Final reflection

Elijah Herbert
May 16th 2011

1. Did you find that being part of the Hunter College early college program better prepared you for your future college career? How so? I do think it helped better me as far as education wise it gave me the opportunity of the freedom that we are going to have instead of the jail setting feeling in the high school.

2. What were some obstacles that you faced during the course of this year? How did you overcome them? Write about a moment of great success that you experienced this year. What happened? Some opsticals that I have experienced early trouble with my schedule, and once again last minute changes from the high school. Fortunately I was able to muster up enough to maintained decent grades to get accepted to a four year college and do what I wanted to accomplish.

4. What Hunter College courses did you take this year? Which were your favorite ones and why?  If there was a course you took that you did not enjoy, what was it and why? I didn’t take any college classes this year because of past issues with my grades and schedules, but I still enjoyed my time on the campus.

5. What do you still need to work on in order to be an even more successful college student? How do you plan on working on these skills? I probably need more help separating myself when a lot of people are around because some students are not respectful when you’re trying to work.

6. Where did you study on the Hunter College campus this year? What facilities did you use at Hunter this year? I studied mostly on the 1st floor it became more our area rather than an area open to everyone. I used the laptops and computers the most. Second would be the basketball gym and workout gym.

7. What have you learned about yourself by being a part of this early college program?
 That I can be a really good student if I work in silence and that I need to stay as motivated in the being as the end
8. Where will you be attending school in fall 2010?
 It will either be Baruch, or Medgar Evers I haven’t decided

9. What are your personal goals for the future? Where do you see yourself in 5 years? In 10 years? In 20 years? Immediately 5 years I have graduated from college with a degree in psychology, 10 years from now obviously have a job being successful maybe married, 20 years from now still having a job making an exceptional amount of money and watching my kids go through their own experiences in life.

10. What advice do you have to give to future MHSHS students in order to help them prepare for this experience? Just dedicate yourself early and don’t think the 1st semester is a screw around because you’ll be sorry later.

Draft # 7 of final essay

Elijah Herbert

May 7th, 2011

Final Essay

As Michael sat down scratching his head looking at the picture of Erica, wondering what went wrong. He couldn’t realize why he hadn’t gotten any college letters back, he had decent grades, played ball was recruited and he was getting closer to graduation day.

“I can understand if I hadn’t been recruited and schools weren’t interested but damn when I am getting some letters” he said.

“Michael lets go time to get up” Michelle said.

“Iight mom I’m already getting dressed and don’t worry about breakfast I’ll get something after practice”.

As he walked down the street it was 7:30 he figured he could swing by his girls crib and pick her up to see if she left. But instead he decided to call before he walked all the way over there.

“She didn’t pick up she must have left already”.

As Michael walked down the street he realized he was going to be late if he didn’t hurry up. He knew that he didn’t want to run the extra laps for tardiness so he sprinted to school. On his way he saw coach’s car and decided to catch a ride.

“Alright Michael hop in what’s going on?".

“Nothing much coach I was just wondering if any of the schools called and looked into me I know a few have come to some of my big games and I haven’t gotten anything yet I don’t know yet man”.

“Look Michael don’t worry about it you’ll get something you are listed in the top 25 players in the country”.

Yea, you right I just don’t know man seems like everybody going somewhere and I’m just still in the hood I got to get outta here man”.

“Don’t worry about it I’m sure you’ll have something I’m sure of it...this may be a good experience to sort out what’s important in your life, you know what you need don’t need, what to let good hold dear....something’s might surprise you what you thought you needed you didn’t need at all..."

Just then coach Smith drove up in front of the school he let Michael out...

 "Tell the guys I said get ready for practice go change an i'll be down in a min...oh and I’ll give you some advice a few more scouts will be at the conference finals Tuesday afternoon you would want to put on a show for them but remember to get your teammates involved."

 After practice Michael went to the showers and when he got out his girlfriend Erica was waiting for him.

 "Hey babe you couldn’t wait till I got upstairs".

"I could have but I wanted to see you before I went to class I have to get there early to help setup...did you get any college letters yet "? She said with her big glossy eyes.

“Nah don’t worry about it but if I have a good game I’m sure I’ll get some letters".

"I’m not but if you don’t get any you can always stay here with me and go to college in the city".

"I don’t know I’ll always come down and visit but I don’t wanna be in the hood no more...hey listen we gotta get to class so i'll talk to you later"

 He gave her a kiss and ran off to class....

 GAME DAY

 As he put on his warm-up he sat in the corner by himself with his headphones in, the rest of his teammates joking and laughing. They where good but he was the captain he had to focus. He was the one looking for a brighter future, he had the grades and the talent and he still didn’t have a letter he could not figure out what was wrong. But now was not the time to worry about that, this was a big game, he had to focus on the task at hand, and they were on the road and in a hostile environment.

