Sources:

https://www.google.com/search?q=burnt+tree+illustration&rlz=1CARGFB_enUS943&udm=2&sxsrf=AE3TifMKr4KdnfDoSGbM9Ha497YZbDCfag%3A1758570081392&uact=5#imgrc=aC-AUv7VtCGjiM&imgdii=CFRDodBfpMI-aM

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https://www.google.com/search?q=rug+fabric+closeup+black+and+white&rlz=1CARGFB_enUS943&udm=2&sxsrf=AE3TifO-YMMQkXixI3HmsuJRLhWNcEuFHg%3A1758570745957&uact=5#vhid=aIoYlUEDvUqNVM&vssid=mosaic

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https://www.google.com/search?q=shed+skin&rlz=1CARGFB_enUS943&udm=2&sxsrf=AE3TifO-YMMQkXixI3HmsuJRLhWNcEuFHg%3A1758570745957&uact=5#vhid=owSfkNCHVN65zM&vssid=mosaic

i. Claim: Students should get free bus passes.

d. it helps the environment

This is the strongest reason because it is open-ended and covers a lot of ways how the increased use of public transportation can help the environment. This is also backed up by a study and makes it all the more credible.

Source: https://www.kcata.org/about_kcata/entries/environmental_benefits_of_public_transit

ii. Claim: Classes should start later in the morning.

b. Teachers are also tired in the morning.

This is the strongest reason because it shines light on a problem that teachers with not enough sleep will not be able to perform optimally when teaching the future generations. This issue has come up before and has made considerable impacts across education districts.

Source: https://www.sleepjunkie.com/sleeps-effect-on-teachers/

iii. Claim: Everyone should learn how to cook.

a. Cooking saves money.

This is the strongest reason because everyone needs money to function and will cease being productive if they aren't financially stable. Thanks to a study, this information proves to be credible and has been encouraged to be learnt by every person.

Source: https://ozchen.com/cooking-is-a-financial-skill/

iv. Claim: Reading fiction improves critical thinking.

a. Fiction helps people imagine perspectives.

This is the strongest reason because people can approach problems in multiple ways that they wouldn't have thought of before because of them being able to critically think. This claim is backed up by a study and shows that fiction has a great deal in developing the brain.

Source: https://www.seven-springs.co.uk/resource-hub/reading-widely-to-develop-critical-thinking-skills/

v. Claim: Voting should be mandatory.

a. Democracy works better with more participation.

This is the strongest reason because people are the core function of a democracy and have the sole power to override an important political decision. This is claim is supported by credible people who have voiced their reasons why it voting should be mandatory.

Source: https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2018/11/case-mandatory-voting

vi. Claim: Homework should be reduced.

c. Students get stressed from too much work.

This is the strongest reason because it highlights how students performing under pressure might not be able to work at their best and, in turn, fail at their objective. This claim is supported by multiple groups of study which have conducted tests over and over again with the same conclusion.

Source: https://onlinedegrees.sandiego.edu/education-inequity-and-homework/

vii. Claim: Social media does more harm than good.

b. Social media spreads misinformation.

This is the strongest reason because people can react inappropriately towards situations and also affect their digital footprint by doing so. This claim is supported by multiple surveys conducted on the internet.

Source: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8853081/

viii. Claim: Video games should be considered a sport.

a. They require strategy and skill.

This is the strongest reason because all sports have one thing in common: requiring huge amounts of effort and critical thinking in order to conquer the field. This reason is also backed up by evidence supporting the similarities in gaming and other sports to each other.

Source: https://learn.neumann.edu/neupress/my-case-for-gaming-being-a-sport#:~:text=Gaming%20also%20requires%20a%20level,does%20in%20any%20other%20sport.

ix. Claim: College students should take at least one art class.

b. Creativity is useful in any career.

This is the strongest reason because creativity is what allows people to find roundabout solutions towards otherwise impossible problems. This reason is backed up by a study and looks all the more credible.

Source: https://arteducationmasters.arts.ufl.edu/articles/importance-of-art-education/

2. When did you first learn you're good at a certain skill?

3. Who did you meet that changed your life?

4. What did your school summers look like?

5. What friends did you keep around and still talk to?

Now he’s in college, studying accounting. He doesn’t have a job yet, but he’s not worried. “I can see right now I’m happy where I currently stand,” he said. He’s learned that happiness isn’t about where you start, but how you grow from it.

First question. What did you enjoy most about home life?

