WFS 2018 2019 Yearbook

or college due to its flexibility. In a study, 44% of online students reported improvement in
employment, and an astounding 45% reported they had a salary increase within twelve months
of graduation. For college students, there are lower costs than an on-campus college due to the
lack of need for dorms and transportation. All you need is a computer and a quiet place. Self-
discipline and responsibility are crucial to online schooling. You will need more self-motivation
to complete an online course, because there is not a physical human in front of you, keeping
you on track. This can have positive effects on your resume, and you will benefit from, self-
motivation and a flexible schedule. that you don't get with a face to face classroom. Consider
online college and schooling for all these benefits and more!

What about benefits to online schooling and college for teachers? Here are some of the
countless reasons why you should teach online. One reason is the flexible schedule and
environment. Being a teacher online, you can host classes back to back all day without having
to drive or change classrooms. Because of this, you also can have as many students as you
want, as long as you can grade all of the assignments. You could record a lecture replay and
have it available for more students to increase revenue. You also could charge the same rates if
not more per class then you would with a face to face classroom. Yes, there is an abundance of
benefits to online teaching for teachers.

Is technology good for educators, teachers and for people doing their jobs? Yes,
technology helps everyone have more time to do what is important and can save peoples’
money. The result of this hidden efficiency gem is cheaper tuition, less wasted time and more
work being done in a workday. If we continue exploring technology, we may be able to achieve
super-efficient workforces and decrease tuition even further. Technology is always there to
speed up work and lower wasted time and tuition.

Many people use technology every day but sadly most of them don't know how it
works. This will probably cost people an abundance of time when they decide to stop working.
Popular features of the internet include instant messaging, videogaming and screens. Many
people will ask, “How do these everyday luxuries work?” Knowing the answer to this question

may save you some time in the event of a breakdown or malfunction. Nearly all people enjoy
the luxuries of instant messaging, videogaming and screens. What makes these operate?

Instant messaging has changed the world. We can now rapidly send people messages
with an abundance of applications. How does this method work? Almost all of our
communication is now through instant messaging, although few of us know how it operates.
Instant messaging software does its job by sending a server your IP address and your port
number. "Because your client has the IP address and port number for the computer of the
person that you sent the message to, your message is sent directly to the client on that person's
computer. In other words, the server is not involved at this point. All communication is directly
between the two clients" (Tyson and Cooper). After you finish talking to that person and close
the window, the server automatically terminates the session until you log back in. Knowing and
understanding how your instant messaging program works will benefit you when attempting to
solve issues and increase your knowledge of the world around you. An exceedingly large
amount of Americans use instant messaging and don't know how it operates.

Videogames are a luxury thousands of Americans take advantage of every day. Only
some of those people know how to develop a videogame. Videogames can be extremely
complex; how would you make one? For example, if you had an idea and it was a crazy banana
that runs around and tries to avoid banana peels. You would need good mechanics, hook and
optionally a story. Once all of those are finished, you need to choose a development software
and IDE (Integrated Development Environment) to work with. Once you choose an IDE and
development software, you need to add some art to the game. After the art is added to the
game, you can then animate and code. Once finished with coding for mechanics, the game will
need a UI system (user interface or graphical system). UI systems should be unique, although
maintaining a color scheme, and important information should be readable (He). It helps you
understand how the games you play work, and you can even create your own entertainment.
Most video gamers don't know how to create or even how the game they are playing works.
Do you?

Everyone has seen a screen, although not many people are thinking about how their
screens work. How do screens work and what makes them special? All screens are just small
dots that your brain assembles into a meaningful image. "If you divide a still image into a
collection of small colored dots, your brain will reassemble the dots into a meaningful image.
This is no small feat, as any researcher who has tried to program a computer to understand
images will tell you. The only way we can see that this is actually happening is to blow the dots
up so big that our brains can no longer assemble them" (Brian). If you move extremely close to
a computer screen or monitor, you will not be able to tell what the image is, although if you
stand back you can now view the image. Knowing this may help you troubleshoot your screen
in many situations. Knowing this, you also can understand how printers and any technology
that makes a visible image works. Almost everyone has seen a screen in their life, although only
a select few know how they produce an image.

After learning how instant messaging, videogames, and screens work, you can save
yourself time when they decide to break down. Troubleshooting is as simple as knowing how
that piece of the world works and finding the weak link or missing component. Hopefully, all of
our valuable messages, image data, and game inputs don't go missing. Knowing how instant
messaging, videogames and screens work may save some time.

Web hosting drastically changed the internet and added two major categories of
business, web design and web security. User experience design has changed how we use
programs and without security, all our personal information is gone. Even with how diverse the
internet has become, many people are still wondering how the internet works. People also
don't know how much effort and money it takes to make one of these webpages or
applications. Web hosting, security, and UX design, which is the art of making a website user
friendly, changed how the internet works and what it has become today.

Web Hosting is the most critical thing on the internet. It provides us with all websites,
online games and everything that is on the internet. Even though web hosting essentially is the
internet as we know it today, hundreds of thousands of people don't know how it works. When
you purchase web hosting, you are purchasing space on a server that holds files readable by the

user's browser or program. When you connect to a server, you are connecting to an IP address,
not the name that you typed in via DNS. When you type in Example.com, you are not
connecting to example.com. You are connecting to an IP that looks like 00.000.000.00. Your
browser reads the IP, displays the DNS and receives the information that is the webpage
(“Future Host”). This means that without the DNS service and web hosting, we would have
nothing to use the internet for, and if we didn't have DNS, we would have to type in IP
addresses. Web hosting makes up most of the internet as we know it. Do you know how web
hosting functions?

Is your network or webpage secure? This is the question most people should be asking.
What should you know to help make your network or website secure? If you are storing
sensitive information on your website or network, your security will be tested. Webpages are
complex programs, and when programs are so complex, there are bugs or at least weaknesses.
The programming that makes your web pages’ user experience is the same thing that makes it
vulnerable. SQL scripts that connect your databases always present security risks. This allows us
to be more cautious when building scripts and not to be lazy. Your network is likely secure if
you can test these.

User experience or UX design is a new approach to making applications or websites.
User experience is not UI design. It is making a website or application user-friendly and
extremely comprehensible. The simplest way to achieve this goal is making a wireframe and
workflow. Making your wireframe can navigate through your wireframe and complete user
goals from your user personas. User personas are fake people you make to complete a goal. If
you create a user who wants to learn about 3D modeling although has a fear of lighting, making
the lighting extremely easy to use and look nice will achieve those goals (Nice). Without having
these types of design for applications or webpages, we would be stuck with programs like
photoshop for everything we do. They do the job but are difficult. User experience design is
not UI design. It is making it easy for the user to complete a goal in an application or webpage.

Web hosting is what creates the internet as we know it. Web hosting is also the basis for
UX design and opens the door for internet security as a job. Many people don't know how the

internet works and don't know what efforts are needed to ensure site. The internet has infinite
possibilities if people have creativity.

Having explored how to take advantage of online learning and learning how websites,
programs and the tech that runs them work, the reader can better diagnose issues in these
areas of technology. There is still more to explain to the reader, although it may not be used,
the information about technology helps you understand how to fix or troubleshoot technology
issues. There is always a benefit in learning how technology you use every day operates. Just
dig deeper.

Works Cited

Online.illinois.edu. (2019). 5 Benefits of Studying Online (vs. Face-to-Face Classroom). [online]
Available at: http://online.illinois.edu/articles/online-learning/item/2017/06/05/5-
benefits-of-studying-online-(vs.-face-to-face-classroom) [Accessed 10 May 2019].

Brain, M. (2019). How Television Works. [online] HowStuffWorks. Available at:
https://electronics.howstuffworks.com/tv1.htm [Accessed 10 May 2019].

Davis, M. (2019). Web Hosting Basics: Domain Registrar, DNS Host, Web Host — What’s The
Difference. [online] Future Hosting. Available at:
https://www.futurehosting.com/blog/web-hosting-basics-domain-registrar-dns-host-
web-host-whats-the-difference/ [Accessed 10 May 2019].

He, A. (2019). From Zero to Game Designer: how to start building video games even if you don’t
have any experience. [online] freeCodeCamp.org. Available at:
https://medium.freecodecamp.org/from-zero-to-game-designer-how-to-start-building-
video-games-even-if-you-dont-have-any-experience-5e2f9f45f4bb [Accessed 10 May
2019].

Nice, B. (2019). A Dummies Guide to UX Basics. [online] Medium. Available at:
https://medium.com/level-up-web/a-dummies-guide-to-ux-basics-159378970d60
[Accessed 10 May 2019].

Rosborough, B. (2019). Web Security Basics. [online] Beyondsecurity.com. Available at:
https://www.beyondsecurity.com/blog/web-security-basics [Accessed 10 May 2019].

TYSON, J. and Cooper, A. (2019). How Instant Messaging Works. [online] HowStuffWorks.
Available at: https://computer.howstuffworks.com/e-mail-messaging/instant-
messaging2.htm [Accessed 10 May 2019].

Elia G.

