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On my way to science class at Saint John Paul II Academy, I noticed a tree that most people probably pass by without a second thought. For me, though, it stopped me in my tracks. Its wide crown stretched outward, full of dark green leaves that concealed the strong branches beneath, each one carrying the weight of years gone by. The trunk stood thin yet steady, its surface covered in patches of green moss, symbolizing its time. I couldn’t help but wonder who planted it, maybe it was placed there in memory of someone, or it was a gift for future students to enjoy without even realizing its origin. The thought made me see the tree differently. To me, it became more than just part of the scenery; it was a living reminder that history often hides in plain sight, rooted deeply in ordinary places we tend to overlook. This tree was a reminder to me that meaning can grow quietly, waiting for us to pause long enough to notice.

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Activity: I played volleyball with friends, making choices about when to serve, pass, or hit the ball. Each decision changed how the game unfolded and how my teammates responded.

Reflection: Playing volleyball showed me how choices affect teamwork and outcomes. I learned that paying attention, communicating, and adapting to situations are important skills both in sports and in life. Making decisions quickly while considering others’ strengths reminded me that being human means learning, cooperating, and thinking ahead.

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Big Question: What does it mean to use power responsibly in a world where knowledge spreads so quickly?

Why it matters: This question came to me during a conversation about social media, where one post can influence thousands of people instantly. It matters to me because power isn’t just held by leaders anymore. Ordinary people can shape opinions and truths online. Thinking about responsibility helps me reflect on how I use my own voice and choices.

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The weight of knowing

opens doors and walls alike.

Power whispers soft,

not always in thunderous tones—

Sometimes it lives in silence.

Explanation: This poem reflects on how power and knowledge often show up in subtle ways, not just through big actions or voices but through quiet choices and awareness. I was inspired by the idea that human identity isn’t only about what we do loudly but also about the inner strength we carry silently.

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I spoke with someone over the age of 50, and they shared a story about the first time they became a manager at work. They explained that the position gave them a new kind of authority, but it also required responsibility they hadn’t experienced before. Suddenly, their decisions affected not just their own work but also the jobs and wellbeing of the people on their team. They learned that true power comes with accountability, and that knowledge of how to lead others: listening, being fair, and setting an example: completely changed how they saw themselves and their role in life.

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1. How does food serve as a bridge between generations in the film?

2. Why does the mother cling so tightly to the bao, and what does it say about love and control?

3. Does letting go of someone we love mean losing them, or does it open a new way of connection?

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I started wondering, is power more dangerous in the hands of someone who lacks knowledge, or in the hands of someone who has knowledge but no compassion? This question matters to me because both situations can cause harm, but in different ways. Power without knowledge can lead to big mistakes, while power without compassion can lead to cruelty. I thought of this question during a conversation with my mom about how power and knowledge work together, and it made me want to understand which is worse for society so we can try to prevent it.

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The article Is Extreme Bodybuilding Putting Your Heart at Risk? Here's What the Study Says, published by The Times of India about two months ago, says extreme bodybuilding can raise the risk of sudden heart problems. This is linked to hard training and the use of performance-enhancing drugs. Experts suggest safer workouts and regular check-ups. The source is generally trusted, but the article does not give all the study details, so the claims should be double-checked. The tone seems fair and focused on safety.

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My mom’s 51, and when she asked me about power and knowledge, I said power can be good or bad depending on how you use it, and that intelligence helps you use it right. She said she didn’t think about stuff like that at my age. It made me realize I’ve thought about it more than I realized, and that her ideas come from a lot of real-life experience.

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I interviewed my mom, who’s 51. When I asked her about a time when knowledge or power changed her life, she told me about when she went back to college in her 30s. She said it was tough because she was working and taking care of me at the same time, but learning new things made her feel more confident. After she graduated, she got a better job that paid more and gave her more control over her life. She said it showed her that you’re never too old to learn, and that knowledge can really give you the power to change your future.

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For this specific task, I decided to cook one of my traditional family dishes with my grandparents. The dish was a chicken and rice casserole. This meal is a comfort food that has been in my family for such a long time and is usually brought around when there are gatherings or special events. While I was cooking, my grandparents told me some stories on how they discovered the recipe from their parents and made the dish into a familial tradition. Experiencing this made me realize how a simple dish can bring with it a great history and emotional luggage. This casserole isn’t just a delicious meal, but instead a way to maintain my family’s identity and culture. Cooking this with my grandparents made me realize that I wasn’t just making a meal, but rather maintaining a piece of my family’s story.

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My big question is how do the stories that we intake from our families mold us into who we will become in the future? This specific inquiry came to me when I was looking at the Zapote tree at my grandparents house and considered the family traditions that exist around it. The story my grandparents told me made me realize just how much of ourselves is influenced by the history that is passed down from generations in our families. Being able to comprehend these stories helps me to visualize where I come from and how the experiences I inherited helped me shape the morals and values and even the perspectives I have on life. Overall, I truly belive that the stories we hear from our bloodline and those that are passed down shape us into who we become.

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I came across this article that was published by the National Institutes of Health, also known as the NIH, and is titled “Why Do We Need Sleep?” This source is credible due to the fact that the NIH is a relied upon, government-supported, organization that is based on research that doesn’t have commercial plans. This article shows scientific information that has been reviewed by peers and is supported by experts’ agreements and multiple studies. This is a fact based and non biased article that has more intention to teach rather than make someone agree. The contents of it describe intricate procedures such as the role that sleep plays in brain functionality and it also gives us credible references. All of these details show that the article is reliable and show that the mission that the NIH has to continue public health provides us with more support regarding its reliability.

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For this task, I chose to interview my 70 year old grandpa. I asked him about a time in which knowledge or power changed his life. My grandpa shared with me that his parents passed away when he was younger and, due to his young age, he was challenged to go out into the world on his own. In order for him to make it in the world and survive, he was forced to obtain practical knowledge and basic skills even though he wasn’t in school. He went out and found a position in construction that assisted him in gaining new trades such as carpentry and how to maintain a property. Although he was faced with great difficulty and still overwhelmed with grief, he was both proud of the fact that he rose above it all but he still felt challenged by the experience since he had to face it all on his own. This hardship made him into who he is today and allowed him to gain multiple skills and heaps of knowledge that he now uses in managing his rental properties in his position as a landlord. I found that his story truly outlines how knowledge achieved through hard times can provide someone the power to rise above challenges and have a fulfilling life.

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This Ted talk made me realize that I never thought of leadership as a thing that occurs in small moments. It led me to think about how many people have truly impacted my life without me even knowing that they did. This talk made me realize that leadership is a truly amazing thing and doesn’t have to happen in big gestures. The “lollipop moment” that Drew spoke about made me question why we don’t usually tell others in what way they assisted us. My question is why are we scared to show our gratitude to those around us? I came to the conclusion that leadership doesn’t require power or a title but rather being there for others, being kind, and paying attention to others instead of hyper-fixating on our own opinions.

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During our hangout, Siena and I spoke about what is going on in the world that we find interesting. For me, I found interest in how scientists are attempting to grow food in space for the facilitation of future space travel.

Siena talked about how she is curious on how airplanes and how traveling affects the atmosphere and the way in which it advances global warming a lot. She said that she is concerned about the matter and hopes that there is something we can do about it in the future.

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This article is called “Nurtured by Nature” and was published in the American Psychological Association by Kirsten Weir. It discusses the importance of spending time outdoors and the many benefits that come with it. This is an issue in today’s society as many people spend a significant amount of their time on electronics and barely any in nature, without realizing the true effects it has on them. I do not think this source is biased as this is a common suggestion made by many. In this article, for instance, there are many quotes from others that add on to the overall importance of incorporating nature into your daily life. This article is credible as it was published in APA, which is usually considered a reliable source as it is known for publishing high-quality research. Anyone can submit their work to APA, however, that does not mean that it will be published as all submissions undergo a process to ensure that their work is factual. This particular article was published on April 1, 2020. However, it was updated on April 8, 2025. This is due to the fact that more recent and up-to-date reports have been added to the article. Along with this, the quotes are taken from psychologists who have earned their PhDs, which further proves the credibility of the source.