The ball was up in the air he grabs the ball and dribbled down the court his defender continued to back up as he moved forward. Just then he pulled up and rained a three four feet from beyond the arc and dropped it in. the crowd booed loudly as he jogged back down the court with a smile on his face...

Down by three at halftime he knew he needed to turn it up had 18 points 7 bounds 3 assist and 4 steals. They hadn’t been down all season and his teammates looked like they were playing scared.

 " you guys what’s going on out there we're just taking the 1st shot we see no ball movement we can’t win like this we need to play together, we can’t let these guys win man we worked too hard all year long for this it’s our time lets go out there and take it".

 The third quarter started off miserable for them , he knew they weren’t ready to play they hadn’t taken practice seriously had been playing around all week long...so he did what anybody would have done took matters into his own hands. He single handedly took over the game scoring bucket after bucket by the time the game had just under a  minute left he recorded a triple double 44 points 10 rebounds 11 assist 5 steals and 3 blks.

They were down by six and need to move quickly the small forward in bounded the ball and he dribbled up court surveying the floor he saw if he went left they had a trap waiting for him so he looked to his right and saw the same thing. Just then he decided to go to the middle as michael increased his speed toward the middle the side defenders moved toward the middle as he got closer he knew his only chance would be to try to split the defenders. He pushed the ball forward and jumped through their arms. He got closer to the line looked up and saw 24 seconds left on the clock he pulled up and the opposing guard took his legs from underneath him they below the whistle as the ball went through the net.

He had a chance for a rare 4 point play! Michael calmly went to the line and hit the free-throw. He sprinted down the court and shouted out some orders for a 1-3-1 zone. The other team has been shooting all night long and it was time to make them do something else. As they jacked up an ill-advised shot Michael picked up the ball and ran down court he evaded a couple of defenders and heaved up a shot with .9 seconds left the buzzer sounded and the ball clanged off the rim, the crowd went wild and he hung his head in disappointment. Tears welled up in his eyes but he held his head high shook hands with the other players and walked off the court. Despite his state setting record of 54 points Michael felt like he failed. He would have given up every single point for another chance at that shot.

 As his teammates looked at him he just looked away, josh one of his best friends on the team walked up to him and Michael immediately started to apologize for missing the shot, josh stopped him. Just then coach walked in and josh spoke.

" Yo Mike we are the ones that need to apologize to you, you carried us the whole game we didn’t play hard or take practice seriously, we should have taken this game more seriously...I’m ...no we are all are sorry "

 Michael stood up looked in his eyes and gave him a hug.

That night he felt like shit, he decided to spend the night at his girl’s house knowing she was the only one who could put a smile on his face, just being around her made him feel better. As he knocked on her door her father answered and tried to embrace him in a hug.

 “we saw the game Michael don’t worry about it, everything happens for a reason"

 “Thanks Mr. Williams i'll keep that in mind, is Erica home sir"?

"Yea she’s upstairs she felt so bad when you missed she wouldn’t come down and eat maybe you can calm her down she took it real hard".

 "Alright i'll go check on her...is Mrs. Williams’s home?

"She stepped out for a minute she'll be back soon?

 Mr. Williams always had a way of making things worse than they already were with his so call soothing talks. Michael walked up the stairs and knocked on Erica’s door, she didn’t answer so he walked in. He heard the water running so he just sat on her bed and waited. He looked through their pictures. They had met each other two years ago he hadn’t met anyone quite like her before for some reason he was addicted to her he could stop thinking about her, she was on his mind all the time he was really in love with this beautiful girl. Just then he saw a bunch of papers behind one recent picture and figured it was her acceptance letters. As he looked through them something was weird and it hit him these weren’t her letters they where his!  The water stopped and she walked in with just a towel wrapped around her.

"Hey babe"

"Erica what are these"?

“What’s what”?

“The college acceptance letters with my name on them…why do you have them hiding behind the photos”?

Michael could feel his face getting hot, as he looked at how Erica had a dumb founded look on her face.

“I…I…”

“Is that all your going to stand here and say?”

“I can’t believe that you would do this do you know how long I’ve been waiting for these things calling people, awake late at night, getting no sleep at all”

“I came over here for comfort and I find these are you kidding me !?!?”

“I thought I could trust you with anything…I guess I was wrong, you don’t love me you just want me here with you. Did you even stop for a second to ask me where I applied? Maybe think that I actually wanted to stay somewhere close near you so we could still be together? As a matter of fact why don’t I open theses letters and we'll both find out”?

“Well what do you know; St John’s, University of Albany, Syracuse, UConn, Pitt, and Penn state…they all revolve around this area”. When I picked these schools I had you in mind I would do anything for you.  I've never cheated, yelled, cursed, or disrespected you. Stood up for you anytime you needed help. Supported you through thick and thin.” I’ve had often thoughts of maybe even spending the rest of my life with you. You know how many times I’ve been tempted to do the wrong thing, an all you can do is stand there and say I ?!?!?!”

