Plastics- Caroline Totty

For about six years of my life I went to summer camp in Asheville, North Carolina. It was an all girls camp called Greystone. It was just like you would picture a summer camp with cabins and a dining hall and a lake and every activity you could imagine. Those weeks I spent there were the best weeks of my life. Part of the reason that camp is so amazing is because of the awesome people who run in. Every morning after we finished breakfast the owner, Jimdaddy, who died a few years ago from old age, would have this thing called "breakfast club." He would tell a fable and at the end tell the moral of the story and give us advice. The advice that has stuck with me and I remember him sharing multiple times every summer was the phrase, "As you travel through life, whatever may be your goal, always remember to keep your eye upon the doughnut, and not upon the hole." I have always remembered that quote because I think it is advice to live by. Often times people forget what's important to them and what their goal is, and this advice is telling you not to forget that. It's telling you to not look at the negative (the hole) and instead look at the positive (the doughnut). Always be optimistic and remember who you are. That is what Jimdaddy wanted us to remember when he told us that, and I cherish that advice every single day.

Plastics- Em Cha

One piece of advice that has really helped me through high school came from a close family friend of mine. She told me to spend my time doing things that made me happy and never pretend to like something/someone just to make other people happy. It's something I think peolle struggle with especially during there time in high school. There's so much pressure to fit it and to be just like everyone else that straying from who you actually are is really easy. There are times when I feel like I have to pretend to like something just because it would be "weird" not to. It's important to me to stick to who I am and stand firm on the things that I love.

Doing things for yourself is important too. It's awesome to help people, of course, but allowing yourself to do things that bring you joy is the only way you can share that joy with other. I am thankful for this advice and will continue to live by it during the rest of my high school career and into my adult life.

Hooray for Hollywood- Andrew Collins

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Plastics- Noah Welch

      My favorite piece of advice that I have ever received is, “those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it,” (George Santayana ). My Grandfather and I discuss life and this is one of his favorite quotes.   History is extremely important for everyone in the world.  In the world where propaganda corrupts the hearts and minds of the unknowing public, history provides the knowledge to overcome this menace.  Unfortunately, history is influenced by nefarious forces and we, as seekers of truth, must learn everything about the past to make educated and evaluated decisions.  As you well know, I made a speech about the positive side of the Mongols; as denizens of the planet it is our sacred duty to inform ourselves of all perspectives to increase knowledge, tolerance and peace.  This quote inspires me to help learn about the horrors and the glories of the past. I find learning and discovering these memories exciting and terrible at the same time.  I try to live every day learning about peoples past and developing my knowledge to learn tolerance and make exciting discoveries. 

Plastics- Amelia Rogers

One of the most positive people I know is my Mamaw. I’ve always admired her optimistic attitude. We’ve spent countless hours together in 17 years, and I have wonderful memories with her. Whenever we’re together and we run into a minor problem, my Mamaw always says, “Well if that’s the only problem we have, then we don’t have any problems.”

While not a direct piece of advice, that mindset is a special gift she’s given me. Each time she says it, she’s telling me that some things in life are just not worth getting worked up over. I often think about that phrase when little annoyances come my way. Whatever small problem I’m facing—a broken pencil, a bad driver, a stained shirt—it helps me stay calm and keep a positive attitude. It reminds me that many people have it much worse me, and that I should be thankful for what’s going well. It also reminds me that there are more important things in life to devote my energy too than getting upset over a small problem. I’ll always be thankful to my Mamaw for sharing this attitude with me. 

Plastics-Leah Noble

During a moment in my life when I was struggling to make decisions regarding future plans, someone told me to "do something for yourself for once." At first this struck me as very selfish advice. I believe that I am not supposed to live for myself and this piece of advice contradicted that. However, as a pondered this idea, I realized that I spend most of my time making decisions based on the wants or needs of others or based on their effects in the future. I never did anything that I wanted to do; nothing that solely benefited me or was for my brief pleasure. Now, I'm not saying that doing things for others and making the best decision for your future is bad, or that you shouldn't do it. But there are times when you have to slow down and decide to do something for yourself, something that interests you, even if that includes taking risks to better your emotional state. You can't help others if you are not able to keep your own mind healthy. We need those moments of rest and times where we don't have to worry about the effects of our actions. I learned to play guitar, for myself. I chose to take a class not pertaining to my future career just because I am interested in it, for myself. These things will help me stay able to help others in the future.

Plastics - Anthony Tamasi

One piece of advice that has stuck with me is to never worry about something you can not change. Whether it be something that has already happened, or something that will happen in the future, if you can not change it, why worry? I have learned that the worry will just suck the happiness from you during the present, when that event you are worrying so much about usually only lasts a short period of time (ie reading english papers to a class). You end up being so nervous before the event that you end up stressing and not being able to focus on other things, reducing your productivity. And the toll your happiness takes just is not worth it. I do not even remember how I came across this advice that has impacted my life so much. But to whomever told me, I am so grateful. I urge everyone (if you all actually read this) to try the next time you are worried to think about this. Why worry if you cannot change it?