Writing is an important aspect to everyday life. Because of writing, we are able to read, learn, and say the unspoken words left in our minds. The pieces for the right words will form into a beautiful puzzle as a masterpiece.
This essay is about religious freedom. It was chosen in my eighth grade year to be entered in a local writing contest in our parish. Along with other classmates, I was one of the contest winners.
Importance of Religious Freedom
“I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free. I will walk about in freedom, for I have set out your precepts,” the book of Psalms says. We are born in the world with our own choices. To set out hearts free, we are supposed to believe in and do whatever pleases us. There are many new ideas that could be shared and found if we have different beliefs. Taking away our choice of religion is depriving us of our freedom and going against the 1st Amendment.
Religious freedom allows for diversity. The religion we choose affects our appearances and the way we act. If we all believed in one religion, we wouldn’t have the customs and lifestyle that we do today. Different religions allow knowledge and ideas to flourish. It also allows unity between people because of a similar belief. People need to be open minded to different religions and to their beliefs because humans prosper, become more peaceful, and contented with who they are.
Around the world, people of belief are being persecuted because of their faith. In 1965, the Second Vatican Council talked about the Declaration of Religious Liberty. They said that Catholics and the government could not force their religion on others. People shouldn’t be defined or categorized because of their religion since it’s who they are. God invites and respects people from different nations. Like God, we should accept people for what they choose to believe in and not force anything upon them. We may all have different beliefs, but there is a certain unity that we share all together.
Importance of Religious Freedom
“I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free. I will walk about in freedom, for I have set out your precepts,” the book of Psalms says. We are born in the world with our own choices. To set out hearts free, we are supposed to believe in and do whatever pleases us. There are many new ideas that could be shared and found if we have different beliefs. Taking away our choice of religion is depriving us of our freedom and going against the 1st Amendment.
Religious freedom allows for diversity. The religion we choose affects our appearances and the way we act. If we all believed in one religion, we wouldn’t have the customs and lifestyle that we do today. Different religions allow knowledge and ideas to flourish. It also allows unity between people because of a similar belief. People need to be open minded to different religions and to their beliefs because humans prosper, become more peaceful, and contented with who they are.
Around the world, people of belief are being persecuted because of their faith. In 1965, the Second Vatican Council talked about the Declaration of Religious Liberty. They said that Catholics and the government could not force their religion on others. People shouldn’t be defined or categorized because of their religion since it’s who they are. God invites and respects people from different nations. Like God, we should accept people for what they choose to believe in and not force anything upon them. We may all have different beliefs, but there is a certain unity that we share all together.
An essay I wrote in sixth grade about helping my grandpa while he was in the hospital.
In God’s Eyes
My grandpa, Eligio Noguera Sr. was in the hospital for a whole month. He had a hard time breathing since he had fluids in his lungs. Watching my grandpa in his hospital bed was heartbreaking. Each day, for thirty days, I visited him with other family members. We made sure he was comfortable, had everything he needed, and just made sure he was doing okay.
I put the acts of mercy into practice by visiting him. I brought him his favorite soup, arroz caldo. I talked with him and told him what was happening in school, in parties, and in our family. Seeing him suffering was hard, but we, the family needed to be strong and keep holding on to God’s mercy. Our family prayed together every single night throughout his stay in the hospital for 30 days. Prayer was the best thing we could offer.
I reminded him that he was loved by explaining that I prayed everyday for God to heal him. We also had a priest visit to pray over him and give the sacrament of anointing of the sick. I also ran into a nun in the lobby and asked her to visit his room to pray. We wished for him to be strong. I told him that I loved visiting him and how much I wanted to spend more time with him. I gave him food, water, and brought him extra clothes. I really tried my best to give him comfort and show my love.
Although he died, I remember what I did to comfort him while he was in the hospital. My acts of mercy did make a difference in his stay. Each time I brought him food or visited him, he was happy to see me. He explained that giving our time for him was the best thing we could have ever done.
In God’s eyes, we are equal. We are imperfect, but He loves us in every way. I loved helping my grandpa in the hospital. Seeing him smile in his bed each time I visited him lifted up my spirit. Thanks to the acts of mercy I did, I know he is happy in heaven.
In God’s Eyes
My grandpa, Eligio Noguera Sr. was in the hospital for a whole month. He had a hard time breathing since he had fluids in his lungs. Watching my grandpa in his hospital bed was heartbreaking. Each day, for thirty days, I visited him with other family members. We made sure he was comfortable, had everything he needed, and just made sure he was doing okay.
I put the acts of mercy into practice by visiting him. I brought him his favorite soup, arroz caldo. I talked with him and told him what was happening in school, in parties, and in our family. Seeing him suffering was hard, but we, the family needed to be strong and keep holding on to God’s mercy. Our family prayed together every single night throughout his stay in the hospital for 30 days. Prayer was the best thing we could offer.
