English Essay
Okay we had to write a reflection about a segment in our life, i chose to do mine on Jane Addams Elementary, check it out.
If you ask the average senior in high school what his or her favorite memories are, they will most likely tell you about all of the high school dances, homecomings, high school sporting events, or parties. All of those experiences were without a doubt some of the best times I have ever had, but when I think about memories that I miss, and I will never forget, I don’t think about partying, or watching football games right away. I think about playing intense games of soccer every day at recess. I think about playing “Jake the Snake” in gym class and having my first girlfriend. I think about building giant snowballs during the winter and not having a care in the world. I think about all of the unforgettable times that made Elementary school impossible to forget.
Normally, when it comes to kids playing soccer it’s just harmless fun. The rivalry at Addams Elementary was more than fun. It was an intense battle that took place every day, sometimes twice a day. Each day at school, if conditions were right, everyone who was brave enough would head out to the soccer field, marked off by two trees as one goal, and two posts of the fence as another. Teams were selected, and as soon as the ball was dropped, the mood changed, similar to a scene found in “Lord of the Flies.” Children became victory hungry savages until the teacher blew the whistle signaling the end of recess, and when the victor was decided, the winning team had bragging rights until the next war took place. There were several broken arms, legs, bloody noses, and kids who were plowed by other classmates swinging ridiculously high on the swing set. But no matter what happened, at the end of the day there was a winner and a loser. That’s all that mattered.
There was a legend that lived at Addams Elementary that had been around since the school was founded. This infamous story is detectible any time there is snow on the ground and lasts as long as Mother Nature wishes to keep the temperatures icy and the playgrounds immortal. This myth is represented by a cluster of giant snowballs, created by the students of Jane Addams. The structures reach heights up to six feet tall, and create an intimidating image that only the courageous dare to confront. Anyone who touches one of the snowballs is given an immediate whitewash to the face. These objects are the most sacred elements of childhood society. So sacred that they often drove foreign exchange students to tear off their shirts in the dead of winter, and yell at the top of their lungs. If you didn’t know the legend before you came to Addams, you knew as soon as the first snowflake hit the ground, and the season was officially declared winter.
Life at Jane Addams Elementary wasn’t for the faint of heart. It wasn’t a place for children to come splash in the puddles or play an innocent game of touch football. It was a place where competition and emotions ran high at all times. Kids didn’t just climb the rope to say they made it into the “Monkey Club,” and they didn’t break through the China wall just to get to the other side. This group of warriors knew that it was Addams Elementary, where they tried to be the best that they could be. They knew it was their responsibility to make the world a better place for you and me. Even four square occasionally ended with a ball to the face, and a suspension from recess. So if you ever cross paths with an Addams graduate, stay on their good side. Unless you’re looking for a quick loss in guard the pin, or a lesson in submarine tag.
-Mike
If you ask the average senior in high school what his or her favorite memories are, they will most likely tell you about all of the high school dances, homecomings, high school sporting events, or parties. All of those experiences were without a doubt some of the best times I have ever had, but when I think about memories that I miss, and I will never forget, I don’t think about partying, or watching football games right away. I think about playing intense games of soccer every day at recess. I think about playing “Jake the Snake” in gym class and having my first girlfriend. I think about building giant snowballs during the winter and not having a care in the world. I think about all of the unforgettable times that made Elementary school impossible to forget.
Normally, when it comes to kids playing soccer it’s just harmless fun. The rivalry at Addams Elementary was more than fun. It was an intense battle that took place every day, sometimes twice a day. Each day at school, if conditions were right, everyone who was brave enough would head out to the soccer field, marked off by two trees as one goal, and two posts of the fence as another. Teams were selected, and as soon as the ball was dropped, the mood changed, similar to a scene found in “Lord of the Flies.” Children became victory hungry savages until the teacher blew the whistle signaling the end of recess, and when the victor was decided, the winning team had bragging rights until the next war took place. There were several broken arms, legs, bloody noses, and kids who were plowed by other classmates swinging ridiculously high on the swing set. But no matter what happened, at the end of the day there was a winner and a loser. That’s all that mattered.
There was a legend that lived at Addams Elementary that had been around since the school was founded. This infamous story is detectible any time there is snow on the ground and lasts as long as Mother Nature wishes to keep the temperatures icy and the playgrounds immortal. This myth is represented by a cluster of giant snowballs, created by the students of Jane Addams. The structures reach heights up to six feet tall, and create an intimidating image that only the courageous dare to confront. Anyone who touches one of the snowballs is given an immediate whitewash to the face. These objects are the most sacred elements of childhood society. So sacred that they often drove foreign exchange students to tear off their shirts in the dead of winter, and yell at the top of their lungs. If you didn’t know the legend before you came to Addams, you knew as soon as the first snowflake hit the ground, and the season was officially declared winter.
Life at Jane Addams Elementary wasn’t for the faint of heart. It wasn’t a place for children to come splash in the puddles or play an innocent game of touch football. It was a place where competition and emotions ran high at all times. Kids didn’t just climb the rope to say they made it into the “Monkey Club,” and they didn’t break through the China wall just to get to the other side. This group of warriors knew that it was Addams Elementary, where they tried to be the best that they could be. They knew it was their responsibility to make the world a better place for you and me. Even four square occasionally ended with a ball to the face, and a suspension from recess. So if you ever cross paths with an Addams graduate, stay on their good side. Unless you’re looking for a quick loss in guard the pin, or a lesson in submarine tag.
-Mike