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Exposure to nature has been linked to a host of benefits, including improved attention, lower stress, better mood, reduced risk of psychiatric disorders and even upticks in empathy and cooperation.

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The article I picked is by Tim Walker and published on NEA, National Education Association. This article talks about taking cellphones out of the classroom. It provides plenty of quotes from teachers directly and explains that it disrupts the learning of students. They even provided a survey from about three thousand teachers saying 90% support banning cellphones while teachers give instructions in class. 83% support extending the ban time to the entire day. Since the tone of the essay gives off the impression of phones being bad and the article only providing information about teachers not liking the idea of phones in school, not parents worried about safety or what students think about phones, I would believe this article is biased. This article can be creditable if you’re looking for a teachers perspective on the situation.

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Take Cellphones Out of the Classroom, Educators Say | NEA

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Across the country, a 'teacher-led movement' is demanding new cellphone policies to curb the constant distractions and disruptions to learning.

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Me and Ryan were hanging out at our friend’s house with our friends and I decided to pick the pool because I believe it has some type of philosophical value to it. This pool has witnessed a great amount of memories made and has been the cause of many memories at our designated hang out spot. The pool has been through the past, present, and future and just looking at this pool brings a bunch of memories this past summer, to not just me, but my friend group as well. With being with my friends in the water brings only happiness and good energy. Even thinking about it more, the pool has held memories over the years silently for my friend who owns the pool and the other people he has invited before us. My favorite memory of this pool is when it was an actual perfect summer day, only it was still May, after school. The sun shinning, all my friends in the pool with music playing, a barbecue going on and good vibes only. This pool has created so many beautiful memories and I am forever grateful!

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While watching the video, I noticed how disciplined Ronnie was with his eating and how much dedication it took to stay at that level. It made me wonder how his diet affected his health over time and how much mental strength it takes to live that way.

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Ronnie Coleman In His Prime | Full Day Of Eating With The Best Bodybuilder Ever | 8X Mr Olympia

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Nick, Ollie and I went to the Spanish River Library and started writing encouraging messages and Bible quotes on sticky notes. We put them at the first chapter of each book we found. Doing this really made me realize that acts of service don’t always have to be huge things like feeding the poor or donating a lot of money. Even small things, like what we did today, can make a big difference. It could brighten someone’s day or even help them feel closer to God. I remember when we started writing the notes, Nick and I were both like, “This is super nice, I feel so good doing this.” While I was writing the messages, I just kept thinking about how cool it was that something so small could make someone’s day a little better.

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On Sunday August 11th, 2025 me and Nicholas Pouncey went to the Spanish River library and had a insightful conversation. We discussed the increased ICE (Immigration Customs Enforcement) Involvement in across the nation and how deportation rates have spiked up to 90 percent, according to https://www.migrationpolicy.org

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This article is called “Nurtured by Nature” and was published in the American Psychological Association by Kirsten Weir. It discusses the importance of spending time outdoors and the many benefits that come with it. This is an issue in today’s society as many people spend a significant amount of their time on electronics and barely any in nature, without realizing the true effects it has on them. I do not think this source is biased as this is a common suggestion made by many. In this article, for instance, there are many quotes from others that add on to the overall importance of incorporating nature into your daily life. This article is credible as it was published in APA, which is usually considered a reliable source as it is known for publishing high-quality research. Anyone can submit their work to APA, however, that does not mean that it will be published as all submissions undergo a process to ensure that their work is factual. This particular article was published on April 1, 2020. However, it was updated on April 8, 2025. This is due to the fact that more recent and up-to-date reports have been added to the article. Along with this, the quotes are taken from psychologists who have earned their PhDs, which further proves the credibility of the source.

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Exposure to nature has been linked to a host of benefits, including improved attention, lower stress, better mood, reduced risk of psychiatric disorders and even upticks in empathy and cooperation.

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Maddie decided to connect with me and while doing so I was curious about the SAT and how much it actually matters as well as if it will even reflect all of my abilities. We ended up talking about it with the overall thought coming out that it obviously matters especially in the sense that it’s so heavily weighted by colleges but shouldn’t over stress about it because there are other things to take into consideration such as sports, clubs, academics, and more.

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Tyler, Nick, and I decided to go to Spanish River Library and write encouraging messages as well as bible quotes on sticky notes! We then put the sticky notes at the first chapter of each book! This activity challenged my way of thinking in the sense that not all acts of service have to be doing something for someone in a big way such as feeding the poor or giving money to the less fortunate! Even though they may be more impactful and engaging even small acts of service matter such as what we did today which could really brighten someone’s day or even get someone more in tuned with God. I still remember when we started writing the messages Nick and Tyler were like this is super nice/I feel super good doing this. Not to mention when I was writing these quotes and encouraging messages it made me feel super good to know that I’m making someone’s day just a little better!

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When my Mom interviewed me about my views on being human, I realized how differently we see the world because of our life experiences. She asked me questions that made me think deeper than I had expected, like how I define success or what I think truly matters in life. I noticed that my answers were more about personal happiness and self-expression, while hers leaned toward responsibility and long-term stability, as shown in my interview with her. Switching roles made me realize that I often focus on the present, while she sees the bigger picture shaped by years of experience. It taught me that both perspectives have value, and that balancing them could help me make smarter choices in the future to come.

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Ryan, Catherine, and I talked about the necessary tasks of being a good friend. Friends are very important and a necessity of our lives. Friends keep us happy, are our emotional support, and contribute to us growing us a person by giving advice or their point of view on certain situations, etc. They can be a safe space and can encourage you to do things you wouldn’t normally do in a positive way. Friends can inspire you and motivate you to try harder and achieve your goals.

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Jacqueline, Ryan and I met up and talked about friendship. We thought it was an important topic because friendship means a lot especially getting thru society. You need friends to support you and especially someone you can trust. When seeing friends it can uplift you and bring happiness.

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After watching this short documentary I was able to observe how much of an impact Michael Jordan had internationally. He quickly became the most famous man on the planet in the matter of a few years. I also found out that Jordan was a majority owner of the Washington Wizards. One last observation was that he changed basketball more than anyone did before.

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Michael Jordan - Basketball Player | Mini Bio | BIO

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Task 10 - Create a Visual or Written Response 

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Task 10 - Create a Visual or Written Response 

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For this assignment I decided to share a part of me! I decided to add some of the people/things that make me happy in apart of my human identity. Included in this collage that I made is my friends, my relationship with God, my family, and my hobbies. My friends are like my second family. I love spending time with them and hanging with them is never a dull moment. The Lord has always been number one in my life and will continue to be. He has been there when no one has and he’s my best friend. My family always wants the best for me and I appreciate everything they have done for me. My hobbies keep me occupied and bring me joy. I love to read books because there is always a lesson no matter what genre. I love going to the beach because something about it is such a refreshing and calming feeling. Traveling is my most favorite hobby because I absolutely love experiencing other cultures, architecture, way of life, etc. I hope this collage teaches others more about me!

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This is an article about how President Trump and Russian Leader Putin will be meeting next week in Alaska for trade talks about ending the Russia vs Ukraine War. This source is very credible, for it comes from the BBC, one of the most well known News outlets in the entire world. Adding on, this source has an author, Courtney Subramanian. This source seems a little biased towards the United States and Ukraine, although it gives great facts about what they are looking forward to resolving at this meeting.

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Trump and Putin to meet in Alaska for Ukraine talks next week

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The announcement comes hours after the US leader signals Ukraine may have to cede territory to end the war.

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I chose the culture lens for deHoernle Park because it represents so much art. DeHoernle Park is home to one of the biggest lakes in Palm Beach county and many different sports facilities. Parks like deHoernle Park is what makes our culture in the United States so unique. We are able have the freedom to walk the lake or play Baseball whenever we want in derHoernle Park. In most cultures across the world this is not normal. This lens enabled me to take a different view about parks and show appreciation for what we have. My partner Arabella, chose a historical lens.

