Freeks and Geeks and True Courage

Hello all!
This week in light of one class reading Stargirl and two classes completing To Kill a Mockingbird, we are going to talk about our ideas about cliques and courage.

What role do cliques play in socializing/education (high school) and the rest of your life? Do you consider yourself a part of a clique? Do you judge people by the people they hang out with? Are there certain symbols for different cliques? Is steroetyping ever good?

What does 'courage' have to do with every day living? Do you find yourself judged incorrectly by your friends, activities,religion, polititical stance? Do you look at some groups or individuals and look up to them because they do not follow 'the road most taken'?

Who is your role model? Why?

Enjoy!
Mrs. Gaboury

PS Please respond as your own post. Feel free to comment on other's post--politely and so that no one feels attacked. This is a writing/sharing forum. Do not become The Silencer. Encourage the voices of your peers. If not you, who?

GEEKS AND FREAKS

Well, me personally dose not have a clique, i just hangout with anyone that im close to. I don't get picked on and i don't have a weird trait about me, other than the fact that i think Ninjas are awsome and pirates are bad people, but really im just a regular person who wears regular cloths and i don't persicute other people based on what they like or do, sometimes i do because they are my friends and im joking around. I don't think sterotyping is a good thing, because if someone dresses weird or acts weird dosn't mean they aren't cool people, so i think we should just get along, but i don't understand when people try to be people they aren't, just be yourself and im sure someone will like you for not what you look like but whatt your like on the inside.

freaks and geeks

the roles cliques have on education and students are bad. I think this because when you put two and two together then it just isnt a good working enviorment for kids and teachers. When your in a clique you feel great because you feel like your in with the crowd that you fit in now and when you dont have that you feel that any word could break you. When a clique starts stuff about you, you feel horrible you feel like you wana crawl under a rock and die and you also feel so depressed. i think that its not good because after you get picked on alot you just wana retaliate. but most of the time you dont and you still feel down.

I do think that i am part of a clique but we do not start stuff or pick on people just from what they wear or do. The clique that im in is the Vballas, it sounds pretty funny but its great, for a volleyballer. We hang out with each other and do things, but we also have friends who are not volleyballers and thats fine because its always good to have more then one friend.

To be honest i do judge people but im learning its wrong to judge people from what they wear or what they do. My role model is a Varstiy Volleyball player named Megan. She is my role model because everything she does i want to follow in her footsteps. Megan is a very good Volleyball player and good in school she doesnt do stupid things and she mostly a very nice girl. I hope that she gets into a great college because she deserves it and i hope she makes it onto the Volleyball team because she is a great player. I hope that shes does make everything because then I would want to follow her, i want to get into a great college and make a Volleyball team in college.

Freaks and Geeks

Cliques are a huge part of high school because we naturally just stay with certain people that we are like. Everyday someone stereotypes someone else and no one can say that they haven't because we all know that everybody does. People definitely judge each other by the people who they hang out with and also what they wear. I know that I do it all the time. Like if you wear all black and chains and stuff people classify you as goth. If someone wears hollister and American eagle the are classified as a prep. People should never stereotype because its never good.



Courage has a lot to do with everyday life because everyday people are pressured and have the courage to stand up for whats right. Sometimes I do get judged incorrectly because of the people I hang out with or the activites that I do. I really don't have a role model but I do look up to my older cousin because he is really successful in stuff that he does.

Family Traditions

Ha, that's kinda funny. (Not in a mean way.) I was just talking about family traditions with my mom yesterday. We talked about the fact that my dad finally has a house of his own that is big enough to support the family for Thanksgiving dinner, whereas before, he always lived in small apartments and we always ate Thanksgiving dinner at my grandma's house. Now we are eating it at his house this year, and it feels like such a strange thing. I am so used to having dinner at my grandma's house, that it is like... wierd to have it anywhere else. My mom says that that is what happens when you break a tradition that you are used to for so long. It just feels different.



Traditions are created when a certain action or talk are used over and over again around the same time of year, creating a ritual. At least that's what I think. Traditions are something that unify a family and create a time when everyone is doing the same thing, therefore creating a "family bonding". :] Some examples are: always going to a certain place on a holiday and making a food item together, or listening to "gramdma got run over by a raindeer" on X-mas eve with your grandma, (hee hee, that's another one of mine.) They can be little things that may seem insigificant to other people, but mean a lot to the family, or they can be large things involving the community.


UMM>.......... Ok, I have to go now bye

Stereotyping and Cliques

Sorry if this isn't as good as my first one. I'll try and make this one just as good, but no promises. Cliques and Stereotyping are a huge part of highschool and every day life. Stereotyping can be found just about every where that there are people. It is practically impossible to ever stop it, you may even be doing it with even realizing it. If you really think about it, stereotyping is basically any thought you have about any other person, negetive or positive. As for cliques, they are just a result of stereotyping. I think that I'm a part of many cliques ranging from Prep to Geek. I like to do some stuff with one group and other stuff with another. Even though I am part of several cliques I still judge other people by who they hang out with. It isn't that awful to do so. By looking at the people someone is with I can figure out what their interests are, and see if I would get along with them. Stereotyping can also help to get you out of trouble sometimes. If you know that a group has a habit of getting hurt or in trouble you can avoid it. I don't that I am judge incorrectly by my friends, but that some people tend to think I am more quiet and shy than I actually am. It sometimes even surprises people how much I talk when I get started. The thing is I don't talk unless I have something I think is worth saying. As for going the road less taken, I think that it is a very courageous thing to do. It doesn't happen that often unfortunately because it isn't an easy thing to do. Although there are plenty of people now and in the past who would make great role models I can't decide wich one I would like to chose. But I look up to people who make a good difference in the places around them. Poeple who influence others.
Emily Tucci

Freaks and Geeks and True Courage

Unfortunately, it seems like cliques play a very important role in high school, and a somewhat more minor role in the rest of life. It seems to me like cliques can play a role in socializing, but they don't have to. If someone has the courage to go and talk to a member of another clique, or just to someone that they don't know, it seems like they might be able to hit it off quite easily. Of course, that all depends on the people. But from what I've seen of people, well - they can be quite a bit more versatile than they seem.
And speaking of courage - it has a heckuva lot to do with everyday living. From the smallest bit - like finding the courage to try that leftover meatloaf at dinner - to the largest amount - like, hmm, let's see....I don't know, like a love confession or standing up to bullies. (Those seem everyday enough for me.) I don't know if I have ever been judged because of my friends, religion (or lack thereof), or any of the other things mentioned. I suppose people do think that I am a geek just because I happen to be smart and to use said intelligence to the best of my ability, but I really don't care. So what if I am a geek? Nothing wrong with that if I think it's okay. So, to sum it up, if people have judged me, I either haven't noticed or have ignoring them and erased it from my memory.
As for role models and looking up to people, I really don't tend to do that sort of thing. The closest thing I have to a role model is that thing that was mentioned in health class last year - my "Ideal Self". Basically, I don't look up to individual people, but if a person or fictional character or animal or whatever has a trait that I admire, said trait gets added to my "Ideal Self" - me at my best. So you could say that I have no role model, or you could say that I have an absolute plethora of role models. (Hey, I just used one of our vocab words. Fancy that. Go plethoras!)

-Ali

P.S. I am so a geek. But I am a cool geek. I am a flippin' awesome geek.

ps..

i had said in my previous post that it was 10:01 and it really was but i thin kthe time is messed up on the clock .. ok just clearing things up it is now10:06 good night

Cliques... wow. Cliques definitely play a humongous role in high school.... and middlee... and thankfully not elementary, at least for me. [the word] clique was just an innocent word with high hopes to have a beautiful definition and be said proud and loud. But this poor 6 letter word was given to be the word with the meaning of -being judged or ridiculed or harrased i guess by what you look like,how you dress, and who you hang out with.
Cliques affect people everyday, every school or job, everywhere. Whether at work or at school people are judged by the ways i had said earlier. I mean common now, it doesn't matter if you have even said 2 words to a person, because you know them RIGHT? because they hang with the"jocks" or the "Goths" and that makes them THIS WAY ! Because they dress a certain way or hang out with a certain crowd they are like e v e r y o t h e r "geek" or "skater" that you have never said two words and yet someone how just know.
Cliques effect education because there are sooo many people who have friends who don't acheive in school. Who don't try and fail every class.and must think to themselves" you know what I had better not get that easy A in math class because i am actually intellegent, i meen i might not be accepted by my own [so called] "friends". i might make someone confused on which group i belong to , yeahh i deffinitely don't want to do that" ..hmm " if i got that A it might actually make a small chip away at my own stereotype, small but powerful, w a a a i i i t
I forgot that would be achieving something though so.... i had better just stop this nonsense."