“You know what goodbye Erica”

Michael stormed out of the house ignoring Mr. Williams’s calls, without even the slights urge to look back whatsoever.

Draft # 6 of final essay

Elijah Herbert

May 7th, 2011

Final Essay        

As Michael sat down scratching his head looking at the picture of Erica, wondering what went wrong. He couldn’t realize why he hadn’t gotten any college letters back, he had decent grades, played ball was recruited and he was getting closer to graduation day.

“I can understand if I hadn’t been recruited and schools weren’t interested but damn when I am getting some letters” he said

“Michael lets go time to get up” Michelle said

“Iight mom I’m already getting dressed and don’t worry about breakfast I’ll get something after practice”

As he walked down the street it was 7:30 he figured he could swing by his girls crib and pick her up to see if she left. But instead he decided to call before he walked all the way over there

“She didn’t pick up she must have left already”

As Michael walked down the street he realized he was going to be late if he didn’t hurry put. He knew that he didn’t want to run the extra laps for tardiness so he sprinted to school. On his way he saw coach’s car and decided to catch a ride

“Alright Michael hop in what’s going on “

“Nothing much coach I was just wondering if any of the school called and looked into me I know a few have come to some of my big games and I haven’t gotten anything yet I don’t know yet man”

“Look Michael don’t worry about you’ll get something your listed in the top 25 players I the country”

Yea you right I just don’t know man seems like everybody going somewhere and I’m just still in the hood I got to get outta here man”

“Don’t worry about I’m sure you’ll have something I’m sure of it...this may be a good experience to sort out what’s important in your life, you know what you need don’t need, what to let good hold dear....something’s might surprise you what you thought you needed you didn’t need at all..."

Just then coach smith drove up in front of the school he let Michael out...

 "Tell the guys I said get ready for practice go change an ill be down in a min...oh and I’ll give you some advice a few more scouts will be at the conference finals Tuesday afternoon you would want to put on a show for them but remember to get your teammates involved."

 After practice Michael went to the showers and when he got out his girlfriend Erica was waiting for him

 "Hey babe you couldn’t wait till I got upstairs"

"I could have but I wanted to see you before I went to class I have to get there early to help setup...did you get any college letters yet "? She said with her big glossy eyes

“Nah don’t worry about it but if I have a good game I’m sure I’ll get some letters"

"I’m not but if you don’t get any you can always stay here with me and go to college in the city"

"I don’t know I’ll always come down and visit but I don’t wanna be in the hood no more...hey listen we gotta get to class so ill talk to you later"

 He gave her a kiss and ran off to class....

 GAME DAY

 As he put on his warm-up he sat in the corner by himself with his headphones in the rest of his teammates joking and laughing. They where good but he was the captain he had to focus he was the one looking for a brighter future, he had the grades and the talent and he still didn’t have a letter he could figure out what was wrong. But now was not the time to worry about that, this was a big game, he had to focus on the task at hand, and they were on the road and in a hostile environment.

 The ball was up in the air he grabs the ball and dribbled down the court his defender continued to back up as he moved forward. Just then he pulled up and rained a three four feet from beyond the arc and dropped it in. the crowd booed loudly as he jogged back down the court with a smile on his face...

Down by three at halftime he knew he needed to turn it up had 18 points 7 bounds 3 assist and 4 steals. They hadn’t been down all season and his teammates looked like they were playing scared.

 " you guys what’s going on out there where just taking the 1st shot we see no ball movement we can’t win like this we need to play together, we can’t let these guys win man we worked too hard all year long for this it’s our time lets go out there and take it"

 The third quarter started off miscible for them , he knew they weren’t ready to play they hadn’t taken practice seriously had  had been playing around all week long...so he did what anybody would have done took matters into his own hands. he single handily took over the game scoring bucket after bucket by the time the game had just under a  minutes left he recorded a triple double 44 points 10 rebounds 11 assist 5 steals and 3 blks.

 They were down by six and need to move quickly the small forward in bounded the ball and he dribbled up court surveying the floor he saw if he went left they had a trap waiting for him so he looked to his right and saw the same thing. Just then he decided to go to the middle as me increased his speed toward the middle the I side defenders moved toward the middle as he got closer he knew his only chance would be to try to split the defenders. He pushed the ball forward and jumped through their arms. He got closer to the line looked up and saw 24 seconds left on the clock he pulled up and the opposing guard took his legs from underneath him  they below the whistle as the ball went through the net.

 He had a chance for a rare 4 point play! Michael calmly went to the line and hit the free-throw. He sprinted down the court and shouted out some orders for a 1-3-1 zone. The other team has been shooting all night long and it was time to make the do something else. As they jacked up an ill-advised shot Michael picked up the ball and ran down court he evaded a couple of defenders and heaved up a shot with .9 seconds left the buzzer sounded and the ball clanged off the rim, the crowd went wild and he hung his head in disappointment. Tears welled up in his eyes but he held his head high shook hands with the other players and walked off the court. Despite his state setting record of 54 points Michael felt like he failed. He would have given up every single point for another chance at that shot.