Hi! My name is Elia, and I am a homeschooled student from St. Anthony, Minnesota. I
have two brothers, one younger and one older (Deklan and Ayan), and two younger sisters
(Imrie and Selah). I enjoy listening to music, playing music/singing, reading, and playing all
kinds of sports. I especially like playing volleyball, softball, tennis, and running. I like eating all
kinds of foods, and when I’m not eating exotic foods, I like eating warm, comforting, and homey
foods. When I grow up I would like to be in the medical field, whether it be a doctor, surgeon,
athletic trainer, or physical therapist. I especially enjoyed writing using the different kind of
introduction hooks, because I enjoy using my imagination and that was what suited my
interests best.

Introduction Paragraph Examples

Most all great inventions were made out of necessity. People was problems and formulated
fixes. Monks in the Middle Ages created one of the most useful inventions of all time. Can you imagine
faithful, disciplined monks being late?! Well, they were late a lot for their midnight monastic prayers, so
they invented the medieval clock. Providing a reliable way to tell time, clocks drastically impact society
and all of life.

Imagine being a monk in the Middle Ages, struggling every night to wake up from a deep sleep
for monastic prayers, feeling the heat of embarrassment flushing your cheeks, and wishing there was
some way to avoid being late for your godly duties. Well, in Medieval times the monks struggled with
the same unnerving story you just experienced, the distressing midnight prayers that wake you abruptly
up from your peaceful slumber. But out of need, inventions are born. Their necessity was the mother of
one of the greatest inventions of all time, the Medieval mechanical clock. Now clocks are everywhere,
making sure that we are on time and awake. Providing a reliable way to tell time, clocks drastically
impact society and all of life.

Littering history, inventions arose from necessity. Have you ever said to yourself, “Gee, look at
the time! I've got to leave in twenty minutes!”? Have you ever thought about what it would be like
without a reliable way to tell time? The monks in the Middle Ages didn’t have watches or clocks, so
when they had to wake up in the middle of the night for their monastic prayers, they were often late or
even missed them entirely. Their need for being punctual led to one of the greatest and most useful
inventions of all time: the Medieval mechanical clock. Now clocks are everywhere. Providing a reliable
way to tell time, clocks drastically impact society and all of life.

As Plato once said, “Necessity is the mother of invention,” and that is exactly what the monks
from the Middle Ages had, necessity. They struggled to get up in the depth of the night to fulfill their
obligations to God and to say their monastic prayers. The monks needed a reliable way of awakening to
carry out their duties. This need of the monks led to one of the most revolutionary inventions of all
time: the Medieval mechanical clock. Now clocks are found almost everywhere. Providing a reliable
way to tell time, clocks drastically impact society and all of life.

Elizabeth H.

Hi, my name is Elizabeth, and I am an 18-year-old senior in high school. One of my
favorite things to do is be creative. I love taking one thing and changing it into something
completely different, for example, taking a large piece of fabric and turning it into clothes or
using an array of paper, scissors, and other notions to form a special card for someone else.
There are many other types of projects that I enjoy. In addition, I love spending time with my
family whether it is playing a game or relaxing and watching a movie. One of my favorite writing
assignments this year was a persuasive research paper on social networking.

Social Media Negatively Impacts Mental and Physical Health
“[…] [T]he weird and unusual isn’t beyond being picked up by the media” (Christie).
Social media almost seems to have a mind of its own. Posts and articles gain popularity without
a reason and end up being in the news feeds of practically everyone in the nation. This
phenomenon raises the question, however, “Is social media beneficial to society?” This
question is very controversial with some people who say yes and some people who say no.
While social media brings joy into people’s lives at times, in reality it damages the mental and
physical health of people who use it.
Some people have the opinion that social media benefits society because of the ease of
keeping in touch with close friends and family. For instance, Susan Greenfield who works with
Oxford University discusses this topic saying, “[…] [S]ocial media had its worthwhile uses, such
as for communicating with family or friends across the world […]” (Rivett). This means when
family members live a lot of miles away from each other they can keep up to date by using
social media. For example, with ease an aunt can see up-to-date pictures of her growing niece
even if they might not officially meet for a year. This makes the huge gap of land between them
seem smaller. However, more often than not, the list of friends on a person’s social media page
grows until it becomes a list of people that the person barely knows at all. As the list of friends
continues to expand, the social media users, whether consciously or unconsciously, feel they
need to create a specific persona of themselves (Rivett). This changes social media from being a
simple way to talk to family and close friends into a place where people do not show their true
selves.

Along the same lines social media causes people to change who they are in order to fit
the culture’s specific ideals. This occurs when instead of posting to friends and family, a person
posts as if for spectators who they want to impress. Greenfield explains the dangers of this by
saying, “You are out to entertain and seek their approval and the danger lies then in
constructing an artificial identity that’s not really you at all” (Rivett). This attribute of social
media has a very negative affect on the world. Unfortunately, it creates a false sense of reality.
This creates a domino effect because the standards in people’s minds are based on a fabricated
reality. For instance, after building up this ideal person online through interacting with people,

interacting in person is more challenging. This is because once people create a different version
of themselves online, they try to keep up the facade in person as well (“USC Study”). These
appearances are exhausting to keep up with. Part of the reason that it is so draining to do this is
because it makes people think they are not good enough for who they really are. In addition, it
jumbles in their mind who they are as a unique individual. People end up not knowing who they
really are as a person. Social media negatively corrupts the way people view themselves.

Not only does social media degrade people’s view of themselves, social media also
causes people to lose common social skills. Social media is literally changing the way the brain
operates. This is especially true for the people who grow up using technology and cannot
remember a time without it (Rivett). Unfortunately, this change of the brain is not benefiting
society as a whole. This change greatly has to do with the way people interact with each other.
Because of this, people can easily misinterpret what someone is trying to communicate. This
can quickly cause people’s feelings to get hurt. All of this is greatly due to the influx of social
media use. People are growing up learning the social media ques instead of people’s body
language. Individuals are not as well versed in reading facial expression. Alternatively, people
are learning to judge how they are perceived by some kind of reaction on their post whether
that is positive or negative (East). This new kind of interaction is not benefiting society or the
future. While some social media skills are useful online, they are not very helpful in the real
world. For instance, most jobs require an element of human interaction in order to be
successful. Therefore, the less social skills someone has, the harder it is for them to get and
maintain a job. The art of social skills is muffled by the common use of social media.

Using social media too often also increases the risk of depression. According to the
researchers from the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, “[…] having limited face-to-
face contact nearly doubles someone’s risk of having depression” (Bergland). Depression as a
whole is not only bad for the individual’s health but it is also bad for society in general. This
means that it is important to explain to people the little things that prevent or limit the onset of
depression. Alan Teo was a leader in a study that discovered that when a person spent time
with people in person, about three times every week, they had a lower risk of depression by
about 6.5 percent. Conversely, people who only spent time in person once every couple of

months had a greater rate of depression by about 11.5 percent (Bergland). Unfortunately,
depression influences every area of a person’s life. It even impacts the relationships of those
closest to them. This often changes the relationships in a negative way. Spending a lot of time
on social media and not in person increases the risk of depression.

Even more dangerous than depression, social networking gives people another way to
hurt others. A study conducted by both Women’s Aid and Network for Surviving Stalking
explains that unfortunately, someone can download a spyware on a different person’s phone in
under five minutes without even being in close range (Topping). Like this is not bad enough
social media has the ability to tract a person’s location. Some people even willingly post their
location on their pages. This new-found technology is very dangerous, especially when it gets in
the hands of those who want to hurt others. This technology also can impact the safety of the
children who use social media and phones in general. This means that everyone, not just
children and not just adults, is susceptible to this kind of danger. Sadly, a stalking survivor, a
woman who participated in a study experienced the danger social media can bring someone
first hand. This woman had difficulty changing her eBay password allowing her ex-husband to
track her down. Once he did this, he came to her house and abused her to such an extent that
this woman can no longer see out of one of her eyes (Topping). Just this small instance is
enough to require change. It is possible to limit crime and make the world a safer place. It
should not matter how minuet the situation may be, it is not expiable to give criminals another
way to easily hurt people. Social networking unintentionally allows for people’s lives to become
endangered.

In addition, social media cause people to hurt themselves both inadvertently and
intentionally. After the earthquakes that occurred in Japan, a claim surfaced on Twitter that if a
person communed a lot of salt, the radiation would have less of an impact on them. However,
this was a fallacy. Instead, it could lead to hypertension (“Mixed Uptake”). Regrettably, social
media is the home to a lot of wrong information. This is largely due to the fact that almost
anyone can create any article or post. While inherently this is not dangerous to humans’
hazardous situations can occur. This is due to people who believe the information did not come
from a reliable source and then proceed to share it all over the internet. If the wrong

information gets spread around, it can cause people to get very sick or even die. While people
sometimes do not intentionally hurt themselves, some people hurt themselves on purpose. A
survey of children who were middle school, aged found that “[…] victims of cyberbullying were
almost 2 times as likely to attempt suicide than those who were not” (Luxton). It should be the
job of society as a whole to protect every person, especially the most vulnerable that live in the
world. Allowing cyber bulling on social media to occur without trying to prevent it is a disservice
to the world. Social media should not have the power over life and death in society. No one
should be getting hurt by using an online platform whether people get hurt on purpose or not.

