Farewell: Jazzy Alvarado

Good-bye, Fresno High!

Throughout my four years at Fresno High, I’ve met amazing people and experienced things I never thought I’d be able to experience before. During my time at FHS I was involved in leadership, link crew, ASB (student government), yearbook and journalism, and sideline cheer, stunt cheer, and competition cheer. I also earned the title of Valedictorian maintaining a high GPA throughout high school. 

 I spent every day busy with activities and for this reason I was able to make amazing friends. Everyone I met left an impact on my life in some way and they played a role big or small in who I am now. 

 Although I made wonderful friends, the most important people in my life will always be my family. They supported and loved me unconditionally and they are the biggest reason I continue to push myself every day.  

Some of the highlights of my senior year were being a cheerleader and having the opportunity to represent the purple and gold in such an incredible way. Going to Prom my junior and senior year, along with all the other many school dances, was also something I enjoyed. Participating in the Senior Homecoming Skit and winning queen, as well as being active in Leadership is also something I’ll always remember.  

I’m going to miss so many things about Fresno High and high school in general. Some of those things being my friends, favorite teachers, and all the school events and activities. I’m going to miss the comfort of Ms. Sciacqua’s classroom, visiting Mr. Goodell’s at all hours of the day, and going on leadership trips with Mama B. 

High school has treated me so well, and I am in love with the person I’ve become. I hope from here on out I will only continue to grow in all aspects of my life and that I continue to be the happy girl I am.  

I have so much to thank Fresno High for and allowing me the privilege of being a Warrior these past few years has been the greatest honor. I’ll miss you Fresno High! You’ll forever have a special place in my heart.  

My Love of Reading

I’ve loved to read since I learned to read. That sentence might seem unbelievable but it’s true. I remember in elementary school I was always the first to finish a book and going to the library was my favorite activity of the week.  

My love for reading has only grown since then, and I’ve now read probably over 100 books. With each new author I discover I become engulfed into so many new worlds. Captured by magical words on paper, I continue to read, each time begging for more. 

Recently I discovered an author named Colleen Hoover. I had been seeing her name for a while and all her books had wonderful reviews. I was at the store one day when I found one of her books, November 9th. I bought it, not knowing what to expect, but excited about what would happen. I ended up reading and finishing the entire book that same day.  

I fell in love with Colleen Hoover that day and I knew I was going to need to read more of her work. The next title of hers that I read was Verity and this one left me speechless. I don’t usually have a thing for thrillers and creepy toned books, but boy did Verity change that. This book made me so scared at one point I didn’t know if I should keep reading or stop. However, I just could not put it down, I finished this one in 2 days.  

Since then, I have continued reading and collecting Hoover’s books and with every new title I read I become more astounded by her work. I’ve now read eight of her books and I’m currently reading number 9, Layla. My favorite so far is between Verity and Ugly Love and I’m especially excited to read her most popular book, It Ends with Us. 

Commitments

Ever since school started in August my schedule has been crazy just like it always is during the school year. I am very involved in my school community, and I have things going on everyday like ASB, Leadership, Journalism/Yearbook and Cheer. I do all these things by choice, so I don’t complain, but it does get overwhelming at times.  

In November, I started Competition Cheer and Basketball Sideline Cheer and with them happening at the same time, it has extended my school days from 7:30 in the morning to 8:30 at night. Competition Cheer comes with a different work and stress level than Sideline Cheer and it definitely requires a different mindset. Practices are more intense and there’s no room to waste time because competitions are starting soon, and our routine needs to be perfect. Our first competition is on January 29, and I can already start to feel the pressure begin intensifying.  

Along with the pressure and time commitment that Cheer requires, it is also one of my main sources of happiness and motivation. I love being at practice doing what I love surrounded by amazing people. Cheer is a great distraction and being with my team is sometimes the highlight of my day. Cheer is blood, sweat, and tears and the bond we continue to build every day on the mat makes everything worth it.  

Since Cheer and school take up most of my time, I try to enjoy my weekends as much as possible. I usually sleep in late although my dad gets upset with me for it. I try to get homework done during the week, so my weekends are free but with my procrastination it doesn’t always work out that way. I spend my weekend time reading, watching movies and cleaning and most Sunday's I go to church.  

Reading is something I've loved to do since I was little and recently, I have had the time to do lots of it.  For my birthday and Christmas, I received a lot of books so I’m thankful for this extra bit of time to read them. I have been obsessed with Colleen Hoover ever since I read her book November 9 and I’ve made I my mission to read more of her books So far, I’ve read three of her books and each one leaves me wanting more. I am currently reading Maybe Not which is book two in her Maybe Someday series. 