 As his teammates looked at him he just looked away, josh one of his best friends on the team walked up to him and Michael immediately started to apologize for missing the shot, josh stopped him. Just then coach walked in and josh spoke.

" Yo Mike where the ones that need to apologize to you, you carried us the whole game we didn’t play hard or take practice seriously, we should have taken this game more seriously...I’m ...no we are all are sorry "

 Michael stood up looked in his eyes and gave him a hug.

 That night he felt like shit, he decided to spend the night at his girl’s house knowing she was the only one who could put a smile on his face, just being around her made him feel better. As he knocked on her door her father answered and tried to embrace him in a hug

 “we saw the game Michael don’t worry about it, everything happens for a reason"

 “Thanks Mr. Williams ill keep that in mind, is Erica home sir"?

"Yea she’s upstairs she felt so bad when you missed she wouldn’t come down and eat maybe you can calm her down she took it real hard"

 "Alright ill go check on her...is Mrs. Williams’s home?

"She stepped out for a minute shell is back soon?

 Mr. Williams always had a way of making things worse than they already were with his so call soothing talks. Michael walked up the stairs and knocked on Erica’s door, she didn’t answer so he walked in. He heard the water running so he just sat on her bed and waited. He looked through their pictures. They had met each other two years ago he hadn’t met anyone quite like her before for some reason he was addicted to her he could stop thinking about her, she was on his mind all the time he was really in love with this beautiful girl. Just then he saw a bunch of papers behind one recent picture and figured it was her acceptance letters. As he looked through them something was weird and it hit him these weren’t her letters they where his!  The water stopped and she walked in with just a towel wrapped around her.

"Hey babe"

"Erica what are these"?

Draft # 5 of final essay

Elijah Herbert

May 7th, 2011

Final Essay        

As Michael sat down scratching his head looking at the picture of Erica, wondering what went wrong. He couldn’t realize why he hadn’t gotten any college letters back, he had decent grades, played ball was recruited and he was getting closer to graduation day.

“I can understand if I hadn’t been recruited and schools weren’t interested but damn when I am getting some letters” he said

“Michael lets go time to get up” Michelle said

“Iight mom I’m already getting dressed and don’t worry about breakfast I’ll get something after practice”

As he walked down the street it was 7:30 he figured he could swing by his girls crib and pick her up to see if she left. But instead he decided to call before he walked all the way over there

“She didn’t pick up she must have left already”

As Michael walked down the street he realized he was going to be late if he didn’t hurry put. He knew that he didn’t want to run the extra laps for tardiness so he sprinted to school. On his way he saw coach’s car and decided to catch a ride

“Alright Michael hop in what’s going on “

“Nothing much coach I was just wondering if any of the school called and looked into me I know a few have come to some of my big games and I haven’t gotten anything yet I don’t know yet man”

“Look Michael don’t worry about you’ll get something your listed in the top 25 players I the country”

Yea you right I just don’t know man seems like everybody going somewhere and I’m just still in the hood I got to get outta here man”

“Don’t worry about I’m sure you’ll have something I’m sure of it...this may be a good experience to sort out what’s important in your life, you know what you need don’t need, what to let good hold dear....something’s might surprise you what you thought you needed you didn’t need at all..."

Just then coach smith drove up in front of the school he let Michael out...

 "Tell the guys I said get ready for practice go change an ill be down in a min...oh and I’ll give you some advice a few more scouts will be at the conference finals Tuesday afternoon you would want to put on a show for them but remember to get your teammates involved."

 After practice Michael went to the showers and when he got out his girlfriend Erica was waiting for him

 "Hey babe you couldn’t wait till I got upstairs"

"I could have but I wanted to see you before I went to class I have to get there early to help setup...did you get any college letters yet "? She said with her big glossy eyes

“Nah don’t worry about it but if I have a good game I’m sure I’ll get some letters"

"I’m not but if you don’t get any you can always stay here with me and go to college in the city"

"I don’t know I’ll always come down and visit but I don’t wanna be in the hood no more...hey listen we gotta get to class so ill talk to you later"

 He gave her a kiss and ran off to class....

 GAME DAY

 As he put on his warm-up he sat in the corner by himself with his headphones in the rest of his teammates joking and laughing. They where good but he was the captain he had to focus he was the one looking for a brighter future, he had the grades and the talent and he still didn’t have a letter he could figure out what was wrong. But now was not the time to worry about that, this was a big game, he had to focus on the task at hand, and they were on the road and in a hostile environment.

 The ball was up in the air he grabs the ball and dribbled down the court his defender continued to back up as he moved forward. Just then he pulled up and rained a three four feet from beyond the arc and dropped it in. the crowd booed loudly as he jogged back down the court with a smile on his face...

