Self Evaluation

This semester in English 15s has been a enjoyable one for sure. This class has done a great job of opening up the Penn State Community to my eyes. I took this class because it was a requirement to graduate, if I had it my way I would never take an english class in my life. Regardless I did the take the class, and I feel as though I got quite a bit out of it. I often struggled with the 8am start time, and there is no excuse for that, but I always was more happy with myself when i attended class then when i did not. The range of writing in the class was quite wide and I got a lot from that. On my first paper i received a C which was a big shock to me, however i feel as though my level of writing since then has improved dramatically. I feel as though I have made a transition from a writer in high school where everything was planned out and I was directed exactly how to compose every sentence, into more of a free thinker who can go out and write a paper with more of an open mind. In my mind I have improved greatly as a writer through this class and also as an appreciator of the artsGoing to some of the out of class activities like Kiss Me Kate, The Palmer, and The Arboretum were amazing. All of those trips were really able to open my eyes to all there is here at PSU. I am not much of an artistic person, but i have a great appreciation for art and for those who can create beautiful art. This summer i am planning a hiking trip through Wyoming with some friends, I hope to get a camera as Christmas gift this year so that I can take some artistic photos in the beautiful landscape. At the end of the day I can say that this class has had a seriously positive impact on me as a writer and a person. My only regret is my questionable attendance record for going to class always resulted in something positive.

We Still Are

As a penn state student and more importantly as a person I am torn. This past month as the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse scandal has unfolded in front us I have been feeling wide array of emotions. The first thing that came to my mind was a feeling of disgust as i read thru the grand jury report that, in detail, explained all that Sandusky is accused of and I grew infuriated. I want nothing more than to simply kill the man for all that he has done to the poor victims. Next, i felt saddened, for all the victims who were subject to such a systematic rape and were so vulnerable. Where i am emotionally torn is on the issue of coach Paterno and his involvement in the case. At first i felt that the administrators, Shultz and Curely who were aware of the accusations against Sandusky and did nothing to stop his despicable actions were the ones to blame and that Joepa had done his duty in reporting to his superiors. I truly believe in the saying "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing" I became defensive for Joepa, this was probably due to the love and admiration that all of us as PSU students feel for coach. I tried to convince myself that Paterno was not in the wrong because he had done what was legally required of him. However this is not just a legal issue, it is one of right and wrong. After speaking to my parents about the entire scandal i came to the sad conclusion that Joepa needed to be fired.This issue reaches farther than just the football program though. It was hard to listen to my parents, who in some ways were skeptical about sending me to Penn State, tell me that i should consider transferring after the semester. It was their belief that "there is a serious lack of ethical character within the adminitration". I never for a second even considered leaving this place that i have grown so in love with in only the few months i have lived here. I can truly say that Happy Valley is a home to me, and that i will defend this university forever. For these reasons I am so distraught with all the negative attention we have received throughout this whole process. This scandal reflects on the entire Penn State community. I watched as students destroyed property and made our school look even more foolish as they emulated every stereotype PSU holds about a party and football school. The press was quick to jump on the case and call our student body stupid, which was deservedly so. However just like Jerry Sandusky it was unfortunate that the stupid actions of a few could bring a bad name about so many. However i was happy to later be a part of the very moving candlelight vigil that was held for the victims. I believe that night brought back a lot of pride to the students and to the school. In the end i am disappointed and very sad that this entire ordeal has occurred, but today I am as proud as ever to be a student here at Penn State. I hope that as a university we choose to not allow this to halter our progress, and that we continue to work to make the world a better place. For the glory…