OK so I am most likely considered to be part of a clique. and if you disagree then i think your awesome. I don't really know what to say , i wish i wasn't considered to be part of a clique and who knows maybe I'm not. But i know that sometimes when i share something about one of my friends[ like a funny story] to another friend who doesn't particularly hang out with those people and i say my friends name i usually get a .. ohh i don't like her, shes a snob, a look
or you know something along those lines.
and i just think to myself wow how you ever talked to this person because they are really nice or wouldn't be hanging out with them. i try my best not to judge people in anyways but what can i say it happens but when it does happen i actually go up and talk to the person .. people always say as do i that you shouldn't judge someone when you have never said a word to them.
so i really do go up and talk to the person who i have judged because i guess in my mind i want the judgment to begone, disappear because 50/50 chance its wrong. and usually they turn out to be really nice people. i remember in 7th grade art i sat next to a person who shall not be named[ lord voldemort] haha just kidding but i thought of that after saying the shall not be named thing] and they would be considered emo or goth and i was pretty scarred and bummed that i had to sit next to them but i decided i was going to talk to them and see how they were . and i did and it turned that that person was soo respectful and kind.He or she just had a bad rap/stereotype.

wow i have to hurry up ivebeen typing for like an hourr.

alright symbol would be nerd=smart jock=muscles Goths= wear black and another iss umm popular= snobby

i really don't think that any good could ever come out of stereotyping.

Courage.
people need courage everyday to get through the put downs and to be individuals. i thikn i am constantly judged incorrectly because of the people i hang out with. and because of religion i am a proud catholic teenager. people have asked me " ohh are youu realllllly religous" iand i just think to myslef youre either religious or not, practicing or nonpracticing. yes i do go to church and religion every sunday and you no what its not something i dread to go to either. and also i went away for 4 days to ohio on a pilgrimage to find god and discover the way and i will never forget it becasue it was amazing and unforgettable.

I do look up to some individuals because they have not followed the road most taken. One idividual is my brother aka my hero. He is an awesome person who is interested in so many things and is always nice to everybody. except for the occasional fight for the bethroom then things can get ugly.But he is so smart and plays sports, loves classical and jazz music and is a killer sax player and has a deep faith. He is my role model along with my parents but i can't get into detail becasue its 10:01 pm and im drifting to sleep.

see youu tomorrow mrs gabouryy - melissa roff and wow this is extremely long

Cliques (by Sara) Cont.

People who don't act like everyone else is a lot of the times considered odd, but they're just being themself. There's nothing wrong with that. Why waste your life being someone you're not? I dont' think stereotyping is ever good because it immediately takes away the chance for someone to get to know the person for who they are. Instead, that someone will meet the other with wrong expectations.

Courage. I think courage is a HUGE part of high school. I think courage shines when people decide not to follow their peers because they know that's the right way to go. I think courage is in those who act like themselves with people they don't even know. I do occasionally find myself being judged incorrectly. Many think I'm REALLY shy at times, but they are wrong. Sometimes I don't have much to say in a conversation, so many just assume I'm too shy to
speak up, but that's not true. Those who know me really well know how wacky I can get.

I do find myself looking up to those who speak and think for themselves because it's nice to see someone not following the crowd. Kit Collins, for example, is someone who I look up to. She doesn't care what other people think of her. She has her own style and I love it! She's so original with everything she does. There's only one Kit Collins!

I would have to say my role model is Holly's older sister, Amanda. She is like a big sister to me. She is always doing what SHE thinks is right. She doesn't judge people; she gives everyone who she talks to a chance. She wasn't voted class angel for nothing! :)

Superpowers!

Hello all!
After the heaviness of last week's topic, I decided to lighten things up a bit and add a bit of a challenge.

This week you are to consider the question; respond to the question; read other poeple's answers, and reply to other people's posts. This week do not comment to mine--POST YOUR OWN (on this page!). This will enable others to be able to reply directly to you.

The question is (drum roll please) . . . if you could have any special super power what would it be and why? What would you do with this power (a little antecdote would be fun, that means a little story showing what you would do)? Would you use to help the world or just yourself? Would you be a bad guy and abuse your power (Waltrous, let me guess!)?

Be creative and have fun. Remember to make your own post and not press comment to mine.

Enjoy!
Mrs. Gaboury

PS Christian, missing the "Peace" :-(

Cliques

I think cliques play a huge part in people’s lives especially in school. Cliques are both a good thing and a bad thing. On one hand they can make people feel like they belong, but on the other hand they could make some people feel different and feel like they don’t belong. I think we are always going to be dealing with cliques, both in school and out of school cliques allow you to find people with similar interests. I don’t think it is a good thing to belong in one clique, because then you’re with people who are just like you and your not spending time with those who have different interests than you do. I don’t think that I belong to a clique because I am friends with a lot of different people who have a lot of different interests.
I try really hard not to judge people by who they hang out with, but I know I do it. I think everyone does it though, its human nature to look at groups of people that pass by you. Also a lot of people act like the people they hang out with everyday. For example if one or two people in a group or clique are known as jocks then most likely the people they hang out with are also called jocks. I don’t really think there are certain symbols that define a group of people.
I don’t think stereotyping is a good thing. It automatically places someone in a group of people that they might not belong in. But it goes with acting like your friends. If you hang out with people that are know for something then soon you will be put in with their group.
Courage is a huge part of our lives. I think courage is having the strength to stand up for your self and to be different and do what you want to without caring what others think. The people that I look up to are those who have a lot of courage, and I wish that I could be like those people. Sometimes I feel like I have courage and sometimes I feel like the “Cowardly Lion.” My parents have a lot of strength and courage and I try to model myself after them and I hope that I can be like them and all people who aren’t afraid to be themselves and those who do not follow “the road most taken”

Freaks, Geeks, and True Courage (a second time)

WARNING: This is not going to be as good as it was the first time Mrs.Gaboury. I'll try, but I was so upset when the computer bugged out on me earlier today, and somehow I don't think it will be the same.

In the world of highschool, cliques are a horrible reality. Cliques are a stereotype, and they classify a person based on their "look", and the people they hang out with, not by their beliefs, and personality. They play a role in your school career and your entire life. In our beloved APHS there are lots and lots of cliques ( nerds, jocks, preps, goths, etc. etc). Is that right? Of course not! But it is the sad truth. Your social life depends on your clique, for many people. The people you call friends define you, and people will make assumptions about you even if they haven't spoken three words to you in their life. Cliques also affect your education. I see so many kids with the potential to get great grades and excell in school but they apply themselves because their friends also don't do well in school. But in the rest of your life stereotyping still occurs. A very intelligent and capable person applying for a job may be the perfect canidate but won't get hired because at the interview their tatooed arms were showing and the interviewer got a "bad vibe".

I don't consider myself apart of a clique. I say this with pride, because I never would want to be typical like everyone else. I am an individual. I get straight A's (does that make me a geek?). My best friend plays every sport there is to offer and wears pollos from American Eagle all the time (but I am not athletic in the slightest way and I don't shop where she does). I love theatre, art, and music (but sometimes I feel unaccepted by the upperclass thespians and upperclass art students). People really don't know the real me until they actually speak to me. Because of this, I hear rumors about what people say about me, and it is never true. But, that's highschool...

I try my hardest not to judge people based on who they hang out with. But let's face it...everyone does. Not just highschool students, but everyone. I've had teachers that treated me like dirt when they saw some of my friends, but once I sat in their honors class, they changed their mind. But, I have to say that I always get to know people. I am a very friendly person, and if someone just gave me a chance, I'd be their friend no matter who they normally associate with. Although, I never would change myself to fit in or make a friend. Who I am, is who I am, and it's not going to change. There are even certain symbols for cliques. The nerds=Intelligence...The Jocks=Big Muscles...The Goths=Depression (or the color black). All these symbols are ridiculous and wrong. In my opinion, stereotyping is never a good thing. I don't see how it could be. Although you may assume a person has certain qualities, you should find out for sure. There is more than what meets the eye in so many people, but they are never given the chance.