Down by three at halftime he knew he needed to turn it up had 18 points 7 bounds 3 assist and 4 steals. They hadn’t been down all season and his teammates looked like they were playing scared.

 " you guys what’s going on out there where just taking the 1st shot we see no ball movement we can’t win like this we need to play together, we can’t let these guys win man we worked too hard all year long for this it’s our time lets go out there and take it"

 The third quarter started off miscible for them , he knew they weren’t ready to play they hadn’t taken practice seriously had  had been playing around all week long...so he did what anybody would have done took matters into his own hands. he single handily took over the game scoring bucket after bucket by the time the game had just under a  minutes left he recorded a triple double 44 points 10 rebounds 11 assist 5 steals and 3 blks.

 They were down by six and need to move quickly the small forward in bounded the ball and he dribbled up court surveying the floor he saw if he went left they had a trap waiting for him so he looked to his right and saw the same thing. Just then he decided to go to the middle as me increased his speed toward the middle the I side defenders moved toward the middle as he got closer he knew his only chance would be to try to split the defenders. He pushed the ball forward and jumped through their arms. He got closer to the line looked up and saw 24 seconds left on the clock he pulled up and the opposing guard took his legs from underneath him  they below the whistle as the ball went through the net.

 He had a chance for a rare 4 point play! Michael calmly went to the line and hit the free-throw. He sprinted down the court and shouted out some orders for a 1-3-1 zone. The other team has been shooting all night long and it was time to make the do something else. As they jacked up an ill-advised shot Michael picked up the ball and ran down court he evaded a couple of defenders and heaved up a shot with .9 seconds left the buzzer sounded and the ball clanged off the rim, the crowd went wild and he hung his head in disappointment. Tears welled up in his eyes but he held his head high shook hands with the other players and walked off the court. Despite his state setting record of 54 points Michael felt like he failed. He would have given up every single point for another chance at that shot.

draft # 5 of final essay

Elijah Herbert

May 7th, 2011

Final Essay

As Michael sat down scratching his head looking at the picture of Erica, wondering what went wrong. He couldn’t realize why he hadn’t gotten any college letters back, he had decent grades, played ball was recruited and he was getting closer to graduation day.

“I can understand if I hadn’t been recruited and schools weren’t interested but damn when I am getting some letters” he said

“Michael lets go time to get up” Michelle said

“Iight mom I’m already getting dressed and don’t worry about breakfast I’ll get something after practice”

As he walked down the street it was 7:30 he figured he could swing by his girls crib and pick her up to see if she left. But instead he decided to call before he walked all the way over there

“She didn’t pick up she must have left already”

As Michael walked down the street he realized he was going to be late if he didn’t hurry put. He knew that he didn’t want to run the extra laps for tardiness so he sprinted to school. On his way he saw coach’s car and decided to catch a ride

“Alright Michael hop in what’s going on “

“Nothing much coach I was just wondering if any of the school called and looked into me I know a few have come to some of my big games and I haven’t gotten anything yet I don’t know yet man”

“Look Michael don’t worry about you’ll get something your listed in the top 25 players I the country”

Yea you right I just don’t know man seems like everybody going somewhere and I’m just still in the hood I got to get outta here man”

“Don’t worry about I’m sure you’ll have something I’m sure of it...this may be a good experience to sort out what’s important in your life, you know what you need don’t need, what to let good hold dear....something’s might surprise you what you thought you needed you didn’t need at all..."

Just then coach smith drove up in front of the school he let Michael out...

 "Tell the guys I said get ready for practice go change an ill be down in a min...oh and I’ll give you some advice a few more scouts will be at the conference finals Tuesday afternoon you would want to put on a show for them but remember to get your teammates involved."

 After practice Michael went to the showers and when he got out his girlfriend Erica was waiting for him

 "Hey babe you couldn’t wait till I got upstairs"

"I could have but I wanted to see you before I went to class I have to get there early to help setup...did you get any college letters yet "? She said with her big glossy eyes

“Nah don’t worry about it but if I have a good game I’m sure I’ll get some letters"

"I’m not but if you don’t get any you can always stay here with me and go to college in the city"

"I don’t know I’ll always come down and visit but I don’t wanna be in the hood no more...hey listen we gotta get to class so ill talk to you later"

 He gave her a kiss and ran off to class....

 GAME DAY

 As he put on his warm-up he sat in the corner by himself with his headphones in the rest of his teammates joking and laughing. They where good but he was the captain he had to focus he was the one looking for a brighter future, he had the grades and the talent and he still didn’t have a letter he could figure out what was wrong. But now was not the time to worry about that, this was a big game, he had to focus on the task at hand, and they were on the road and in a hostile environment.

 The ball was up in the air he grabs the ball and dribbled down the court his defender continued to back up as he moved forward. Just then he pulled up and rained a three four feet from beyond the arc and dropped it in. the crowd booed loudly as he jogged back down the court with a smile on his face...