I reminded him that he was loved by explaining that I prayed everyday for God to heal him. We also had a priest visit to pray over him and give the sacrament of anointing of the sick. I also ran into a nun in the lobby and asked her to visit his room to pray. We wished for him to be strong. I told him that I loved visiting him and how much I wanted to spend more time with him. I gave him food, water, and brought him extra clothes. I really tried my best to give him comfort and show my love.
Although he died, I remember what I did to comfort him while he was in the hospital. My acts of mercy did make a difference in his stay. Each time I brought him food or visited him, he was happy to see me. He explained that giving our time for him was the best thing we could have ever done.
In God’s eyes, we are equal. We are imperfect, but He loves us in every way. I loved helping my grandpa in the hospital. Seeing him smile in his bed each time I visited him lifted up my spirit. Thanks to the acts of mercy I did, I know he is happy in heaven.
This is a biographical essay I wrote in fifth grade about Muhammad Ali.
A Knockout For Success
"Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they’ve been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It is an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It’s a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.’’ Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. was born on January 17, 1942 in the town of Louisville, Kentucky. He became a professional boxer with some troubles in his career. He converted to the Nation of Islam and changed his name to Muhammad Ali. Ali ended his career because of Parkinson’s disease, but made a big change in society. Muhammad Ali is a man who made the impossible possible.
At approximately 6:35 p.m,Odessa Grady and Cassius Clay Sr. had a newborn baby named, Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. He was born on January 17, 1942 in Louisville,Kentucky. Growing up in the south was hard for young Cassius and his family due to having racism. The family also was middle class, thus having enough money for their needs.Young Cassius and his brother, Rudy were not being treated fairly just because they’re African-American and that was not tolerable to young Cassius. Cassius Jr. was growing up, taking what ever obstacle confronts him.
In the middle of Cassius’s life,he discovered his love for boxing because someone stole his and his brother’s bikes. He reported it to an officer who worked at the Columbia Auditorium Gym and he brought Cassius there since he said he wanted to beat up the person who stole the bikes. Cassius started as an unknown boxer and started working his way to the top.When he became a professional boxer he faced many troubles such as being asked to join the U.S army which he refused because of his belief to the Nation of Islam. He went to prison for 5 years because he did not want to fight at war. He called his suspension from boxing, the Exile. By not joining in the army, it helped young men recognize that they might get killed fighting in war. Finally, the Supreme Court let Cassius go and he was allowed to proceed with his boxing career.
Muhammad Ali made many changes in society and used all his will power to make a difference. Muhammad Ali ended his career in 1984 because of Parkinson’s disease. Before he fully retired, he went back in the ring to remember the times when he was young. He is currently adhere to the Nation of Islam. After his retirement he starred in a movie with Will Smith,helped out at peace troops, and was in some sports ceremonies. Although Muhammad Ali is now retired, he will always be known as “the Greatest.’’’
Cassius Marcellus Clay is a poetic African-American who changed the world through his boxing career by expressing his thoughts which made the African-American race have about the same rights as others. Growing up, Cassius Clay had a difficult childhood due to racism. He converted to the Nation of Islam and changed his name to Muhammad Ali in order to get equality to African-Americans everywhere. Due to having some head injuries in boxing, he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1984 which ended his career. Although Ali had many obstacles he had to overcome, he went through it all by always thinking,’’Impossible is nothing.’’
My first community service reflection from seventh grade.
Community Service Reflection When I first started my service hours, I was shy and scared because I didn’t know what to do and how the elderly people in Home Sweet Home will treat me. I was nervous to be in that room with all those strangers. I didn’t know what to say to the man I was told to assist or how I could’ve started a conversation with him. At the San Francisco Food Bank, I felt excited and more relaxed since I had some experience there. I was excited to help the community by packing food for those in need. While completing my service hours, the elderly people and the person who worked for the food bank made an impact while I was completing my service hours. The elderly people looked sad and bored of being in the same room for so long. The sight made me kind of sad and gloomy. I felt sorry for those whose family members visit only a few times a year. I heard different stories of people’s love ones who visit occasionally. The man who worked for the food bank made an impact on me because he told us how many people in our community are starving and need food while we always have a meal on our plates. The two places I did my service hours in made me think of how sorry I am for those who are less fortunate. I completed my service hours at Home Sweet Home and at the San Francisco Food Bank. I completed my hours at these two places because I remembered my brother volunteering at those two places. I volunteered at Home Sweet Home because I wanted to experience how life is in an elderly home. I also wanted to experience what it was like to assist the elderly. I chose to complete part of my hours at the San Francisco Food Bank because I wanted to help prepare food for those who need it most. I wanted to help pack food for people in our city who are hungry and don’t have much to eat. My responsibilities at Home Sweet Home was to help a man named Edward play bingo. I used my confidence to have the urge to start a conversation with him and others. I was patient and kind while waiting for him to put the marker on the right space. |
My responsibilities at Home Sweet Home was to help a man My responsibilities at the San Francisco Food Bank was to label and pack cans of corn into a box. I used the skill of communication and working with a group of people to help complete our responsibilities. I worked with other people to finish our tasks and try to pack as much food as we can. I also communicated to those that came because we could get more food packed while working together.
