Theology 12 - Cam Simone by Cameron Simone

01/23/2025 - If money, time, or fear were not a factor, what kind of work would you choose to do in the future?

csimone25 — 2025-01-23 19:04:08 UTC

If I didn't have to worry about these things I would become a horse trainer. I plan on incorporating this into my future in one way or another but I unfortunately cannot make it my entire career. The field is too unstable and it is very hard to earn a viable income. This would consist of buying horses and training them to sell, along with being paid to train other people's horses. This is very common in the equestrian world but making a career from it alone is nearly impossible. I would have to have my own lesson business or barn or basically be an Olympic rider in order for this to be a career I could live off of.

I would choose this career based on my pure passion for the sport. I cannot see any part of my life without horses being in it one way or another. When I am older and established I want to have a variation of this in which I have my own little farm and animals. I would also like to train horses or rescue them to give them a second chance in life. Giving an animal the chance to have a full life with someone who truly cares about them is a huge reason I would choose this job.

02/07/2025 - Think about a decision you’ve made recently, big or small. What factors influenced your choice? Did you trust your instincts, rely on advice from others, or consider the consequences? Reflect on how you felt after making the decision and whether it aligns with your values.

csimone25 — 2025-02-09 16:10:35 UTC

A decision that I have had to make recently was splitting my time with my friends and my boyfriend. My friends and I had made plans to go over to one of our houses for the Super Bowl and we were supposed to arrive at 5. My boyfriend had his championship game for one of their hockey leagues that day at 4. I originally wasn't going to go to his game but since it was a championship game I felt like I should be there to support considering I've gone to a good amount of his games before that. I made the decision to go to his game and just arrived late to my friends, and we were all sleeping over so I would still have plenty of time with them.

A factor that influenced my choice was not wanting to let him down. I had gone to the game before that one getting them the win so they would continue on. I felt like I would have disappointed him if I didn't go to this game. But I also didn't want to make my friends upset but I knew that they would understand. And I would only be arriving a few hours late. The more I thought about it I knew I had to go to the game and after talking to my mom that became more clear.

I felt good after making the decision. I knew I was doing the right thing by splitting my time with them. I think that this is aligned with my values. I am not a people pleaser so I wasn't worried about that but when it comes to supporting someone that I care about I'm all about that. The game was very important to him and I wanted to be there for whatever happened. And I knew my friends would be okay with it, so my decision did align with my values.

02/24/2025 - What does justice mean to you? Think of a time you’ve seen justice in action, whether in your community, in a story, or in your own life. How did it play out? Did it look the way you expected?

csimone25 — 2025-02-24 19:00:27 UTC

To me justice means sticking up for something or someone that you believe in that needs help. This doesn't have to be anything huge but little acts of kindness. I think of justice as standing up for a belief whether that's peaceful protest, service, or spreading news through social media. But it is also the act of having ones back. When someone you know is being victimized in any way no matter how big or small you should stand with them. Overall I think justice is standing up for one another and for opening your heart to the compassion of others, not just your friends.

A time that I saw justice in action was this summer. During the service trip to Wheeling, WV I encountered many people putting justice into action. These community members and activists were going out of their way to make the city a better place. They focused on giving everyone an equal chance and by putting together resources to help the community. One thing in particular that sticks out is the organization Grow Ohio Valley. We visited three farm sites of theirs in Wheeling. One of the most shocking things was seeing a farm in an urban setting. It was amazing to see the people working for this organization start these farms to help produce food to the city. It did look how I expected it to and it was really cool to see the produce from them in the local market.

04/07/2025 - As you approach your final weeks of high school, take a moment to reflect on your journey so far. Looking Back: What are some of the most memorable moments from your high school experience? Which challenges have helped shape you into the person you are today?

csimone25 — 2025-04-07 17:57:25 UTC

Some of my most memorable moments from my high school experience would be homecomings and paws for pride. I've never had a bad homecoming experience and they are some of my best memories with my friends new and old. Paws for pride is also something that just sticks with you as each year goes on. I don't remember every detail of each one but the overall experience and feeling of the SJA community coming together is something truly wonderful. My time on the cross country team was also filled with many moments that I will never forget along with valuable life lessons. I believed that I grew a lot as a person and realized things about myself that I was afraid to discover before joining the team.

A big challenge that I've had throughout my years was finding a friend group that I really connected with. I moved groups 3 times, each to different people. Until this year I never really found a group of people who truly accepted me and included me in everything. Although it was hard I ultimately learned a lot about people and the kind of friends that I deserve and what kind of people I want to surround myself with.

04/28/2025 - Think about a time when you encountered someone very different from yourself — in culture, language, appearance, belief, or background. How did you respond? What fears, assumptions, or invitations did you feel in that moment? In light of Catholic values like solidarity and the call to love our neighbor, what might God be asking of you when you meet those who are different from you? How can encountering the stranger transform the way you see the world — and yourself?

csimone25 — 2025-04-28 20:47:13 UTC

A time when I encountered someone different from myself was in Wheeling WV for a service trip. We spent a lot of time with the homeless and this was a way different experience than I have previously encountered. One fear and assumption that came to be with the sense of meeting homeless is that they are dangerous in some sport of way. I think that they are perceived to be this way because a lot of them have mental disabilities or other problems that influence their actions. Although I thought this way initially I came to realize how they aren't much different from me and how they still have hopes and dreams and are living their life to the fullest of their ability.

When meeting people different from you God might be asking you to keep an open mind and to accept them for who they are. Everyone is different and that is okay and embracing everyone's differences makes our society more fruitful and whole. Encountering a stranger can change the way you see the world and yourself. Your perspective of people might change and you will grow more open to meeting people and looking for the good in everyone. Realizing how small the differences are between everyone puts into context how close we all are and how it is fundamental to be in a society. Your appreciation of people grow and you grow in yourself by becoming a more welcoming person.