Courage is apart of everyday life. The courage to speak up against people who are discriminating an innocent person. The courage to stand up for yourself when someone puts you down. The courage to fight peer-pressure and not give in just because everyone else is. The courage to make the right decisions, which may not always be the easy decisions. I am judged all the time, everyone is. Some of my best friends are people that once thought I was someone I am not, but once they talked to me, they saw the real me. There are certain people that I look up to because they don't just follow the crowd. Even some people in this very english class. Alexsis Leanza (sorry if I spelt your last name wrong) is so incredibly smart but she also has a killer taste in music and she doesn't have one "group" of friends. Emily Rosenburg is nice to me, and accepts me, even though some of her friends (who have never bothered to talk to me) don't like me at all. Outside of this class, Sarah Goldburg and Nina Powers really are great examples of individuals.

My role model is probably my mom. I look up to her because she always tries so hard in every aspect of her life and she is really SuperWoman. I love her.

---Kelly Moak

Courage, Cliques, and a Clip

I had finished writing this earlier, but the computer wacked out on me and lost the post. Darnit...

Cliques are groups of people that share a common interest and often hang out together. They make prominent appearances in a high-school environment, and Averill Park High School is no exception. Personally, I do not consider myself part of a clique; After a very quick glance at some of the posts already written, I would say that is the status quo with most of the people in Gaboury's English classes. I do share interests with people, and I do hang out with people, but does that really constitute a clique? I think there is perhaps more to a clique than some dictionaries would indicate; When one thinks clique, what do you mentally imagine? Food for thought.

I definitely judge people by who they hang out with, but very little. For example, I think that the Chinese government officials are a bunch of no-good, rotten, greedy schmucks. Of course, this is irresponsible of me, because I am basing these thoughts off of only a small amount of actions by an even smaller amount of people in the Chinese government. Obviously, there are people in the Chinese government who are good-intentioned, but for now, I think I'll stew in my bias. I think that many people stereotype, or judge people in a similar manner, but do it subconciously. Nothing good comes from stereotyping, but like death, it is a fact of life, however sad that may be.

It is courageous to defy the norm, and as our good friend the cowardly lion from The Wizard of Oz would agree, every needs courage. Unbeknownst to the cowardly lion, however, courage is not made by big muscles or bold behaviour, but rather the small acts that set us apart from the mainstream. For example, a non-democrat in a democratic area. I have experienced this firsthand; My parents are of different political views, so I am constantly exposed to different sides of the same story. Thus, I have not formed my political opinion. On occasion, I am ridiculed for not being a die-hard democrat and Bush-hater in this land of the free, but the norm is not always the right way. To support this, I will refer to a quirky little rodent called a lemming. They are unique in that they are one of the only animals to commit mass suicide. They overproduce, and then, to find more food, hundreds swim out to sea in search of nutrition. All of them drown. So you see, perhaps the norm is not always a good idea. I hope that metaphor got through to people, comparing people with lemmings might not have been an apt comparison. In any case, it is the courageous people, those that defy the norm, that bring about change. It is for this reason that I look up to them. For example, philosophers from centuries ago defied the church to preach their discoveries. They dared defy the church, and were courageous enough to stand up for what they believe in. Some even died for their actions. These types of people are the ones I look up to.

I do not have an idol. Well, maybe I do, but I subconciously idolize someone. In any case, if I have an idol, they aren't coming to mind. Idolization is a good and bad idea. On the one hand, you should be yourself, but on the other, it is understandable to idolize those who have done good things in their life, or achieved success. A balance of idolizaton and individuality works nicely, I suppose. There are many people who I look up to, but to the point of idolization, probably not. I look up to my mother; She is a great person, but she has her flaws, as does any human. Although, if there was a media figure whom I was to idolize, it would be Mike Myers, which is why I've uploaded the following video clip from Austin Powers: Goldmember. Myers wrote all three movies in the Austin Powers trilogy, and they are just so hilarious. He also acted like two to four parts in every movie. Awesome, man!

Before you watch, make sure you know what Preparation H is. You have to know for it to be funny. Look it up on wikipedia if you don't know what it is.

Sorry Ms. G, but I had to. You see, this is good, because I won't be scolded until Tuesday. Love that.

~Tyler

Daniel Webb

Im in English class on October 29 and This is the Question that Mrs. Gaboury asked us. What would you bring if you were evacuated from your house to only one car.
If you were evacuated If i was forced to leave my house i would bring my most valuable possessions. The first thing I would bring is my money and all of the smallest iteams but the most valuable like a necklace or a braclet, something like that. Then i would bring my pets, i would "throw" them in the back of the seat. I only have 1 cat which can stay there because he is old and i dont have the room for him but i do have room for my two dogs, my puppy which is a Beagle and my Basset-hound. Then if i still had time i would take a suit case and i would put all of my clothes that i could fit in it, then if there is any room left then i would try too bring my picture albums and or pictures in frames if any. Then i would try to fit any thing that is reasonable to try to fit in the trunk then i would 0/30/07help my family to do the same by looking for the stuff that i know that they really care about while they try to remeber what they want to really bring. This would probly take a while cosidering the amount of time and what you think is very valuable. So there is not time limit to try to evacuate your house that is most likely find memorable memories.

I think that "Cliques" play a fairly significant role in a high schoolers life. I think that they affect who you hang out with, as well as the way you feel about yourself, and the activities in which you are involved in. I don't consider myself a part of a "Clique", because I have friends who are involved/into different things than I am. I try not to judge people by the people who they hang around, but you are who your friends are. If your friend smokes weed, the chances are you do the same. There are exceptions to that at times though. I think that there are different symbols for different cliques. Maybe a book for the "Academics", or a football for the "Jocks". I don't think that stereotyping is ever a good thing. No matter what you do in your life there is most often times an exception, maybe not many, but atleast one exception.

Courage has a lot to do with every day living. You need courage to do anything in life. It becomes harder and harder as you go on in life, especially at the age we are now. I find myself judged incorrectly at times in my life by my friends. Most times it is out of jealousy, ignerance or because or an ego. My best friends know who I really am, and know what to expect out of me most of the time. I do look up to many people because of who they are, and who they have become because of previous circumstances. Some people grow up in a hard life with many bad influences, and bad roads they could take and go no where in life, like the people surrounding them. There are others that see this as motivation, and escape the lifestyle. My role model is Derek Jeter. I think that his humbleness, great character, attitude, work ethic,and desire to win is amazing. Derek Jeter worked hard his entire life, always wanting to win, and even though he knew he was going to the MLB, he still worked hard in school, and ended up a very good student. Derek is also a bit of a ladies man.

I think there is cliques going on now and they will for the rest of my life. I think that people will always make of someone else just because of their clothes, beliefs, and appearance. I do not consider myself in a clique. I say this because I have never made fun of someone just because they are a certain way. I have nowhere to talk. I love watching wrestling and I love wearing comfortable clothes. I do sometimes judge people by who they hang out with. But it's never meant to be mean. I will say that group over there is smart or intelligent. I think there is different symbols for each group. I say this because there could be a "Rich people" group, a "fashion" group etc. Stereotyping is never good. It can lead to people's hearts being broken. It could result in somebody committing suicide if the comment or gesture was really mean.

Courage has to do with everyday living by if your made fun of you have to have the courage to not get mad and to not let it bother you(your afraid). You in a way have to fight back. I do find myself judged incorrectly by my friends because of my interests. Just because I love wrestling I get made fun of plenty of times. I think it's a source of entertainment for me. I do look up at individuals and I see that they have not followed "the road most have taken". These individuals are my mother, my father, and my sisters. These people do not care if someone makes fun of them. They shrug their shoulders and donb't care. If someone wants to say that then that person is only saying their opinion. Other people can think that you as a person are beautiful, pretty, and bright. That person might love you even though others don't. My family is kind of like me. I have gotten made fun of a lot. But I don't care I just shrug my shoulders and say"that's your opinion".
My role model is probabley my mother and my oldest sister Nicole. My mother does not care if people make fun of her. She has an attitude of "I'm not out to please everyone". I love her for that she doesn't handle being made fun of like other people. I especially love her for what she doesn't do. She doesn't make fun of anyone she doesn't want to hurt anyone's feelings. My other role model is my sister Nicole. She's a role model because she has put up with a lot during her school years. She just graduated from APHS summer of 2007. My sister Nicole has dandruff. All throughout her school years(kindergarten through 12th grade) they called her snowflake. She never let it bother her at all. Also one of her teachers was teaching the class that some things don't always have signs you have to look for them. The teacher used for an example my sister. She said "it's so rare. Like one day Nicole just committing suicide." A student one of her peers in her grade said "well it wouldn't be a loss." She didn't let that bother her because she knew she would never ever commit something like this because she has a loving family at homke waiting for her. These two people are my role mmodels because they never let anything bother them. They both were not in any cliques. They never did make fun of anyone. That's the way I would like to be. I am three quarters there and I need one quarter to go.

