Currently Browsing: In-Depth
Pierotti’s Point– Teenager’s Reputation
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Written by Cathy Pierotti
“People want you to be crazy, out-of-control teen brat. They want you miserable, just like them. They don’t want heroes; what they want is to see you fall.”
- Leonardo Dicaprio
As teenagers, we must maintain a reputation. What do I mean by reputation? Well, first of all, a reputation is being who we are without destroying what we already have. For example, a rumor spreads about you and it turns out to be true; your reputation could be ruined depending on what the rumor is. Sometimes we may get confused with the ‘maintaining’ part, but that part is just being ourselves. We, as young adolescents, mustn’t be our friends, our parents, or teachers, but what we created ourselves to be.
With a reputation comes an image of how people see you as a person and if the answer is yes to the question, “Is that person okay for me to hang out with?” When you hang out with people, get to know them; the real them. Not the “Oh I am so cool and self absorbed” them, but the “hey why don’t we ‘chillax’?” them.
Now, basing on who you hang out with becomes a big responsibility. Now, sometimes the people we hang out with have certain reputations that, either by choice or not, stay with us. For example some of the things our parents assume astounds me. For example, some parents might say, “Is it those kids at the school that you’re hanging out with? If they are putting pressure on you just walk away.” That’s not it! Some of us just want to grow up, and growing up goes along with going through different stages. Parents: that doesn’t mean we are doing mischievous and horrible things. Some of the suspicion stops us from hanging out with our friends, but if we still hang out with them, it can ruin our reputation with our parents.
Personally, my parents sometimes pull the card, “If you respect me….,” and then I’m trapped into a corner with no answer. It is confusing because half of the time you know what you want, but then your parents pull a card, and we are sort of stuck between our choices like two walls pressing together. But, parents, you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink. We aren’t going to stop hanging out with our friends so that you can accept us for who you are.
Personally, I see myself as a teen version of the 80’s revolt; I listen to Joan Jett, Judas Priest, Metallica, and my parents accept me for that because they were teenagers too. It can be easy or hard, but don’t change who you are just to make your parents happy or because others think it would be better if you did. The reputation you have today may not be the one you have tomorrow, so make sure that when rumors start to spread around that make you look bad, you can say and know that they’re just lies.
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Currently Browsing: Student News
Obama’s First Graduating Class Begins to Think About College
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Written by Melissa Suhoski
Being the first IB class to graduate from Obama, we wanted to see how the juniors plan to live their lives and years to come. I went around the school and asked ten juniors a few questions; where do you want to go to college, what do you want to major in, and why does that college interest you? Of course some of them were a little indecisive, but had an idea as to where they wanted to go.
Raihoz Johnson: I want to go to Drexel University to study Communications/Music Production & Business. In my spare time, I rap and I am a part of Hitman Productions.
Maleejah Irwin: I want to go to Tennessee State University to study psychology because when I went to visit that school on the Black College Tour everyone there made me feel welcomed and it just seemed like a school I could see myself at. Also because I want to go to a HBCU (Historic Black College or University)
Tayaunna Jackson: I want to attend Penn State University to major in Biochemistry. Penn State has an enormous campus, which I love. I also can see myself in the future as a Penn State Alumni. GO LIONS! =)
Lewis Pell: I would enjoy attending a university. I would love to go to Rutgers, Penn State, Michigan State, and more. At the moment, I’m not too sure what I want to major in.
Renny Holloman: I want to attend college in Miami, Florida. I think they are currently looking into recruiting me for football. I would like to study Pre-Vet. I really want to go St.Vincent for Pre-Vet and football.
Brittani Evans-Conner: I plan to attend a college semi-close to home. I would like to go to Lincoln University in Eastern Pennsylvania. I want to study Law, and the best choice for me in Pennsylvania would have to be Lincoln University.
Jackie Clarke: I aspire to attend Spelman University in Atlanta, Georgia. Spelman is a Historically Black College for females, surrounded by two other Historically Black Colleges/Universities. I think it would be a unique environment for me to learn in…a whole new experience. I plan to study Secondary Education with a minor in African American History.
Andre Reese: I want to go to Ohio State University to study Zoology. Ohio State interests me because it’s 3 hours away from home, good sports teams, offers my major, clean and safe, has good food, and I like the school colors.
Cameron Garrison: I actually don’t want to go to college. I would like to attend basic cosmetology school. I want to attend Tom Savin, which is a school for special effects make-up. (i.e. movie make-up) If I were to do this, it would make Halloween a lot more interesting and fun.
John Jackson: I want to attend any Division 1 school in Pennsylvania. I prefer Temple or Robert Morris University. I want to major in Sports Management or Sports Training. I chose these schools, because they are Division 1 schools and offer the Pittsburgh Promise. I want to play football, basketball, and volleyball.
Joshua Grate: I would enjoy attending Robert Morris University or Youngstown University. I want to major in Criminal Justice or Sports Management. I chose Youngstown because my cousin goes there. Robert Morris accepts the Pittsburgh Promise. In college, I want to play basketball and volleyball.
Phillip Bova: I would love to attend any of these schools: Point Park, PITT, or American University. If I attend Point Park or PITT, I would like to major in Education and minor in Theatre. If I go to American University, I would major in Law and minor in Theater. I chose these colleges for the following reasons: Point Park because of the stature they hold for the arts, Point Park and PITT, because of the location. Location is key!
Melissa Suhoski: Growing up, I had my heart set on going to PITT. In college, I want to major in Journalism and minor in Criminology/Behavioral Profiling. I also want to take Spanish and Italian so I can study abroad. I want to go to PITT, because I am familiar with the campus and it’s close to home. I hope to one day be a PITT Alumni.
That’s just a cross section of current juniors/soon-to-be-seniors. We’re looking forward to getting the thoughts of more of Obama’s first graduating class.
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Currently Browsing: News
Obama Students, Families Celebrate Mardi Gras
Written by Don Crawford
On Monday March 7, 2011 Obama hosted Mardi-Gras night, a family affair where many Obama students and families came to celebrate. The night started out with a good New Orleans dinner ranging from meat balls and chicken, to pastries. More fun began when the lights were turned down and the line dancing began. The dances included the Wobble, the Dougie, the Cupid Shuffle, and the Electric Slide. More activities included a door prize raffle and a band called the Dixie Land Band. They played songs like “When the Saints Go Marching in” and regular New Orleans ‘Big Band’ music. The night ended well with a final line dance to Michael Jackson’s “You Rock My World” and you could tell by the look on the faces of the families that it wasn’t a wasted trip. “Remember it’s a family affair.”
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