While there are some positives to social media, the huge negative affect social media
has on the mental and physical health of people completely eliminate any possible benefits. For
instance, communicating with friends and family on social media can turn into a list of friends
that the user does not really know. In addition, social media encourages people to create false
identities. Not only that, but when someone grows up on social media, they lose social skills.
Social media also raises the risk of someone falling into depression. Social media has also
created a new avenue to hurt others. Along that same line, social media can trigger people to
hurt themselves. Social media has a grave effect on humanity that will negatively impact the
world for generations to come if something is not done to correct it.

Work Cited

Bergland, Christoper. “Face-to-Face Social Contact Reduces Risk of Depression.” Psychology
Today, Sussex Publishers, 5 Oct. 2015, www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-athletes
way/201510/face-face-social-contact-reduces-risk-depression.

Christie, Kyle. “Going Viral: Using Social Media to Publicise Academic Research.” The
Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 11 Apr. 2011, www.theguardian.com/higher
education-network/blog/2011/apr/11/communications-marketing-management-admin
and-services.

East, Susie. “How Does Social Media Affect Your Brain.” CNN, Cable News Network, 1 Aug.
2016, www.cnn.com/2016/07/12/health/social-media-brain/index.html.

“Mixed Uptake of Social Media among Public Health Specialists.” World Health Organization,
World Health Organization, 1 Nov. 2011, www.who.int/bulletin/volumes/89/11/11
031111/en/.

Luxton, David D et al. “Social media and suicide: a public health perspective” American journal
of public health vol. 102 Suppl 2, Suppl 2 (2012): S195-200, doi:
10.2105/AJPH.2011.300608.

Topping, Alexandra. “Social Networking Sites Fueling Stalking, Report Warns.” The Guardian,
Guardian News and Media, 1 Feb. 2012,
www.theguardian.com/technology/2012/feb/01/social-media-smartphones-stalking.

Rivett, Gary, and ABC Radio Adelaide. “Neuroscientist Warns Young Brains Being Re-Wired
by Technology.” ABC News, 20 Nov. 2014, www.abc.net.au/news/2014-11
20/neuroscientist-warns-young-brains-being-reshaped-by-technology/5906140.

“USC Study Examines Whether Social Networking Exacerbates Risky Behavior Among Teens.”
CBS Los Angeles, CBS Los Angeles, 2 Apr. 2012,
losangeles.cbslocal.com/2012/04/02/usc-study-examines-whether-social-networking
exacerbates-risky-behavior-among-teens/.

Emelia F.

Hello! My name is Emelia. I am 17 years old and in 10th grade. I live in California with
my parents and two younger sisters. My favorite subject this year was probably World History. I
enjoyed learning how events many years ago aided in making our world what it is today. My
favorite activity is playing the piano. I play mostly classical music and hymns. I enjoy playing the
piano for my church twice a month and accompanying soloists. When I am not doing school or
practicing piano, I like to read biographies and books on health, but I have not had much of a
chance to read this year. My favorite paper I wrote this year was a research paper on the value
of a college education. I enjoyed learning how obtaining a college degree or not can impact
individuals lives in many ways.

Determining Their Future: How Obtaining a College Degree or Not Impacts Individuals and Their
Families For Life.

After high school, most young adults are bombarded with options and decisions
regarding the future. Will they pursue a college degree? If so, will it be a bachelor’s degree or
will they advance further? Instead of attending college or university, there are trade schools or
apprenticeships. Alternatively, a person can simply opt out of any furthering education. With
the plethora of choices young people must sort through and decide on, it is important to
anticipate how that decision will look in the future. A college degree is one of the many options
that high school graduates are compelled to consider and decide if there is value in pursuing. A
college degree or the lack of one can impact individual's’ futures by influencing their health,
financial situation, and their family.

A person’s education level can influence his or her health and health choices. Good
health is important to most people. One area that affects many people is mental health. Mental
health is a serious problem with “approximately 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. [...] [experiencing]
mental illness in a given year” (“Mental Health”). Another cause of ill health, smoking is the
“single largest preventable cause of death and disease in the United States” (Burden of
Tobacco”). Education can also impact the choices people make in regards to their health.
Healthy habits are important. For example, “lack of exercise causes as many as 1 in 10
premature deaths around the world” (Park). Many people struggle with poor health. Gaining an
education can help improve individuals’ health choices which results in better health.

A person’s level of education can have an effect on his or her mental health.
Unfortunately, mental health is declining regardless of a person’s education level. Depression is
an issue for many college freshmen (Herbert). On the other hand, however, a study led by the
University of Southern California found that older adults with a college education actually had a
smaller chance of dementia. The study showed that “healthy cognition characterized most of
the people with at least a college education into their late 80s, [...]. People who did not
complete high school had good cognition up until their 70s. According to the researchers,
‘higher education status appears to provide lifelong cognitive benefits from both its effect on

cognitive functioning and its effect on longer life’” (Gersema). While a college education may
lead to poor mental health during school, it can improve health later in life. It is easy to look
only at the present or near future and consider the costs instead of looking to the distant future
as well when considering attending college. A college education can bring with it a lot of extra
stress and depression. These mental health problems are becoming all too common, and
people should do all they can to prevent them. At the same time, college education is helping
people live longer and healthier lives. A college education or the lack of one not only affects
short term health, but a person’s quality of life in the future.

Smoking can negatively impact people’s quality of life, and education level plays a part
in their likelihood of smoking. For example, “more than 480,000 Americans” die annually from
either smoking or secondhand smoke (“Burden of Tobacco”). Those with more education are
less likely to smoke than other less educated individuals (Montez and Zajacova). Interestingly,
“smoking rates among college graduates have been significantly lower than smoking rates
among other adults since information about the risks of smoking became public” (Baum et al).

Smoking shortens lives and ruins health. It is a problem that needs to be addressed, and one
that many Americans struggle with. The fact that the smoking rate of educated adults dropped
“since information about the risks of smoking became public” suggests that educated adults
might be more open to change concerning their health (Baum et al). Whatever the reason,
education plays a valuable part in determining people’s likelihood of smoking, and therefore
their health and wellbeing.

In addition to directly affecting the health of an individual, the amount of education
obtained can be a determining factor in the health choices of people and their families. Some of
the health choices affected include exercise and food selection. For example, in 2011, the
number of four-year college graduates who met the federal guidelines for exercise was nearly
double that of high school graduates. In addition, the gap in exercise habits between education
levels widened the older the individual became (Baum et al). Staying active is an important
piece of staying healthy. Most people want to be healthy, and as exercise is important to a
healthy lifestyle, a college education can be helpful in achieving that goal by increasing people’s

likelihood of exercising. In addition to exercise, healthy food choice is one way to become and
stay healthy. Research has shown that “education levels--as opposed to income levels or access
to supermarkets--determines food preferences”. Education level has much more of an impact
when it comes to healthy food choices than even income level (“Wealth and Education”).
Education level plays a vital role in staying healthy. Individuals with higher education are more
likely to make healthier lifestyle choices. It is easy to think that income level is very important
when it comes to making healthy food choices, but education is an invaluable asset. A college
education or the lack of one can help determine how likely a person is to make healthy choices.

On average, an individual with a college degree enjoys better health than someone with
less education. Higher education promotes better mental health, which leads to longer and
higher quality lives (Gersema). The level of education obtained also contributes to the decisions
made regarding healthy lifestyle choices. Individuals with more education are less likely to
smoke and are more likely to make better health choices than their less educated peers
(Montez and Zajacova; Baum et al; “Wealth and Education”). Good health is important, and
obtaining higher education can help a person achieve that goal.

In addition to influencing individuals’ health, a college education can have an impact on
their finances and savings. A good income is important to many people. Naturally, they want to
make sure that their lives in the workforce as well as during retirement are adequate, if not
comfortable. Unfortunately, that goal is not as easy as it might seem. Many things require
money, one of which is student loan debt. Student loan debt is a big problem, with the “total
outstanding student loan debt [soaring] past the $1.5 trillion mark” (Hembree). When
considering obtaining a college education, it is important to understand the financial impacts
that come as a result.

The level of education an individual obtains can have an influence on the amount of
income he or she makes. According to a study done by the Pew Research Center, college
graduates can earn about $17,500 more than high school graduates (“The Rising Cost”). In
contrast however, “The top tenth of high school graduates outern the bottom half of college
graduates among those who report working at least one week in the last year” (Schanzenbach).

In general, the more education acquired, the greater the income earned. As is true with most
aspects of life, however, the harder people work, the bigger the gain. Hard work and devotion,
whether on a chosen career, work, or an education, will result in more financial benefits.
Nonetheless, gaining an education can help increase a person’s earnings.