The Twelve Tables: The Number of Soft Cheeses Rotting In Your Fridge

Ha ha ha. Cliques. I hate them. Ha ha ha. It makes me laugh how mean and stereotypical people can be. They are just so idiotic that it makes be shake with hysterical laughter to the point of being able to almost attract the attention of one of the waiters at La Bella's. While sitting right next to them. He he he. But really, i do not like them because they exclude everyone outside of the "clique", which i shall now be calling the "mob of mean idiots". The only purpose for cliques is to separate everyone into separate classes, which is very unnecessary in an academic environment. School is supposed to be a place where everyone is equal, therefore there should be no "mobs of mean idiots".

I do not consider myself part of a mob of mean idiots but instead what is called a group of friends. A group of friends is different from a mob of mean idiots because we are a loosely knit amorphous blob that can absorb others easily and treat others with respect. Hmmm. I do however judge people by whom they hang out with because a good, kind person should not be hanging out with a Trotsky prototype without blame.

Hmmm...All of this thinking causes my brain to vote for a trip down to my stately lawn to drink some English tea with some biscuits and honey. Hmmm...

Some people have to go through abuse and that takes quite an amount of courage, escpecially if you have to go through it everyday. Or if you have been victimized and you are considering wether or not to tell someone about it.

My role model is probably Richard Garriott, the video game designer and explorer. He is my role model because he has gone to so many different places and has accomplished his dreams. He has gone to Antartica, Africa, Everest, and is now planning to go to space. He is lining up investors for his own private space program, and is taking many zero gravity lessons. He has also made the Ultima series and Tabula Rasa(it means clean slate in Latin), my new favorite game. I wish to be more like him. Hmmm...tea.

Cliques

Cliques...they can be hurtful. But, it's a way for some people to feel that they belong. But atthe same time, it's a way for people to feel "out" or "different." Cliques can be everywhere. They are definately in school, in the mall, everywhere. I don't really know if I belong in one single clique (although I am sure some people can tell me otherwise) but I have friends in different cliques. I try not to judge people by who they hang out with or how they dress, their attitude...the list goes on. But sometimes, it kind of just happens. It's a part of human nature. There aren't really certain symbols that tell someone is a geek or a jock, the way people dress can sometimes tell who you hang out with.
Stereotyping is never good. It can hurt people, and it hurts people every day in school. It destroys people's confidence, and people end up worrying so much about what other people think of them.
Courage is having the strength to step up to the plate, take a stand, and face your fears. Courage is having the ability to express yourself to the public, wiothout being afraid of what people are saying about you behind your back. I do not find myself judged incorrectly by my friends.
I look up to those people who aren't afraid to express themselves, and who aren't obsessed with having to know what people are thinking about them. I actually, am jealous of those kinds of people because I wish I could be like that. But you can only feel good about yourslef if you have confidence. You can get confidence from other people, or if you do something good. Cliques can be hurtful.

Stereotyping, Hollister and gum on the bottom of my desk

Let me just start off my little rant with an opening: I hate cliques. Anyone who was in Middle School last year remembers SAS or Students Against Stereotyping. Want to know the genius who was (mostly because there were a LOT of people behind it) behind it? Me. I was a proud, active member because cliques and stereotyping is just really obnoxious and dumb to me. Judging people by what they wear and who they hang out with? Lame. Why not judge someone by the actions that they have toward you and other people around you or what they say when no one is around?

Some of my friends, even the ones who were in SAS don't realize how much THEY stereotype. I'm not going to name names, but when I was trying to get my friends' opinions on a Hollister hoodie, one of my best friends decided she wasn't going to talk to me about it because Hollister is "disgusting", even though she's never actually been inside Hollister a momement in her life.
Well, okay, I guess everyone is a bit of a hypocrite and I guess I sort of judge people by the people they hang out with... if I know that the people they hang out with are big fat... jerks.

Stereotyping is NEVER good because it's pretty much falsely accusing someone because of the people they hang out with, the clothes they wear, or their reputation. My own DAD even makes fun of REPUBLICANS (I don't really blame him for that but he does stereotype them a lot and I catch him on it... a lot).

People have a lot of definitions of courage so it's hard to figure out WHICH definition of courage has effect of everyday life. Fact of the matter is, people are making courageous decisions every single day. Whether it's in Iraq, in a hospital or right here at school. Sometimes you have to pick your friends and enemies, which is sad to say. Sometimes your friends won't get along with certain people you hang out with and will--ew, there's gum on the bottom of this desk... sorry--have to stop hanging out with someone or stand up for someone. For me, it gives me a really big adrenaline rush to start giving someone a look into my heated mind (just ask some of my friends... like Nina... hahaha).

I get judged a lot because of my friends and the things I or we do or act. A lot of people think I'm "emo" or a loner/outcast because I wear black. That's great for them, I really don't care what people think of me anymore. My friends and I hang out in big groups in the mall and go into the most random stores. We get funny looks when we walk into Hollister... by the staff.. until we start singing along to the music. They give us looks like we're going to shoplift something. I've never stolen something from a store in my WHOLE. ENTIRE. LIFE. I have a lot of people to back me up on that. I do look up to certain groups of people because they... don't do stupid things. I mean, sometimes people that do bad things are good people, they just make bad decisions so I keep an open mind about that. I do believe in second chances and that there is good in everyone (sort of like Anne Frank?).

My role model(s)... I think I like this question as much as the super power one (which is pretty lame). I have a lot of different role models, which is pretty sad. I guess I'll start of with my brother Dan. Everyone is usually like OHMIGOSH, YOU HAVE A BROTHER. I BET YOU FIGHT ALLL THE TIME. I laugh at these reactions. I love my brother to death. We do make fun of each other, but we tell each other everything and he's one of the most trusting people I know. He does stupid things, but he learns from every mistake he makes and teaches me. Next is Bryce Avary (Nina, I still hate you for spending ten hours with him). Bryce Avary is The Rocket Summer. Not just the singer, he is. He plays every instrament (not live, of course... though when he is live he goes CRAZY... it's pretty rad to see) and writes every lyric. I guess he's my hero/role model because he's just a genral nice person and he doesn't do stupid things. I guess... Kyle Fish. Kyle used to be my (third) not brother. He was protective and we were close, but he wasn't actually my brother. Then one dumb day, last summer (August 11th, 2006) Kyle got shot in the forehead and died in his best friend's arms (Mike), in his hometown (Philedelphia), on the ground. May he rest in peace, that amazing would-be 20 year old boy. Next is my brother's best friend in the whole wide world, Josh... Q. I can't spell his last name because I don't even call him by his frist name. I just call him Q because everyone else does... because it's simpliar than Josh and Q is a pretty rad name. Q is one of my role models (though I would never tell him this) because he would do anything for his friends and he's probably the smartest people I know. He's smart, he went to college (Hudson Valley for two years) and now he's in the Air Force so he can recieve more education for Civil Engineering. Props for figuring out how to build roads, my friend. Gabe Saporta isn't really my role model but he's my hero so I decided to stick him in. Singer in Cobra Starship. He has a big ego, though he's really down to Earth and he sang to me on Sunday night. 'Nuff said. Last is Bobby Bailey. Without Bobby, there would be no Invisible Children. No movie, no coorperation, no awareness (on my part). Bobby Bailey and a group of his friends traveled to Africa (WHEN IT WASN'T SAFE) to find a story about the rebel wars in Uganda. They found their story and it has changed thousand of lives, including mine. He's young--in his twienties--and it just proves that young people can achieve anything if they put their minds to it.

...Wow. This is really long.