00:05

"Alright, so home life, was a bit of a deal, you know, having a brother and all and a dog to take care of along with my parents. I mean, it wasn't hard for, I mean, well, why am I stuttering? It's like a- anyway, I enjoy my time at home because my brother was always there for me when I was kind of down, you know, just kind of hung it out, talked for a bit, et cetera. And my dog as well. I take it for a while because I'm the one who does that because I'm the strongest in the house. I don't know why they're so paranoid about that. eh, she is one of the cutest dogs you'll ever meet. She is able to make anybody's day a lot brighter than it already is. And my mom, she always cooks the best meals. Like you won't even understand how good they are. Especially compared to restaurant food. Like I'd say they're on the same level. Like, it's just that good."

01:08

Second question. What allowed you to make friends in school?

01:17

"Alright, you gave me quite the tongue twister there. I think I'll start with middle school, because it's something I still remember, of course, wholeheartedly. So, making friends in middle school wasn't really that much of a challenge, especially since the teachers began assigning us projects that we had to do in duos, trios, quartets, etc. It was just, like, hell on earth for us kids back then, so we only had each other. So was really easy to make friends with the class. Everyone hang out with each other a lot that year. And the year after. And the year after that. And so on and so on. And I'm still in contact with someone even though it's just mind blowing how easy it was to make friends because I thought it was going to be one the biggest challenges of my life. And here I am with a whole bunch of friends standing behind me. I was able to connect over hardships and shared interests."

02:24

Third question. How were you able to keep up grades and your social life at the same time?

02:26

"You know, balancing work and my social life at the same time at school, it was actually much easier just by winging it. I didn't really have to think about it really. I just knew what priorities there were and what I had to do first for this and that. It was pretty challenging in like the first few weeks of school, but I got used to it very quickly and was able to even have some of my friends help me with the work. And once we were that way, we'd just go hang out wherever we wanted to go that day. It was pretty... underwhelming, I guess, once you got used to it. But that's life for you."

03:16

Fourth question. Did your home's location have any impact on your life and how you treated others?

03:19

"So, uh, back in my house, you know, the humble abode, all that, yeah, we were located in a kind of sketchy area. So it made me cautious at first of other people. Once I entered school, it was weird to say the least the first few days, but we eventually got used to each other as the days went on and we were able to, uh, triumph our differences and be able to talk out. It was, it was very awkward. I probably do not want to experience anything like that ever again. My location definitely wasn't best. And at home, it could have gotten a little bit tense at times because, you know, one time there were gunshots. Uh, we heard gunshots in our neighborhood. We don't know where from but like two pops in the of the night and our dog was trembling at the time so I had her in my room to calm her down a bit because she concerns me to offer whatever in the house and yeah I was really cautious at first with people but now I'm perfectly okay with them."

04:41

Fifth question. Are you currently happy about where you are and what you plan for the future?

04:51

"I can see right now I'm happy where I currently stand, even though I'm jobless, you know, at St. John's. But there's a lot of programs for that. Even though it's not going to be easy, I know I will probably find a job sooner or later and be able to a living, if you can even call that what it's ending in college. And yeah, it was for the future. I believe I will become a very successful businessman as my major is in accounting. no, that's not really true. I'll be working for someone else probably. And I hope to get a six-figure salary any time soon. eh So, yeah, I plan to retire very fast if that's even possible."

Title of Project: Home, Friendship, and Growth: An Interview with Henry Galle
Researcher/Organization: Aaron Marmott

Purpose of the Study:
You are being asked to take part in this project to help me understand how home life, environment, and personal experiences shape someone’s outlook on friendship, education, and the future. Your participation will help us learn more about this topic and may improve future programs or research in this area.

What You Will Do:
If you agree to take part, you will be asked to participate in a short recorded interview about your life experiences. This will take about 15–20 minutes of your time. You may also be asked to answer a few follow-up questions for clarification.

Risks and Benefits:
There are no major risks expected from taking part in this study. You may feel slightly uncomfortable answering some questions, but you can skip any that you do not want to answer. You will not receive direct benefits, but your participation may help improve understanding of how personal background shapes perspective.

Confidentiality:
Your responses will be kept private. Your name will not be linked to your answers in any public materials. All data will be stored safely and only my teacher and I will have access to it.

Voluntary Participation:
Your participation is completely voluntary. You can choose not to take part or stop at any time without penalty or loss of benefits. If you choose to withdraw, any information you have provided will not be used.

Questions:
If you have any questions about this study, please contact Aaron Marmott at aaron.marmott@email.com. If you have concerns about your rights as a participant, you may contact your teacher or supervising instructor.

Consent:
By signing below, you are saying that you have read this form, understand the information, and agree to take part in the study.

Participant’s Name: Henry Galle
Participant’s Signature: Henry Galle
Date: November 6, 2025

Researcher’s Signature: Aaron Marmott
Date: November 6, 2025