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Arabella and I wrote kind sticky notes in some books at the Spanish River library. This activity challenged my understanding of our community by making me better understand that many people need this type of encouragement. Some people don’t have people to encourage and support them to do great things in life.

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Arabella and I met up to speak about how AI is making such a huge impact at such a fast pace. We both agreed that this rapid rate of growth is accelerating at a pace that can potentially be very dangerous in many different ways. We also believe that AI can leave a positive impact on the medical and healthcare system.

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Arabella and I spoke about what our advice would be to our younger selves and naming one living person we look up to the most. While hearing her perspective of our first question advice toward her younger self, I felt as if I could relate to her. I also found that making our values align to the people we aspire to be like is crucial in being successful in the line of work you intend to be doing. Wheather that be someone you look up to sports, business, or life wise.

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For this task, an experience that applies would be my summer service trip to Homestead. I stayed with a group of people in Homestead for a week this summer and did service related activities for the less fortunate. I learned how the people there lived and how people’s daily activities and lifestyles vary based on where you live and your economic standing. I also learned that the people there seemed grateful and happy with their lives, focusing on family values. The people were welcoming, and one of the families invited us over and cooked all of us dinner, even though they were less advantaged and didn’t have much money. I learned that people who have less are grateful for more, and people’s surroundings truly influence their outlooks on life, whether they appreciate what they have (no matter how small), or if they are shallow, and constantly compare themselves to others around them. This experience deepened my thinking, and when I returned home, I felt more appreciative for what I have, my home, my education, and my family.

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My big question was, what do people value more, truth or comfort? In a world full of misinformation, social media, and personal opinions, people often choose to believe what feels good instead of what is real. This question matters because it asks whether we value being right over feeling secure, and whether society can survive if truth becomes optional.

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For this task, my uncle asked me, “What drives the pursuit of knowledge?” At first I responded “knowledge is just something gained through life experience.” However, I was corrected, as knowledge in general is much deeper than that. He told me that knowledge is something that people search for, something people seek out and truly want to find. There’s always a reason for why people seek for knowledge in certain areas. For example, it could be a certain interest, or a sport, or a hobby. When people truly want to learn about something, they’ll spend all of their time searching and thinking about it. He then concluded, the pursuit of knowledge is driven by passion. This really changed my perspective on knowledge, and deepened my own understanding of it. I concluded that passion is a hunger people have to act upon something, good or bad. When people are passionate about something, they will give their all to understand it and answer their questions. This is what drives knowledge.

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Today Me, Tyler, and Ollie met up at the Library and we decided to put nice notes insides books. We decided to do this because we never know what someone is going through and maybe they just needed something nice for them

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For this task, I interviewed my Grandpa. He told me that one of the most life changing experiences for him was when he realized one day during a family gathering how he had realized the impact he had by passing on wisdom and knowledge to his children, and he realized the impact he had that came through sharing his experiences he gained through life to support and guide his children. He realized the influence he had and said that his greatest accomplishment was raising his children and managing to stay close with everyone in the family. He feels that it is because of him that our family is so close, because he pushed so hard to share with all of his children the important notion that family is most important. These familial based life experiences, passing on wisdom to his kids and his grandchildren, taught him how powerful love, respect, and family bonds can be.

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Me and Tyler met up at the library and spoke about our goals for this upcoming school year aswell as the football season. Later we began discussing the ice problem in America and how it is a growing problem that is destroying people’s families and homes

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Our questions were focused on how people have grown into who they are and what has prevented them from achieving their goals. These were the questions that were the most appealing to us, as we were curious about how certain events in people’s lives end up having a big influence on what path they end up on. This could be a challenging obstacle that either motivates them to keep on trying or to completely give up. The question that we thought was most intriguing was “What’s holding you back?” Kyla and I agreed about this one being the most important because many people are afraid to try to accomplish the hard things in life as they are not completely confident that they can do it. This prevents them from reaching their true potential and limits them from what they can do. The most interesting moment during our conversation was when we both realized that there was a time in our lives when we haven’t done what we wanted to as we were afraid of failure and judgement from others. As we were sitting in the cafe, we noticed how many hard-working people there are. There were many people, both old and young, focused on different tasks. However, they were all very concentrated and dedicated to getting their work done. This shows how people are determined to put in the effort that is needed to achieve their goals, even if it is extremely challenging. Out of this experience, we were able to observe others and their behavior. This had quite a big impact on us as we got to reflect on our own behavior in the past and what we should do to prevent it from happening again in the future.

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Maddie, Kyla, and I went to pick up trash from the beach. This activity challenged our thinking about community as we realized the importance of everyone playing their part to ensure the overall success of the community. However, while seeing the amount of trash there was on the beach, we realized that not everyone does their part. Cleaning the beach made us feel better as we were helping the environment and taking responsibility to change the wrongdoings.

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This summer, I spent a whole month in Europe. My family and I traveled to England, Spain, France, and Italy. This wonderful experience allowed me to learn about so many different cultures as well as the history of these beautiful countries and how they came to be. Along with this, I was able to observe how people from other countries behave and how it differentiates from us. I also had the opportunity to interact with others and participate in certain practices of their cultures. It was a great way to see how the lifestyles of people in countries across the world vary and the differences in what their priorities are. It was one of the best experiences of my life as I was able to see how vast and beautiful the world truly is and each country’s unique feature that separates it from the rest.

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The Big Question: Are people aware of the word, “sonder”, and what it means?

Sonder is when you realize that every person you encounter has a life as vivid and complex as your own, filled with their own experiences. This question matters to me because ever since I found out about the word, the lens through which I see others has completely been changed. My sister and I were talking about our parents when she explained the word to me. We discussed how we always thought of our parents as these people who just always know what to do, instead of acknowledging that they went through life the same way we are now. It was life-changing because I had never thought about life in this perspective. It made me realize that everyone has their own problems and is going through something that I am completely unaware of. This is extremely important to me as it has made me more conscious of my surroundings and the complexity behind each person, whether it is a loved one or a stranger.

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This article is called “Nurtured by Nature” and was published in the American Psychological Association by Kirsten Weir. It discusses the importance of spending time outdoors and the many benefits that come with it. This is an issue in today’s society as many people spend a significant amount of their time on electronics and barely any in nature, without realizing the true effects it has on them. I do not think this source is biased as this is a common suggestion made by many. In this article, for instance, there are many quotes from others that add on to the overall importance of incorporating nature into your daily life. This article is credible as it was published in APA, which is usually considered a reliable source as it is known for publishing high-quality research. Anyone can submit their work to APA, however, that does not mean that it will be published as all submissions undergo a process to ensure that their work is factual. This particular article was published on April 1, 2020. However, it was updated on April 8, 2025. This is due to the fact that more recent and up-to-date reports have been added to the article. Along with this, the quotes are taken from psychologists who have earned their PhDs, which further proves the credibility of the source.

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Exposure to nature has been linked to a host of benefits, including improved attention, lower stress, better mood, reduced risk of psychiatric disorders and even upticks in empathy and cooperation.

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The central idea mentioned in this TED talk was about the importance of grit. Grit is the long-lasting motivation that encourages you to always keep trying, even when there are many challenging obstacles that come along the way. She explains how it is grit that is crucial to being successful as it inspires you to never give up when trying to accomplish something. During her many studies at schools, she concluded that the biggest impact on how kids performed in school was not based on general IQ scores or familial backgrounds, but rather grit.

In this TED talk, the idea of a growth mindset is connected to grit. She discusses how we do not know a lot about grit and how to build it, yet explains how a growth mindset is a good way to start. A growth mindset is the belief that your intelligence and the amount you learn depends on the effort and hard work you put into making that happen.

The ending of the TED talk serves as a reminder of how you have to be willing to fail and start over and over again, even though it may seem scary. I thought that this was very influential as many people are afraid to continue trying or try something new as they think that they are not capable of doing it. Grit is something that should be worked on as it is vital to have in life.