While higher education can help individuals earn more, student loan debts are a reality
for many college-educated Americans. A 2018 report by the social impact startup Summer and
the nonprofit organization Student Debt Crisis found that the average American owes around
$87,500, but makes only $60,000 (Hembree). Additionally, 90% of borrowers have a difficult
time making payments, and some individuals are still trying to pay off their student debt in their
60s (Hembree). The majority of Americans struggle with student loan debt. It is a weight on
their shoulders that will be around for a while. Americans considering a college education
should understand the consequences of student debt. While student loan debt is definitely a
worry for some, others state “their degrees have been worth it or expect that they will be in the
future” (”The Rising Cost”). In addition, “those who accumulate more debt also tend to have
higher earnings potential, suggesting that high debt loads tend to accompany worthwhile
investments.” Furthermore, the more money individuals borrow, the more likely they are to
finish their degree “regardless of what type of institution they attended” (Schanzenbach).
Having something to work for and pay off motivates people to earn more, and thus increases
their income. While student debt often causes concern, it could be the key to a successful life,
and, as many Americans have found, it tends to pay off in the future (“The Rising Cost”).
Whichever way they choose to view it, student loan debt is a reality for many Americans.

A more positive financial impact of college education is retirement savings. According to
calculations done by the multimedia financial services company “The Motley Fool,” the average
wage gap between high school and bachelor’s-degree holders is $17,500 per year. In 40 years,
the pay gap would be $630,000. If both groups put away 5.4% of their earnings towards
retirement, individuals with only a high school diploma would save around $332,600 a year,
compared to $541,100 for bachelor’s-degree holders. The difference in retirement savings is
“worth about an extra $840,000 over 40 years, and well over $1 million in a 50-year period”
(Williams). Having a comfortable retirement is important to many Americans. Like many things,

planning ahead is an important step to securing a comfortable retirement. While spending a lot
of money on a college education might seem like going back a step, by retirement the average
person would be better off than if he or she only had a high school diploma. A college
education has been shown to increase savings and thus pave the way for an ample retirement.

A college education has several positive effects on finances, as well as a few negative
ones. One of those financial effects is higher wages (Baum et al; “The Rising Cost”;
Schanzenbach). Another impact of a college education is student loan debt. Student debt
“imprisons” people and makes it difficult for them to move on in life (Hembree). A third
financial consequence of a college education is more comfortable retirement savings
(Williams). A person’s financial security can be influenced, whether positively or negatively, by
his or her education level.

Not only does a college degree or the lack of one affect individuals and their financial
situation, it can also have an impact on their family. The future socioeconomic status as well as
the health of their children can be influenced by a parent’s education level. The amount of time
a mother spends with her children is also affected by the amount of education she has
received. A college degree can have a multi-generational impact.

Education allows for increased social mobility in future generations. For instance,
children of college graduates are more likely to move up in income status than their peers
whose parents have less education. In addition, children of college graduates are also less likely
to move down in income status. For example, 51% of children whose parents possess a
bachelor's degree remain in the top quintile compared to 25% of people whose parents have
less than a four-year degree (Baum et al). Individuals whose parents do not complete any
college are more likely to stay in the bottom income status level. In addition, the more
education a parent has obtained, the more likely their children are to move up in income status
(Baum et al). Choosing to gain a higher education does not only affect the individual, it affects
future generations. The more higher education an individual completes, the more likely their
children are to either move up in income status, or remain within a higher income status. Most
parents desire favorable income status for their children. Gaining a college education is one

way parents can help improve their children’s chances of a higher income status. Higher
education is a key to better income status.

In addition to improving individual’s financial situations, gaining an education affects
future generations by lowering children’s chance of obesity. The less education a parent
obtains, the more likely his or her children are of becoming obese. For example, “In 2007-2010,
11% of boys and 7% of girls ages 2-19 whose household head had at least a bachelor’s degree
were obese” (Baum et al). That compares with 19% of boys and 21% of girls whose household
head had only a high school diploma (Baum et al). Not only is people’s health impacted by their
decision to gain an education, the health of their children is influenced as well. It is natural for
parents to wish good health upon their children, and a college education can help accomplish
that goal. Whether or not a parent obtains an education can be a factor in the health of his or
her children.

A college education or the lack of one is also a factor in measuring the amount of time a
mother spends with her children. The amount of time that employed mothers with a bachelor’s
degree spend invested in their children’s activities is double that of employed high school
graduates. Mothers with higher education also play more with their children. The trend is the
same for unemployed mothers, with graduate degree holders spending about 42% more time
with their kids than high school graduates (Baum et al). No matter if they have a job or not,
mothers with higher education devote more time to their kids. Spending time with a person’s
children is important and can help shape their futures. A college education can impact kid’s
lives.

The individual making the choice to obtain a college degree is not the only one who will
be affected by his or her decision. That critical resolution not only plays a part in determining
the future of the individual, but the fate of his or her children as well. Children of parents with
college degrees can be impacted in their economic progression as well their health. Completing
a college degree can also impact the amount of invaluable time children spend with their
mothers. It is important to remember when choosing whether or not to pursue higher
education that the effect of that decision can be felt among future generations.

Whether or not to pursue a college education is an important decision that every young
person has to make. That decision can have a widespread impact on many people besides just
the individual faced with the decision. The amount of education people obtain can affect their
future. The more education, the higher their chance of living a healthy lifestyle, both in the
present and the future. Higher education can also impact a person’s financial situation as well
as playing a part in their family’s well-being. A college education impacts people’s lives in many
ways. Everyone must decide for themselves what the value of attending college is for them.

Works Cited
Baum, Sandy, et al. “Education Pays 2013.” Trends.collegeboard.org, College Board,

trends.collegeboard.org/sites/default/files/education-pays-2013-full-report.pdf.
“Burden of Tobacco Use in the U.S.” cdc.gov, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services,

www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/resources/data/cigarette-smoking-in-united-
states.html#three.
Gersema, Emily. “College-educated Americans live longer without dementia and Alzheimer’s
disease.” Presroom.usc.edu, University of Southern California,
http://universityofsoutherncalifornia.cmail20.com/t/ViewEmail/j/7886F52791237F2225
40EF23F30FEDED/F61A6851724AD9A9C68C6A341B5D209E.
Hembree, Diana. “ New Report Finds Student Debt Burden Has ‘Disastrous Domino Effect’ On
Millions Of Americans.” Forbes.com, Forbes Media, LLC, 1 Nov, 2018,
www.forbes.com/sites/dianahembree/2018/11/01/new-report-finds-student-debt-
burden-has-disastrous-domino-effect-on-millions-of-americans/#5f11f9ff12d1.

Herbert, Joe M.B Ph.D. “Does Going to College Damage our Kids’ Mental Health?”
Psychologytoday.com, Sussex Publishers, LLC, 24, Aug. 2018,
www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/hormones-and-the-brain/201808/does-going-
college-damage-our-kids-mental-health.

“Mental Health By the Numbers.” National Alliance on Mental Illness, NAMI,
www.nami.org/learn-more/mental-health-by-the-numbers.

Montez, Jennifer Karas, and Anna Zajacova. “Trends in Mortality Risk by Education Level and
Cause of Death Among US White Women From 1986 to 2006.” American Journal of
Public Health, vol. 103, no. 3, Mar. 2013, pp. 473–479. EBSCOhost,
doi:10.2105/AJPH.2012.301128.

Park, Alice. “Lack of Exercise as Deadly as Smoking, Study Finds.” TIME, TIME USA, LLC, 18, July
2012, healthland.time.com/2012/07/18/lack-of-exercise-as-deadly-as-smoking-study-
finds/.

Schanzenbach, Diane Whitmore. “Eight Economic Facts on Higher Education.” Brookings.edu,
Brookings Institution, 26, April 2017, www.brookings.edu/research/eight-economic-
facts-on-higher-education/.

“The Rising Cost of Not Going to College.” Pewsocialtrends.org, Pew Research Center, 11, Feb
2014, www.pewsocialtrends.org/2014/02/11/the-rising-cost-of-not-going-to-college/.

“Wealth and Education,-- Not Access -- Drive Healthy Food Choices.” Knowledge@Wharton,
Wharton University of Pennsylvania, 18, June 2018,
knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article/how-wealth-and-education-drives-healthy-food-
choices/.

Williams, Sean. “Here's How Much Extra a College Degree Could Be Worth in Retirement.” The
Motley Fool, LLC, The Motley Fool, 18, June, 2016,
www.fool.com/retirement/2016/06/18/heres-how-much-extra-a-college-degree-could-
be-wor.aspx.

Emili T.

Hi, I'm Emili. I'm 17 years old. I'm a junior in high school. I have one sister, a mother, and
father. I like to do calligraphy. I love pizza. I love to snuzzle with my yorkie, Nutty. My favorite
composition that I wrote this year is the descriptive essay because it was cool to see my
brother-in-law come home on a submarine.

Homecoming Day

One of my favorite vacations was when I got to see my brother-in-law Cory come home on the
Montpelier submarine. On February 5, 2016 the Montpelier submarine was to come home from
deployment. They were to port at Norfolk Naval Base in Norfolk, Virginia. At first there was a little
hiccup about when the boat would arrive. Then, picking up Cory's pea coat was almost a disaster.
Finally, we went to a beach so we could see the boat coming in.

The time when the boat would arrive at home kept changing. That morning my family and I
went to IHOP and ate breakfast. While we were eating breakfast, my sister Holli got a text saying if it
rained anymore in the next few hours that the boat would be coming in tomorrow morning. Then the
time for the boat to come in got moved to 4pm in the afternoon. At that time we had changed our plans
a lot. An hour later, Holli heard word that the boat was going to port at 3: 30pm. The boat was coming
home today.