Draft # 4 of final essay

Elijah Herbert

May 7th, 2011

Final Essay

As Michael sat down scratching his head looking at the picture of Erica, wondering what went wrong. He couldn’t realize why he hadn’t gotten any college letters back, he had decent grades, played ball was recruited and he was getting closer to graduation day.

“I can understand if I hadn’t been recruited and schools weren’t interested but damn when I am getting some letters” he said

“Michael lets go time to get up” Michelle said

“Iight mom I’m already getting dressed and don’t worry about breakfast I’ll get something after practice”

As he walked down the street it was 7:30 he figured he could swing by his girls crib and pick her up to see if she left. But instead he decided to call before he walked all the way over there

“She didn’t pick up she must have left already”

As Michael walked down the street he realized he was going to be late if he didn’t hurry put. He knew that he didn’t want to run the extra laps for tardiness so he sprinted to school. On his way he saw coach’s car and decided to catch a ride

“Alright Michael hop in what’s going on “

“Nothing much coach I was just wondering if any of the school called and looked into me I know a few have come to some of my big games and I haven’t gotten anything yet I don’t know yet man”

“Look Michael don’t worry about you’ll get something your listed in the top 25 players I the country”

Yea you right I just don’t know man seems like everybody going somewhere and I’m just still in the hood I got to get outta here man”

“Don’t worry about I’m sure you’ll have something I’m sure of it...this may be a good experience to sort out what’s important in your life, you know what you need don’t need, what to let good hold dear....something’s might surprise you what you thought you needed you didn’t need at all..."

Just then coach smith drove up in front of the school he let Michael out...

 "Tell the guys I said get ready for practice go change an ill be down in a min...oh and I’ll give you some advice a few more scouts will be at the conference finals Tuesday afternoon you would want to put on a show for them but remember to get your teammates involved."

 After practice Michael went to the showers and when he got out his girlfriend Erica was waiting for him

 "Hey babe you couldn’t wait till I got upstairs"

"I could have but I wanted to see you before I went to class I have to get there early to help setup...did you get any college letters yet "? She said with her big glossy eyes

“Nah don’t worry about it but if I have a good game I’m sure I’ll get some letters"

"I’m not but if you don’t get any you can always stay here with me and go to college in the city"

"I don’t know I’ll always come down and visit but I don’t wanna be in the hood no more...hey listen we gotta get to class so ill talk to you later"

 He gave her a kiss and ran off to class....

 GAME DAY

 As he put on his warm-up he sat in the corner by himself with his headphones in the rest of his teammates joking and laughing. They where good but he was the captain he had to focus he was the one looking for a brighter future, he had the grades and the talent and he still didn’t have a letter he could figure out what was wrong. But now was not the time to worry about that, this was a big game, he had to focus on the task at hand, and they were on the road and in a hostile environment.

 The ball was up in the air he grabs the ball and dribbled down the court his defender continued to back up as he moved forward. Just then he pulled up and rained a three four feet from beyond the arc and dropped it in. the crowd booed loudly as he jogged back down the court with a smile on his face...

Draft #3 of final essay

Elijah Herbert

May 7th, 2011

Final Essay

As Michael sat down scratching his head looking at the picture of Erica, wondering what went wrong. He couldn’t realize why he hadn’t gotten any college letters back, he had decent grades, played ball was recruited and he was getting closer to graduation day.

“I can understand if I hadn’t been recruited and schools weren’t interested but damn when I am getting some letters” he said

“Michael lets go time to get up” Michelle said

“Iight mom I’m already getting dressed and don’t worry about breakfast I’ll get something after practice”

As he walked down the street it was 7:30 he figured he could swing by his girls crib and pick her up to see if she left. But instead he decided to call before he walked all the way over there

“She didn’t pick up she must have left already”

As Michael walked down the street he realized he was going to be late if he didn’t hurry put. He knew that he didn’t want to run the extra laps for tardiness so he sprinted to school. On his way he saw coach’s car and decided to catch a ride

“Alright Michael hop in what’s going on “

“Nothing much coach I was just wondering if any of the school called and looked into me I know a few have come to some of my big games and I haven’t gotten anything yet I don’t know yet man”

“Look Michael don’t worry about you’ll get something your listed in the top 25 players I the country”

Yea you right I just don’t know man seems like everybody going somewhere and I’m just still in the hood I got to get outta here man”

“Don’t worry about I’m sure you’ll have something I’m sure of it...this may be a good experience to sort out what’s important in your life, you know what you need don’t need, what to let good hold dear....something’s might surprise you what you thought you needed you didn’t need at all..."

Just then coach smith drove up in front of the school he let Michael out...

 "Tell the guys I said get ready for practice go change an ill be down in a min...oh and I’ll give you some advice a few more scouts will be at the conference finals Tuesday afternoon you would want to put on a show for them but remember to get your teammates involved."

