#24 Rhoman James

It's crazy to say that I'm preparing for my senior year in high school. These past 2 and 7/8 years at Henry Clay have taught me a lot, but as expected, there were a few trip ups. It all started with friends, and girl friends. When I was a freshman, I had the worst girlfriend ever. She made me stay up on FaceTime (well, Skype back in those days) way past my bed time. I always came to school tired and that led to a constant school sleeping pattern. This led to a display of the worst organization in freshman history. I'd say that was my biggest regret through high school. My biggest success...I must say, would either have something to do with football or my grades last semester. I've given up on trying to get all As because it never works, but last year my 3.7 was the closest I've been! But from here on I plan to have a great senior football season, get an offer from Johns Hopkins, go study psychiatry and minor in Spanish! and also have a beautiful wife but that is naturally implied.

The Future-Rachel Hart

It's hard to believe that the end of junior year is nearly here. This year has definitely been the most different of my high school career. Last semester felt as though I was drifting through school without having to really push myself. Then came this semester, the work seemed to pile on but so did the days to the end of the school year. It's crazy to think that there is only a month or so left until we're seniors. Now I have to prepare for the four AP tests I'm taking and wait until summer is here. I'm actually really excited to begin on my mentoring project and I hope that I get a lot of it done this summer. I'm hoping for a senior year with as little stress as possible. I've selected classes that will prepare me for the next four years but at the same time I'm getting around to taking classes that I've wanted to take since freshman year.

The Future - Jasa Harris

My junior year started out pretty easy and I didn’t understand why people thought it was so hard, but then second semester came around and it has been the most stressful months of my life. So far I’ve been doing well in my classes, but then I got a job and it’s been hard balancing that and school now and all my other stuff so my grades have been slipping, but they’re still good. I’m learning to manage my time better and not to stress so much over stupid stuff, and just to worry about myself. I wish I would have done more to practice Spanish because I really do enjoy the subject, but because it was an easy class to pass I just kind of blew it off and didn’t try on the homework and stuff. This summer I hope to work on my mentoring project, work and I want to try something new like boxing or something else. For senior year I don’t really know.  

Assignment 24- Cassie Adams

Overall, I think my junior year has been a good one. Despite everyone saying that your junior year is the most difficult of them all, I have found it to be a lot easier than I had expected. Don't get me wrong, there have been a number of difficulties and challenges, but I think I've enjoyed the year as a whole. My main accomplishments this year have been maintaining my good grades and getting a good score on the ACT. The diffuclt part was managing my time wisely and balancing school with dance and other extracurricular activities. 

It's hard to believe that the end of the year is a little over a month away. I'm very excited for my senior year and all the new experiences and opportunities that will hopefully come about. I'm hoping that my classes will be a little challenging, but also enjoyable. Thinking about college and my future is a little stressful and intimidating, but also very exciting. 

Assignment 24 Junior Year Hannah Pauley

Successes? Created an art portfolio of at least 24 pieces, passed my classes with decent grades.
Failures? Not doing as well in my classes as I would like.
Lessons learned? Organization is very important. If you're as scatterbrained as I am, and you don't make lists and rank your priorities, you won't be as time-efficient and you'll probably forget something or have to scramble to get things done.
Risks taken? Signed up for 4 AP courses, including an art class that requires a lot of work and time outside of school.
Mistakes made? Mismanaging time, putting things off, and not asking for help were three things that I did this year that I won't do in the future. Sometimes the stress of feeling like you have too many responsibilities can distract you from calmly and rationally planning things out, and that definitely happened to me this year.
In the summer I hope to get a start on my mentoring project, do some volunteering, read, and spend a lot of time hanging out outside with friends.
I want my senior year to be productive, yet enjoyable. Junior year has been a lot, and I hope to have a senior year that is less overwhelming, but at the same time not too easy.
I've signed up for classes that I think I'll enjoy, and I'm going to make arrangements to work on my mentoring project during the summer, and also to volunteer at the Humane Society next fall. 

Assignment 25:

Minimum of 150 words - due on Sunday, May 12th at 11:59 pm

The Future- Lucy Wan

Junior year has been a series of ups and downs. I have a lot of regrets, but I've also had happy times. I don't think it's quite hit me that it's the end of the year. When I started this year, I didn't know what to expect. I've struggled with health problems and grades, but I've also had success outside of school. I've taken on more leadership roles and kept active with my clubs. My plans for summer are volunteering at Baptist Health Hospital, attending GSA, swim team, and a lot of just enjoying myself. Hopefully in senior year I'll be able to stop procrastinating and have fun. 