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Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance | Angela Lee Duckworth | TED

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Task 10: Create a Visual or Written Response

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Task 10: Create a Visual or Written Response

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My collage reflects the values that are important to me and what makes me the person I am. I decided to make this collage because I thought that it was the best way to express my own identity as it demonstrates what I perceive to be the most special things in life. Some of those things include education, traveling, and the culture I was raised in: the Ukrainian culture. However, those would all have barely any meaning without my family, friends, or God. They are my true inspiration to try my hardest to achieve my goals in life and to be the best version of myself that I possibly can be.

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For this task, I interviewed my Mom. She said that it reminded her of when she was pregnant and had this special, but dangerous type of blood, which was Rh negative. This blood can cause serious complications in pregnancy if it is not managed properly. When she was late into her pregnancy, the doctors needed to do an amniocentesis, and just as they were about to begin, my Mom remembered to remind them about her Rh-negative blood type. The doctors paused and realized they didn’t have the RhoGAM shot ready, so they had to send my Dad to the pharmacy to pick it up. My Mom said that if she hadn’t spoken up, it would have caused serious problems with delivering my Brother. She said that specific moment had taught her two things: first, knowledge isn’t just something you keep in your brain, it's power when you act on it. Second, even when you are in a room full of experts, you’re still the ultimate advocate for yourself and your body. This story hits hard for me, because if it had not been for her knowledge of her needs, my Brother may not have been able to be here today.

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I found this article, which was published by CNN and titled "Under attack from all sides, armed clans try to protect aid coming into Gaza". This article was posted on July 31st, 2025, and written by Ibrahim Dahman, Eyad Kourdi, and Ivana Kottasova. The source is credible because CNN is a well-established news outlet that follows journalistic standards, cites firsthand accounts, and includes multiple perspectives, which was shown in this paper. This adds balance and reliability. However, it is worth noting that CNN has faced some criticism for a pro-Israel bias in its coverage of the Gaza conflict. These factors suggest that while the article is well-researched, readers should remain aware of the broader media context and make sure to check information with other sources before fully trusting it.

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Ibrahim Dahman, Eyad Kourdi, Ivana Kottasová

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Under attack from all sides, armed clans try to protect aid coming into Gaza | CNN

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Securing the trucks carrying aid into Gaza is a tight balancing act for the Abu Mughsaib clan. Getting too close to the Israeli military checkpoints can turn deadly. But staying too far away gives looters a chance to get to the precious cargo first.

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The Wall Street Journal’s article “Scientific Journals Can’t Keep Up With Flood of Fake Papers” (August 4, 2025) explains how publishers are overwhelmed by inaccurate and fraudulent research is generated by “paper mills.” The article highlights a study from the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences showing a sharp rise in fake scientific papers, with over 11,000 in recent years. Major publishers like Wiley and Taylor & Francis have shut down or paused journals in response. The WSJ, a credible news source, supports its reporting with peer-reviewed data and expert insights. In addition, the author, Nidhi Subbaraman is stated, further proving the accuracy of this source and this article. While the outlet may have a slightly business focused perspective, the article is largely balanced and presents the issue with accuracy and depth.

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For my visual, I decided to base it on the idea of human identity. My meaning of human identity is the things that make up who we are, and what inspires us to be who we are today. It can be from something as big as God, to something small like your favorite food. All of these factors can make up our personalities, and portray our mark we leave on the world. For my piece, I included everything that I enjoy, like different symbols, but also the things that have guided and influenced me the most throughout my life. Those things are what make up my true human identity.

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During my trip to Colorado, we decided to explore Telluride’s Mountain Village, a small community high up in the mountains. Most people visiting Telluride’s Mountain Village are drawn to the stunning views ahead, the mountains, the valley, and the vibrant town bellow. During our walk, we had to take the gondola. Most people were looking ahead, at the beautiful city and the scenery surrounding it. However, what was under looked was the open green fields and tall trees behind the gondola. I decided to take a look and to my surprise I found two elk grazing peacefully in the grass. It’s easy to be pulled forward by what’s scenic, and photo worthy, however, it’s important to appreciate and pay attention to the little unnoticed areas, because there might just be something greater waiting to be seen.

The elk weren’t “the view”. However, they were just as beautiful and even somewhat rare. This moment reminded me that sometimes the most important things and even beautiful sights are overlooked. It’s best to remember that even when your focused on what’s in front of you, you should also look around and appreciate what’s already there with you.

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As I walked around the neighborhood, seeing the rows upon rows of clean-shaven lawns and picket fences, one constant continued to nag at me throughout the little self-guided tour. So plain yet so crucial to the neighborhood, and better yet, the homes, it wouldn’t be the same without them; the houses. Each and every person had a house that held families, rules, and memories, all of which differed from one another. Inside a house, a whole different universe existed from the world outside. As a society, people always tend to only ponder about the ever constant present, the now, or the anticipated future. In today’s world, the past is merely glanced at, only taken seriously when it comes to the big, life-shattering events or places. Mankind looks and flocks towards the Colosseum and the Great Pyramids of the world; to the Victorian home and the Gothic-style churches, pointing and flaunting about architecture or design, the differences in size and shape of each one. Yet, time and time again, humanity tends to forget that history surrounds the ordinary day-to-day life, from the shops they visit to the homes they inhabit. After all, no one tends to remember the past better than the homes that hold onto every scratch, accident, or mistake in their floors and halls.

Houses hold the hidden history of every person, family, and inhabitant that has ever lived in their walls. Maybe, instead of obsessing over the exceptional buildings of the past, why don’t we, as a society, focus on the region around us and figure it out from there? The ordinary might just hold the extraordinary. From the house that was previously owned by a famous musical producer to the house that hid wine during the Prohibition, you’ll never figure out a home’s true value until you find out its history.

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Walking onto the brick steps of the clubhouse, the first thought that jumps to mind is a single word: opulence. This building, with its rich white exterior, gorgeous pillars, refined common area, large windows, and an extensive amount of amenities, creates an atmosphere of wealth and riches. However, its interior is always empty. No one lies on the plush, comfy couch to watch movies with. No one pays attention to the pool table, which would gather dust if the cleaning lady were not there to clean it up. This building, this place, exudes wealth, even power; however, no one seems to care for the updated clubhouse. The community’s members would much rather take comfort in the shelter of their own home, where real warmth and connection can be made. Thus, the building will remain a symbol of power, of wealth; however, it will only benefit those who choose to use its many amenities, even though the building feels cold. After all, wealth cannot truly replace the real depth of connection and memories that other buildings hold.

However, right next to this intense building is something more ‘childish’, more fun: a playground. Although it is small, with only a pair of swings and a playground climber, the primary colors, mulch, and other items bring in a feeling of childhood and fun. The mood of this place is one of laughter, imagination, and freedom. This is a place where children and even adults alike can let their imagination run wild. Dragons, magic, witches, wizards, mermaids, princesses, epic battles, detectives, and much more are all part of this playground. The only limit of this magical places comes when people decide they are too old for childish games; when people decide that they are ‘grown-ups ‘ and let their imaginations die. Playgrounds are a place of freedom, where your inner kid is allowed to roam and play, to be free from the binds of adulthood and responsibility; it is just up to people to embrace this freedom or not.

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I interviewed my Auntie Sandy, where the power roles as both a civilian and a board member of a township were explored!

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For this assignment I chose the TED X talk video on “How Ethics Can Help You Make Better Decisions”

By reading theories of ethics and fully understanding the meaning and what they say, you will be able to overcome moral dilemmas.

Understanding ethical theories is how we increase our chances of success at simply being human beings having to negotiate with others.

We have to imagine, “what if everyone did what were about to do, what would the outcome be on a worldwide scale?”

