The beginning of every year is the perfect time to reflect on your past year and set goals for the future. In the past, I’ve used my winter break as a way to take some much needed time away from the stressful burdens of school in order to evaluate how I’ve been doing not just academically but, socially and mentally as well. Setting goals can be a great way to ensure you stay focused throughout the year on what you want to get done.
Growing up in a small town in New England, I knew something wasn’t right. At sixteen, everything felt so complicated; the pressure in my head would build until an inevitable breakdown. On the outside, I was social, active, and carefree; but inside, this wasn’t the case. I struggled in school despite having the capacity to excel. I had chronic depression but didn’t have the tools to recognize it yet.
Be honest, have you ever chosen not to raise your hand in class because you were afraid others might not listen to your ideas? Or maybe you didn’t try out for the lead role in your school play because you were afraid you might not be good enough? Perhaps you didn’t like the way a friend was treating you, but you were afraid to speak up?
Across the world, the United States is known as the land of opportunity and equality and we pride ourselves on the rights we guarantee to all American citizens. However, when you look under the surface, there is a gap that reveals inequality. Although women in the United States are granted more rights than women in other countries, they do not have the same rights that men are guaranteed. One of the major points of inequality is pay disparity between men and women in the workforce. Even though America is known as a country of equality, there is still a wage gap that reveals the inequality between men and women.
I love the quote by Eleanor Roosevelt, "You wouldn’t worry so much about what others think of you if you realized how seldom they do."
I try to live by this mantra, but it can often be hard to believe and even harder to actually live out. Ridden with bullies, judgment, and popularity contests, the middle school environment seems to be one of the easiest places for girls to lose sight of their true selves. But why? What is so great about having everyone the exact same outfit, the exact same shoes, and the exact same hair that every single middle school girl makes it their goal?
Meet Emily Fields, the inspirational 14 year-old from Wilton, Connecticut who has won not one, not two, but three Gold Medals at the National TaeKwonDo Championships and is a second degree black belt! We caught up with Emily at her home in Wilton to learn more about her passion and find out what it takes to become a true champion.
It sometimes seems that sadness and devastation are occurring everyday around the world. Whether it’s a hurricane that leaves millions without food or the war in Syria, there is always a piece of news that shows the desolate situations humanity is in. When I see these news stories, I often feel helpless that there isn’t anything I can do. After all, I don’t live anywhere close to where the hurricanes are hitting so, how could I possibly be of any help?
A question a lot of middle school girls ask themselves is “Where do I fit in?” It can be confusing as friendships start to change and you are no longer sure where you belong when it comes to “social groups.” Think about it - when you were younger, you were probably told things like “you can’t say you can’t play,” and “we are all friends in this class.”
Although that idea is nice in theory, the reality is that we are not all friends and that is okay. You don’t have to be friends in general or best friends with everybody, that’s for sure. That being said, it is not okay when we are mean or unkind to others.