Perfect playlist- Lucy Wan

THE PERFECT PLAYLIST FOR BACKGROUND MUSIC

When I'm studying, or doing homework, or simply sitting around, I like to have background music playing. Listening to music helps me concentrate and relax. These are the five songs that I have running constantly in the background.

1. Somewhere- July

In one of my many YouTube binges, I discovered this artist named July. His songs are all piano with a simple beat, easy to listen to and not distracting. I really like the melodies of all his songs.

2. Peacock- DJ Okawari

Here's another artist I found randomly on YouTube. Peacock and Luv Letter by DK Okawari are always on my playlist because they're awesome instrumentals. The sax solo and beat in this song are great.

3. Almost is Never Enough- Ariana Grande

Ariana Grande is probably better known for her pop songs, but this is my favorite song of hers. Ariana and Nathan Sykes's vocals are so smooth, and I love the piano in this song. 

4. Say Something- Pentatonix

The original version of this song is upbeat and poppy, but for background music, I prefer the cover by Pentatonix. Pentatonix is one of my favorite vocal groups- you might recognize them from the Sing-Off. They're incredibly talented and this cover is no exception to the consistently great content they create.

5. Totoro Theme- Sungha Jung

By now, you've probably noticed I like quite a few artists from YouTube, so it's no surprise that I found this cover there as well. Sungha Jung has made countless covers, but this is probably my favorite. Growing up, Totoro was a staple in my movie collection. Jung is a talented guitarist, and the simple melody of Totoro's Theme is great to play in the background. 

#24 The Future- Haley Longworth

It's weird to think that junior year is nearing the end when if feels like I just started high school! I have definitely been successful in that I got all A's and one B, got a 32 on the ACT, and did well in volleyball. Despite all the good things this year has brought, I have learned some things. One, that I don't need to stress the little things that I can't change. It is no use to worry about things that are not in my control. Second, that I always feel best when I am positive and nice to other people. It helps build stronger friendships with people around you and makes you feel better. In the summer I plan to finish off my club volleyball season successfully, RELAX, sleep in, go to the pool, and have a lot of fun!!!! And I guess I will have to do all that summer reading stuff, including some leisure reading of course. Once senior year starts I plan to have a schedule that is not too difficult but still challenging so that I can be prepared for college. I am really excited for what the future holds, but I plan to live in the moment as much as I can.

Assignment 24: The Future Karl Werner

Junior year is almost over. Thank God. That is not an indictment of junior year by any means. Rather, school as a whole. Relatively, this year has been pretty good. I've had a lot of fun doing economics club. I signed up for EAP mentoring, and despite grading issues, its been a solid experience. The biggest thing I have learned is parking on the hill is hell. Getting there at 7:20 means you're near the bottom. Its ridiculous. Senior parking passes cannot come soon enough. This summer, I plan on working part time. I need to make some bank. Also, I want to get a significant portion of mentoring done. Finally, I hope to knock out all my volunteer hours at UK hospital as I usually do. My goals for the time being involve college acceptance. I want to get my ACT up a few points. I plan to take some practice tests to accomplish this. Other than that, I'm just going where the wind takes me.

Perfect playlist- Hans Stromberg

People always ask me what my favorite type of music is and usually my answers vary from country to rap and R&B. But when I really think about it, I realize that I really like rock music more than any other. This playlist is for when you just need a classic rock&roll song to remember back in the good ole days and just make you feel better.
1.Float On- Modest Mouse. Float on is a great song to get you back up on your feet after being kicked down. Keep on going through life because all is going to be ok in the end. This song adds to my playlist because it will help you get through rough times and will motivate you.
2. The Middle- Jimmy Eat World. This song is fairly similar to float on in terms of the message it tells. "Every thing will alright" the song says, and the electric guitar playing throughout the song is truly remarkable.
3. All summer long- Kid Rock. This song attributes most to the reminiscing on good times and taking you back to those good ole days. The  beat in this song is very catchy and sticks in your head as you remember back to when, "my thoughts were short, and my hair was long."
4.I love rock and roll- Joan Jett. A classic rock and roll song that just gets your soul feeling good. The awesome lyrics and tempo can make any person in any mood feel good about themselves and the world. This song just makes you want to, "put another dime in the jukebox baby."
5. Piano Man- Billy Joel. What a classic song. Every time you hear this song you can't help but to sway back and forth and sing along to Joel's sweet singing. The lyrics also talk about the hardships of people's lives and how everything will be okay.