The next stop was to go get Cory's pea coat from the NEX (Navy Exchange). We went up to the
second floor in the Uniforms section to pay for his coat. When Holli asked for his coat, the lady said the
patch wasn't even sewed onto the coat. Holli was sad that the coat wasn't ready, because the rain might
change the time Cory would arrive, and because she was excited about seeing Cory. After a few minutes
the lady at the cash register said she would personally sew the patch on his coat for us. Getting a patch
on Cory's pea coat was an adventure.

After Cory's pea coat situation, we went to a beach called First Landing. When we got to the
beach, we waited for a couple of minutes and we saw the top of the boat going right across in front of
the beach in the distance. After we watched the boat go across for a few minutes, we went to the pier at
the base where they would be porting. When we got to the pier, they had a heated tent and Subway for
us. It took 45 minutes for the tug boats to pull the boat into port. When they let us onto the pier where
the boat is we all went running towards Cory. Now have in mind my sister just had toe surgery. She was
running like full force towards Cory. We were so happy to have Cory home safe and sound.

We were waiting for Cory to come home on the boat that day, which seemed to take forever.
There was a little hiccup at the NEX with his pea coat while we were waiting. We watched the boat cross
First Landing beach. Seeing the boat porting was super cool to see. Watching the tug boats help pull the
boat into port is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

James M.

Hi. My name is James. I am 17 years old. I spend almost all my time at work, doing
school, practicing basketball, and watching television. I have been playing organized basketball
for 8 years now. I am a big professional sports fan, primarily NBA and NFL. Watching movies
and TV shows is one of my favorite things to do when I have free time. I prefer the repetitious,
behind-the-scene lifestyle over the busy, social, in-the-spotlight kind. I believe enjoying life
should be a priority for everyone as we only have one shot at it.

The following in my favorite work because I was older when I wrote it than a majority of
my other compositions.

Tablets and Textbooks

For decades, all people have known was textbooks. It is not always easy to make
changes, even if those changes are for the better, but eventually, they must happen. With
technological advances, trying to stay in the past can be very dangerous. Kids will be used to an
easier, electronic system and old textbook and paper format will seem foreign to them. The
ability to adapt to the circumstances is a crucial aspect in any part of life. Replacing textbooks
with tablets would be a tremendous step forward for today’s educational system.

The primary advantages of tablets over textbooks is the flexibility and comfort it offers.
It is obviously more suitable to carry around a hand-held eight-by-six-inch screen than a
backpack full of books. Switching from one class to another would become much more
convenient as a few clicks is better than swapping out texts and folders. Studying also becomes
easier with more efficient navigability. With the adjustable brightness of the screen, reading on
late night car rides and such becomes that much more convenient. The superior portability and
workability make tablets the more appealing choice.

Another very important aspect of the tablet versus textbook debate is the cost. While
the initial price of any electronic device will be more expensive, e-books are generally cheaper
than paper books. In the long run, the price differential will slowly close while one enjoys the
benefits of the device. While saving millions of paper books, printing companies’ stocks will fall,
however, the tablet producers’ stocks will surely increase overall. It is also undoubtedly
inevitable that eventually nearly everything related to documentation will shift to an electronic
form. It is all just a matter of when. As technology advances, these electronics will become
relatively cheaper and more accessible.

There are some disadvantages to an electronic format, the first one being eye strain
from blue light exposure. This is thankfully avoidable with the use of blue light filtering glasses
which likely every eye doctor knows about. The second disadvantage would be the fact that you
cannot transfer purchased e-books from one format to another. This is also avoidable by the
use of one national e-book school service. However, there is no way of legally reselling one’s

purchased e-books while it is perfectly legal to resell one’s regular books. The use of electrical
charge can also be an issue at times with the tablets. Anything we use will have some
disadvantages; we just need to weigh the pros and the cons.

Many people today complain about the failing education system yet are unable to
provide solutions. The first step should be to quit trying to make the students adapt to the
school system, but have the school system adapt to the students. Implementing tablets into the
student’s procedure will assist them in becoming more engrained in the element. The over-all,
easier usage is just another clear advantage of electronic devices. Tablets can also be very
beneficial economically, especially if it helps improve the education for the individual student.
All in all, tablets will ensure a strong school made up of strong students.

John T.

My name is John, and I 16. I love horses and one day hope to have one. I work part time
at my dad’s place of work as a landscaper. I have a learner’s permit for driving, and yet I drive
pretty crazy. I hope to be a good driver. Another interesting thing I do is collect autographs and
quarters of all the states. My favorite games are Minecraft, golf, and tennis. I also enjoy
swimming, ice skating, and running. My favorite assignment I wrote this year was William Tell.

William Tell
Long ago a hardy and fiercely independent group of mountaineers lived in cantons
found in the Alps in the heart of Switzerland. Rome had fallen, and barbarian tribes were
quarreling for control of land. Austria gained control of the canton, and they were governed by
a cruel tyrant named Gessler. Among the mountaineers lived William Tell, who was an
excellent archer.
Amazingly the mountaineers were oppressed by Gessler, and they were not free. They
needed to acquire weapons. In the course of one year, they acquired spears, swords, and bows
and arrows enough to equip a large army. Gessler put a cap on a pole and told everyone to bow
to it. William Tell would not bow and was arrested and had to shoot an apple off his son’s head.
After being in prison for a while, he was not released and escaped prison because the castle
was being stormed.
The first battle against Gessler was on Altrof mountain and was a successful victory.
Some people believe that William Tell killed Gessler. Because of this the Duke organized an
army to conquer the mountaineers. The duke marched to the narrow mountain pass. At the
mountain the mountaineers threw rocks and used trees as weapons to roll down the mountain
the duke after a long hard battle had a defeat. The mountain became independent and that
was the beginning of the Republic of Switzerland.

Joshua M.

Hey there, its Josh from New Jersey! One word that best describes me is adventurous.
As you can imagine, my day to day never looks the same. My professional life is wildly diverse.
In fact, you can find me working on a construction site one day, landscaping another, and
developing my commercial UAS business the next. As far as academics go, I’m a junior and
enjoy participating in, NCFCA, a national forensics league. Aside from academics and work, I
love spending my time traveling the country with friends. This means I am no stranger to hotels.
From the Carolinas to Massachusetts I spend well over 30 nights a year on the road. As a young
entrepreneur, my favorite assignment of the year was writing college application essays. This
gave me a chance to share my thoughts and ideas in a marketable way. In the end, I loved all of
the assignments that we did this year simply because they made me better at conveying my
thoughts in a clear and concise manor that honors God.

Personal Essay #1

As a young child my greatest challenge was introducing myself to people I was
unfamiliar with. By the time I was in middle school, my fear of speaking had only gotten worse.
In fact, if I was ever asked to speak in class, my heart would begin to race. At age 12 I was
enrolled into a highly competitive forensic league. To my dismay I was to present a seamless,
ten-minute speech in front of a panel of judges and a sizable audience. Today, I can recall the
nauseating feeling as I waited to give my first presentation. Nervously waiting outside of the
auditorium, I became sick in the stomach as the time grew closer for me to speak. Despite my
fears, I was determined to perform to the best of my abilities. As I walked onto the stage, the
sound of my oxford shoes clicking on the hardwood floor was accompanied by the sound of
judges shuffling their ballots. All at once, I forced a confident smile, as I introduced myself to
the panel. As the first word of my speech rolled off my tongue and towards the judges, a
spotlight shone brightly on me. It was in that moment that my greatest fears grabbed my
attention and left me speechless looking like a fool in front an entire audience. Getting no
further than a minute into my speech, I was overcome by fear. As a result, I was flustered and
ended my speech short. Shamefully walking off the stage I learned in invaluable lesson that has
changed me forever.

Under these circumstances, I grew more than I had ever imagined was possible from
such an embarrassment. Further, I learned the true value in learning from my mistakes. Equally
important, it was made clear to me that I may not be able to escape my fears, but I will always
have the choices to take courage and overcome my fears. Seeing that I learned a valuable
lesson, I later became a national level speaker my freshman and sophomore year. In addition, I
have also won several tournaments in various styles of prestation’s. It is indisputable; would
have never overcome my fears without my utter failure. Accordingly, I attribute my success in
speaking to lessons I learned through my failures. It follows that I am very different from the
boy I used to be. Instead of shying away from people, I am now quick to engage with others and
eager to speak publicly.

Personal Essay #2

It is said, experience is the greatest teacher of them all. However, is it not curious that
the greatest teacher is the most limited of all teachers? After all, experience requires time, and
time moves at a fixed rate. Time being unnegotiable makes its lessons the most valuable of all
lessons. Therefore, the topic of storytelling has intrinsic worth beyond any price man could pay.
Since these are the facts, I am personally overcome by the autobiographies and books alike of
great men like Henry Ford, Thomas Edison or even the Wright Brothers. Owing that, I am very
interested by the entrepreneurial mindset and how it thinks. Autobiographies are incredibly
engaging to me because they allow me to observe and study how my heroes think. I do my best
to find experiences to pursue my entrepreneurial mind set. I find myself lost in time as I read
books of this nature chiefly because they illustrate the tactics and mentalities of successful
entrepreneurs.