-The Categorical Imperative

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How Ethics Can Help You Make Better Decisions | Michael Schur | TED

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Today my grandmother interviewed me and asked me about my views on knowledge being power, it became clear that my view on knowledge was different from hers. I viewed knowledge as overall smart and knowing what’s right from wrong compared to her perspective being that knowledge is how wise someone is mentally. I realized that knowledge isn’t just something that is external but more internal, being powerful with your knowledge is something you experience through yourself inner prospective, your mental state, and how you look at things from a more complex way of life. It felt that the more life she has experienced, all the ups and downs it allowed her to see things from a more unique prospective, a clearer view and a deeper look at society.

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My perspective shifted especially from the internet question because as the world is evolving technology is growing and changing every day. It is so interesting to see how people don’t connect in person as much as they do over the internet which is scary because does that mean in the future will the internet leave us with even less human interaction as it grows. My perspective was so set on the fact that technology is bringing people closer together from a far which is still true but as Maddie said it also kind of brings us away from actual human interactions.

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Kyla and I went to sugar sand park and saw a mural of animals. I decided to pick the scientific lens because this mural shows so many different animals that live together in the same environment. You can see birds, fish, dolphins, turtles, and even trees, all sharing the same space. It makes me think about how every living thing here is connected and how they all need each other to survive. From a science point of view, it’s like a snapshot of an ecosystem, showing how species interact, depend on food chains, and keep the environment balanced. Looking at it this way, it’s almost like a big picture of how nature works as one big system.

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This TED Talk given by Pellegrino Riccardi deals with the differences he notices in cultures based on his own experiences in various countries, as well as being multicultural himself. In this video, he particularly focuses on how cultures interact with one another and where beliefs intersect or differ.

One question I had while watching was, “How many cultural stereotypes hinder people’s expectations?” For example, Pellegrino Riccardi mentions that when describing certain traits to people, many may draw conclusions about a culture based on their perceived norms.

From this video, I was able to understand that differences in culture lead to differences in perspectives. For example, some cultures are very strict with tardiness, while others see being on time as less important. These two viewpoints cause cultural clashes and misunderstandings.

My last question I had was, “Why do some cultural beliefs develop based on traditional values, while others are no longer accepted?” After the speaker spoke on hierarchy in Singapore, it made me wonder what led to that emphasis, especially since he mentioned how some of the mannerisms of Singaporeans may be perceived differently if done by other cultures.

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Cross cultural communication | Pellegrino Riccardi | TEDxBergen

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When Olie and I went to Sugar Sand Park, we saw a mosaic mural on one of the building’s walls. I chose to look at this art piece from an artistic lens, as I rarely see mosaic pieces like this and felt as though there was a meaning to the art’s layout. Looking at this mural from an artistic lens, I tried to focus more on the details and creativity of the work. For example, from up close the mosaic is a bunch of little multicolored squares, but from afar, it becomes a beautiful scene depicting Florida’s wildlife. This helped me shape how I saw the scene because it made me realize that the piece was meant to be viewed from far and near to display how nature can appear different from various angles. Up close, you notice the details of one animal, but from a distance, you see more of nature from a less detailed perspective. In an artistic way, this mural teaches that people must be attentive to nature and view it as something with depth.

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Yana and I met at Carmela Coffee to discuss our list of questions centered on self-growth and the obstacles preventing us from reaching our goals. We chose these questions due to our curiosity about how events in people’s lives can drastically affect their future choices and life trajectory. For example, like whether obstacles motivate them or discourage them. The most interesting question to us was “What’s holding you back?” Both Yana and I related on how we believe that people tend to be scared to try new things if they seem difficult or unfamiliar in fear of failure or judgement. For me, I agree that this fear holds me back a lot, which is why I’ve been more willing to do things I would normally avoid, since these challenges only prevent me from growing as an individual. I realize now that in middle school this fear caused me to miss out on many opportunities that I should’ve taken. During our conversation, we took a break to look around and noticed that many of the people, both young and old, were all engaged in their own activities. However, one similarity they all had is they were focused and committed to accomplishing their tasks. Paying attention to our surroundings helped shift our perspectives a little because we were able to apply our questions to the people around us. Instead of doing the minimum, people were pushing themselves and taking the time to improve. Each person had struggles, regrets, and goals, but they were all trying to accomplish their present tasks instead of worrying about the past or future. Through our experience here, we were able to self-reflect on our own pasts, set goals for our futures, and acknowledge the importance of focusing on the present.

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To help serve the community, Maddie, Yana, and I decided to clean the beach near Red Reef Park of its trash. We chose to engage in this activity because we all go to the beach, so it’s our responsibility to maintain it, too. When we cleaned the beach, we realized that it was quite littered, meaning that not all people do their part in taking care of it. Through this experience, we learned that working with others and helping out a wider community can still play an important role, as not everybody contributes to helping. In addition, public spaces are used by everyone, so as a community, we must acknowledge that we also have responsibilities in sharing them. In our opinion, cleaning the beach together was able to not only accelerate the process but also provide us with more motivation.

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the creator visits Hong Kong and notices many women sitting on bridges. At first, he thinks they are homeless, but they are actually foreign domestic helpers FDHs, mostly nannies who work six days a week for wealthy families. Even though their jobs are hard and they are far from their families, many say they feel lucky and stay positive. I chose this video because it shows a part of life many people don’t see the hard work and sacrifices of these nannies. It made me think about how people live and work in different places, and how they find ways to stay happy even when life is tough.

1. Why do the nannies only get one day off?

2. How do they stay happy even though their jobs are hard?

3. Why do they sit on bridges instead of going home on their day off?

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https://youtube.com/shorts/ZxLepkhcFfc?feature=shared

Talking about these questions opened my eyes. I hadn’t really thought about how much the internet isolates us despite connecting us, and I’m now more aware of the value of real conversations. On human nature, I still think selfishness is natural, but hearing the idea that goodness is our original state made me think about how life changes people. This chat reminded me how important it is to listen and reflect on different views.

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Kyla, Yana, and I went to Red Reef Beach to clean up trash together, and even though it was a small act, it made us realize how easy it is to take care of the places we all share. Seeing how much litter was left behind made us think about how our actions affect everyone who visits. Doing this together reminded us that community is about showing up, helping out, and respecting the space for others too. It made us want to be more aware of how we treat the environment and how we can all play a part, even in little ways.

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I found this plaque for Donald Leon Capron, Jr. while walking at Red Reef Beach. It’s easy to miss, but it tells the story of someone who helped make this beach what it is today. He helped form the Open Ocean Society, pushed for the city to acquire Red Reef Park, and worked for years to expand public beaches and parks in Boca Raton. He wasn’t famous, just someone who loved the ocean and his community. Seeing this reminded me how much hidden history is around us. People like Don made places like this possible, even if most of us don’t know their names.

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Today I decided to interview my Grandmother, when the question “when was a time where knowledge or power changed her life” got brought up she answered it in a simple way. She was telling me about her growing up and how she had to become more mature faster, having her first child in her 20s (my father) she realized that she wasn’t a child anymore and that she was now a parent. She told me about the times that she felt lost or confused about, times she questioned her religious beliefs. She felt that no one was there for her but as time went on she realized that everything was going to be okay, this led her to having 2 more children my auntie and uncle, and the knowledge and maturity that she gained from her first child allowed for her to have 2 more children with less stress and worries. That knowledge got passed on for generations with the most recent being me and my siblings. The wisdom and knowledge was life changing and affected me without me deeply knowing.

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Question: What is going on with ICE?

This topic has been going viral all over social media, the news, and in my daily life. I decided to talk about this question because I was talking about it with my mom and it seems like such an important issue that is being overlooked to this day. America as we know it is the land of the free and opportunities. For generations now people from all over the world have immigrated to the United States of America for not only a better life, but bigger opportunities for themselves, their families, and future generations to come. The world is connected meaning that immigration and migration are to come. As we know it illegal immigration to the United States of America without the proper legal steps is a crime that should be dealt with. Something that is completely out of proportion though is the government focusing a large amount of its funds and resources on the ICE initiative.The ICE initiative refers to the efforts of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement basically meaning they enforce immigration laws, investigate cross-border crime, and handle deportations and detention of undocumented immigrants.