Perfect Playlist-Rachel Hart

This playlist is created for for going into a competition. It's meant to get you focused for the competition.  I often use this playlist before I enter the ring at an agility trial to calm my nerves and get ready to run. 

1. Roar by Katy Perry. I think this song embodies those moments when you're feeling like the underdog who is ready to prove themselves. With lyrics such as "Cause I am a champion and you’re gonna hear me roar" and  "I went from zero, to my own hero", it's motivating in even the hardest of competitions. 

2.We are the Champions by Queen. How can you have a competition playlist without this song? While it may be cheesy, it's perfect to describe the feeling. Once all the hard work is over this is the song you want to be listening to because hopefully you've won the competition and can celebrate.  

3.The Climb by Miley Cyrus. This song is fairly specific to agility but could be applied to other competitions as well. In agility, there are lots of obstacles in which your dog must climb and get over so the climb part of the song fits perfectly. However, the overcoming of obstacles part of the song can be applied to any competition in your life. 

4.On Top of the World by Imagine Dragons. This song also describes the feeling you have when you win. I think this song also has a bouncy beat which helps to calm my nerves before I compete. If I go in with a lighter mood, I normally do better.

5.It's Time by Imagine Dragons. Another song that helps to calm the nerves of competition. "It's time to begin isn't it?" This lyric is often in my head when I enter the ring because it's at the end of the playlist and it means it's time to start the run. 

The Perfect Playlist-23-Will Atkins

It's 8:00 in the evening. I finished school at 3:15, then went to my least favorite activity, Track practice, until 5:00. From there I go work out at LEX Fitness to work on the rest of my body. Great. It's now 6:30. Oh wait, now it's time to go to church for youth group. Fantastic, I don't even get to eat dinner in between. It's now the aforementioned 8 o'clock. It's a 15 minute car ride home. Then I get to start my homework. How in the hell am I going to motivate myself.

I KNOW. MOTIVATION MUSIC.

1.  "All Me" -Drake. This song talks about how I've done it all myself, and that I've gotten no help, and after a day like I go through it's nice to be reminded that I didn't get sh** for help along the way. Cause I made it this far with no help, I can go a little further and kick the crap out of this AP Calculus homework.

2. "Rick As F***"-Lil' Wayne ft. 2 Chainz. Few things motivate me to do stuff. One, is money. Will, go pick up sticks. No. Will, I'll pay you $5. How many trashcans you want? So when I hear about me and my FRIENDS living it big. I want to do that. How do I get there? I go to my room and hit the books so I can get good grades and get into a good college and get a good, high-paying job. BAM. Motivation.

3. "Pursuit of Happiness"-Kid Cudi. This song simply speaks about people trying to get in your way and trying to stop your, "Pursuit of Happiness." I love it when I have something pushing me and getting in my way. I react like, "nah, you ain't gonna f*** with me. Let's go." That's the way this song makes me feel every time I listen to it.

4. "The Man"-Aloe Blacc. This song is just awesome and it talks about how awesome I am. It says I'm the god d*** man and nothing is gonna stop that from being the case. It doesn't have the fasted beat, it's really more of a blues/R&B feel to it, but the lyrics just make me feel like I can do anything.

5. "Trophies"-Drake. Here I could of put a very obvious song like, "Started From the Bottom," but instead I chose this song because of a simple few lines. "If I was doing this for you, I'd have nothing left to prove, no. This for me though, I'm just tryna stay alive and take care of my people. And they don't have no award for that. Trophies. Sh** don't come with trophies." Enough said. Motivation.

Assignment 24: The Future

You're done!  - well almost
Your Junior year (nearly) OVER.
Tell us about it.
Successes? Failures? Lessons Learned? Risks taken? Mistakes made? What will you do in the Summer?  What do you want for your Senior year? How do you plan to reach your goals?

