Red Vans: A Short Story

8th grade. The last year at Ross Middle School. Being retrospective on past years has me thinking of my many accomplishments, and many fails I’ve had. From getting very good grades to the embarrassing moments. All the time I wish I was still in elementary school. You get to wake up earlier and do less work. Next year I probably will be wishing the same thing, but to be in middle school. I am excited for highschool next year, but also nervous. I am petrified of getting lost or walking into the wrong classroom. Many of my freshman friends tell me they love highschool.

“The Red Convertible “is a really great story to read because of its themes, characters, and its background. The author gives a lot motivations for the readers to be interested. “The Red Convertible” is a story that deals with two brothers that come from the Chippewa reservation. The story’s focus is the two brothers and how did their relationship has changed after a period and especially how did the red convertible reflect on their relationship. Those changes were sad and turned out not to be that good of a change specially for Henry Jr. after he left to serve in the Vietnamese war. Lyman is Henrys younger brother, was really affected by those changes that happened to his older brother Henry, Lyman tries his best to do everything he can to help his brother Henry go back to his old life and self, Lyman kept trying to do everything for his brother but nothing worked out. The author Louise Enrich puts out all themes that puts matter together. Enrich uses many symbols that conveys the experience of a lot individuals that has to deal and live by following complex cultures or under certain circumstances.

I started out in Lindbergh at the age of three where I went to preschool for two years. I remember taking naps, playing on the playground, and snacking the most. After I finished preschool I went on to kindergarten. My first year riding a big school bus vs the small they use to pick us up in for preschool. I remember my kindergarten teacher Ms. Dorn who taught me the alphabet and how to count. My first grade teacher Ms. Hansen taught me how to read, write, add, and subtract. I remember my second grade teacher Ms. Welinski who help me further my education in the world of history, math, reading, and writing. My third grade teacher Ms. Cox retired my third grade year, but her lasted year she taught me how to write in cursive and to multiply.

Nobody has all the answers to death, not even the person who died. In the case of "The Red Convertible", written by Louise Erdich, Henry died of apparent suicide. However, Henry's death could have been an accident. In short, the story took place on an Indian Reservation during the Vietnam War. There are two teenage brothers, Henry and Lyman, who purchase a car together. At the beginning of the story, the two brothers were inseparable. They both were good at making money, so they made an impulse buy of a red convertible.  One day, Henry and Lyman went for a cruise and come across a hitchhiker on the side of the road. They pull over, the hitchhiker introduced herself as Susy, and the two brothers drove her home to Alaska. Susy's parents invited the brothers in, and they lived in a tent at Susy's house until the seasons turned. Henry and Lyman were young, dumb, and free. After they returned home, Henry got drafted to Vietnam. Lyman decided to fix the car in quintessential condition for Henry when returned. However, Henry was gone at war for three years. He suffered from PTSD upon his return. He never looked at the car, the colored TV set him off, and he had bipolar emotions. Lyman decided to manually demolish the car in order to give Henry something to care for. Henry finally acknowledged the car and worked day and night to repair it. His mood steadily improved. Their younger sister, Bonita, took a picture of the two by the fixed-up car. A few months after the picture, Henry and Lyman traveled to the riverside. The season was changing from winter to spring at that point. They sat by the riverside enjoying the scenery and chewed the fat. Henry revealed that he wants Lyman to take full ownership of the car, but Lyman doesn't want to. They brawl and laugh it off. Henry appeared to be his old joking self. He even runs into the river as a joke, but the current ultimately takes him away. He candidly states that his boots are filling, and that is the last statement heard by Henry. While most readers view Henry's death as suicide caused from PTSD, his death was actually accidental.

It's funny how we have been in the same schools from elementary to high school, but it wasn't until high school when we first started talking to each other and really became friends... Or in my case became "fake friends" during our first two years of high school, that is. Crossly were hesitant to be friends in the begging but manage to continue our friendship through out high school. Anyhow, crazy how things came to be in the end, as close we have gotten and how helpful you been on bringing the best of me in school, especially when we had english class together back in freshman year in high school, believe me, if I wouldn't have chosen english nine and ten honors with you I wouldn't been as proud on my improvement in better developing my english

about the role of family and the significance of independence in a mature adult’s life.