The United States is a first world superpower having one of if not the best economic, social, and political systems on the globe. Due to this by deporting, imprisoning, and even in some cases killing people who have immigrated here were damaging the country immensely. This country relies on the fact that it has mainly 5 classes: the upper class, upper middle class, middle class, working class, and lower class/underclass. This is how we are able to keep such a steady economy because every single person has a role to fill. If we were to let's say deport most of the lower class we wouldn’t have a steady economy and this country as we know it would start to crumble. Overall what I get out of this question is that our government is focusing our resources and vast amounts of our funds on the WRONG situations. Reports of ICE barging into school graduations just to arrest and deport some immigrants living normal lives like us shouldn’t be our focus to help this country grow even if they were living here illegally. The fact that some everyday people sit back and let this happen, especially when almost everyone's family at one point immigrated to the United States, is insane to me. I don’t condone or agree with any matter of illegal immigration nor is ICE not doing their job/the right thing but the way we are using our resources on issues like this when there are still so many bigger issues is the point I’m trying to get too!

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Task 10 - Create a Visual or Written Response

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Task 10 - Create a Visual or Written Response

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The Power in Learning

A book can open up the mind,
And help us see the world, redefined.
A lesson learned, a thought that's new,
Can shape the things we say and do.

Knowledge grows like seeds we plant,
It shows us how, and why, and can’t.
In every mind, both young and old,
Learning makes us brave and bold.

I decided to do a poem on knowledge and education. I mainly decided to do it on this because we are students in an AP class but another reason is because knowledge and learning is a basis for human life. Once you stop learning you stop living because you are supposed to learn something new every single day. We were given brains, knowledge to learn from, and the intent to be naturally curious. A line that stood out to me that I really loved was the fact that what we learn can shape what we say and do which is so true because one word or action can change a whole person's perspective.

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On my power walk the places that I went to were the YMCA and Saint Jude Catholic school. The YMCA shows its power through their facility. The YMCA’s facility is amazing from the indoor pool to their gym and more. Those are the YMCA’s visible symbols but their invisible symbols that you aren’t able to see is the sense of belonging and home away from home that you get when you're there. Anybody and everybody can benefit from the YMCA as even if someone can't afford to go they have programs that can help pay for them.

Saint Jude represents knowledge and education as a visible strength but its invisible strengths are its undeniable faith and sense of community. As a school they have all the tools you need to strive in your academics, but through that the school also spreads the word of God and teaches about Catholicism. Due to it being a private school those families who are more privileged and their kids benefit from it, while those who aren't may be left out. On the other hand anyone can benefit from their church.

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A question I came up with is What makes a place feel like home? I thought about this question during sunrise on the beach. Home isn’t always a place that has walls and a roof, but a sense where someone feels safe or loved. It doesn’t have to be a place, home can mean people that you create memories with, and feel like you can be comfortable and yourself. Home also makes someone feel welcomed and a sense of belonging. Home is where the heart is.

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The title of the article I selected is “Social media use predicted future depression in tweens.” The Author is the Health and Science section of the Washington Post. This article was published in June of 2025. This article is credible because it is based on a peer reviewed study published in a trusted medical journal, JAMA Network Open. The article references the American Academy of Pediatrics' rules, and some of the advice was provided by Jason Nagata, a lead researcher. The tone of this article is informational. The article wasn’t biased when showing its key factors.

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New study shows social media use predicted future depression in tweens

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Researchers followed thousands of pre-teens for three years, generating unique insights into how social media is shaping kids.

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I watched a TED Talk of a simple way to break a bad habit. I learned a lot of information. These are my observations of what I learned in the video to start and break a habit.

When starting a habit you follow these three principles which is trigger, behavior, reward, and repeat. An example is seeing cool people smoking, you start smoking then you feel good then repeat.

The Prefrontal Cortex helps us control our behavior, but this is the first part of our brain that goes off when we are stressed out.

The Posterior Cingulate Cortex is started when we crave the bad habit or when we get caught up in it.

When noticing a bad habit instead noticed the urge, get curious and feel the joy of letting go a bad habit.

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Why our some of us more fortunate than others? To be honest, this question is constantly in the back of my mind. How come some seem to have a life so easy, and others we sympathize for. The 2024 Oscars opened my eyes to this question even more. Angelina Jolie stated “ I’ve never understood that some people were lucky enough to be born with a chance that I had to have this path in life, and why across the world there’s a woman just like me with the same abilities and the same desires same worth ethic and love for her family, who would most likely make better films and better speeches only she sits in a refugee camp and she has no voice.” These words spoke to me like no other. There is a quote I tell myself when I feel I need a bit more drive. The drive needed to finish a workout, my homework. God puts his strongest soldiers through his toughest battles. As I write this, I hear how absurd it sounds, my “battles” are nothing compared to others.

But I still can’t wrap my head around how unfair it is. One women sits in room worrying about what her child will eat and the next room holds the women who worry’s what shoes to wear with her outfit. I don’t know why I was given opportunities, family, love and there’s children out there who lack all those needs. I’m not sure why there’s children out there who run away from home as their only chance of survival. Why some were given with parents who hurt them, and others were gifted parents who would do anything for them. As I’ve thought about this answer for many years, it continues to haunt me. Haunting me because I know I will never get an answer. There is no truth behind it, just simply unfairness. While it still keeps me up at night, and lingers in my head, I console it by saying that those tough battles these people face, will be made up for in heaven. If God really dose put his strongest soldiers through some hard ships, they must be rewarded for all of this. As I close up my question and let you continue ponding, I ask for you to consider thinking of someone just like you but he\she didn’t eat dinner tonight, didn’t drink water today, doesn't have a bed to sleep on, won’t wake up with the covers on, won’t turn on their phone. The same version of you but simply had no choice, no choice to be born as himself/herself. And if you find yourself in a position where you would like to help them, pray for them. Pray for a smile from one of them today, pray for a weight to be taken off their shoulders, a moment they can feel like a kid.

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For my summers my family always spends it in Connecticut, this allows me to familiarize myself with a different town. On my walk in town, there is a school and outside the school they’re signs presented for the teachers. The comparison I made is that I’ve never seen this sign in Florida. Are teachers under appreciated it’s some states? Do they only take notice to public school teachers? Am I just on the wrong side of town(in Florida)? I was unable to talk to an official about this cause because school is out of session currently, and school start even later here. Overall, this made me consider the teachers near me instead of where the sign was dedicated to. It makes me think that the teachers in Florida voices are heard less.

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10. Create a Visual or Written Response 

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10. Create a Visual or Written Response 

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For this task I chose to create a drawing of myself with a brain that has books inside of it. This drawing I created is supposed to represent how knowledge shapes my inner world. Every book represents an experience or lesson I carry with me. The empty shelves represent new challenges that I have yet to face. It’s a visual metaphor for how learning becomes part of our human identity.

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While watching this TED talk I learned a lot about how to have a good conversation.

When you’re talking to someone it’s good to ask a certain type of question, this type of question is called a deep question. This invites the conversation to be about values, beliefs or experiences.

Instead of asking a simple question like where do you go to school, you can ask a deeper question like what do love about your school. Asking questions like this can open the conversation to a more deeper level and you can learn more about them by how they answer.

Since you’re asking how they feel instead of facts you are allowing the conversation to be more vulnerable. When you ask these type of deeper questions you can figure out how to respond by noticing if they answer emotionally “how do we feel”, practically “what’s this really about” or socially “who are we”, once you figure this out you will be on the same page of conversation and know how to respond, leading you to have a successful conversation.

A successful conversation is recognizing what type of conversation it is and matching thoughts with another. By having these more connected and deeper conversations it can lead to a deeper connection, feeling more comfortable with another, listened to and cared for.

Asking deeper questions allows each other to say something real and by how they answer, you can figure out what type of conversation it will be, whether it will be emotional, practical, or social, you can respond appropriately and connect with each other on that level.

