The Importance Of Penn Charter

Families and friends welcome to Montgomery Village Middle School 8th grade promotional ceremony. Today we embark on a new chapter of our lives as we end our middle school careers. We’ve spent the past three years of our lives in this wonderful place. We were given the opportunity to grow and learn. Our teachers, one of our biggest supporters, the ones we have built relationships with. Our teachers have seen us grow. They have been our guiding hands throughout our middle school career. The teachers in this school deserve the world. They motivate us each and every one of us each day. Most of us were able to mature throughout middle careers. We’ve grown aware of our surroundings. We’re all well aware of what’s to come as we open the next chapter

My time at Mary Queen of Peace has been unforgettable. I have grown in knowledge, faith, and have grown strong relationships with friends and teachers. Through our class field trips, class bonding experiences, retreats, athletics, and recess I have learned the many virtues that need to be in place for a successful day. We as an Eighth Grade class have shared many memories that I will never forget. Each day we faced a new challenge and we would again and again overcome the obstacles. I have made friends for life here and will miss seeing them every day.

During our three years at Cupertino Middle, we learned a lot. Not just about quadratic equations and the solar system, but also about friendship, kindness, and courage. We worked hard, had fun, and went out of our comfort zones everyday. Who new that we would survive the roller coaster ride of middle school and be here getting our diplomas. But we did. Now we are going to high school, hoping we can change the world for the better. Using the skills and formulas we learned, we just might be able to make a difference.

I had become field commander of our marching band, I was the 2015 Hancock County Jr. Fair Queen, my mom got a new job as a teacher’s aid (which at the time she didn’t know she’d end up hating it, but for now she’s happy.), and I could finally say I was truly happy with the way things were going. The thought of being a senior scared but excited me at the time. I have gone to Liberty-Benton for thirteen years and am the fourth generation to graduate from L-B. I was so ready to finally begin a new journey as a high school graduate and a college freshman.

Penn Charter provided me and my classmates the equal and outstanding opportunity to pursue higher education among the best universities in the country. It also offered an additional advantage. I was surrounded by a wide range of people different from myself, and we became friends, shared memories, and explored similar passions. In class, we worked together to succeed. We got to know each other’s strengths and personalities, both of which were not defined by our cultural backgrounds. By attending Penn Charter, I learned that all people are equally qualified to seek success.

There were many different events happening to the Middle colonies in the 16th and 17th centuries. One man, William Penn, wanted to found a colony for Quakers. Quakers made up one of the largest religious groups in New Jersey. According to White (2012), “In 1681 King Charles the Second agreed to grant Penn a charter to begin a colony west of New Jersey.” It was named Pennsylvania.

For over thirty years Gerald “Jerry” Sandusky abused the trust of the residents of Happy Valley, Pennsylvania. For over thirty years Jerry Sandusky robbed, traumatized, and manipulated over half a dozen innocent boys. And in those thirty years numerous individuals knew and remained silence, and watched Jerry violate these children. Jerry used his organization, second mile, as a shield to lure in his victims, showered them with gifts, attention and special trips to Penn State esteemed football facility. On those trips, numerous times concluded with inappropriate molestation and even penetration.

Some of my favorite memories made in high school thus far are due to my involvement in the Best Buddies program. Best Buddies is offered across the United States and is a non-profit organization dedicated to ending the exclusion of people with special needs. I joined the program my freshman year and was selected my junior year of high school to be in the Best Buddies class where I get to develop a closer relationship with all of the buddies. In total there are about twenty-five special needs kids that attend my school. I am proud to attend a school that welcomes these kids and always makes sure to include them in major school events and extracurricular activities. Recently, Tyler, one of the buddies, scored a touchdown while playing with our varsity football team. This was a proud moment for the Best Buddies class because we wanted him to have this amazing experience.

I would like to thank MCS for all the great years here. I will forever be a Blue Devil. I'm going to miss the boys that I've had a lot of great times with. My number one boy, Ian, we've had good times Cheddar Cheese, I wonder who's going to make you break your next TV from the game MLB. You're my best friend, man. And to the other boy, Jose, we had some good times too - or just stupid ones. To all the other boys: Tyler, Devin, Donovan, Derek, Jackson, Kenny, Paris, Kevin, Billy, Tanner and Joe: it's been real. Kevin, I will also never forget soccer practice where I knocked you down and your shoulder broke my nose. Billy, please don't break our 3 point record. Derek, you better watch yourself even when I'm out of school - you know what I mean. Jackson, work on your touch, because its garbage. Kenny, keep playing sports. By the way Im going to miss graphic design with Patty and Travis. This year I met one of my new best friends who is a really special girl. Her name is Victoria Marin. These are just some of the people I am going to miss. I know that I will see them again. I will miss my teachers. I will never forget beating Mr. O in pickleball twice - the second player to ever do that. Mr. O, work on your golf and pickleball game. I will miss Joey Dabritz and don't know what I will miss more him giving me a hard time or for always believing in me. I leave locker

My time at Crone Middle School has come and gone so much faster than I would have ever expected. I can still recall my fifth grade memories as if they occurred just yesterday. If you told me these three years would fly by in a second, I would have never believed you. My fifth grade self thought that middle school would take my entire life to finish, and high school was a whole other topic. As a fifth grader, I was so excited for lockers, new friends, and new classes. I forgot all the other factors that play a role in middle school. This includes grades, homework, tests, quizzes, etc.

To start, my favorite memory out of the entire week was learning a song called Shooting Star. It’s a very meaningful song. In the song it mentions about how we just met but I won’t forget you. And that this one person will always have a place for you in their heart forever no matter what happens. This song just brought me to tears trying to say goodbye to my new friend at Loyola. But

Crash made a drastic change at the end of the book. He changed from being Penn's bully and Mike's best friend to Penn's best friend and silent with Mike. In the beginning, he would taunt others with Mike. He would hate seeing Jane and Penn together. He thought the things he did were funny. He had fought in the lunchroom with Mike and made fun of Penn. When he read Penn's essay about Penn's great-grandfather, something changed. This is the turning point of the story. He returns the crumpled essay to Penn. This is his first act of kindness towards Penn. Now, Crash is much more thoughtful of others. During the relay race, he let Penn win. This proves that he is now much more compassionate. At the end, he does many acts of kindness. He helps his

“… I also like being around you,” Hinata finishes, for lack of any excuses. “So, there.”

These past four years have really been a life changing experience. From a childish freshmen not only at school but at home too, to a still sometimes childish senior, one who knows when and how to control himself. This school and its teachers have taught me so many lessons that will not be forgotten any time soon.

The teachers taught me well, while my peers taught me more about life. I made my best friends in middle school and we are a family now. I cherished the time I spent in middle school. I was a top student who was doing well, had many friends, and was making a name for myself in sports and extracurricular activities. Then once again graduation rolled around and I had to leave all of the good things behind. But I was ready to embark on an education that was more geared towards my future.