Josiah B.

Hi, my name is Josiah. I'm a sophomore, and I live in Ohio. I'm the middle child of six siblings. I
have three brothers and two sisters. Some of my favorite things to do are watching Marvel
movies with my family on the weekends, going to youth group activities at my church to hang
out with friends, and playing piano and guitar. When I get older, I would like to go to college
and get a degree in horticulture. A couple of things I'm going to do this summer are going to
camp at Scioto Hills, and going to King’s Island with friends. My favorite composition that I
wrote this year was the one about Corrie Ten Boom because it showed that even in the darkest
of circumstances there is still a hope that we can hang on to, that is Jesus Christ and His Living
Word.

Corrie Ten Boom

Can you imagine running from the Nazi regime? What do you do? Who do you turn to? The
Christian life of Corrie Ten Boom wonderfully impacted many lives. Sadly Corrie Ten Boom lived during
World War 2 in Haarlem Holland when the Nazi control was going on. four of the things that was most
recognized during her life were: compassion, bravery, obedience, and faithfulness.

Corrie Ten Boom did many things in her lifetime, but one of the many things that stands out from
the rest is her compassion. She opened her house to people in need and hid fugitives from the Nazi. She
even had a false wall installed in her room which was used if any of the Jews needed a place to hide
from the police. Corrie Ten Boom didn’t even care if she got caught when the police came that one day,
just as long as the fugitives were safe and sound. Noticeably we need to follow after Corrie Ten Boom’s
example of compassion every day in our lives.

Another thing that Corrie Ten Boom showed in her heart was faithfulness to her Christian faith. The
time when she was in the concentration camp, she smuggled in a Bible and read from it in the barracks
and proclaimed the gospel to many women who also came to saving faith afterwards. Joyfully she also
forgave the prison guard who sadly was there at the camp when Betsie her sister died. Just like
compassion we as Christians should also follow Corrie Ten Boom’s steps to be faithful to God alone.

Corrie Ten Boom was very compassionate for having a loving heart to help others in hard times,
obedient to God not man, brave in danger and suffering, and faithful to God who can and will help us
through terribly hard times. But the one that sums it all up is faithfulness to God. Sadly the reason is
because as Christians we can lose our faith easily.

Works Cited

Fritizius, John M. “Biography of Corrie Ten Boom.” Theology Through Tech, 2005,

www.Hogical.net./bioboom.htm.

Smith,E. “History.”Corrie Ten Boom House

Foundation,2011, www.corrietenboom.com/history.htm.

Kimberly G.

Hi, everyone! My name is Kim. I’m a fifteen-year-old sophomore in high school. Some of
my favorite activities are drawing, thinking of new stories, and watching movies with my family.
When I draw, I can go for hours without moving just to work on a piece. My favorite subjects to
draw are dragons, mostly of my own design, and birds. I also enjoy thinking of new ideas. I have
a vivid imagination when it comes to storytelling and always enjoy coming up with new plots
and characters for my future stories. Additionally, I love watching movies with my family.
Although I enjoy watching many stand-alone movies, my favorites come from the Jurassic
World series, How to Train Your Dragon trilogy, and the Marvel Cinematic universe, as my
favorite genres are sci-fi, fantasy, and action/adventure. It’s always a treat when I go to the
theater with my mom and two older brothers. My favorite paper this year was my super essay,
How to Hatch Your Chick. I’ve been a longtime chicken keeper and have always been fascinated
by the hatching process and discovering the many ways that it can be approached.

How to Hatch Your Chick

A large brown egg suddenly wiggled, then stopped. A muffled chirp broke through the
air. A small crack appeared on the shell’s surface. Soon, a little beak poked through and gasped
for air. The chick took its very first breath of fresh air, and it chirped loudly to announce its
achievement to the world. After a small rest, the chick turned in the egg and chipped away at
the rest of the shell, forming a circular crack around its circumference. A little while later, the
chick pushed its way completely out of the shell. It lied on the ground in a heap, breathing
heavily and resting from the ordeal. The little chick was able to hatch on its own and, after a
little nap, was ready to tackle to world. Hatching out of an egg is no easy exploit.

Hatching baby chickens seems pretty straightforward. However, hatching and caring for
these little fuzzballs takes a lot of time, effort, and wisdom. Businessman Arnold H. Glasow
once said that, “The key to everything is patience. You get the chicken by hatching the egg, not
by smashing it.” This is especially the case when actually raising chicks. Chick-hatchers must be
patient when waiting for the eggs to hatch, patient with the chicks when they make messes,
and patient with them as they grow. Owners need to be knowledgeable about how to care for
the chicks properly, as not knowing something could determine whether a chick lives or dies.
Although raising chicks is a lot of work, it is highly rewarding. Future chicken owners can obtain
their chicks through several different methods.

At first glance, hatching your own chicken eggs may seem like an easy feat. The truth is,
it is not. Hatching eggs is a delicate procedure full of variables and obstacles that can either
make a great hatch or will ruin it. If a single portion of the incubation or brooding process goes
wrong, it could result in disaster. The caretaker should make sure he or she has all the
necessary knowledge and supplies before starting to hatch chicks. When hatching chickens at
home and without the use of a hen, it is important to correctly manage the incubator’s
environment, to properly set up the brooder, and to thoroughly care for the chick’s needs.

There are some incredibly important aspects of the incubation process that are crucial
to hatching eggs. The environment inside the incubator will play a big part in whether eggs will
hatch or not. One important aspect of incubation is regulating the incubator’s core

temperature. According to Hatching & Brooding Your Own Chicks, the internal temperature for
a still-air incubator, which is an incubator without an air-circulating fan, should stay at a
constant 102 ˚F (Damerow 131; 157). If the incubator operates at even a one-degree difference,
the chicks in the eggs have a higher risk of contracting possibly lethal diseases or not hatching.
Another important aspect to hatching is that the humidity within the incubator determines
whether the chicks can hatch out of their eggs or not. On one hand, if the humidity is too low,
the shell membranes will dry and stick to the chicks, causing them to be stuck in their shells. On
the other hand, if the humidity is too high, the shells become rubbery, and the chicks cannot
break out. Finally, turning the eggs is an essential part of incubation. In Hatching & Brooding
Your Own Chicks, Damerow states that turning the eggs serves to equalize the egg’s internal
temperature and inhibit the shell’s membrane from affixing itself to the chick when hatching
(166). To reap the benefits of turning, the eggs need to be turned over, three times a day,
either manually or by way of an automatic egg turner. Eggs will have a higher hatch rate and
less chance of contracting dangerous diseases and defects if they are in an ideal incubation
environment. Remembering to keep the temperature and humidity constant and to frequently
turn the eggs is vital for the chicks’ survival. Correspondingly, the number of eggs put into an
incubator will not always be the number of chicks taken out. When practicing the delicate art of
incubation, proper regulation of the temperature, humidity, and egg turn-rate are critical to a
chick’s survival.

After the chicks have hatched, they need to have a suitable brooder, which is an area for
raising chicks. The brooder needs to have many features in order to raise happy, healthy chicks.
Brooders come in a variety of shapes and sizes, such as kiddie pools and plastic bins. However,
one of the most popular types is the cardboard box. Regardless of what type of brooder the
owner chooses, it needs to have good ventilation to allow moisture, odors, and dangerous
fumes to escape them. Nonetheless, brooders cannot have any drafts, or the chicks inside may
freeze and die. Bedding must also be put in the bottom of the brooder, as chicks cannot be on
slippery or non-absorbent surfaces. Because they are not dreadfully expensive and are very
absorbent, pine shavings are one of the most popular forms of chicken bedding. In addition,
sand, straw, shredded paper, and pellets are frequently used bedding materials. The most

important thing the chicks need in their brooder is a heat lamp. According to The Chicken
Encyclopedia, at the beginning of the chicks’ lives, the heat lamp should be roughly eighteen
inches above them and emit heat at 95 ˚F. As each week passes, the temperature should be
lowered 5˚ and the lamp must be raised three inches, so the chicks do not overheat (Damerow
40). In addition to a heat lamp, chicks need water soon after they hatch. Water for newly
hatched chicks should be heated to room temperature so they do not get cold when they just
start to drink. Additionally, caretakers need to watch the chicks until they take their first sips of
water, as they need to be well hydrated before they start eating. After their first drink, chicks
need to be introduced to food. Newly hatched chicks should start out eating a chick starter
crumble. A starter feed is easiest to handle when bought from a commercial company, as it
contains the proper ratios of nutrition for little chicks. Because they are not laying eggs and
should not have a super-high calcium diet, chicks should never eat layer pellets meant for adult
chickens. Brooders must have all necessary components, or the chicks have a higher risk of
contracting life-threatening diseases or injuries. It is incredibly important to make sure the
chicks are living in an ideal environment and have the proper temperature, bedding, and food.
Chick brooders need to have the appropriate features so the chicks are able to thrive.

