Am I ready? Hell yea, I’m ready. Never knew a time when I wasn’t, that’s why I’m the one that’s going to come out on top. I’m the underdog and it’s underdog season (laughs). All these guys here, I’ll dust them, no doubt about it. (Coach speaks) I know I know, I lost last year and the year before that, and before that year but I’m going to win this year. (Clenches fist)

And Imma beat that asshole Jerr- er um Terry or whatever his name is. I swear that man is a cheater, did you see his cavs last year? They were bigger than my head! And bro, you already know I got a big ass head! He’s a steroid abuser, I’m telling you. , I don’t know how he be passing the drug tests. Maybe because he’s rich and he paid off the people running the event or somethi- (pauses) Speak of the devil and he shall appear, look who decided to show up. It’s Jerry Terry.

Did he just smile at me?! I’m really going to embarrass this man in this race. Give me my Redbull and my Fruit Snacks, that’s all I need right now (Starts doing jumping jacks). Ok Joseph calm down. It’s not worth mad getting over. If I mess this race up, who knows how long until my brother Jacob has until his condition is permanent. How much time we got until the Ironman race, coach? 5 minutes? Aard, cool. I’ll be famous, ya know, if I win this race., Nno...I will win this.. I have to. I have to win this for my bestfriend, my ‘lil bro, my partner in crime. This race means a lot to our family. Our dad did this Ironman race, the hardest marathon in the world, and won. Ever since he passed, my bro and I have been working our asses off to live up to his name. My brother got hospitalized in last year’s race by falling off a cliff. Nearly worked himself to death and almost got paralyzed.

Those medical bills are crazy expensive, there’s no way my family can afford that ever since my dad passed. That’s why I have to do whatever it takes to win. Restore my family’s fame and my brother’s body. I’ll never resort to cheating or drug enhancements. That’s not what my father would have want. Oh wait, past me my phone. Yea, I need to call Jacob and see how’s he holding up.( Dials number)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

Hey Jacob, it’s me Joseph. I know you're probably sleeping right now, so I’ll leave you this voicemail. Just know I’m about to whoop some ass in this triathlon. It’s beautiful out here, Hawaii is definitely amazing, just like how Dad use to describe it. Remember that day he came home from his Ironman race? He walked in the house with the brightest smile on his face. And with that Golden medal. That day me and you both knew ever since then, we wanted to be just like Dad. (Laughs) Look where that dead bastard got us now. Well,I got a minute until the race starts. Love u bro, this one's for you. (hangups)

Any advice Coach (Pause) Alright, just stay in my A-game and I have to remember it’s a marathon, not a sprint. Anything el- Terry keeps staring at me and smiling. He really pissing me off. (Pauses) He’s doing that on purpose to annoy me and to distract me from my real goal. I’m not going to let him distract me no more, I just need to focus on winning. For myself, for my family’s pride.. For my brother. I’m ready coach, this race is mine and I’m not losing.

My first concert I played at made me the most nervous, anxious I’ve ever been. “All of that practicing, for what?” My teachers would say to get us ready. My friends and I were no older than 13 and we were performing our first concert as a classical orchestra. Ever since then, we were accepted into the orchestra Play On Philly in 5th grade. The teachers would have us practicing two hours after school, everyday. That first concert, so long ago was when I realized I was now part of something big.

When we took the stage at West Catholic high school, I felt nervous. My orchestra was performing for hundreds of parents. I made a lot of musical mistakes that day, but nonetheless, I was proud of myself. Performing in a concert and attending one are two completely different things. I never realized what people went through when they had to give it their all, to impress the crowd. “Show them your worth!” My Viola teacher would say. I’ve played viola for 6 years, nearly every day after school. I wouldn’t say viola isn’t the hardest instrument to play, but it’s more about being consistently good. Being as though it’s a string instrument, it requires a certain mindset where everything has to be perfect. From playing the correct note, following the tempo, remembering scales, and either playing loudly or softly. The viola is like a violin but just a little bigger. I’ve alternated between 3 different teachers, each one was different. My first teacher taught me the basics, but after that she left to go work with a different orchestra. The music system is a competitive one so even teachers have to go their own ways to improve. My third teacher was half strict and half easy going. My second teacher was Ms. Andriana, who I consider a friend. She was the one who elevated my peers and I, to the next level. She really cared for us and made sure we would impress everyone with our skills.

