Saturday, December 14, 2013
Friday, December 13, 2013
Cause & Effect Essay
Brianna Armstrong
English 1-Block 1
Ms. McKoy
21 November 2013
Focus
on the Positive
Frankie
Catalfumo was just a regular high school student when he decided that he wanted
to make a change in his community. Living in West Palm Beach, Florida, Frankie
saw that he actually use positive peer influence to push his community
together. . The Everglades, located in Florida, was highly endangered; it was
the home to many wildlife plants and animals. Frankie saw this as a perfect
opportunity to make a change. His first intentions were to raise money for the
Everglades. He wanted to host a walk a thon; but he couldn’t get any one to
join. He created a presentation and showed it around school and the community.
His plan was to showed them how much of the Everglades were destroyed. Frankie
Catalfumo’s efforts have shown how positive peer influence has taught teenagers
to stand up for what they believe in, motivate their selves in difficult situations,
and has shown peers have a bigger influence then parents on behavior.
In
the article “Green Persuasion”, Frankie thought, “A little peer pressure might
help-of the positive kind.” Frankie was determined that to get the support that
he needed to improve the Everglades. Somehow he just knew that his peers wanted
to speak up and join him cause, but they were too afraid of what others would
think. He made them feel as if the Everglades were their own home and it was
being hopelessly rod. Soon, many began
to see and feel what Frankie meant, and they became more passionate for his
cause. This is away that positive peer influence has taught teenagers to stand
up for what they believe in. The Reach Out Organization claims that, “Being an
individual means taking ownership and responsibility for what you do and how
you think. Being an individual means that you can be a valued part of comfortable
and welcoming group” (peer pressure by Reach Out). Reach Out is basically
saying that if you want to be part of a specific group you have to be in
control of your own actions and be preparing for the outcomes-whether good or
bad. Even if you may not notice it, your actions are seen by others. Peers feed
off of one another like bacteria; without each other they’ll be lost.
Everyone
needs motivation. Frankie Catalfumo’s idea dug in the minds of teenagers who
craved the need for achieve and change. In the article Peer Pressure, “peer pressure can be a positive influence and help
challenge or motivate you to do your best.” This quote is saying that, teenager
love challenges and a chance to prove that they are smart and capable to
achieve the impossible. Frankie had a decrease amount of judgment throughout
his project. He never judged someone just off what they looked like, or who
they were hanging with. He waited for their honest opinion of his improvement
of the Everglades, and responded with a simple “Thank You” or “Here’s more information”.
Also stated in the article, Peer Pressure,
“respecting someone else’s choice may help them to respect yours. Remember that
you don’t have to agree with their actions.” This quote is basically saying
that, treat others how you would want to be treated and the results will be
very satisfying.
Noah Goldstein claims that, “the 50
scientifically proven ways to be persuasive, is through positive peer
influence.” This quote is a perfect example on why peer influence is a very
powerful source. Catalfumo and several others stated throughout this essay were
not afraid to take one small idea, and make it to something that could be heard
all around the global. They showed their peers what could be done if they took
a chance to change something they many don’t care about. He made it effective
for people to see that positive peer influence can not only be seen as a
powerful source in school, but as a way to improve the health of their
environment.
Throughout
his journey, Frankie Catalfumo, had most of his support coming from peers
instead of his parents and other adults. A peer has a bigger influence then
parents, and other adults, on the behavior of teenagers. According to Diane
Kampf, “Researchers differ over whether parents or a student’s peers have more
influence over that student’s behavior. Some that peers have more influence
than parents in shaping children’s behavior” (Demand Media. Does Peer Pressure Highly Influence
Students?). Basically, Kampf is saying that the relationship between a peer
and a peer is somewhat stronger than the relationship between a peer and their
parent. Kampf also states that, “As children grow, the importance of friends’
increases” (Demand Media. Does Peer
Pressure Highly Influence Students?). This quote refers back to paragraph
two; where it states that teenagers must be responsible for their actions. The
older teenagers get the more they will realize who they really want to be
friends with, and what their actual goals, values, and interests are.
Peer
Influence is a powerful source seen worldwide. For several, the first thing
that comes to someone’s mind when peer influence is mention is negative
thoughts. Frankie Catalfumo used the power of positive peer influence to change
the way that his peers saw and thought of our planet. Although, there are
several other ways that actions like those can result in positive peer
influences. These type of actions can and will affect future generations. It is
our job as peers to assure that the influences that we cause on others aren’t negative.