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The science behind dramatically better conversations | Charles Duhigg | TEDxManchester

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This summer, I visited the Morikami Museum and Gardens. Near the beginning of the nature trail, there’s a ring that most people tend to walk past due to its placement. This ring is known as the Chie no Wa Wisdom Ring and is meant to replicate a 500-year-old stone lantern located in Japan. While it may seem insignificant, this lantern has a lot of hidden meanings and a historical background. Before becoming a symbol, it acted as a helpful lantern that guided sailors back to shore. Due to this, the ring now acts as a sign of direction and guidance, representing that people can find their way back from any troubles in life. Also, it is recognized as a symbol of knowledge and understanding because of its origins in a Buddhist temple connected to the deity of wisdom in Buddhist culture.

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This article was written by Eric Tenkorang, and it was published on The Conversation. This source shows a little bias, but it doesn’t mean it is unreliable. This article was written from a feminist and from a culturally aware perspective, and with a strong focus on violence against women, patriarchy, and gender inequality in sub Saharan Africa. The author also uses their own role as a researcher in this field, which adds transparency, but shows a little personal investment in the topic. This source is credible because the author describes a specific study conducted across Ghana with 1700 survey respondents and 30 follow up interviews. The findings are clearly outlined, and they have a lot of explanations. The article also mentions that intimate partner violence can happen to wealthy women and criminalization alone isn’t enough, which shows a nuanced understanding of the topic. The article shows a structured argument backed by data, field research, and cultural analysis with acknowledged author perspective which helps understand that this source is credible.

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Violence against women in Ghana is deeply rooted in culture and family ties – study

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Ghana needs to empower women by providing them with the resources they need to flourish and fight abuse.

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As I was passing by Veterans’ Park in Boca Raton, I decided to head in and look around. To the right, I found a section of the park dedicated to honoring veterans who had died during their time serving. This area visibly acts as not only a memorial but also a symbol of power for the United States, as shown by the tall flag. In addition, there is power in the preservation of these war veterans and in protecting their rights because it shows care for those who have dedicated their lives for a country. These statues are put on pedestals, showing respect for those who have died for our nation and uplifting them beyond ordinary citizens. At this park, their memory is remembered to showcase patriotism, as well as display the selflessness they showed.

Nearby Veterans Park lies Our Lady of Lourdes Church. This church’s exterior contains a huge statue of Jesus with his arms open below a cross. This statue symbolizes power because it is meant to represent Jesus’ ascension into Heaven after his resurrection from death on Earth. Despite Jesus facing harm, this statue shows that he is welcoming, forgiving, and able to overcome his suffering, encouraging people to come to the church. Also, Our Lady of Lourdes Church as a whole symbolizes the power of community when people come together to pray every Sunday. God acts as a figure of authority that all people in this church respect.

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For this task, I decided to interview my uncle because he is 50. He said that when he turned 50, knowledge changed his life. He said that it is mid life, and he realized he isn’t old, but he isn’t young anymore. So it made him realize that time goes by really fast and you have to enjoy it because next thing you know, in 10 years he will be 60 and in 20 years he will be 70. He said he noticed he already climbed up the long mountain, and now he is on the way back down. Overall, he said he truly understood the concept of time and how to value it once he turned 50 years old.

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My big question was inspired when I was telling my mom about a summer reading book I was reading about a guy that is going to lose his life in 3-6 months due to cancer. He was trying to do as much as possible in those months he has left. My big question is why do people take for granted the time they have on earth and waste it, perhaps on their phone scrolling for hours or putting things off they could be doing instead of being lazy. This question matters to me because I tend to put off a lot of things to the side and tend to procrastinate. I also feel since we also have finite amount of life on earth we should be doing what makes us happy. We also shouldn’t worry about others negative opinions or negativity and we should be worrying about leaving a positive impact on others lives including our own. I would definitely love to hear what others have to say about my big question.

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Task 10: create a visual or written response 

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Task 10: create a visual or written response 

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For this task, I created a photo collage of a gelato count I had at my summer camp in Switzerland. This relates to human identity because it shows how much I LOVE ice cream. This collage reminds me of who I am, and how gelato can remind me that joy can be simple, and identity can be found in things we love not just achievements. This collage shows how much I love to travel and try new things from different places, and share it with the people I love.

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Question: Why do people believe different things about the same story?

This question matters to me because it shows how people can see the world in unique ways. For example, two people might read the same book, watch the same movie, or hear the same story, and still understand it very differently. One person might feel happy about the ending, while another feels sad or confused. This makes me wonder how our feelings, experiences, and even the people around us shape how we see things. It also reminds me how important it is to listen to others and be open to new ideas, even when we don’t agree. This question came to me after reading a story in class. When we shared our thoughts, I was surprised by how differently my classmates understood it. Some people focused on the main character’s courage, while others thought the story was more about friendship. That made me curious about how our minds work and how we all bring something different to the same moment.

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While watching this Ted Talk about education, I made an observation that Kundu emphasizes that students don’t lack motivation or talent, they often lack resources and support systems. This challenges the common myth that success in school is solely based on personal effort. I also thought of a question, how can schools build stronger community partnerships to provide the non-academic support students need, like mentorship or access to mental health services? And I made another observation about the highlighting the importance of agency, which is students have the ability and power to make choices and act on them. Overall, this makes me wonder how schools can better nurture that sense of agency, especially in underserved communities.

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Question: Why do people sometimes care more about having power than helping others?

This question matters to me because I see in history, and in real life, that people will do anything it takes to be in charge and have more dominance, even if it comes with hurting others. It makes me think to myself if humans are naturally selfish, or if society and how society has changed make them that way. I think if we understood why people act like this, the world would be a much fairer and safer place!

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While watching this TED Talk, I realized that sometimes when people act "weird" to me, it might just actually be normal in their cultures and the way they were taught growing up. I have probably judged people before without knowing or acknowledging why they were acting a certain way. This talk made me think about how everyone grows up with different habits that are a complete norm within their cultures and households. It makes me want to be more patient with new people I meet, and try to understand where people are coming from first, since we are so quick to judge these days.

It's kind of crazy how much culture changes and controls the way we behave without us even noticing. I always thought my way of acting was just "normal", but really it's just what I learned from my own surroundings. Things like how close we stand to someone or how we can say hi can be completely different in another country. It makes me wonder what habits I have that would look strange somewhere else.

If I ever moved to another country, I'd probably need to "change my glasses" like the talker said, to fit in. I really like the idea that you can choose to look at the world from a new point of view. Instead of feeling lonely or frustrated, you can learn to see things the way that others may do. This makes new experiences more enjoyable and allows you to fully embrace other people's cultures and habits.

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How Culture Drives Behaviours | Julien S. Bourrelle | TEDxTrondheim

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Why is society so afraid of failure?

It is clear that no one wants to be considered a failure or do their task poorly, but this leads to people not wanting to try new things because they fear they won’t be good enough. This limits peoples abilities to grow into new and better people and ways to explore new things in life because they will never want to step out of their comfort zone. Failure is rarely look at as a “growing moment” but more of disappointment to many people, many peers thinks when someone fails its a laughable moment but that makes someone’s confidence decline. This happens everywhere when someone is expected to try or learn something new and they fail, now they’re frowned upon. Failing is apart of human nature no one is perfect so failing is somewhat expected in life, but after we fail it is now up to us to get back up and keep on working on whatever you failed at to get better at it.

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Bao is about a mother and her dumpling(child) and as her dumpling grows up, he becomes more distant from his culture. This story follows a Chinese family living in Canada who are having a hard time understanding a different world. When she made her dumpling he was like a baby, following what his mother felt and relied on her. But as he grew up he began to leave behind his heritage to fit in.

1. How does this accurately reflect cultural struggle within a family

2. Why does the dumpling feel the need to leave his ,other and culture behind

3. How does the setting and the use of food properly reflect Chinese culture in different countries.

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Bao is about short film about culture and family struggles. The film uses dumplings to reflect parenting in Chine culture. The film starts off with the mother creating her dumplings, and as the film goes she watches her dumpling grow up. But as it grows up it try’s to leave his culture behind to fit in with other people.