I was now part of the classical music system in Philadelphia. Being apart of this system is surprisingly hard. Once you get involved, there’s a lot of dedication and discipline to insert in with playing instruments. For example,every instrument player was competing with other students and other organizations for a spot in the orchestra. There’s either cooperation or competition between other orchestras. Stores, museums, centers, even government officials give out opportunities to play at their sites, specifically to Play On Philly. The perks of the music system is being able to meet widely known, famous musicians. Being offered scholarships, college tours, and being able to travel the country.

I was in a big system as an small individual. I learned a lot from being in the music system. Being a team was the main part of playing with in an orchestra. It is an experience that is very unique. There has to be chemistry between the player, the conductor, other players, and teachers alike. Everybody either follows their own rhythm or links up with other’s rhythms. Extreme focus and dedication is required otherwise, that person who doesn’t have that will drag down the orchestra. There is always a way to improve, and the conductor will always make the orchestra improve. For that reason, myy feelings toward the music system is both negative and positive.

They work the players hard. I loved that and hated it at the same time. Learning an instrument isn’t easy, as which is what most teachers would imply. That was the main reason why they had us working so hard. I admired their ambition for them to get their students to learn and improve. However, they didn’t take into account that we were just kids. Just transitioning into a competitive system and having us work work nonstop. It’s been 6 years since then. Playing the viola for that long payed off. By the end 8th grade I was nominated for multiple rewards for being best musician. That feeling of appreciation and recognition is none like no other. I was given my last reward in front of hundreds of people. That was when I realized why the teachers pushed us so hard. It was to make us know, kids like my peers and I, young African-Americans could achieve great things. The music system is a hard, competitive one. However, I found a way to be apart of that system and reap the benefits from it. I would not take back those 6 years of hard practice and concerts because I learned dedication can take me to soaring, new heights in life.

The context of the last post discussed what The Affordable Act and Obamacare was. The battle for affordable health care is being fought through Obamacare. Obamacare is threatened of being annulled by President Donald Trump. Even despite the fact that Obamacare opens opportunities to underprivileged families and middle-class families, Trump still wants to take it away. The Affordable Healthcare Act is equivalent to Obamacare. The Affordable Healthcare Act is called an act because it was an effort to strengthen the Healthcare market and making insurance available to more people (First Blog Post).

The content of the second blog post consisted of new information found by the interview I had done with nurse Jelysa. I picked up new facts on Obamacare and the goals of the Affordable Healthcare act. Some facts like the act’s three primary goals are to make affordable health insurance available to more people. The law/act provides consumers with subsidies (“tax credits”) that reduces costs for households with incomes between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level. Expand the Medicaid program to cover all adults with income below 138% of the federal poverty level. Support medical care delivery methods designed to lower the costs of health care generally (Second blog post).

(Me, working in the labs of the clinic)

I enjoyed my experience with my Agent of Change. For my Agent of Change I did volunteer work at my mother’s clinic, the Abbotsford Family Practice (Abbotsford Falls Clinic). My mom works there as a nurse and she got me connected with another nurse. Nurse Jelysa took me under her wing. She was the one I interviewed about Obamacare and affordable healthcare. She gave me facts about the healthcare topic. After that, we scheduled a work appointment for me where I would be able to shadow her. Not only did I shadow, I also assisted Jelysa with interviewing patients. Jelysa’s main role at the clinic was to interview patients to see if they were eligible for Obamacare. I assisted her by interviewing patients myself which was my Agent of Change.

(Talking to Doctor Knowles)

Knowing that I actually did nurse work feels great. The job I wish to obtain in the future is to become a doctor, so helping out at a clinic was a cool experience. It felt like I was actually making a change in people’s lives. Being able to prescribe patients Obamacare felt good because I was giving them and their family a chance to make their lives easier. Knowing this makes me angry at the fact that president Trump wants to terminate Obamacare. This whole project made me feel important because of the changes I was making. I learned that life isn’t easy when your basic needs to survive in a modern society, is stripped away. Healthcare should be free for all because everyone should have the right to achieve a higher state of well being.

If I could change one thing, it would be my interview. I like my interview but I wish I could have interviewed more people. However, I really had fun with this project and this was one of the best projects I’ve ever done.