Sterotypes

Cliques and sterotyping play a huge role in society. But I think they shouldn't. I don't think I am in a clique because I don't stay with one group I have differant friends in differant groups. I try not to judge people by who they hang out with and I usually don't but sometimes I do but not that often but I think that everybody does every once in a while. There are symbols for what clique they belong to. One symbol for "preps" is the brand of clothing, then "jocks" are if they play alot of sports. Sterotyping could be good but it would depend on the situation. A author could use it to help describe a character in less words to keep the reader focused.But in real life I don't think it is a good thing becasue it could upset people.

I think that courage has to do with everyday living. I think so because since steryotyping or cliques are now in our life everyday we need courage to stand up to them and stop this. I think my friends judge me correctly but other people I don't hang out with sometimes don't. I would look up to people that don't follow cliques because they are trying to stand up to this and make a differance. But alot of people are to afraid to what they do and they have the courage to stand up to it.

My role model would be either my mom or my brother. My brother Shawn just moved out in August to college in Vermont and just since he left I realized he is my role model and we hang out more when he comes over on some weekends then when he lived home. I can also trust him and I can tell him anything. My mom would be my other role model.

how cliques can effect people

Cliques are one of those classic stereotypes of high school. TV shows, books, radio stations, when ever referred to high school always go down to how teenagers are brats and how cliquey high school is. I don't think that high school is that cliquey. I mean yeah everyone has there friends and what not but people aren't as mean as they used to be. I think that we as a teenage society has gotten a little better than how it was when the older generations have went through. Yeah I know personally when you go through a class were theres none of your Friends that it really stinks, but you can make friends. I think that's the hardest part of for people in high school... if people don't have any Friends in there classes then they tend to do worse in that subject. Sure theres the slackers too, but if you don't feel comfortable in a class room then you kind of not do as well because your always nervous what people will think of you or if your doing things right. But if you try to make friends your bound to make at least one friend, you just have to build up the gut and not be afraid and try to become friends with them.
Personally cliques dont play any part of my life. I am friends with many people from many different "cliques" per say and I try my hardest to be nice with everyone, even if my friends disagree. There are different signs of what clique your in. The worst part is that cliques start with what clothes you wear. Hollister and Walmart is a classic no-no. People WILL ditch you and try to ignore you because of the clothes you ware. If your wearing black the first thing to come to mind is emo. If you have hollister on your considered prep. Personally i think that the worst stereotype would have to be the walmart one. If you wear walmart clothing you may be considered poor or dirty. Maybe someone cant afford clothes from hollister but theres nothing they can do about it so people make fun of them?? Its a horrible thing, how mean people can be. I think it effects girls more than guys though. Girls are more judgemental and cruel to other girls were as guys, they can Ware wht they want and basically get nothing said to them. Now that i think about it i do steriotype and participate in cliques. Everyone does. You basically go with your own "kind". I try not do along with alot of other people but it just comes naturally and its almost like theres nothing you can do about it but shut up and do as everyone else does.
My role model would have to be my mom. Yes I know Corney as all get out, but she doesnt judge people and she trys to make the best of what is put in fromt of them. It bugs me when peoples role model is the bestest baseball player or movie star because in reality there the most judgemental cruel people there is. Maybe in some cases there not, but majority of the time there nasty people and its really upsetting.

Juxtapose and Bunny Rabbits

Ah, cliques. The teenage drama maker that confuses most, torments others, and is really quite idiotic. I personally don't feel like I'm tied to any specific clique but they definitely do exist. Cliques and stereotypes help people feel like they belong, or make people feel like poo. I've been gerearlly catagorized as a nerd, geek, "Queen Fan" or as "gay" which is not true and not really a stereotype anyway. I try to keep myself from fitting into any clique, because I don't think that they are a good thing. I try to be my own person, as I believe everyone should. If cliques put you in one place, then what happens when you feel that you want to change? I try not to judge people based on they hang out with, what they wear or what they do, but in all honesty, I don't always succeed. I have friends in many cliques. I think stereotyping in a perfect world should be abolished so people can see other people for who they are. But in reality, this is impossible. No offense to anyone who was in it, but the SAS group, "Students against Stereotyping" was a good idea in theory, but it just catagorized you furthur. Did you ever notice that most people who were in it were already part of one clique? Emo? Sound familiar? If you don't want to be stereotyped, don't wear the same thing as everyone else, don't do all your friends do, and if you have enough will power, do what you want. But I digress...
Courage can be interpreted in many ways. Whether it is saving your drunk Vietnam War buddy who got out of the tent and stumbled into the crossfire, or breaking the stereotypes. In AP, you use it to speak out against bad dessicions, speak up for whats right, and follow your own path. I think I am incorrectly seen by a lot of my friends. They see me as a silly little fool, but as others will testify, I can get serious and experience emotion. My role model is Brian May. He is my favorite guitarist, and a good one too. In all his time being a rock star, he never smoked, became an alchoholic, or experimented with drugs. This is a huge accomplishment, because most rock stars did this at the time. Also, even though he is rich and famous, he is still going after a PHD in Astronomy. This shows incredible perciverence and drive. Well, that's my shpeil. I LOVE IT! YAHH! NEXT QUESTION!

Cliques (by Sara)

Cliques and stereotyping are a HUGE part of high school. One can't go through high school without any cliques or stereotyping. Stereotyping can hurt many people, and people do it without even thinking. I usually don't judge people, but there are times when I do. I think it's just human nature. Everyone throughout their lifetime is going to stereotype because we are not perfect. Cliques can take one's individuality away from them. If someone is trying to fit in, they will most likely do anything to fit in, even if it's not them. I think this is ridiculous. One loses their uniqueness when doing this. One may not think for themselves if they are part of a clique.

I do not consider myself part of a clique. I have lots of friends that are in different groups of friends. I have friends that others see as nerds, weirdos, and so on. But to me, they are all the same. No one is better than the other just because they may be smarter or prettier. I try my best to look into a person to see who they really are, no matter what meets the eye. I do get some instincts, though, that tell me I'm in the wrong place. I consider myself a "weirdo" and do NOT take offense to it. People these days see those that act like themselves as weirdos.

TO BE CONTINUED

The roles of cliques in society is drastic. Everyone is stereotyped on how the dress or how they act or what they do. This effects how people treat you and what people you meet. Personally I don't think I am part of a clique. I think I just bounce from group to group. I hang out with people in pretty much all groups. And I probably do stereotype people by who they hang out with. I mean what teenage girl doesn't? We always wanna know whose dating who?, should they be together?, are they reaching out of the social boundaries? Most people can tell who someone hangs out with just by looking at the person. It's mostly the clothes that give things away. For example most people think if you' re wearing black..you must be goth or emo. And Abercrombie and Hollister..sure sign you're preppy. Stereotyping isn't good at all. No one but the people who are on the outside think it good. The people who get 'typed think of it as mean and dishonest. When people do stereotype that usually never go beyond the outside of the person. Only looking at how they look or dress not what they are like or their personality.

Courage. Courage is a big thing for me. Courage kept my dad in work [being a firefighter] and keeps our troops safer. If our civil servants didn't have courage who know what would have happened on 9/11.I think everyone has courage..even if not alot they do. I don't think I'm stereotyped for any of those reasons. Nad i probably do look at at other people who haven't 'taken the road most traveled' the same way I do those who took the road most traveled. But I've seen by observation that our older generations defanitley do more than teenagers do these days.

My role models are my brother and dad. I love them so much and each of them have taught me something special. And don't get me wrong I love my mom shes amazing but my boys are my heroes.

Sterotyping... Is it right?

Wow, the topic of sterotyping. It goes deeper than just names people are called and actions people take against one another. It gets to the point where people take what others say to heart and it can really effect the way they are as a person, friend, and relative. And even though it seems like there are only sterotypes in high school, they really continue throught life, effecting more people as they spread.

Everyone you know has sterotyped. I mean seriously, haven't we all said something that we didn't really mean about the way someone dresses or the people they hang around with? Even without meaning it. It is in the human nature. However, I think that some people aim these things at people with the intent of hurting them. That's where the difference comes in. And by sterotyping someone to one specific group, you are sterotyping the whole group. Even if there is one person in that group that is not like that. My grandma always says to me that you are know by the people that you hang around with. I think that is not always fair because all the people who wear expensive cloths and are "preps" aren't always rich or are exactly like "preps".

