Day: February 23, 2012

Make A Change.

YourcupateaLeave a comment

Calcutta Kids

Everyone aspires to be something great, someone noble and someone admired; yet some people don’t have any of these ambitions and this is because they live in desolation and poverty.

Some people don’t have the chance to dream, the chance to have ambitions and many often don’t have the chance to think. Sometimes you may think your life is hard because you can’t go out with your friends or you can’t go on a trip, but think about how you would feel if you couldn’t say no.

Children all around the globe today are forced into slavery and prostitution by their families and friends and never have the chance to say no, let alone worry about material goods.

After watching the documentary Born Into Brothels I have realized it is up to us as a society to make a change. Donating a few dollars a month, visiting countries to work with those in poverty or just giving children something that they can learn from and cherish.

By giving children and families across the globe inspiration and aspirations we can achieve something great. We, the people have to help. We must give many their key out and aid them with the tools to gain freedom and the liberation to stand up to say no and fulfill a life that they choose.

My First Mock Trial

rangerthecatLeave a comment

On Thursday in my Law and Society class, my class had our first mock trial. We were introduced to the idea of it the week before, and were given a whole packet of information about the case and the testimonies of witnesses. We read over it all to get a better understanding of the case.

The basic outline of the case was playing off the story Hansel and Gretel.

In this incident, they walked into a Gingerbread House shop, owned by Ms. Crueller, with the hopes of finding a job. But then, they broke some gingerbread houses, and were was a misunderstanding where Ms. Crueller ended up in her hot oven with burns on her arms, and the children ran away. Ms. Crueller pressed charges on these children, including aggravated battery, criminal mischeif, and petit theft.

We were broken into teams of the defense and prosecution; I was on the side of the defense, and was acting as an attorney. I gave the opening statement, and also cross examined the prosecution’s witnesses. There were 2 other attorneys on my team, one of which did direct questions to our witnesses, and another that did more cross examination and the closing argument. There were also 3 people acting as the witnesses, Hansel and Gretel Schmidt, and also a local shop owner that knew Ms. Crueller and met Hansel and Gretel, and thought they were good kids.

I was so intimidated in the beginning – I absolutely hate public speaking. It made it much worse, also, after the opposing team’s attorney gave their opening statement. It was much longer than mine, and he was much more confident. But I did put in hard work and effort on my own statement, and I knew it wasn’t bad in the slightest. So, I gave my opening statement, and the the questioning began.

The part I really enjoyed was the cross examination. The fact that I could, in a sense, prove my points without any cooperation from the other side was very pleasing. Also, there were many points brought up in the prosecution’s direct questioning that sparked questions of my own, and ended up helping me in my questioning and proving my client’s innocence.

There was one HUGE problem that occurred, though. A witness on my team decided to lie, and made a false statement that, in the end, lead him to incriminate himself. Despite that one mishap, everyone preformed so well, and it was a really great first mock trial. To be honest, I was impressed with my own performance, and the performance of the others on my team.

In the end, the jury that we had came to the verdict of not guilty on the charges of aggravated assault and criminal mischief, but guilty of petit theft. Which, in my book, is nothing to complain about. We did a much better job of defending than I thought we would.

Never though I’d say it, but I am SO extremely excited for the next mock trial, and beyond that, our FINAL mock trial even more. Our first one was such a success, and I can only imagine what we are going to be like on at the end of the year, when we’ve had even more practice.

How bout’ some Mock Draft Madness?-Worst Person 17-Andrew Luck

backinphillyLeave a comment

I know it’s pretty early still before the NFL Draft. But, I wanna discuss the Andrew Luck issue.

C’mon guys. Do you all really think that Luck is going to be the next great quarterback? Ya, he’s a great football player but I don’t see it. Then again, I’m a fan of the ground threat quarterback.

However, the reason Mr. Luck is on our worst person in sports list is because of all the hype that has been garnered thanks to his presence. I hate these overhyped athletes. The Colts are going to draft him, and it should just be dropped.

Honestly, I’m more curious about where Robert Griffin is going to end up since that’s still up in the air. I’ve never been a huge fan of the draft. I’m not a fan of rookies. Veterans play the game the right way. I just hate hearing about the top draft pick.

Who knows? Maybe a torn ACL is in Mr. Luck’s future?

Lacrosse Lacrosse

venturatrekerLeave a comment


This week we started the first OVS Lacrosse practice.  We have not yet received pads or had a practice with sticks.  Instead we have ran, sweated, hyperventilated and worked ourselves ragged in preparation to receive pads.

We have alot of players who have never played lacrosse before and who are all itching to get into gear.

Tomorrow hopefully we will all get our pads and finally get to hit eachother!

We have a lot of players this year compared to last year when they only had 10 players.  Although it is to soon to say anything about our team, the enthusiasm of the players and the returning skill all look like the spuds lacrosse team will have a good chance this year!