1. How does the dumpling reflect the mother’s cultural beliefs and her relationship to her child.

2. How well does this film reflect tension between families because of independence.

3. How does the use of food and the setting reflect Chinese cultural values.

This was made by Jude, I hit submit before I could change my name

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Task 10 - Create a Visual or Written Response

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Task 10 - Create a Visual or Written Response

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When doing this task, I gathered images, stickers, and elements to make this digital scrapbook page. This digital scrapbook has my friends, my family, my dog, my top three hobbies, one of my favorite bible verses and quotes, and little details about me hidden in the pages. When viewing the first page, you can see my friends, my dog, and my family. My friends and family are the people who know me beyond words. My friends and I share memories that I’ll never forget, and I am so grateful for. My friends make me look forward to school even if I am dreading going. To me, my friends aren’t just people I hang out with. They’re like a second family to me. On the bottom left corner, I wrote one of my favorite bible verses, which is "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." On the first page, I also included my favorite flowers. On the second page are my top hobbies, which are traveling, playing sports, and reading. These hobbies make me happy and are a significant part of who I am. I listed a couple of countries I've visited, along with an image of me reading and playing volleyball. Under the word "traveling,” I put one of my favorite quotes, which is “in a world where you can be anything, be kind.” I stand by this quote because being kind costs nothing, and it comes from the heart. I enjoyed creating this scrapbook page because it makes me realize how grateful I am and reminds me what makes me, me.

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Álbum de Recortes Collage Fotos Día de la Madre Floral Elegante Lila Morado

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“Cracking Down on Illegal Immigration Would Raise Wages for Lower-Income Americans” is an article written by Alexander Frei of the Heritage Foundation exclaims that cracking down on illegal immigration would increase America’s self sustainability. This article whilst informative suffers from one main hole: a political bias. This article shows many holes of being biased, mainly stemming from the article's favoritism of Republican policies within the text (As in the article is written, with favoring Republican policies to solve this issue, “leaning right” to put it, this is done similarly to the way left leaning news presses like VOX insert their own political views into a topic at hand, trying to use real world issues as a free advertisement platform to spread their ideals).

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As more and more clumps of seaweed have been piling up on our shores, I chose to analyze this source about where the seaweed comes from and its effects on our ocean. The authors of this article are C. A. Bridges and Samantha Neely who work for the Daytona Beach News-Journal. I believe this source is not biased because it provides factual information and nothing opinion based. This source is very much credible as it uses statements from the FWC and was published by the Treasure Coast News which is a trusted source of information among our community.

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Record amounts of sargassum seaweed are predicted to impact Florida beaches this summer.

The seaweed bloom, larger than in previous years, is fueled by rising ocean temperatures and nutrient-rich waters.

While generally harmless in the ocean, decaying sargassum on beaches releases irritating gases.

It's heating up, Memorial Day weekend is coming, and everyone's heading to the beach.

Unfortunately, so are tons of toxic seaweed.

Sargassum is a beneficial resource in the Atlantic. But on Florida's beaches, sargassum piles up, produces an epic and harmful stench as it rots, and hosts organisms that can irritate the skin. Not the beautiful sun, sand, and surf experience beachgoers are hoping for, which can be a problem for coastal areas in the Sunshine State dependent on tourism.

The annual sargassum bloom, a vast floating brown blanket of seaweed stretching across 5,500 miles in the water between Africa and the Caribbean, is encroaching on Florida's coasts and spreading into South Florida waterways. And there's a lot more than usual this year.

In April, the University of South Florida estimated this year's bloom is already at 31 million metric tons, "40% more" than the previous record from June 2022, Brian LaPointe, a research professor at Florida Atlantic University's Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, told CNN.

The sargassum level in March broke records with an estimated 13 million metric tons, topping the previous March record of 12 million metric tons, according to officials with the University of South Florida who track the blooms. The peak months for sargassum invasion are June and July, but blobs of the naturally occurring type of macroalgae have been spotted along our shorelines since March.

What is sargassum? Where does the sargassum come from?

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, sargassum contains pelagic species of brown seaweed that originate offshore in the Atlantic Ocean and float on the ocean surface.

"Sargassum provides many marine ecosystem benefits, including providing habitat for an array of animals such as crabs, shrimp, sea turtles, and fish," FWC writes. "It also serves as a primary nursery area for a variety of economically important fishes such as mahi mahi, jacks and amberjacks."

Sargassum season hits its peak from April to August, during the warm months. Since 2011, it has been more abundant in the Central Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean Sea, and the Gulf of America (formerly Mexico) as rising ocean temperatures provide a welcoming environment.

"The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) are currently monitoring a large Sargassum bloom and are communicating regularly via routine coordination calls to plan and share current status updates, forecasts, impacts, and trends related to Sargassum in Florida waters," rthe FWC said.

Where is Sargassum right now?

The CariCOOS sargassum map shows the bulk of the massive bloom currently surrounds the Lesser Antilles east of the British Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.

However, sargassum has already been spotted along the Florida coast from St. Augustine down to the Keys.

An experimental tracking map from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows where sargassum is likely to wash ashore. As of May 6-12, most of the coast of Florida was under low risks of sargassum and there was a medium risk by the Big Bend coast in North Florida.

NOAA also shows medium risks in some areas of Cuba and Mexico, and high risks in parts of Mexico, Jamaica, Punta Cana, San Juan and Central America.

To check the water quality and algae blooms near you, click here to see USA Today's database.

Why do we measure sargassum? Sargassum blob at record-challenging amount

Why it's looking like a record sargassum year for Florida

"Sargassum has been around for eons. Colombus ran into it right in the Sargasso Sea," La Pointe told CNN. "But what we are seeing now is above and beyond what we had historically."

Experts say there are several conditions contributing to the record bloom in 2025:

Rising ocean temperatures provide a more welcoming environment

Concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus are pouring into the Atlantic from the Amazon River, which is coming out of two years of extreme drought, and feeding the bloom

There may also be more nitrogen in the water from burning fossil fuels or dust from the Sahara Desert in the atmosphere

Why has sargassum been swamping Florida since 2011?

Sargassum has historically been largely restricted to the Sargassos Sea, a region of the western North Atlantic Ocean surrounded by four currents. Massive sargassum blooms on our coast are fairly recent, starting in 2011. What happened?

A modeling study published this year in Nature Communications Earth & Environment suggests why: the 2009-2010 North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), a rare and extreme climatic anomaly.

According to the study, powerful westerly winds and a change in ocean currents may have moved sargassum into tropical waters farther south, where nutrient-rich waters and warm temperatures led to explosive growth.

Look back at the sargassum blobs in 2023 and 2024

Is sargassum toxic to humans?

In the water, sargassum is considered harmless to people, although the seaweed can also host tiny sea creatures that can cause skin rashes and blisters, according to the Florida Department of Health.

On land, sargassum rots and produces hydrogen sulfide and ammonia, which smells similar to rotten eggs. It can irritate the eyes, ears, and nose. People with asthma or other breathing illnesses may have trouble breathing if they inhale too much of it.

That doesn't mean you have to avoid the beach. Moving air in open areas like beaches usually dilutes the gas to non-harmful levels.

Can you swim in water with sargassum?

If you don't have any open wounds, you should be OK to swim in waters with sargassum. However, it is still recommended by FDOH to avoid touching or swimming near it.

How can I report sargassum blooms?

The FWC asks those who wish to report sargassum blooms to go to the NOAA and USF's experimental Sargassum Inundation Report.
Contributing: Kimberly Miller, Palm Beach Post

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Tons of stinky, brown sargassum headed to Florida beaches. Where it's going, what we know

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An estimated 31 million tons of smelly brown seaweed is floating int eh Atlantic this year, experts say, and Florida beaches could see more than ever.