Do I consider myself part of a clique? No, I don't think so. I don't like being confined to one group of people, I like to get to know different kinds of people because everyone is different. I am what my friends and family call a "floater". That just means I float to different groups and hang out with tons of different people. I also think that the sterotype for freshmen is the stupidest thing EVER! I mean honestly, how many times have you heard "stupid freshmen!". Sometimes I think that the freshmen are smarter and more mature than the upperclassmen. BUT ANYWAY, that's just my opinion.

I try really hard not to judge people by who they hang out with, but sometimes it's hard, because the people they hang out with aren't the greatest and do things that I don't think are right. That makes me think that maybe they are doing those things too. I try to get to know them first, but I have to admitt that there are certain people that I won't hang out with because I don't like who they hang out with. I try not to though. I don't think there are different symbols for different groups. maybe there is a clothing difference, but other than that I don't think so. NO, STEROTYPING IS NEVER GOOD!

My definition of courage is simple: When you get to a point where you have to choose between what is right and what is easy, you choose what is right. When you can follow your own path and do what you think is right, no matter what anyone else says, that is when you are coragous. Standing up for what you believe in makes it far in the eyes of the people that mattter. think about that for a second. I think that it is great for people to follow their own path.

Hmmmm... my role model... I dont think that I have one. I look up to my stepbrother because he made some pretty crappy decisions in life so far, but he really stepped up to the plate and fixed what he could. I love him and I am proud of him.

~Victoria

Cliques (by Chelsea Meissner)

Cliques play a major role in socializing. People seem to classify themselves based on what type of cliques or groups they are in. This mostly happens in middle school and in high school but it also happens in the real world too. There is a lot of prejudice against other people because of their differences. There is too much stereotyping in this world. People should embrace others for their differences not ridicule them. People should all be treated equally no matters who they are, what they believe, or what they look like. I think that human nature is very cruel in general but this is something that everyone could try and fix. If people were more fair and kind to one another than maybe this world would be a little better than it is right now.

I don't really have a clique. I hang around with a lot of different people. I don't really care who I hang out with as long as they are nice and have somewhat decent values. I don't care if people are "cool" or not. I respect people for who they are. If we were all the same life would be bland and pointless. So, I think that people should just be themselves. :)

Courage is very important even in day to day life. Remeber it always take courage to try something new. If you did things the same all the time life would be boring.Courage is also a good thing to have in case of an emergency.

~Chelsea Meissner

Cliques.

I think that cliques play a huge role in socializing. People are sooo judgemental of other people and it makes a difference about what people think about themselves. Being honest I'll admit that I do it too, I don't really know anyone who could say that they don't judge other people by who they hang out with and what they look like. I think it effects education as well. I notice that when I have a class with my friends I do enjoy it more but it can be alot more distracting, where in a class where I dont really know anyone I'm alot more focused on my work than talking. I don't really consider myself part of a "clique" but I do have a group of friends that I hang out with alot. I try to have alot of friends from different areas and that have different interests, and I think it's really important to be nice to everyone no matter what you think about them because even if I'm not close with someone I would hope they would be nice to me. I deffinitly judge people by who they hang out with and I know its not good but it's just what happens. I don't think there is exactly cliques I think people have a group of friends but most people branch out from their group to some extent. Even though there isnt really cliques there are alot of steroetypes. I don't think that stereotypes are always bad, they can help you become friends with people who like the same things that you do. People are also very judgemental of the activities other people do. Cheerleading for example, cheerleading is my life and I can not tell you how many times I have heard that cheer isnt a sport or its stupid.

It does take alot of courage to stand up to the judgement. It is noticable how kids act different when different people talk to them. Sometimes you feel pressured to have the same views or just go alone with what the new person is saying. I do think that sometimes my friends judge me wrong but I think I do it to them too. I don't really look up to one person because they stand out in the crowd. I try to be individual and not always follow the crowd.

I don't really know who my role model is.. I'm just taking my future one step at a time.

Kit's Clique Conversation (ha ha ha)

Cliques play a fairly significant part of socializing. As far as I can tell, they were more defined in middle school, and have tapered off a little now that we're in high school. However, I think the word "clique" is thrown around way too much. To me, cliques are groups of people who exclude others based on material reasons, like fashion preferences, abilities, grades, et cetera. Not every group of friends is a clique -- people are naturally going to prefer some people over others. A clique would be, for example, a group of people who won't befriend people who don't dress like they do; a normal group of friends might choose not to befriend certain people because they simply don't like them. Based on those definitions, I don't think we really have a bad clique situation in this school at all for the most part. As far as I can tell, the population of unkind, ridiculing, clique-forming, discriminatory students in the school is way outnumbered by the people who aren't like that at all. I've heard titles like "jocks," "nerds," and "skaters" thrown around, but for the most part, I don't consider these groups cliques. I think that most "jocks" band together because they have similar interests (sports). In my mind, the "jocks" would turn into a clique at the point that they ridiculed those who were not "jocks."

While I have a definite group of friends that I hang out with most of the time, I don't consider myself part of a clique. For the most part, we are all good students, so some people might label us as "nerds" or whatever the word is, but I don't consider myself a nerd, and I don't hang out with my friends because of their grades. For this reason, I don't consider my group a clique. Also, we don't ridicule those who we aren't friends with, and we're open to making new friends. I try not to judge people by the people they hang out with, although I do to a certain extent. I'd like to try to stop doing that.

I don't think that stereotyping is ever good. Cliques and stereotypes often go hand in hand: all jocks are stupid or mean, all cheerleaders are ditzes, all nerds are smart and boring -- all stereotypes are false. It's ridiculous to assume that a group of people who hang out together and have a certain thing in common are all exactly the same. Not all skaters are druggies. Why would they be? Skating doesn't have anything to do with drugging. Not all cheerleaders are dumb. Why would anyone assume that anyhow? Not all Jews are stingy. What does Judaism have to do with money? Stereotypes are a way of discriminating unfairly against any person or group of people. They are grown from peoples' insecurity, ignorance, and fear of the unknown.

There are different kinds of courage. Courage can be standing up to a stereotypical cliquey jerk who discriminates against you for irrational reasons, or weaning yourself off morphine even though you're going to die anyhow, or wearing your favorite pair of hot pink jeans to school even though you may get a few weird looks from your peers. I really admire people who are courageous in those ways. Regarding the stereotypes and cliques thing, I especially admire people who aren't afraid to stand out. I, personally, love to stick out, and semi-idolize some people I see around school or know who obviously don't give a care what other people think of them, and are comfortable being themselves. If everyone was happy just being themselves, maybe we wouldn't have cliques. Hmmm...

I have a lot of role models. My parents are my role models, because they are really awesomely great for a whole bunch of reasons. My uncle and aunt are my role models because, among many other reasons, they are examples of how you can keep reinventing yourself and keeping your life meaningful no matter where you are in life. (They converted to Buddhism a couple years back, and are two incredibly kind and interesting people.) My great-aunt is a role model because she doesn't let her age get in the way of anything she wants to do, like tennis, swimming, gardening, playing with her wood chipper, et cetera. My cousins are my super-smart musically-inclined fun-loving frisbee-crazy very funny role models. Mahatma Gandhi is another role model. He is proof that you can get big results without violence. Molly Ringwald is a mini-role model, because she is my favorite actress. I have lots of role models. :)

Cliques

Cliques are a major role in socializing, peoples education and their life outside of school. People are very judgemental. I am realizing now that people are alot more judgemental in the high school. I have noticed that even people that I knew for a while in middle school have changed alot since they have gotten into the high school. I'm not saying that I'm perfect and don't judge people, because I do, it's pretty much what everone does. I can't say that I know a person that doesnt judge anyone, and if they said they didnt, they would most likeley be lying. Though we might not be harsh and mean about it we still judge them by their personality, looks and who they hang out with. I don't consider myself being in a clique because even though I have a tight group of friends that I do alot of things with, I am friends with a lot of different people. Yes, like everyone else, I judge a person by who they hang out with. If a person is hanging out with someone who is a trouble maker, it is very possible that that person will do what their friends are doing. If a person is very good at alot of things, someone who hangs out with them might want to try to do something well, or show off, when they are infront of that certain person. If you see that happening, you can tell what kind of values and what kind of a person that someone is. I don't think there are symbols for cliques, because to be honest there arent really cliques, there are more stereotypes. The stereotypes really are what define schools. There are so many different groups filled with stereotypes like goths, preps, etc... In some way I think that steroetypes are good, but in some ways it's bad. Stereotypes aren't good because they can be used for discrimination which is never good.