Hi this is Yasmin Luna. I was in your kindergarten class in the year of 2011-2012, and I’m writing this letter to tell you I love being your class. You are one of the best teachers in Woodland Acres Elementary School. You would always let us play with the kitchen and other toys you had, my favorite one was the kitchen. I still remember when I showed your class the magic trick with the glue stick top. I miss your class and how nice you were.

It is inevitable that people will eventually encounter a hurdle that will challenge them either physically or mentally. Although self-doubt is always part of the equation, the individual always has the option to overcome the obstacle or let the barrier determine their destiny. In the short story “The Red Convertible” written by Louise Erdrich and the play “The Cuban Swimmer” written by Milcha Sanchez-Scott readers get the insight of the struggle two characters face as they find themselves in a difficult time in their lives. Through the events that occur, family support, and symbols readers can find similarities and differences while at the same time finding clues that certify that these two pieces of writing are about struggle.

I went to the same elementary school from kindergarten to 5th grade, Suncoast Elementary School. My brother, my sister and I all went to Suncoast Elementary school from k-5th. My sister is still in elementary school, but once she gets out she’ll either go to Gulf Coast or Powell. My brother, my sister and I all had the same kindergarten class room but always had a different teacher. At that school my brother would hang out with the people in the office often so when I got there they all knew my name and was extra nice to me. This is only about my experience from kindergarten through 3rd grade.

I don't remember how I met you in 1st grade, but I do remember when you used to be taller than me and had braces. I remember asking you what a period (menstrual) was, and the days when we talked about relationships—I mean we still do, haha. I remember going to the Sacramento field trip with you in 4th grade, when we carpooled to the airport at five in the morning and how you were there when I experienced my first time on a plane. I remember seeing Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows together and then getting In-N-Out afterwards. I remember when we both did Beginner and Advanced Strings in 5th grade. I remember having the same cabin as you at 6th grade camp. Going to the Big Bear trip with Ben, Bob and Josh last year and being there when I

I am now entering my final year of high school. Most things have changed. I have a completely different group of friends than I did at the start. I no longer even go to the lunchroom, and I hate parties. But some things never change.

Soon enough preschool was over and here came our elementary school days. Everyone met many people in kindergarten. Many will be my friends throughout high school and beyond. Kindergarten was filled with arts and crafts, my portfolio, 2008 handprints, and stamped tee shirts. Suddenly kindergarten graduation was here, everyone was paired up and danced with a partner. First grade flew by and then came second grade with Ms. Foisy and Ms. Okabioshi. Ms. Okabioshi was one of the best teacher assistance we have ever had. Third and fourth grade with Mrs. Schuler and Ms. Ittes. These years were filled with warm fuzzies, a lot of reading and writing, and a lot of fun playing on the playground. The class watched Shilo and everyone hated the evil father. After that came fifth grade with Mr. Sifferman, also known as Millie’s cousin, he gave the hardest tests we have ever taken, but the most fun and memorable times we have had. After that year many people changed schools, I moved to California.

The school I was in for kindergarten to 5th grade there was only one class I stayed in for the entire day. My mom was little upset because her final child was starting school. When I hear “kindergarten” I think of Mrs. Otteson. She has been a great teacher who cared about my grades and wanted me to do my best. My first friend was Andrew Escamilla. We met in kindergarten and became friends from then on. We really didn’t see each other that often, because we both had different transportation to school. My teachers were Mrs. Otteson, Mrs. Blesie, Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Rotoli, Mrs. Lacy and Mrs. Monnahan, Mr. Charnesky and Mrs. Blehm. Seven of eight of them cared about my grades and helped me get to the place I am at to this day.

The VANS is an American shoe manufacturer, based in California, is first founded in the year of 1966 by Paul Van Doren together with his brother James and two other partners, targeting active individuals primarily in surfing and skateboarding. Skateboarding during 1960’s – 1970’s was considered as a disesteemed sports, was not so respectable, among the dominant culture in the society as it was aligned with the anti-establishment, anti-Vietnam, and anti-war sentiment.

I am in high school now (9th grade) and a lot has changed over the years. I had friends that I was forced to hang out with and some that just grew with me and now we are in same school or classes.