lives. Fear can affect people’s lives by making them stronger but it can also block opportunities.

Facing fears is definitely not easy, but once it’s completed courage is gained. For example, when fear comes upon people, the answer is never to give up and feel sorry for themselves. The effects of the fear depend on how it is handled. If the fear is dealt by pushing through the lack of comfort, confidence is gained as well as courage for the next challenge that may come. In addition, right before school started, the day came for our first football scrimmage. As being only a freshman on varsity, surely didn’t have a size advantage. The whistle blew and right then I knew it was my time to go in the game, and after a couple plays I quickly realized there was nothing to be scared about. Although the fear was overwhelming, I was able to fight through it and grow from the experience. This is the case with many fears, people are often too scared to face them, and they’ll miss an opportunity to grow as a person. Therefore, if fears are never faced with courage, confidence and strength will not grow.

Fears that are not handled correctly could have a negative effect on people. For example, in the eighth grade, we were on our way to Six Flags for our field trip. Pulling up and seeing the Titan and the Texas Giant gave me chills down my spine, but all my friends couldn’t wait to ride them. Finally, at the end of the day, I worked up the courage to ride the Titan, and I fell in love instantly. People will often times let fear dictate decisions, and it can quickly lead to missed opportunities, like mine because I was only able to ride on ride. Furthermore, a fear of public speaking or talking in an interview could lead to not getting a quality job. If a person couldn’t handle that fear, it could affect their families by not being able to provide needed item or pay bills.

Therefore, when Elie’s strikes him so hard that he risks his own life to be by his father’s side, he was successful and was never separated from his father at the concentration camps. Fear will impact people’s live either in a positive way by making them stronger or negatively and risk a missed chance

Heath Hood

English I

1/14/15

Dealing With Extreme Emotion

Ever had a sense of rage at someone that was near impossible to keep calm? Or maybe perhaps a feeling of joy and satisfaction that came from good news that enlightens the day. Everyone has had a red face from anger or have a smile from ear to ear, but how the emotions are controlled is a whole different story. It is important to deal with extreme emotions because one may act as a role model and it will also affect relationships.

When people deal with emotions, it doesn’t only impact them or the person those feelings are toward. For example, while I was at an early age, looking up to my two older brothers, I could easily see their actions dealing extreme emotions and the outcomes that followed. One time, I saw my two older brothers nearly get in a fist fight about who could take the car one night. Shouts yelled such as, “You had it last time!” and “But what I’m doing is more important!” they couldn’t seem to come to an agreement. The result of the outbursts of my two older brothers was neither of them were able to take the car, and neither one benefited out of the situation. Because they acted as role model to me, I was able to learn from mistakes made by them and have less trouble with handling my own emotions toward a friend, parent, or classmate. Younger people are always looking up to older siblings or to anyone older than them. By children watching the emotions being handled, it will educate them on how to deal with extreme emotions based on the outcomes they see. Whether good or bad, lessons are learned and the children watching will be better at dealing with their feelings. In addition, not only being a role model happens between siblings, but it is more likely with parents and their child. Children often times do as they see their parents doing. Also, they concentrate on decisions and actions taken in situations including dealing with strong emotions. Children that look up to their parents will later become similar to them. Thus, with all kinds of people looking for role models, it is important to deal with extreme emotions so the next generation learns how and can live a better life.

Handling extreme emotions is difficult enough, but having someone else involved can be a whole lot trickier. To illustrate, Imagine witnessing a married couple argue or have different opinions on financial reasons, how to raise a child, or making daily decisions. The troubles with agreements between a couple can cause anger and frustration. It is important to deal with the emotions because it could maybe result in a compromise where everyone is satisfied. Along with that, dealing with the emotions will increase communication skills and even trust between the two people. In addition, little arguments could possibly lead to a much more serious topic of domestic violence. Approximately 1.3 million women are physically assaulted by a spouse or boyfriend. The unacceptable statistics show that any anger or any strong emotions were not handled correctly. The importance of this case is that to learn self-control so that no actions influenced by emotions will end in relationship problems, regret, or even prison.

Whether the emotions of severe anger or great happiness comes, the actions made affect not only themselves but everyone around. Acting as a role model or being in a relationship brings more importance of dealing with extreme emotions. Emotions are temporary, but the effects on others last a lifetime.

Heath Hood

English 1

4/24/2015

Effects of Extra-Curricular Activities

In the television series, “Friday Night Lights”, the defending State Champions, the Dillon Panthers, are continuing to work hard on their quest for another ring, Along the way, the football team faces adversity that has impacts on the players. Just like the Panthers, when it comes to extra-curricular activities the students that are involved are affected. Extra-curricular activities help students improve themselves by building character, but it could also harm them academically.

Being involved in extra-curricular activities will strengthen students and build character. For example, the final seconds of a basketball game are winding down as the White Oak Roughnecks are up by two points. The Spring Hill Panthers dribble down the court, 3..2..1, and the ball is launched in the air from half court into the basket resulting in a heartbreaking loss to the rival team. Learning to deal with a loss of any kind isn’t easy, but mastering it makes the individual stronger as a person, and will come into play as the players grow up and have jobs, being parents, and being a friend. In addition, when playing a sport, it involves teamwork to be successful. If a single person doesn’t do their job on a certain play, it will more than likely not be successful. Being able to work well in a group can build character by making people more cooperative and allows them to have a better understanding of others actions. Therefor, extra-curricular activities do help students grow by building character, and it will help them as they grow into adults.

Unfortunately, extra-curricular activities could have a harmful effect on students when it comes to school. To illustrate, long track meets, away football and away basketball games result in coming home late on school nights. Trying to squeeze a supper, homework, and a good night sleep can get nearly impossible. Being unable to get a quality amount of sleep in a night could cause an athlete to doze off in class causing a miss of a lesson, turning in late work, or getting in trouble. Also, last year, an hour and a half away track meet kept getting delayed due to rain. After the meet and finally driving all the way home, disregarding my homework, I was finally able to get the little sleep I could get before the next morning. Often times an athlete will worry about their rest instead of their work causing grades to drop, so they will end up having to stay up late studying to maintain stable grades. This will eventually cause a cycle of late nights playing catch up with teachers as well as assignments.

Therefore, as the Dillon Panthers face their problems during their season, they are able to learn from them. Extra-curricular activities do both help and harm students in ways that will affect themselves for the rest of their lives.