 After practice Michael went to the showers and when he got out his girlfriend Erica was waiting for him

 "Hey babe you couldn’t wait till I got upstairs"

"I could have but I wanted to see you before I went to class I have to get there early to help setup...did you get any college letters yet "? She said with her big glossy eyes

“Nah don’t worry about it but if I have a good game I’m sure I’ll get some letters"

"I’m not but if you don’t get any you can always stay here with me and go to college in the city"

"I don’t know I’ll always come down and visit but I don’t wanna be in the hood no more...hey listen we gotta get to class so ill talk to you later"

Draft # 2 of final essay

Elijah Herbert

May 7th, 2011

Final Essay

As Michael sat down scratching his head looking at the picture of Erica, wondering what went wrong. He couldn’t realize why he hadn’t gotten any college letters back, he had decent grades, played ball was recruited and he was getting closer to graduation day.

“I can understand if I hadn’t been recruited and schools weren’t interested but damn when I am getting some letters” he said

“Michael lets go time to get up” Michelle said

“Iight mom I’m already getting dressed and don’t worry about breakfast I’ll get something after practice”

As he walked down the street it was 7:30 he figured he could swing by his girls crib and pick her up to see if she left. But instead he decided to call before he walked all the way over there

“She didn’t pick up she must have left already”

As Michael walked down the street he realized he was going to be late if he didn’t hurry put. He knew that he didn’t want to run the extra laps for tardiness so he sprinted to school. On his way he saw coach’s car and decided to catch a ride

“Alright Michael hop in what’s going on “

“Nothing much coach I was just wondering if any of the school called and looked into me I know a few have come to some of my big games and I haven’t gotten anything yet I don’t know yet man”

“Look Michael don’t worry about you’ll get something your listed in the top 25 players I the country”

Yea you right I just don’t know man seems like everybody going somewhere and I’m just still in the hood I got to get outta here man”

“Don’t worry about I’m sure you’ll have something I’m sure of it...this may be a good experience to sort out what’s important in your life, you know what you need don’t need, what to let good hold dear....something’s might surprise you what you thought you needed you didn’t need at all..."

Draft # 1 of final essay

Elijah Herbert

May 7th, 2011

Final Essay

As Michael sat down scratching his head looking at the picture of Erica, wondering what went wrong. He couldn’t realize why he hadn’t gotten any college letters back, he had decent grades, played ball was recruited and he was getting closer to graduation day.

“I can understand if I hadn’t been recruited and schools weren’t interested but damn when I am getting some letters” he said

“Michael lets go time to get up” Michelle said

“Iight mom I’m already getting dressed and don’t worry about breakfast I’ll get something after practice”

As he walked down the street it was 7:30 he figured he could swing by his girls crib and pick her up to see if she left. But instead he decided to call before he walked all the way over there

“She didn’t pick up she must have left already”

As Michael walked down the street he realized he was going to be late if he didn’t hurry put. He knew that he didn’t want to run the extra laps for tardiness so he sprinted to school. On his way he saw coach’s car and decided to catch a ride

“Alright Michael hop in what’s going on “

“Nothing much coach I was just wondering if any of the school called and looked into me I know a few have come to some of my big games and I haven’t gotten anything yet I don’t know yet man”

journal #7

Ivette and Arnold drove to the grocery store. On there way there, the
drive was quite. Lately the tension between them had increased. As
they drove into the parking lot. They glanced at each other very
quickly as they walked into the store. Arnold would get the can goods,
as Ivette got the box goods, but they both agreed to to meet in the
fruit section after they were done. Ivette beat him there, she was
looking for a ripped watermelon. When Arnold came over to see what
watermelon she had pick, he didn't like it, it looked rotten. "eww,
why that one, it's disgusting".
"it's fine, don't make such a big deal, Arnold". She says with a
confused look on her face.
" because I'm the one who has to eat it, not you and I don't want to
eat old, rotten fruit". "Arnold why do you make such a big out of it,
your always criticizing." says Ivette with an attitude. " I'm tired of
the same old watermelon that you pick all the time. They are old and I
think we need to pick a new one." Arnold takes a banana, peels it
open, takes a bite and walks away.