Minimum of 150 words - due on Sunday, April 27th at 11:59 pm

fictional charicter daniel horne

I would probably be Ben Skywalker who is the son of Luke Skywalker if you have read the "Expanded Universe" you know who I mean. Any way I would be him because he is pretty BA. It would be pretty sweet to be a Jedi because you would have a light saber which is a saber made of light. Plus I am almost certain that he will have Allana Solo as his apprentice in the up and coming trilogy which would be pretty sweet. Plus I would not have to go to school because I would be a Jedi and life would be like super simple all I would have to do is kill some people every now and then and I would spend the rest of my time meditating or something. Plus think of all the cool stuff you could do with Jedi powers. so that is why I would be Ben Skywalker plus space travel and all would be fun.    

Highwayman by Kris Kristofferson, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson
This would be first because I quite simply really like the song and it has a great theme and lyrics. It is quite possibly my favorite song of all time and I would make the play list around it which is why it is first. 
Next would be Smoke Mountain Rain by Ronnie Milsap
This would be next because the style is about the same as Highwayman but a bit more upbeat which gives my playlist a good rising part science all good playlists should rise and fall. this is also a good transition out of the "outlaw country" music of my first song.
 My third song would be It Must Be Love by Don Williams
this would complete the rising action of the list and is a full transition out of "outlaw country" which helps lead into my next song. I like this song because it is very up beat but still sounds very much like the country music I like.
Fourth would be Someone Like You by Adele
This would be a quick drop giving my playlist the up and down feel. I like this song a lot it is one of the only modern songs that actually has thought out lyrics and sounds beautiful.
Finally would be Into The West by  Annie Lennox
This is a ridiculously beautiful song and is at the end of one of the greatest movie trilogies ever which is why it holds the final spot in my play list.

Daniel Horne Right now

Based on the theory of infinite probability at this very moment, somewhere in the universe someone who looks exactly like Daniel Horne is sitting at a computer exactly like this one writing a blog with the exact same prompt as this one with the exact same music in the background playing off of a YouTube page with the exact same address and IP as the one I am listening too now. And he has the same annoying blister on his hand that he got while putting mulch in the flower beds because their are no gloves that fit him in the house other then the ones he uses for hunting that he did not want to use because then they would smell like mulch and all the deer would run away from him. That is what is going on some where in the universe right now.

The Future 24 - Zac Byrd

From all the snow days we’ve had junior year is close to being over but not close enough.  This year was a big year for me.  This year I was able to balance swimming and trumpet with the hardest year of high school.  I’ve started my college search early and already have a good idea of where I’ll be going.  But I’ll be shadowing different occupations this summer to see if I can narrow my options for a major.  This year I learned that sometimes I overwhelm myself with too much, and that’s what ends up stressing me out down the stretch. And I also learned to not rely too heavily on my homework grades to get me an A in a class because in college it’s all tests and a few other things.  This summer I will lifeguard again, and study for the ACT.  With such a busy junior year I wasn’t able to study for arguably the most important test of my life or at least my high school life.  Senior year I want to place number 1 in state for both Henry Clay free relays, and I want to make a really good impression on my college trumpet auditions.  I would also like to be able to read chord changes for jazz and get a couple points higher on the ACT.  I’ll just have to keep doing what I’m doing and a little bit more.

Fictional Character: Lucy Wan

If I could be any fictional character, I would be Mulan. I know this is a stereotypical choice, but Mulan was my childhood hero. The Disney version may not be a politically correct rendering of ancient China and the real-life Mulan, but the message she teaches is valuable. Mulan is, frankly, a badass. She doesn't fit into the norm of society, but she proves her worth outside of those boundaries. Who needs to be a princess when you can be the hero of all of China? Mulan taught me to be brave, courageous and strong, but most of all, she taught me that beauty comes from within. 

Perfect Playlist Jania Stevenson

This playlist is something to listen to after you've had a really good day

1)  Backseat Freestyle by Kendrick Lamar
This song has a great beat, plus the lyrics talk about feeling amazing and "your mind being on cloud nine" making it the perfect song to listen to after you've had a really good day

2) Ugh by Berner
 This song talks about everything just being really good, making it a good song to listen to when you're feeling good because you can sing along and relate to it

3) Double Cup by DJ Infamous
This song again has a pretty good beat and the lyrics talk about a night anyone would want to have, which is something you might want to have follow your amazing day

4) Keep it Pushing- Finatticz
This song makes you want to get up and dance and it makes you want to ignore the haters that want to ruin your day

5) It Was A Good Day by Ice Cube
This one is pretty self explanatory and I put it last on the list because it kind of helps you reflect on all the things that happened to help lead up to and create your amazing day