If you feel that your ‘friends’ are pressuring you into doing something that
you know is wrong, push pause, and think about how it will affect you in the
future. Remember the choice is yours, so focus on the positive.
Exploratory Essay
Brianna Armstrong
English 2- Block 1
McKoy
11 September, 2013
The
Powerful Touch of Peer Pressure
Look around you, are you friends with the right people?
Do you feel that the beneficial peer pressure can outweigh the harmful peer
pressure? Did you know that now all peer pressure can be negative? How does
peer pressure influence you? From being around my friends, I have witnessed
several things from them that I would never consider doing. Admittedly, they have
influenced me, in both positive and negative ways. However, the good has
outweighed the bad. I say this because no matter where I am, or who my friends
are, somehow they will end up influencing me. It is my responsibility to pick
and choose who my friends are. Beneficially, my peers have pressured me in a
positive way, no matter who they are.
When someone your age tries to influence how you act and
get you to do something it is called peer pressure. As Kevin J. Took stated in his
article, Dealing with Peer Pressure,
“Its only human nature to listen and learn from other people in your age
group”. Which is basically saying that as we get older and experience more, we
cannot help but to give in to what people think or say, even if we agree or
not. Through my research I have discovered that there is such a thing as
positive peer pressure. For example, confidence is a big aspect of living and
being successful in life. Not many people have that trait. Therefore, many
peers who see that their friends lack that trait of confidence, and they feel
that it is holding them back from achieving in like, they will make an effort
to push them back on the right track. Included in the article was information
about the difference between positive and negative peer pressure among teens. It
based thoughts of a teenager’s mind and how they are influenced be peer
pressure. Throughout the article, I effectively connected the facts and
background information with the things that I have experienced in my life,
resulting into the writing of this essay.
From
the time when I was younger to now, my parents always reminded to be around
people who have similar goals and dreams that I do. By researching this issue
further, I feel that many people will focus on positive peer pressure and not just
the negative. Soon, I will be able to effectively conclude my research question
on a higher level. The question is, “Can beneficial peer pressure outweigh the
harmful peer pressure?” Meaning, is the power and impact of positive peer
pressure able to outdo negative peer pressure. Furthering my research can help
others, including myself, to understand my question and topic in a very
different way.
Catch Me Before I Fall Poem
Catch Me Before I Fall.
By:
Brianna Armstrong
When
I look into the mirror, what do I see?
A
powerful, passionate person starring back at me?
No.
It
may look that way.
But
it doesn’t feel that way.
I
want my thoughts to tell that I am brave like a tiger
I
want to feel the need of accomplishment like a fighter.
Inside
my mind, I want to be that person who says, “I can do it”.
But
when I say it a loud, it just doesn’t click.
Deep
into my soul, I know that there is something holding me back.
Is
it my opinion or is it just a fact?
I
want someone to influence me into shifting gears.
Even
though I am afraid to stand too close to the edge of the pier.
I
wish someone was here…
Catch
me before I fall.
When
I look into the mirror what do I see?
A
confident, fearless, yet passionate person starring back at me?
Yes.
It
may look that way.
Because
it is that way.
I
am not afraid to admit that I have been in such of a position before.
Where
all of my hopes and dreams have gone out the door.
Yet
I must say, all the madness could not have just gone away.
Motivation
is the key.
From
others like you and me.
And
as the peer of my peers
Guides
me in a direction away from my fears.
I
must say…
Someone
have caught me far along the way.
Catch
me before I fall.
Letter to Sun News
Brianna
Armstrong
HCS
Early College High School
2050
Hwy. 501East
Conway,
Bldg. 400. SC. 29526.
843-349-3131
19
September, 2013
The
Sun News,
Letter
to the Editor,
P.O.
Box 406,
Myrtle
Beach, SC 29578
Dear
Editor-in-Chief,
Hello, my name
is Brianna Armstrong, and I am a sophomore at Early College High School. Here
at ECHS we try our best to motivate each other into being the best that we can
be. I am writing to you for approvable of publishing this letter. My question
to you is, what do you really know about peer pressure? Peer pressure is the
act, of people your age, trying to influence you do something that you usually
would not do. There is such a thing as positive peer pressure.
When someone
states their opinion on peer pressure, the first thing that comes to another’s
mind is negativity. I must admit, as a teenager in today’s society, I have been
influenced in several ways. I am passionate enough to say, all the good has
outweighed the bad. Repeat this in your head peer pressure is a powerful
source, yet positive.
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