Annotated Bibliography

The content of the last post addressed what The Affordable Act and Obamacare wa\. The fight for affordable healthcare is being fought through the Obamacare. Obamacare is threatened of being terminated by President Donald Trump. Even though, Obamacare opens opportunities to poor families and middle class families, Trump still wants to take it away. The Affordable Healthcare Act is the same as Obamacare. The Affordable healthcare Act is called an act because it was an attempt to increase the Healthcare market and making insurance available to more people.(First Blog Post)

Since last blog post, I’ve gathered information from multiple sources and conducted research on my own. I’ve interviewed a nurse at my mother’s clinic. I am well acquainted with her so it wasn’t a problem interviewing her. I initially was supposed to interview a rising RN (registered nurse) that mainly focuses on The Affordable Healthcare Act but his schedule was too busy. As a result, I ended up interviewing another nurse dealing with Obamacare. I’ve conducted the interview over the phone with nurse Jelysa. Questions I asked involved the Obamacare users, the nature of Obamacare, the benefits of it, the downsides of it, and some opinionated driven questions.

Jelysa isn’t only a nurse, she gives patients information on Obamacare. She first offers the patients the opportunity, then explains how it can benefit them. If the patient’s accept the offer, she sets them up for Obamacare, as other workers would do in the clinic.  My newly found information also had a humanely “touch” to it. Jelysa expressed how she felt about the President taking away Obamacare and the flaws of it. She said Obamacare isn’t perfect because participants have to pay a fee at first. However, she believes Obamacare should not be taken away because it has helped the poor and Middle class. Interview with nurse Jelysa.

Jelysa(right) and my mom(right) at work.

I’ve gathered new sources explaining more of the Affordable Healthcare's nature. The act’s three primary goals are to make affordable health insurance available to more people. The law provides consumers with subsidies (“tax credits”) that reduces costs for households with incomes between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level. Expand the Medicaid program to cover all adults with income below 138% of the federal poverty level. Support medical care delivery methods designed to lower the costs of health care generally. Compared to my interview, these goals seem to be true and are the main goals the act wants to achieve.

Agent of Change is the process of doing something that relates to my topic that will have significance. My Agent of change will involve me working in a clinic that verifies patients for Obamacare. I will be working with nurse Jelysa and in some cases by myself in the clinic verifying patients for Obamacare. I will spend long hours working with patients and helping them getting set up for Obamacare. I understand that I am literally working without pay but nonetheless it will be a great experience working with various patients and helping them get acquainted with health insurance.

Family Practice Care Clinic. Where Jelysa works at and where I’ll be working at

Annotated Bibliogrophy

The Road of Affordable Healthcare

The world is a broad topic, from the people on it to the nature to everything. The You and the World project is a project that challenges students to approach a specific problem that is relevant in the world. Something that one is passionate about, which is why I chose Affordable Health Care as my topic. Why am I so passionate about this topic? This is because my mother is a nurse, I’ve seen her patients that rely on affordable health care, such as Obamacare. Also, I want to know more about healthcare because I seek to become a physician in the future.

You may have not heard of the Affordable Healthcare Act but you may have know what Obamacare is. It is dubbed that because it was a law passed on US president Barack Obama’s authority. In the end they are both the same thing. The Affordable Healthcare Act’s objective is to provide more Americans to health insurance and care. It offers Americans benefits when they have a life changing moment,like getting married or having a child. If the participant is below the poverty line then Obamacare offers a lower cost ( Obamacare Facts).

Affordable Healthcare Act’s logo.

Affordable Healthcare is important because without it, families would have to pay more on hospital bills (Benefits of Healthcare). They would also get less care than others which is why Healthcare is a necessity. Healthcare provides health insurance. Health insurance is definitely not the same as car insurance. Poor families have benefited from the Affordable Healthcare act. About 11 million people have signed up for Obamacare and depend on it, according to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Even though those facts are true, president Donald Trump wants to take away the Affordable Healthcare Act (Donaldś statement). He believes that taking away this healthcare will help others. Why take it away if so many Americans rely on it to survive? These people have families that they have to take care of too.

Donald Trump making speech.

Affordable Health care is one important step to helping poor families. Taking care of yourself and family is a priority that most people adhere. During hectic times like this, anything can happen. Being insured is a splendid feeling to have that many don’t acknowledge. By all means, the Affordable Healthcare Act isn’t perfect but it’s better to help others rather than not at all. I care about Obamacare because I’ve seen how it has helped countless people in my mother’s health clinic.