You need alot of courage to stand up to people judging you. If there are people judging you, you need to not take it completley to heart, and try to just let it go. I know that it is very hard sometimes to let things like that go, but it's a very good idea to try. I find myself judge alot by things I do and the people I hang out with. I never like being put down by the things I do that are different, but there are always the people that congratulate me for doing something differnet. Having compliments after having someome put y ou down, or judge you for the same thing really brings you up, and makes you feel better. I sometime look up to people because they act differently and don't follow the crowd, but then I think again and think about what I do that people might look up to and I stop.

I don't know who I would choose for a role model. They're are so many different people that all have different qualities that I might want to have, so I would have to choose like five.

Cliques (by the real Holly)

I think that cliques play a major role in socializing and education. As part of our human nature, we group ourselves according all sorts of things- looks, money, style, talents, intellegence, whatever, opinions, ect. There are the "Pretties", the "Uglies", and the "Pretty Uglies". We are often unmindful, however, that we are really being prejudice against others because of our differences. In my opinion, people should really value uniqueness and laugh about our differences, not be offended when people notice them. Everybody's different- it's amazing to think about. But what if everyone were the same? Pretty darned boring, don't you think?

Next quetsion...I don't really consider myself part of a clique. I hang out with a ton of different people, and they're all really cool- in my mind, anyway. Well, I do kinda tend to hang with the wierdos, and I guess I'm kinda a wierdo myself. We're all wierdos deep down anyway, right? It's what makes life interesting. Why should we as a society care what other people think? You've gotta have fun just being you. :) I think we all judge people by the people they hang out with. I, myself, am guilty of it, but I try really hard not to.

Courage does have to do with every day living. Certain people do judge me sometimes based on my looks, or beliefs, or style, political stance, but it doesn't really bother me. I consider it a good thing if I'm singled out because of these things... It's what makes me unique.

I'd have to say that my role model is my older sister, Amanda. If you're reading this, Manda, Love Ya Lots!:). She's my role model because she has a way of being so nice to everyone she talks to and is someone that I can trust with anything. She challenges me in my faith, and is the best big sis I could have ever wished for. ( See, Manda? Aren't I sweeeeeet?) Even through all of this, she manages to have a ton of fun in the process. I've never seen her be prejudice towards anyone, and I strive to be more like her in many ways (not artistic stuff, though...hahaha)

Cleeques

In high school there are many "cliques". Kids usually find a way fit themselves into thier own groups. These groups are usually made when kids listin to the same type of music, dress the same, or have similair interests.

Personally i dont see myself in a Clique, i hang out with pretty much anyone. For example my best friend is a prep, i hang out with goth kids, and i moved here from try last year so i have many "ghetto" friends. I am pretty good about not judging people on who they hang out with. I do this just because i know i wouldn't want people making fun of me for the kids i hang out with.

I dont think stereotyping is ever good. When you do this you classify peopel which is wrong. All people are equal and shouldn't be put into different groups just because the way they act, dress, etc.

Courage has a lot to do with everyday life because it takes courage to stand up and break social barriers between people. Also to help stop stereotyping, you need courage.

My role model has to be... my dad, he just shows me how to live my life, to have fun but be serious at times. He is awsome, and teaches me everything.

True Colors =]]]

There are many different cliques that people are in. There are groups of friends with people that are no longer thought of as people, but rather a certain name for the entire group. I think it is a shame and that it is unfair because no one should be classified by some of the things that poeple now classify them as. I don't think of myself as part of a clique, but I know that others put me under a category. But I don't expect any different. This is high school.
But I have tried to make changes and still am trying. In eighth grade some of my friends and I were sick of everyone being put into groups because we are our own people. We then decided to create a club named Students Against Stereotyping, or sas. We took it pretty far and were able to change some things for the better. We put up signs, made displays and even had a day of silence at the school. It turned out good. G.S.A., which is now The Alliance came to the middle school. Everything was becoming a little better very, very slowly. I am now in The Alliance and enjoying it a lot.
I don't like stereotyping most of the time. Cliques just make some people feel left out and leave some people lost because they don't know who they really are since they aren't being given a chance to show people who they are. Cliques are usually classified by what they wear, who they hang out with, what grades they get and things like these. Courage is when someone who is in a clique asks someone outside of that clique to hang out with them or sit with them at a lunch table or do something of the kind. There are ways of taking it much further, and that is real courage. I am sometimes incorrectly judged by people, but not by my friends. And when people actually get to know me they learn who the real me is. Yay! I don't really look up to people that don't follow the road that is most taken because I try to be happy with what I have and I try to be a leader, and my friends consider me a leader. That's just who I am.
My role model is Marilyn Monroe. She's amazing. This is because she was destined for greatness. She could always put on a happy face for people. I think me and her are a little alike. I love her quotes. She was so smart. She is so inspiring.
Have to go. Byebye.

I don't feel that im in a cllique because all of my friend act and dress different, hang out w/ different people. Also i find myself in many fight due to having friends w/ many differences. I don't like how so many people are steriotypical and judge people by how they dress of by who their friends are.

I have some friends who are "goth" even my cousin, but if known they for so long that i just look over the fact that they are different from me and get upset when they are judged by people who don't know them. And then there are the "preps", hey I've been called a prep but i don't feel that i am.

I feel that i don't fit into any social group, whether it be goth, prep, geeks, nerds, and definetly not a jock (lol). I don't think that classifying people is a good idea. I mean if that was don't you just might as well seperate people on to different islands by what the like and by how they are!

Ok as for courage, I feel you have to have some type of courage to get through every daylife. This important w/ starting a new grade. I do find that when youare judge it does do something to you whether it good or bad.

Cliques

unfortunately cliques play a far too important role in socilizing. it tends to determine who we can be friends, how we dress, so on and so forth. i don't think i am in a clique because if you are in a clique you tend to spend time with 1 single group of friends and i feel fortunate that i have a veriaty of friends. a lot of them if they only stayed in their clique or i only stayed in mine would never have even made eyecontact with each other let alone become friends. i like to think that i dont judge people by the clique that they are in. i like to see how people act around me and around others to judge what they are really like, but if there is something i dont know about them i insert pieces of information that go along with the steriotype i associate them with. this is something i really want to stop doing but unfortunately i cant help it sometimes but i think i do better then others who will take only one thing they know about someone like that they are smart of that they are good looking and make and entire pesonality from that one quality and never even try to get to know them better. so i feel that steroetyping is never a good thing. humans are too different to be put in one all encompassing lable, and after being labled many people will try to fit their labble even if it is not what they are really like.

i think that corage is involved with every day living because that is what allows us to be different, to be ourselves, to breake out of a lable or clique. i luckily ahve a lot of very tollerent friends who dont judge me for my religion or politiclal stance (stephen colbert will always be my president, enven if he is out of the race). but still their are people who do judge me, i dont really know what they are judging me on, but these people, who normally dont like me, are the sort of people that i would never want to hang around with or be friends with, so i could really care less about what they think of me.

i have immence respect for those who don't follow the croud just to follow the crowd. it shows that they have a lot of courage. my role model is my sister Katy for these reasons. she never follows the crowd, and when she was in high school she faced a lot of persicution for it.

STEROTYPES

Cliques and sterotypes are part of life. I think everyone does it at some point in their life and theres no escaping it. I dont consider myself part of a clique because i think i hang out with different types of people. I do have a certain group of friends that are my besties but i also have other regular friends from diff. groups. I do judge people. How can you not? Any thought about someone is judging them. there is different types of symbols for diffent cligues. Maybe not in this school so much but i general there is. Some people call themselves names because they think there superior to other people, but not all names are bad. Some people in the groups are not always snots some are nice people. Sometimes sterotyping can be good because it can keep you out of trouble. Courage has to do with everyday living because it lets you do things that you wouodnt normally do if you didnt have courage. Courage helps people overcome their fears. Im never judged by my friends because if i was they wouldnt be my friends and my family doesnt judge me because they know im not going to do anything stupid. I dont know anyone who doesnt take "the road most taken", so therefore i cant look up to them. My role model would have to be Hilary Duff because she does good for the community. She doesnt party everyday like the rest of those girls. She gives moeny to charity's and has great acting and singing ablities.