Once the chicks have hatched and the brooder is set up properly, people can start
handling the chicks more and taking care of their needs beyond the brooder. Interacting with
the chicks is very important, as they will imprint on their caretakers and will be easier to handle
should health problems arise. First of all, the chicks need to be taught how to eat and drink. The
chicks can learn to drink by a person gently dipping their beaks into water, being careful not to
force a chick’s nostrils under the water. The caretakers must repeat this process until the chicks
start drinking on their own. To teach chicks how to eat, one can tap their finger on the food and
move it around so the chicks get curious. Chicken-like crooning noises while moving the food in
the feeder can further interest the chicks. After a little while, the curious chicks will start to pick
at it. Once they discover the wonders of food, the chicks will start to eat it more, scratch it, and
throw bits of it around with their beaks. Additionally, chicks are easy to catch when they are in
the brooder, meaning that the caretakers are able to handle the chicks much more often than if
they were hen-raised. Handling the chicks while they are young will make them friendlier

toward people, which will help when they grow older. Furthermore, when people raise chicks,
they are able to constantly watch them for health issues or injuries, such as pasty butt,
malnutrition, or splayed legs. For example, a chick named Comet once contracted a nasty case
of pasty butt, which occurs when poop becomes dried to a chick’s vent, prohibiting the chick
from defecating. If the condition was not treated, it would have gotten worse until she died.
However, her owners were able to treat her and the pasty butt was vanquished. Also, when
chicks are hatched at home, the owners decide whether or not the chicks are vaccinated for
certain diseases, such as Marek’s disease and Newcastle disease. Raising chicks by hand allows
the owner to have fun with them, bond better with them, and catch and treat any diseases or
injuries early. Especially in the case of diseases, being able to frequently watch and inspect the
chicks is very important, and in the brooder setting, it is easy to catch them. Handling chicks is
important in both their physical development and bond with people.

Managing the environments that the eggs and then chicks are in is just as important as
caring for the chicks themselves. Watching the eggs and the hatched chicks to make sure they
stay healthy is vitally important. Additionally, the caretakers need to closely observe the
incubator and brooder, so their environments are suitable for chicks. Because there are so
many ways a hatch can go wrong, listening to the proverb, “Don’t count your chickens before
they hatch,” is a must, as not following this saying can result in lots of sadness if an egg does
not hatch. However, if everything turns out all right, the chicks will provide endless hours of
entertainment and many precious memories.

Although less human intervention is required with hen versus incubator hatching,
natural hatching through a broody hen is no easy business. In fact, hatching eggs with a hen is
sometimes more stressful than using an incubator, as the caretaker is not able to regularly
check on the eggs and chicks. Additionally, the setting hen’s behavior is sometimes
unpredictable, which can jeopardize the hatch. When naturally hatching eggs with a hen, the
hen must be taken care of, the owner needs to care for both the hen and chicks, and an owner
must accept that the hen is doing the work of raising the chicks.

When hatching eggs using a broody hen, it is crucial to supply the hen with a suitable
hatching environment. There are many things a broody hen needs to properly hatch eggs. First,
a broody hen needs a safe place to incubate the eggs and care for the chicks. This shelter must
be clean and provide the hen with protection from the elements and predators. Preferably, it
should be away from other chickens, as they could disturb the hen, ruin the eggs, or soil the
bedding. The broody hen needs privacy so she can properly set on the eggs without being
disturbed. Broody hens spend most of their time setting on the eggs. However, they will leave
the nest once a day to eat, drink, and have what is called a broody poop. This excrement is a
large, smelly liquid-like poop, which should be removed from the hen’s shelter as soon as
possible. Because the hen takes care of all the eggs’ needs, human interaction, save for the
removal of wastes, is unnecessary and actually undesirable because too many human
encounters may break the hen’s broodiness, leaving the eggs with no incubator. Depending on
how the hen’s environment is set up, the eggs could hatch in peace without disturbances, or
humans and other chickens could ruin them. The broody hen can better hatch her eggs if she
has a quiet, protected shelter. Providing a broody hen with a proper hatching environment is
incredibly important.

After the hen hatches the eggs, it is the owner’s responsibility to care both for her and
for the chicks. The owner needs to make sure that they are safe, healthy, and comfortable in
their shelter. Because the hen provides warmth to the chicks, a heat lamp is not necessary.
Additionally, since chicks should never eat adult chicken feed, the hen should be switched onto
the chick starter feed slightly before the chicks hatch. Doing this allows the hen to get used to
the different food. Also, the hen and her chicks need a constant supply of fresh, clean water.
Because chicks are sometimes messy little creatures, it is very important to keep the shelter
clean by removing any waste, wet bedding, and soiled food. If the shelter is not kept clean, the
chicks can contract life-threatening diseases. Routinely inspecting the shelter for holes or leaks
is imperative, as predators or water could enter through these access points. If the holes are big
enough, chicks will be able to escape their enclosure. For example, several years ago, a silkie
hen, named Cheerio, once hatched two chicks. Upon teaching them how to dig and scratch, the
hen and her chicks dug a hole underneath their pen. One of the chicks escaped through the

little tunnel and into the yard. Because the hen was worried about her chick, she squeezed
through the hole, and the other chick followed her. Predators were lurking about, as it was
dusk. Once outside the safety of their pen, an owl, leaving only some feathers behind, took all
three chickens. Although not as much human intervention is needed when a hen is hatching
chicks, they still need to be cared for and protected. Frequently checking up on the chicks and
their home is sometimes the difference between life and death for the chicks. The hen and the
chicks must be well cared for so they can have a happy and healthy first few weeks of life.

Although the caretaker provides the hen and her brood with the basic necessities of life,
the hen does most of the work when raising the chicks. The hen is perfectly capable to teach
the chicks everything they need to know about life as a chicken. Soon after the chicks hatch, the
mother hen teaches them how to eat and drink. As they grow, she teaches them other things,
like scratching, what things are good to eat, and the danger of predators. Because the chicks
imprint on the hen and are mostly raised by her, they are normally a lot more skittish and
frightened when people are around. Although many hens fiercely protect their brood, some
may find the need to kill an outwardly defective chick. For example, a silkie hen, named
Marshmallow, once hatched several chicks. One of these chicks had splayed legs and was not
able to walk normally. Marshmallow ended up tearing the chick’s legs off and leaving it for
dead, where it died soon after the incident occurred. If people had hatched the chick, the
chick’s condition could have been fixed, but since a hen hatched it, no human was present to
separate the chick and fix the problem. Dramatic examples such as this are relatively
uncommon, but it does happen. This is why it is vital to the chicks’ survival to inspect them after
they hatch. Although the hen technically raises the chicks, people should still occasionally
inspect them so they can be separated from the others, should problems arise. Chicks who
appear to have health issues should always be taken away from the others, to protect against
disease and ensure the hen does not cull an imperfect chick. Most of the time, hens properly
care for their chicks and protect them from harm.

When it comes to hatching eggs, hens normally are great mothers and are quite capable
of raising their young without intervention. If properly cared for, the hen and the chicks will
thrive. However, if they are neglected and not fed, watered, and cleaned, they will die. The hen

must have a suitable shelter, or else the eggs’ lives could be at risk. After the eggs hatch, the
owner must acknowledge the needs of both hen and chicks. When the hen and her chicks are
well cared for, they will be able to live healthy and comfortable lives.

An alternative to hatching eggs at home, whether that is through a hen or an incubator,
is buying pre-hatched chicks. Buying chicks this way removes the hassle of incubation. Although
a brooder still needs to be set up, the chicks will be easier to care for, as they have already
hatched. Additionally, the chicks get vaccinations before people buy them to protect against
some diseases. Possible chicken customers must remember a few things when thinking about
purchasing pre-hatched chicks. People need to know where to buy chicks, how to set up the
brooder properly, and the benefits of buying pre-hatched chicks.

If people do not want to hatch their own eggs, they can buy commercially pre-hatched
chicks from stores. A few places people can buy chicks are Tractor Supply Co, Meyer, and
Cackle. Tractor Supply Co. (TSC) is a store chain that supplies consumers with a wide variety of
farm related products. TSC is normally full of chicks in the early to late spring months. Each
store has different breeds of chicks that are ready for people to buy. However, TSC normally
requires a would-be buyer to buy a minimum of four chicks. Another way to obtain pre-hatched
chicks is through mail-order hatcheries, such as Meyer Hatchery and Cackle Hatchery. This
method of obtaining chicks allows the chick buyer to order a specific breed from the comfort of
their own home. There are a few things to remember when ordering chicks via mail-order. First,
commercial hatcheries normally require a minimum order of twenty-five chicks. The hatcheries
do this so the chicks do not become chilled and die in the box during shipping, which is why
they prefer larger orders. In Raising Chickens for Dummies, Kimberly Willis and Rob Ludlow
explain that, “Mail-order hatcheries commonly add a free chick or two to shipments to cover
shipping losses” (62). Even if a chick or two dies during shipping, the customer should receive
the proper number chicks. People can obtain pre-hatched chicks through various ways.
However, they must be aware of both in-store purchasing and mail-order purchasing
requirements. When buying chicks from stores such as TSC, you are able to get the chicks right
then and there without having to wait. However, mail-order hatcheries like Meyer hatchery

require more time to hatch and ship the chicks to their new homes. Buying commercially pre-
hatched chicks is an easier, alternative option to hatching eggs on your own.