Right now, my life is in between stressful and relaxed, but I know that’s only because the semester just started. Honestly, I’m used to the craziness of being busy all the time, so I’m not worried about what’s coming. However, I am excited to see what my last semester of high school has in store for me, and I am determined to finish strong.  

Toxic Relationships

Toxic relationships are something most people experience at least once in their lives. They are not always physically abusive, sometimes it’s as simple as childish arguments or manipulation. Regardless, often people don’t realize they’re in the situation until it has escalated, and things slowly get worse. A lot of the time, people are aware they deserve to be treated better but their love for that person overrides their judgment.  

Sometimes books and movies create the image that toxic relationships are okay and that you can make your partner change the behavior. While this may be true for some relationships, it doesn’t always happen this way. You see movies and books create the unrealistic idea that all toxic behavior is worth forgiving. The characters in these stories usually just forget it ever happened and move on with their lives. This can be unhealthy for people in real life because making them think that they deserve to be treated that way can cause severe damage.  

These forms of love stories displayed in movies or books also creates the expectation that for a guy to really like you he must be mean to you. It's the whole enemies to lover's trope that basically states that passionate love stories begin with rude and mean behavior. This then causes people to confuse disrespectful behavior for love. Then this also leads to manipulation and controlling acts by the partner because they think it’s acceptable.  

Everyone deserves to be treated with pure love and respect and staying in a toxic relationship is not the right move. Instead, there should be more productions and stories on people overcoming toxic relationships to help prove it is possible. These stories should end with the person finding new love where they are appreciated and cared for in a healthy manner. Overall, you have the power to leave, no one is worth tolerating if they only tear you down.  

English or Math

A common question asked in school is, “What subject do you prefer, English or math?” Personally, I think this question is wrong. Several people believe you can only enjoy one of these two subjects. I don’t understand why we must pick, why can’t we like both. Then if you say you like both, people are so quick to assume that you automatically are terrible at one and can only be good at the other. I think I’ve always been very smart, and I’ve always been at the top of my class, which is why I have high standards for myself.  

As a junior in high school, I’d like to believe I am good at both subjects and enjoy both. Obviously, everyone struggles in school, and I'm not saying I’m always perfect in these areas, but I do find myself to easily overcome challenges in these aspects. Ever since elementary school I have excelled in these two subjects. I remember my essays would be used as examples because of the level they were written at. In math, I would always be ahead of everyone, and I would become quite frustrated when my teacher wouldn’t let me answer the questions anymore because I didn’t leave room for the other kids to solve the problems as well. 

This soon became an issue, and I was recommended to transfer to a higher-level school that way I’d be challenged and be able to reach my full potential. At first, I didn’t want to move and leave my friends, but I moved anyways. I ended up transferring to Baird Middle School starting my fifth-grade year. I can honestly say this is one of the best decisions my mom has made for me. Everyone there was held to very high standards, and everyone was smart. It was a very big difference compared to your average elementary/middle school.  

When I began writing this I didn’t intend to go in this direction, but I think I like what I came up with. I think I was able to share an important period in my life that helped shape the person I am today. Going back to the question, “What subject do you prefer, English or math?” I think it should be normalized to enjoy both without being questioned about it. Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses and let us all remember that just because you may not like something does not mean that no one else does as well.  

The Truth about Reading

Most people today will say reading is boring. Some have said that watching something is just easier than reading it, which shouldn’t be an excuse. They say there is no point in reading a bunch of words when you can watch a movie or TV show instead. There have been cases where individuals say it is a waste of time, then later turn around and binge watch hours worth of a TV series. This is hypocrisy I know.  

 I think the problem here is that they lack imagination. If people were to actually sit down and pick a novel that at least remotely interests them, then there might be a different outcome. Often people are close minded and care a lot about what people think. They fear they will look like a nerd or something as if that is a bad thing. Society has ruined reading for some people and I hope that one day reading won’t seem or appear boring, but instead be something normal that everyone does as something they enjoy.  

 There is a book for almost every single interest, hobby, or genre. If you looked, I’m sure you would find something you like. There’s also different kinds, such as novels, magazines, comics, and newspapers, Also, reading not only increases vocabulary but also makes you smarter. No matter what you read, fiction or non-fiction, the simple comprehension of the words boosts your IQ. It can also be a way to relieve stress and be in a world with no worries even if it is only pretend. It’s an escape that only requires the turning of pages.  

 Reading opens up so many doors of endless possibilities. It’s a whole new world filled with anything you want it to be. Another beauty in reading is the fact that you can picture situations any way you like. There is no limits to what you can imagine or how you can imagine them. In an example, if the book describes a house, you can think of it any color or shape that you like. The characters can be any way you want with features that you think best fit them.  

