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According to Mike Krumboltz in his article, "Donations Continue to Pour in For Cleveland Victims," featured in The Upbeat, readers learn about the generosity people have shown for the Cleveland kidnapping victims.

Recently discovered in the home of Ariel Castro, "Berry, Kngiht, and DeJesus were... held captive for roughly a decade." In the home, the three women were raped and beaten. Apparantly, all of them experienced miscarriages, although one did have a birth and her daughter is currently six years old.

It is reported that there has been "over 5,100 donations from all 50 states and several foreign countries." All donations have been given to the three women for financial support, according to The Cleveland Plain Dealer. Key Bank has also provided financial guidance to all three women.

A restaurant in Cleveland named Hodges has "raised thousands of dollars by selling t-shirts." The t-shirts feature a picture of Charles Ramsey, one of the men who helped to rescue the three women. Charles Ramsey works at the resturant but is currently on paid leave.

It is terrifying to imagine living captive in a home of a complete stranger for ten long years with two other women. Not only were they isolated from the world, but starved, beaten, and raped as well. All the women were of young age when they were kidnapped, one of them being only 17 years old, my own age, a scary thought.

Ariel Castro, the suspected kidnapper, is pleading not guilty in his upcoming trial according to his lawyers.  Fortunately for all three women and the young daughter, they are currently in good health and receiving great financial support from all over the world, thanks to people's kind generosity.

As a student of Batesville High School, taking my eleventh year of English in Mrs. Gillmore's class, I have been asked to create a short fiction story, making up a character of my own with a main conflict that will lead to the falling action and eventually a resolution.

As I have started creating my fictional story, there has been both easy and difficult aspects to it. The more easier part was creating my character's personality and what she wishes to do throughout my story. I had fun getting to come up with a person all my own and give them all the attributes I wanted to give. It was rewarding to be able to have complete control over what I wanted to happen in my story.

There has also been some difficulties with creating my story. Coming up with the main conflict is one of those difficulties. The reason behind this is that the main conflict is what can make a good story, in my opinion. Without it, there isn't any anticipation or interest. I've had to think harder and longer on creating the main conflict and making it as interesting as possible, without it being too ridiculous, and being able to have falling action afterwards, leading up to a perfect resolution.

My character, Khloe Waters, a sixteen year old girl with a love for animals, has always wanted to help her community's animals, by creating shelter and a loving home, away from abuse. In a way, she is a superhero, although she is just a typical teenage girl. At first sight, you would notice Khloe's height. Her growth spurt hit her all at once, during the summer before ninth grade, and she now stands to be 5'11. Growing up, Khloe was always around animals of all kinds. Her parents were involved with the organization called ASPCA, or The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

I hope to create a story I'm proud of, something that can grab a reader's attention and maybe even make them want to be more involved with preventing animal abuse, just like my character, Khloe.


Jay Gatsby silently walked outside of his beautiful white mansion, looking at it with fascination, realizing he may not see it once more. His thoughts were occupied with Daisy Buchanan and spending the rest of his life with her. 

Right after the terrible accident involving Myrtle Wilson's death, Daisy knew deep inside she could not stay in her home much longer. The decision she was facing was whether to leave with Tom, her husband, or Gatsby, her recently reunited lover. Daisy paced back and forth, thinking of all she would leave behind and what Bles-sed Precious, her young daughter, would think of her. 

As Gatsby packed up the last of his things and allowed his servants to leave the premises, Daisy arrived. She let her belongings drop to the floor, and ran into Gatsby's arms, letting her tears run down her cheeks, full of mixed emotions. Daisy knew Jay Gatsby was meant for her, and she was willing to risk everything to be with him. Gatsby and Daisy took one last embrace before heading out, ready to leave town and start their new life together.


In a recent magazine entitled Upfront by The New York Times, an article named "Puerto Rico: The 51st State?" enforms readers of the possibility of allowing Puerto Rico to be officially apart of the United States, making it the 51st state in the Union.

For the first time ever, Puerto Rico has cast a ballot "in favor of... becoming the 51st state." Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory and has been since 1898, during the Spanish-American War. Now, more than ever, the citizens of Puerto Rico are ready for a major change and hope to one day be an addition to the 50 states of America.