At the end of my community service, I felt like I’ve lived someone else’s life. I felt sorry for those in need of companionship or food, but happy that I helped make someone’s life better. Doing community service made me think of how unfortunate some people are in the world. I felt like I should do more in life and be thankful for everything that I have because some people don’t have as much as I do. At the end of my community service, I felt like I needed to give more back to those who need it most. I got a new view of life and how difficult it must be for those who are unfortunate. |
This is a Silent Reading Project I did in seventh grade on the book The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan. The Percy Jackson and Heroes of Olympus are one of my favorite book series.
Prequel: The Lost Hero Today is a great day. It’s the middle of December and I can finally go back to Camp Half-Blood for winter break. Chiron has been sending me Iris-messages that the camp was actually peaceful for once. I get to see Percy after many months of being apart. Three weeks of winter break was all we had, but that was good enough. Thalia’s pine tree was coming into view as I started to smile at the thought of my old home. “Sir, you can drop me off at the curb,” I told the taxi driver. A confused look spread across his faced while he pulled over. I paid the driver and got my belongings in the back of the car. As I walked up Half-Blood Hill, I saw Chiron waiting for me. “Ahh Annabeth, welcome back. How was school?” Chiron greeted me. “It was incredible, Chiron. The school taught me so much about architecture and history. Is Percy here yet?” I asked with hope. Chiron shook his head. We walked toward my cabin and saw my siblings. We hugged and talked about our schools, any monsters that came, and other things that were usual. “Annabeth!” I heard a familiar voice scream. I froze and started to smile from ear to ear. I rushed out of my cabin to see my Seaweed Brain: messy hair, tired look, and a wide grin on his face. I sprinted towards him and gave him a warm hug. “I missed you, Seaweed Brain,” I sighed happily. “I missed you too, Annabeth,” he said as I gave him a kiss on the cheek. We walked toward his cabin lugging everything he brought. Everything was perfect at that very moment, which is pretty hard to say for a demigod. After we dropped off Percy's luggages, we did a few of the camp's fun activities. Taunting Percy as he tried to aim for the bullseye was hilarious. His face was red with frustration every time he missed badly. I always hit the mark and looked at him smugly. "You need to do better than that, Percy," I exclaimed with a smirk. I knew this wasn’t Percy’s forte and that was one of the reasons why I picked it first to do before we do sword fighting, canoeing, and more because I know he will exceed in those activities. I just had to enjoy the precious moments laughing at him. “May you please stop, Annabeth? You know I suck at this!” he said pleadingly. He looked so hopeless and tired of archery. “Fine, Seaweed Brain. We can go to the sword arena if you want,” I said while rolling my eyes. He grinned and sped away happily, dropping his bow and arrows. I had to clean up after him. I knew his excitement to finally go to the arena overcame him. |
As I walked in the sword arena, I heard the clanging of metal. Mrs. O’Leary, his hellhound, and Percy were playing fetch with an old shield. Sword play was Percy’s favorite, but I was pretty good. He was a little rusty, but that gave me an advantage. We did different activities after sword fighting until it was time for dinner.
After dinner, Percy and I joined the rest of the camp around the fire watching the flames switch colors and height as our mood changed. Singing, having fun, and actually being at peace with Percy by my side was a great way to start Christmas break. Although it isn’t really common for us to actually feel like we had no worries, at that happy moment, I felt like we did. We walked towards the cabins after the campfire was over and Percy kissed me goodnight. I went to sleep that night happy. The next morning, I woke up extra early to watch the sunrise with Percy. I knocked on his cabin door, but I heard no rustle of movement inside. I knocked again loudly and more persistently, but still no answer. “Percy, are you awake?” I asked while opening his door silently. The room was empty. I knew there was no way he could have woken up this early. I ran to the sword arena, to the lake, to the Big House, and just about everywhere in the camp to check for him, but Percy was still missing. Every camper, nymph, and counselor were trying hard to find Percy once they heard the bad news. We knew Percy would not have just left on his own without telling anyone, including me! I knew something was very wrong. I contacted Mrs.Jackson, but she had no clue where he went. I asked Chiron if he knew anything with Percy’s disappearance, but he said no. I asked the water nymphs in the lake if Percy was down there and they just shook there head. I contacted Thalia and told her and everyone that Percy was missing. He unexpectedly left out of no where without talking to anyone. The next day, the camp was complete chaos. Almost everyone in the east side of the United States that we contacted was looking for Percy. Tears streamed down my eyes as I tried to think of where he went. I couldn’t give up on finding Percy. I saw Chiron approaching me as I was staring at the lake. “Annabeth, wherever Percy is, he will hopefully come back. I am worried for him and this camp, but we shall hope for the best,” he said trying his best to assure me. “I know, Chiron. I know,” I forced out. At that moment, I knew I wouldn’t stop until I found Percy. |