 Reading is a gift that more people should try, because it only brings benefits. Personally I love to read and it has been like that for as long as I can remember. Something I can recommend to those who are new to the world of books, is to pick something short. I can also recommend reading the back cover summary that is provided. Usually if that interests you, the rest of the story should too. I can also say that although it might feel endless and some parts may get a little dull, you should really give the entire book a chance. It might just surprise you.  

Tuck Everlasting movie review/ my thoughts on immortality

I know almost everyone in the world has thought about living forever. In the movie Tuck Everlasting, based on the book by Natalie Babbitt, a family’s life was changed forever by a simple drink of water. Tuck Everlasting tells the story of the Tuck’s, a family with the curse of immortality. It all started one day when their family was on a trip, they were thirsty and one of their sons spotted a spring coming from one of the forest trees. They all drank from this water, Jesse, Miles, Tuck, Mae, and even the horse. The family continues their journey and as a series of unfortunate events start to happen, they begin to suspect something is very wrong. Years go by and none of them age a day, they get injuries that should kill them but don’t. Then their cat dies, who didn’t drink from the spring. Realizing what’s happened, they must continuously move, or people will notice their never changing forms.  

The movie starts with Mae travelling to see her children as she does once every ten years. Later Jesse meets a girl, her name is Winnie, she’s rich, sheltered, and lonely. They fall in love, but the Tuck’s secret causes trouble, if people were to find out who knows what they’d do? A man has been tracking them for years and he’s figured it out, he’s willing to do anything and everything to unravel the truth. He plans to become rich and make people pay to be able to live forever. However, the Tuck’s are set on not allowing this to happen, they see immortality as a curse.  

Life was meant to be enjoyed, savored, and valued, and when the time comes it’s over, there shouldn’t be any work arounds. With life you get death, that’s just how it works. If you think about it now, sure living forever sounds irresistible. But Tuck speaks from experience, when Winnie wants to drink from the spring so she can be with Jesse forever, he explains to her the true meaning of living and dying. He uses the symbolism of a wheel, and how it never stops turning. After all this time, he doesn’t see his family as living, more so merely existing. Constantly having to move, never being able to get close to anyone, keeping a secret as big as theirs are all just some of the many problems they’re faced with.  

I must agree with Tuck’s words, as lovely as it sounds to never have to part with the world, I think there should be an end. Think of how terrible it would be to always be keeping a secret like that. There would be so many risks if people found out, you could be used for research or possibly shunned and accused of black magic. I don’t think that’s a good way to live at all. In fact, after so long it’s not even living anymore, you really are just existing. Life is a cycle, and all cycles must have a form of balance. The balance of the cycle of life just so happens to be death. Like Tuck said, don’t be afraid of death, be afraid of the unlived life.  

Gilmore Girls and Mother/Daughter Relationships

For many people, a relationship with their parents might be the strangest thing. The parents of today seem to have pushed their children away, making them feel as if talking to them about real things is not an option. Parents set impossible standards, making kids feel suffocated. This is what leads teenagers to rebel, they feel trapped and misunderstood, forcing them to make bad decisions. I think if you raise your kids to trust you with things, they will obviously be less likely to keep things from you.

In October of the year 2000 a show called Gilmore Girls came out. The show is about Lorelai Gilmore and her teenage daughter Rory Gilmore. Lorelai had her daughter when she was 16 years old, in the world she came from, this was the worst possible thing she could have ever done. With her parents extremely angry with her and forcing her into marriage, Lorelai had no choice but to leave home and be on her own. The show starts off with Lorelai being a stable 32-year-old woman, living with Rory, her 15, soon to be a 16-year-old daughter. Throughout the show Rory and Lorelai are portrayed as best friends instead of mother and daughter. They go through romance drama, financial issues, and arguments with Lorelai’s parents who are also Rory’s grandparents. However, no matter what they go through they always have each other, and I think that’s beautiful.

As a 16-year-old daughter I can relate to this television show on a very personal note. My mom and I are remarkably close, and I share every aspect of my life with her. She has never made me feel like I can’t talk to her about anything and for that I am eternally grateful. When I tell my friends this often, they appear to be confused as to how I can be so open with her. The only genuine answer I can come up with is trust. My mom trusts me a lot, she believes me without question and that’s because I don’t give her a reason not to. My mom can give me advice and help as both a friend and a mother. My mom had me when she was 20, almost 21 years old. We are not relatively close in age, but I don’t think age plays a role in any way. My mom puts herself in my shoes in a lot of situations. I think this helps a lot because parents often forget they were teenagers once too. Everything they have gone through we will go through, and instead of using that against us I believe the smart thing would be to teach us. My mom has raised me to be her best friend, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

You can watch Gilmore Girls on Netflix today!

Lorelai and Rory Gilmore

My mom (Araceli) and me (Jazzy)