-kristin bradley

Stereotypes

Heh cliques... Af for me im a kid who doesnt really fit into a clique and never did. I can sit down at a table with the "Popular" kids, the "geeks" the "skaters" and not get kicked out as long as I have a friend there. Personally I am against the idea of kicking someone out of a group because of their popularity or their interists. But at the same time I'm not saying that someone who is rediculously annoying has to sit with you.
I think that Cliques are getting worse as time progresses. As little 6th graders we didnt care and we were ignorant to popularity and we just hung out with our friends. I am constantally amused when my sister cares about what she's wearing and how some people would think of her. For me I dont really care what I look like to other people as long as I'm not absolutely repulsive. I wish that the 6th grader ignorance would come back into the school because then people would be able to see others as they are. Judging someone on the basis of their popularity or who they hang out with is immature and annoying.
Each clique has their own symbols and icons. For the "Gothic" clique its black clothing and skulls (along with some other stuff), the "Popular" clique includes brand like Hollister and American Eagle. As for stereotyping, I think that judging people without knowing what their really like is a horrible thing. I have found better friends in the not so popular groups then the more popular ones (not to bash or make fun of popular kids) \
I have a pretty good amount of courage daily. I try and stop steroetyping when i can but I dont go as far as joining after school groups like "SAS" to stop it. I think that some people are suprised when i say that I'm a strong christian. Also im judged incorectally when people look at the activities that I join. To be honest I would do football and wresteling but after being in wresteling and seeing football playerss, I dont like the ego and attitude involved.

Freaks and Geeks and Courage

I think that cliques are a very big part in our social life. I don't like this, but it is impossible to ignore. In school, if you are cool, you have to hang out with the cool people, or you lose your cool. And kids that aren't cool can't hang out with the cool kids. I think that I am in a couple cliques. For example, I generally hang out with kids that I have played sports with because you spend all that time with them, and you get to know them very well, so you usually just hang out with those people. i sometimes judge people by who they hang out with, but I try not to. Most of the times, when i do judge people , They are people that I don't like, or when that person hangs out with someone that i don't like. i don't really think that there are any written symbols, but there are certain handshakes that signify cliques. I think that stereotyping can be good in some ways, but it is mostly bad. thhe only way that i can think of it being good is when You first meet someone, and you talk to them a little, and they don't really know who you are and they judge you. Sometimes it can be for the better, and sometimes for the worse.

I think that courage is very important. If you are courageous, you can do anything. I fyou have a lot of courage, you have the ability to make the right choices daily. I look at some people with great respect because they have the guts to do something that no one else can do.

My role model is probably My dad because he does what he thinks is right, and he never takes the easy way out. Also, he does whatever he can to help everyone possible. Even if he would lose something to help somebody, he would still do it.

Freaks and Geeks and True Couge

I don't pay attention to all of the cliques that much.. I don't realy give a crap who i hang out with just as long as they arnt jerks. Athough I do see how crazy people are with there "cliques" and it annoyes me alot cause it shows how stupid some people are. I do not consider myself in a clique.. i have my friends that i chill with but my friends very from like rich jerks ( not all rich people are jerks) (dont chill with them much but i do somtimes) to poor hard working people.. I don't like to say that i judge people by who thay hang out with but i am human and somtimes it happen..the onetype of peole i do classifie is librals...i have libral friends but i argu with tham alot and i tell tham that i am nat a fan of what they belive. I have no idea if there are symbols for certain cliques...prably ...i dont pay attention. For the most part steor typing is not cool i am not huge on it .. but ther is some thing i do stero type.. you know that stiff that just really bugs you in people and you can tell when other people are like them...thats just me.

I belive that true courge is being able to stand up for what you belive in and not baccking down to any one...and looking out for the weaker ones. So if you go by this you and you TRY to live this evry day courge is involved with every day living. i dont know if my friends judge me and i dont want a no.. not becasue i am affarid to here waht they say about me but just becaasue i dont care... i do now that SOME of my freinds judde me on the type of music i listen to, and thay jsut dont know what they are missing with country music.some of my libral friends also judge my politcal views but i just shoot right back and talk em down every time.
when I see a person who is not going woth the crowed and making a stand for they belive is right i do admire that person.. i dont lok at em like an idol but i enjoy hanging out with that type of peole because thay dont try to act all cool around to you , and i find that easier to be around.

my roel model would prbly be my dad becasue hes a good hard workin person.. who dosent care what peole think of him and is strong in his faith. He is a good father and husband and i admire that.

Cliques!!

In high school I think cliques are very important to some people but to other people they could be a little tiny spider that does not scare them. Some people take them seriously because they want to be "cool". Others do not care because they are "cool" with there friends. In education I think it does not effect anything because its inside in the classroom and they might have to change because there "cool" friends are nit in it and they have to hang out with the "losers".
Me myself i do not really consider myself in a clique becaue I hang out with alot of diiferent people and not just one group. Maybe sometimes I hang in a clique because I am chilling with another frienmd that hangs out with them.
I do not thnk I do not judge people because of the people they hang out with. I do not because that is wrong because they could have a sweet personality but they do not hang with the "right/cool" people so i did not hang with them.
I do not know if there are sysbole to cliques because you do not see people walking around with certain stuff that other people have to show they are a clique.
I do not think sterotyping is ever good. I think this because they could look werid but have oretty sweet personalities but nooo I cannot hang with them because they look different.
Courage every day is courage to say and live the way you want to and not the way poeple want you to live and how society says you have to look to fit in.
I do not find myself judge by friends, activies, religion, or polititcal stands. I do not find that because I do not hang out with people that judge other people by what they look like, what they think about politics and what I stand on religion.
I do not look up to people that go differently then most people because everyone can chose there path and do not have to follow what everyone eles does.
My role modle is Mrs. Gaboury. Because she gives the good grades I earn and she is the BESTEST teacher ever.
But in reality my role modle is Joba Chamberlin. He is my role modle because he is a beast and became the best pichter from out in the middle of nowhere like me and all my fellow students.

Super Spence o.O

The name was easy to pick because on Halloween I couldn't find a costume so I was me with a cape. I told my friend Christine Z. and she made a sign that had "S.S. Super Spence" on it and taped it to my chest. -_- Anyways it was hard to think of a super power...(sits there for a while thinking) Ok I got it. If I had a super power it would be super agility. I think it would be awesome if an 'enemy' was trying to attack you and would never land a hit because your so evasive. I'd love to see their ticked off expression. xD Ok on to the extremely ridiculous story! (Maybe...not sure..oh what the heck -_- I like to write stories anyway..just not stories based on myself. O.o) It was a dark and stormy night.... Just kidding. Ok here we go.


I sat quietly in my room on my bed reading one of my favorite books, Eclipse by Stephanie Meyer. the doorbell rand and I closed my book, swinging my feet to the side of the bed and standing up. I placed the book on my bed and walked to my door. It was Sadie and Vanessa with panicked looks on their faces. I opened the door quickly, looking confused. I asked them what was up and they both started talking really fast. "Ok..one at a time?" I said leaning against the door frame. Nessa was the first to speak. "Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god, a tall, skinny, purple alien with green polka dots is killing a bunch of peoples!" It sounded ridiculous so I rolled my eyes and Sadie slapped me. "Its true Spence lets go!"

So they both dragged me quickly to the town square where, to my surprise, a tall, skinny, purple alien with green polka dots had a weird gun in his hand that was shooting long lines of blue. When one of the people got hit, he fell to the ground and started to bleed. "Holy...crap." I said, avoiding any bad language. He spotted us and began to shoot his ‘lasers’ at us. I moved quickly out of the way, Nessa flipped sideways, and Sadie jumped forward and rolled toward the alien, doing an uppercut into its jaw. It fell back and scrambled back to its feet, surprised we were fighting back. I ran forward extreamly quick, kicking it up into the air and sending out a flurry of kicks with my right foot. As I finished and flipped back, sending my right foot into its jaw and sending the alien into the air once more. Nessa jumped onto my back and then into the air, kicking it higher into the air. Then Sadie jumped up and leaped off of Nessas head, now above the alien. Nessa and I landed on the ground..well I did, she fell on her butt…like always. “Owwie..” She shook her head and slowly got up from the ground. Sadie flipped in the air once, building up momentum and then sent the alien flying down with both of her feet. As soon as the alien got within a yard of the ground, I spun and smashed the alien in the face with my foot, sending it into a buildings wall. The alien shook and got up very slowly. He said something we couldn’t understand and scurried to his spaceship. We never saw it again.