Side Note to the 2013 Review

To those asking me why I didn't try out for 2014's musical, the answer is twofold: 1) I want to focus on SATs/that Junior Year Stuff Everyone Talks about and Hates and 2) Well, here's my final realization posted shortly after we ended 9 to 5:

I am glad that I'm putting it in my past. I realized that I love performing, but I abhor dancing and and singing at the same time. The real reason I even tried out was to try my hand at acting, which apparently I CAN do, but I'm still keeping my sights set on radio. But why, you ask?
Well, the first answer is obvious - WYEP! The second is a realization I came to tonight. It was the annual Powder Puff football fundraiser for the Junior class. I ended up, you guessed it, announcing. I love doing it, and I can't pinpoint why. I mean, everyone has that inner want to say something over a loudspeaker, right? Well, I think so.

Now that has changed from radio to some form of something else, but nevertheless the point is this: It's not a pointed personal attack, it's not some sort of silent protest against something.

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It's a Beautiful Day - Don't Let It Get Away

So I'm going to go on a rant. Apparently people like that. Fair warning.

So as the title of this site may hint, I am scheduled to graduate high school in 2015. But apparently in order to do that I need a certain amount of credits earned by June of 2015 in order to do so. I'd hope that my school has been keeping track of this, and as a result can provide guidance as to what I should do as a course of action to that aim. 

I am still in talks about my schedule for next year. It's July 13th. 

I am not sure how complicated the process is, I understand that building a master schedule is extremely difficult (this per our superintendent) but what about for an individual. Two facts I want to make sure are there: Fact 1) I graduate in 2015. Fact 2) I don't need to go to summer school or something to make up credits. 

Should seem like reasonable requests, but I'm not certain of anything. Scheduling has changed hands twice since I entered the 7th grade, and thrice since my fourth grade year. I guess more than anything I'm just frustrated. I'm not that difficult of a case - I have scholars/honours level courses and want to maintain some arts program (which is in conflict with a separate choice, which I understand). 

Now there's a movement to fix the scheduling coming from the fine arts department, which I can respect, considering I am the announcer for the Marching band, am a two year member of the Guys Ensemble, four year member of the chorus, and my brother is in the band, But I think the issue isn't unique to the arts. I think it's a system wide issue, where I can't even get a straight answer as to how many credits I have earned IN THE SAME SCHOOL. 

Education is a unique industry in that people who have gone through it run it and the people in it have no control over it, and are at the mercy of people who were elected to make sure the industry works. 

No Child Left Behind was a good theory - let's try to standardize education so students everywhere get the same (ideally the best) education. But it was poorly executed. Instead of building a common set of curriculum or books or something, it was executed through testing. 

And now it appears to me that that's what it's boiled down to. I'm worried about getting enough credits to graduate with my class when I'm labeled "gifted" and the district is worried about attaining a certain AYP status through (in my honest opinion) bogus tests.  

So what am I proposing? Well, I'm not overly qualified to propose anything considering I'm still in the system. But I will anyway. 

I think that educators and legislators should get together and create a nation wide common core. This would leave things like scheduling and the sort to the individual districts, and the 'AYP' stuff is no longer a benchmark, but something that is used as a tool to better the education of all. 

The sad thing is, there isn't one "right" or "proven" way to protest, or to get the attention of the people in power. Sometimes standing up, other times sitting down and more often than not people need to be violent and loud to get the attention the issue deserves.

This is an issue that I think needs to be resolved, but what do I know? I'm just a junior in high school.

Re(imagiNATION) Announcement 2013: ART!

PITTSBURGH, PA – WYEP’s Youth Media Project, Re(imagine) Media is proud to announce that it is accepting applications for the art division of its annual youth music and arts festival, Re(imagiNATION). The festival will be held on May 4.

This is a chance to be a part of a unique display of all mediums of art in a creative atmosphere. The art will be showcased at the music and arts festival, and will be judged by a panel of local art experts.

The artist must be from Southwestern Pennsylvania, and must be high school aged (14-18). All art must be original. Art can be in any medium. A photograph of the work or a digital copy of the work should be submitted in the application. Applications will be accepted until March 29.

For more information, and to get the application, visit WYEP’s website, wyep.org. Applications can be submitted online, or emailed to Matthew Spangler. For more information, please contact Matthew Spangler at matthew@wyep.org

Re(imagine) Media is a teen-led organization centered on media creation and advocacy. The program is designed to empower participants as the voice of today's youth. Participants hone leadership skills as they become spokespeople for issues that are important to them.

91.3fm WYEP Pittsburgh, the first green station in the nation, is a nationally recognized Triple A public radio station and leading Pittsburgh arts organization. The WYEP Community Broadcast Center is a LEED- Silver Certified building and is located on the Pittsburgh’s South Side. 91.3fm WYEP Pittsburgh is an independent voice, inspiring our community with diverse music and vibrant ideas.

Re(imagiNATION) Announcement 2013: Music

PITTSBURGH, PA – WYEP’s Youth Media Project, Re(imagine) Media is proud to announce that it is accepting applications for the music part of its annual youth music and arts festival, Re(imagiNATION). The festival will be held on May 4.

Whether a novice solo act or a band that’s been together for years, this is a great opportunity for exposure in the Pittsburgh music scene. The top five acts that are chosen from the audition videos will perform in front of a live audience and win a mentorship with a local artist. The winning act will also receive recording time in a professional recording studio and a customized press kit.

At least one member of the act must be from Southwestern Pennsylvania, and at least one member of the act must be high school aged (14-18). All songs performed must be original; meaning no covers. Acts can be of any genre, as long as that act contains some form of instrumentation. Applications are due by April 5^.

For more information, and to get the application, visit WYEP’s website, wyep.org. Applications can be submitted online, or emailed to Matthew Spangler. For more information, please contact Matthew Spangler at matthew@wyep.org

Re(imagine) Media is a teen-led organization centered on media creation and advocacy. The program is designed to empower participants as the voice of today's youth. Participants hone leadership skills as they become spokespeople for issues that are important to them.

91.3fm WYEP Pittsburgh, the first green station in the nation, is a nationally recognized Triple A public radio station and leading Pittsburgh arts organization. The WYEP Community Broadcast Center is a LEED- Silver Certified building and is located on the Pittsburgh’s South Side. 91.3fm WYEP Pittsburgh is an independent voice, inspiring our community with diverse music and vibrant ideas.