When considering the brooder requirements for the store-bought chicks, there are
several important considerations to keep in mind. Specifically, the age of the chicks dictates the
brooder set-up. Until young chicks grow their first feathers, they need heat to keep warm.
However, as chicks age, their heat requirements are gradually lowered, because they become
more feathered out and can retain their own body heat. Additionally, the feeders and founts
that the chicks use need to accommodate the chicks’ sizes. These items need to be raised up off
the ground so the growing chicks do not poop or kick bedding in them. For these reasons,
chicks of different ages should never be put in a brooder together, thus soiling the food and
water. The older chicks will bully and possibly kill the younger chicks, because the instincts of
the pecking order, which is the hierarchy within a chicken flock, are starting to become active. If
buying chicks of different ages, it is important to set up as many separate brooders as needed.
Then, chicks of the same age can be grouped together without worry about large fights. The
set-up of the brooder is important to keep in mind when receiving differently aged chicks. It can
be catastrophic for the younger chicks, if they are put in a brooder together with older chicks.
Store-bought chicks need different things in their brooder depending upon their age.

Buying pre-hatched chicks from a brick-and-mortar store offers numerous benefits over
at-home hatching. Purchasing chicks from a store can be advantageous to the chick buyer.
Knowing that their customers would want more hens than roosters, stores offer a hen only
selection, in addition to a straight-run mix of unknown gender for people who may want some
roosters. Luckily, people can take advantage of the selection that stores offer. If the store gets
the hen group wrong, people usually can return the unwanted roosters and, in some cases, get
a replacement. Furthermore, most chicks are already vaccinated when they arrive at the store,
and these vaccinations help protect the chicks from fatal diseases, such as Marek’s disease.
Being able to possibly select the genders of the chicks and being able to choose the number of
chicks purchased is a huge advantage that a store provides. When people hatch their own
chicks, it is impossible to tell how many males, females, or the overall number of chicks that will
hatch. Additionally, when people buy vaccinated chicks, those chicks are better protected from

life-threatening diseases, but home-hatched chicks would not have that same protection,
unless the owners take it upon themselves to vaccinate their chicks. Buying chicks from a store
offers several benefits compared to hatching chicks at home.

After people find a way to purchase their chicks, set up the brooder, and confirm that
they want pre-hatched chicks, then the fun can begin. When cared for properly, the chicks will
provide their owners with hours of entertainment. Whether people hatch their own chicks or
buy them from a store, they still need to be cared for the same. There is one thing that anyone
who is thinking about buying chicks should remember – never, ever impulsively buy chicks!

Whether the life journey of a chick begins through an incubator, broody hen, or
purchase from a store, the small ball of fluff that results will be ready to explore upon entering
the world. No matter the method of arrival, all chicks need to be properly housed, watered,
and fed. If their needs are not met, the chicks could get sick and die. Like the hatching process
itself, raising chicks is not effortless. Each method of hatching presents its own challenges. For
example, hatching chicks on your own is the most difficult method, but hatching chicks this way
creates a stronger bond between chick and owner. Using a hen to hatch eggs is the most hands-
off method. As long as the hen and her chicks have food, water, and shelter, they will be able to
thrive on their own. Buying pre-hatched chicks from a store is definitely the easiest route to
choose when first getting chicks, because the owner does not need to worry about the hassle of
incubation. No matter which method you choose, there will always be one large factor in play,
and that is chicks are like potato chips! You can never just stop at one.

Works Cited
Damerow, Gail. The Chicken Encyclopedia. Edited by Deborah Burns, Storey Publishing, 2012,

p. 40.
---. Hatching & Brooding Your Own Chicks. Edited by Deborah Burns and Rebekah Boyd-Owens,

Storey Publishing, 2013, pp. 131, 157, and 166.
Willis, Kimberly, and Rob Ludlow. Raising Chickens for Dummies. Edited by Jennifer Connolly,

et al, Wiley Publishing, 2009, p. 62.

Bibliography
Hall, Derek. Chickens. Chartwell Books, Inc., 2010, p. 116.
Williams, Tara Layman. The Complete Guide to Raising Chickens – Everything You Need to Know

Explained Simply. Edited by Amy Moczynki, Atlantic Publishing Group, Inc., 2011, pp. 21,
133 – 135.

Lucia S.

My name is Lucia. I am 13 years old, and I presently live in the town of Barrington,
Illinois. I have a lovely family of 5, including myself. I have two older brothers, named Anthony
and Dominic. Anthony is eighteen and going into his freshman year of college, whereas Dominic
is 17 and currently a junior. Right now, I am enrolled as a freshman, doing online classes. I enjoy
doing many activities, some of which include tennis, golf, and filmmaking. My favorite subject in
school is definitely writing because it is very expressive and helps me to display my creativity.
While not doing school, I also love spending time outdoors doing things like biking and walking
my two loveable Maltese dogs. Throughout this year I have had the pleasure of writing many
great stories, but my favorite story has been the story I wrote on Corrie Ten Boom. I loved
writing this story because of the powerful and inspiring message behind it.

Corrie Ten Boom

Imagine cruelly living in danger and fear, of being scolded and imprisoned for constantly
trying to love and shelter others going through poverty, while just trying to serve God. Corrie
Ten Boom was a lovely Christian woman who boldly impacted so many lives. Corrie
unfortunately lived during one of the hardest times, World War II. At the time Corrie was a
middle-aged woman living successfully working at her papa’s watch-making shop in Haarlem,
Holland, which was vacantly under control by the abusive Nazi. Corrie was undeniably
sympathetic to anyone she crossed paths with. She was also a generously brave woman, who
loved sharing God’s word.

Corrie Ten Boom was an undeniably compassionate women, who gave up things in her
life to better others, by wonderfully giving them love and compassion. Corrie warmly opened
up her home to people who were in need. She helped sneakily, but compassionately protect
fugitives, by hiding them from the Nazi. Despite the inconvenience of generously opening up
her home to strangers, she did it without any asking. She even bravely constructed a false wall,
so fugitives were not even slightly visible. She righteously pushed to great lengths to keep the
people around her safe. She comforted many in prison by faithfully teaching them the word of
the Lord. Corrie was a great role model, who’s compassion impacted the lives of many.

Corrie Ten Boone has always been honored to love, serve and most importantly to obey
God. At 48, instead of working somewhere that could benefit Corrie’s financial future, Corrie
productively worked as watchmaker at her grandfather's store-front. Working for her
grandfather continually showed care and obedience to her family and God. Although Corrie
non-violently went against the cruel Nazi by disobeying them, she made up for it by obeying
God and fully living out her Christianity. Corrie truly felt the highest honor even to give up her
own life, to serve God’s people. Corrie shared her faith and beliefs in Jesus, with her fellow
prisoners, teaching them his great exceptional works, from the bible. She also held secret
biblical worship services while in concentration camps, eventually the services grew bigger and
bolder. Corrie, powerfully practiced obedience to God throughout her life in many ways,
causing influence on others

Corrie’s selflessly brave actions, have not only helped the improve the life of others,
they have even saved many lives. Corrie had risked her life, with much uncertainty by carefully
hiding fugitives, welcoming numerous strangers into her home. Corrie had cautiously gone
against the greedy Nazi oppressors, while knowing the consequences of imprisonment. When
Corrie’s home was being frantically ransacked, she made sure not to reveal the hidden fugitives.
If Corrie was caught hiding the fugitives she would be harshly thrown into a concentration
camp. She even fearlessly helped an informant, while being aware of the fact that she could
have been brutally incarcerated. She even managed to steal ration cards, to help feed the
malnourished Jews. Despite the outrageous amount of times Corrie could have faced
incarceration, she persevered and improved the lives of many innocent people.

Throughout the years, Corrie gladly practiced faithfulness to God and his people, in
many ways. Corrie has honestly lived out her Christian faith to the best and most meaningful
ways imaginable. Corrie has courageously, helped lead and abounding number of fugitives.
After being released from prison, Corrie adventurously traveled the world helping share the
lovely word of God, where as other elderly women at her age would have practiced relaxation
and self-care. Although the work was treacherous, Corrie devoted much faithfulness to God and
his many people.]

Corrie had an undoubtedly generous, kind, and compassionate life. Corrie devoted her
life to compassionately helping and caring for others in need. Corrie was extremely obedient to
God, although that meant disobeying the Nazi’s cruel rules. Corrie was a very brave women,
who made many choices to put others before herself. Corrie graciously shared her faith with
many throughout her life. Despite the consequences, Corrie always shared compassion, and
kindness.

Madalene L.

Hello, everyone! My name is Madalene, I live in south Louisiana, am 16, a sophomore in
high school, and have been homeschooled my entire life. I am in a family of 8; first there is my
Dad, Mom, Job, Emily, Valerie, Elijah, Canaan, and me. Decorating cakes is one of the many
things I love doing. I also love to compete in swimming, hang out with friends, go on beach
vacations, and ice skate. My favorite foods are crayfish, pizza, shrimp, cake, ice cream, and
anything with chocolate! When I'm older I would like to be a pediatric oncologist because I love
helping people and would like to help our future generations. I especially enjoyed writing
“Sister + Best friend = Emily” because I made me realize how blessed I am to have so many
wonderful family members in my life.