5 sentence journal #6

Marvin had an unhappy childhood, he cried him self to sleep every night. He was the eldest of 13 and always had to take care of his younger siblings. He father left when he was 6 and his mother was an alcoholic who was addicted to heroin. He had to provide for everyone and had a job by the age 13; he had to look out for his mother while making sure his siblings ate, got good grades and stayed in school. He never had a chance to do any of the things other kids his age did because he was literally an adult by the age of 14, he didn’t know who to turn to for help if anyone found out they would call AC and put his mom in jail.

intruder/victim journal#5

Sweat poring of my face, my stomach turns and my body goes numb. Does he know I’m in here? How did he get the keys to my house? what if he tries to kill me?, didn’t anyone see him break in here?. I can’t believe this is happening why doesn’t anyone call the cops? Oh my god he's near the door I can see his shadow is he going to keep walking past? What the hell is he looking for? why doesn’t he just leave?.Phew he walked past maybe I’m in the clear? If I can just run down stairs and reach the phone before he notices will be fine. Maybe I just should run for help. I think that what ill do.shit, was I talking out loud? He’s near the door again did he hear me? The door knob is moving it’s now or never. I’m bracing myself with my broom at hand. The door opens I charge forward screaming at the top of my lungs...I blacked out

journal#4

As mike walked to his car he couldn’t help but think he forgot something but decided it wasn’t important because he couldn’t remember. After a few blocks he realized he forgot his briefcase. As he made a u-turn toward his house he had an uneasy feeling about it. A few minutes later he walked into his home a realized there where plates on his sink and beer cans on the fridge. He thought to himself "Ashley doesn’t drink beer what the hell is going on I though she was in bed”. He walked up the stairs and opened the door. Ashley was in bed with another man as he stood there in disbelief, watching them frolic about his face got red and he could feel the heat boiling from the top of his head. She looked up and saw mike standing there with tears in his eyes. Before he could say anything he let out a flurry of words…

slow motin journal#1

Mike was speeding down a one way street in his luxurious maserati. It was about three in the morning and he and a couple of his boys where on the way home from the club. He couldn’t believe how smacked he was. He had drank and smoked before but this was another level. as he speed down the alley way with his boys in the remaining seats with bottles at hand. He was having a good time mackin with his boys, so that was enough. he didn’t know where he was going  . he looked up and saw he reaching the end of the street. Looking at the road it seemed as if everything was going in slow motion. This led him to; press harder on the gas pedal not realizing he was already up to 150 miles per hour. A little further up it looked like a clouded image of a brick wall but he didn’t pay it much mind. As he got closer the shady image came to form .panicking he pressed harder on the gas pedal not realizing it wasn’t the brake. It seemed as if his life was flashing before his eyes. In the backseat Tyron and Sean looked up to see what he was s creaming about. They dropped the bottles in panic. Their eyes got wide and told him to hit the brakes, but he was in shock he couldn’t move. Just before they hit the wall Tyron leaned forward pulled the emergency brake and using his left foot to kick mikes off the brake and his right to slam the brake. The car went into a screeching halt.

Flashback journal#2

Elijah Herbert

March 5th, 2011

Flashback journal #2

George and Mary where sitting down eating pizza at chucky cheeses. Their son Thomas was enjoying the company of his classmates with all the birthday festivities going around. It was this 8th birthday and so far it couldn’t have been any better. He was having fun with friends, eating pizza, and most of all this parents where together again. As he reached the slide he tried to remember why they hadn’t been for some time now and he really couldn’t understand why. The though back to last summer when his mother left. She told him she needed a few days off and that she was going to a retreat, where they’d pamper and relax her. Her exact words where “I’m going to be a new me ".The days turned into weeks and the weeks turned into months. Thomas would run home everyday to see if his mom came back but she never did. He began to ask his dad why and all he told him was it was complicated. He had so many questions for her... why did you leave? why did you lie to me ? Where have you been? why won’t you come home?...just then a bunch of kids flew down the slide Thomas was knocked to the bottom and the ids piled up.

journal #3

Elijah Herbert

March 5^th 2011

Journal # 3

The next night I walked in after a late day at work. I set my bag down a turned on the light. It was about 1 am, I couldn’t believe my supervisor had asked me to work overtime again then he has the nerve to tell that he’ll pay me half now and half later. What an asshole. It was the second time this week. I knew Jessica was probably in bed already and left my dinner in the microwave. As I went into the refrigerator and pulled a six pack from the fridge I heard a shuffling noise upstairs. I figured it was her moving around. I pulled my dinner out of the microwave and saw that it was still warm; she must have reheated it not long before I got in. I grab the food and the beer and plop down on the couch. I put the fork to my mouth and suddenly I feel a Sharpe blade near my throat. I shifted my eyes to see who it was and saw it was Jessica.

“Honey what are you doing" I said

"That’s exactly the same question I was about to ask you " she said in a rather calm voice

"I-I-Im eating" in a nervous voice

“Can you put the knife down I case you didn’t notice it’s near my throat?”

“No, don’t give me that sarcastic tone of voice, you think I wouldn’t know" she said in a menacing voice

“Know what?"

“Thomas don’t play dumb I know your cheating on me "she said

“Cheating Me never...”

"I don’t want to hear another word out of you for the rest of the night, and don’t even think your coming upstairs you’re sleeping down here" she yelled

I broke into a cold sweat wiping my head but no moister was on it.

My stomach was turning, and my mind was spinning, I can’t believe she just did that to me ...put a knife to my throat!?!?!

All the sudden everything turned black.