America is a wealth country but there are still many people who are struggling with money. These people work hard to purchase necessary expenses. Health care is so important that it could determine between life or death. That is why I wonder why Donald trump was so eager to take away the Affordable Healthcare Act without having something else to replace it? How has Obamacare change the participant's lives? Following up to this I plan on interviewing a nurse who teaches patients about Obamacare and an Obamacare user. As I get deeper into this project, I hope to learn more of the benefits of Obamacare.

Annotated Bibliography

Art is a special concept that existed since the early humans. Art is such a broad topic, that there’s so much variety. One particular art style is printmaking. Printmaking is the process of designs by printing them from specially prepared plates or blocks. There are many forms of printmaking like engraving, mezzotint, etching, etc. All of these forms have been revolutionized because printmakings has been around since 400 AD. Printmaking has been around so long that the Mesopotamians used it, they used round cylinder seals for rolling an impress of images onto clay tablets. Printmaking was important because it was originally used to reproduce religious texts.

Printmaking is still used today. I noticed that graffiti is unique printmaking. That’s why I wonder if graffiti artists know that what they are making is printmaking art?  What if more than one type of printmaking was combined together to make a new type of category of printmaking.

(Stephen Alcorn's work)

This is my favorite print because it shows something respectable, a hand shake. It uses both negative and positive space to make a simple but intriguing image.

Shaheed Williams

Soy yo

El hijo de Khadijah y Rashim,

Afroamericano,

Hijo con hermanos de padre

Hijo con hermano de madre,

Americano en el corazón

Veo marrón, marrón veo

Veo negro de blanco

Saboreo libertad

ogio hip hop

Huelo comida

Toco emociones

Soy producto de África

Practicar todo deportes, básquetbol, hockey, béisbol, ultimate, y esquire

Atletico y alto

Yo amor música hip hop

Leo para divertida

Somos de afroamericanos

Nosotros comicos

Nosotros exploramos

Nosotros divertida

Vivimos en filadelfia

Nosotros armeme el uno al otro

Hola, somas niños asombrosos! Bienvenidos a Science Leadership Academy. Somos estudiantes de Science Leadership Academy. SLA están en filadelfia, pennsylvania. Está cerca de Wawa, siete/once, y Penn parke. SLA es divertido, difícil, inspirante, y tranquilo. Hay cuatrocientos estudiantes y veinte profesores. Hay es cinco pisos. Ofrecemos la biblioteca. Ofrecemos deportes, son Ultimate, basquetbol, voleibol, pista, fútbol, y boxeo. Tenemos iremos The Franklin Institute. Solamente en SLA y filadelfia. --Shaheed Williams

Hola mayo Adil, Aprovechó la ciencia, inglés, matemáticas, español 1 y tecnología clase. mi clase favorita es la ciencia, ese es mi clase favorita, porque me permite concentrarse y aprender nuevas cosas. algunos materiales que tengo yo que clase son, un libro y un lápiz. Necesito un lápiz, porque me permite tomar buenas notas, dentro de mi libro. enfriar las cosas que hago en mis clases, podemos hacer experimentos en ciencia, cantamos en español, y hablamos mucho en clase de tecnología. necesito el foco a tener éxito en la clase. Mi importancia es también, llegar a tiempo.--Adil

Somos del primer año. Mi profesor favorito es Ms. Giknis. Enseña muy bien. Es bastante tranquila. Cuando enseña es muy divertido. Ella mantiene a todos entretenidos y relajados. Ella no es aburrida lo que es bueno. Los estudiantes en sla son bastante decentes para no mostrar falta de respeto a pesar de que algunos de ellos no saben cómo morder su lengua, pero ¿qué puede hacer. --Andrew Cheatley

Nos encanta la libertad en SLA. Lo que más nos gusta de SLA es los estudiantes. Los estudiantes son muy amables y graciosos. Sla es diferente. Me encanta la diversidad en SLA.

First thing that one would notice is the color of the slide. I learned that the colors were supposed to be eye appealing. I learned that contrast and space have something to do with colors.As a result, I thought of the most common favorite color which is blue. There’s other colors like white and dark blue, to add a little variety without the slide being too colorful. I also made the font huge so that everyone in the room could be able to read my slide. The font I chose was Roboto and made the color white to be able to read easily. I am passionate about English Language Arts and I like to write. That is the reason why I inserted a poem that I made.