Although the people who live in Puerto Rico are considered American citizens, "those living in the U.S. enjoy full constitutional rights." Puerto Rico is about 1,000 miles from the coast of Miami, Florida and has only one non-voting member of Congress. Also, those living in Puerto Rico cannot vote in the presidential elections, making the residents feel not as important as those who actually live in the United States.

A Puerto Rico local stated in the article that, "[they] are not happy being second-class citizens." Those who support Puerto Rico becoming an official state believe that Puerto Rico would highly benefit from it, both economically and with increased tourism. Those who oppose statehood believe the island would lose it's culture and the residents would then have to pay federal income tax.

This article certainly caught my attention. The fact that Puerto Rico may have the opportunity to become the 51st state is very interesting. It also reminded me how some states were wanting to secede from the Union not too long ago, after the election of President Obama. It's funny how those who are already states and benefit from all America has to offer want to secede, while Puerto Rico would love to join the Union as a state.

It is unfortunate that the residents of Puerto Rico feel like "second-class citizens." It is not sure whether Congress will actually approve the statehood for Puerto Rico, considering it is a very important decision and the United States is dealing with enough issues, including the economy and certain nuclear threats from North Korea. Eventually, it may become an official state though, and those living in Puerto Rico will not stop hoping for this day will come.



Women abuse is a problem that has gone on from the beginning of time all around the world. Although there have been many people who have tried to fight for women's rights, it is obvious that people do not learn from past mistakes, and women continue to be abused every single day.

Violence Against Women

Abuse comes in all kinds of forms. It is not only physical, such as hitting or beating, but it is emotional and verbal, as well. Words hurt and manipulation can also tear someone down, slowly but surely. Usually, emotional abuse takes place in relationships. Though it is definitely not always men abusing the women, it is more common for the women to be the victim. Women are weaker, physically, giving men more power over them, and some men seem to enjoy taking control of that vulnerability.

 In many countries, especially third world countries, women abuse is not considered taboo. It is a regular thing that people learn to accept, which means men repeat the same abuse to their future wives or daughters, creating a cycle that never ends. In the Middle East, there is a practice that has gone on for many years. It is frowned upon, but the abusers do not always get the consequence they most definitely deserve. It involves throwing acid onto the face of a woman, either to get revenge or for some other personal reason. The acid, a harmful chemical, burns the face of the woman, literally melting off their skin and leaving behind a gruesome look. Although the advanced technology we have allows surgeons to reconstruct those victimized by the heartless attackers, the women abused will never have the face they once had.

In a small tribe in an African country, there is a tradition that has been passed on through generations of women. The difference between the acid attacks that takes place in the Middle East is that while the attackers in the Middle East are male, the practice in Africa is performed by the women. The practice in itself has a meaning behind it, it is to try to prevent young girls from being sexually assaulted by the men in the tribe. It involves beating a young girl's breasts with hot rocks, in order to prevent the breasts from growing in, ultimately making them seem far too young to have sexual relations with. The practice is painful and does not always prevent the breasts from coming in, but rather only leaves burnt skin and scarring, physically and emotionally.

Women abuse is everywhere. Not only in third world countries, but in our own towns. Although it may be impossible to stop abuse from happening altogether, there is always hope to try to minimize it as best as possible. Anyone can help, by teaching children from an early age that abusing someone is wrong, or by helping end somebody's pain who is going through it already. There is no limit to how the world can help those abused and make women feel at peace and safe in their lives.

For more information on women abuse, check out Violence Against Women.



In a recent news article entitled, New SARS-like Virus, Kate Kelland informs the viewers of Yahoo! News of a deadly new disease that has taken over Europe.

According to the World Health Organization, the virus was identified in Septemeber of 2012. WHO explains that SARS, "or Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, symptoms... include respirtatory illness, fever, and coughing." The virus is currently showing person-to-person transmission. Viruses such as SARS usually travel in airborne droplets, causing this case to be very interesting.


In an article by Dylan Stableford from Yahoo! News called, Malala Yousafzai Speaks Publicly, the world is informed of a brave, young girl from Pakistan who was shot by the Taliban and survived.

Malala Yousafzai is a fifteen year old Pakistani girl who advocated girl's education rights. In the fall of 2012,  while Malala was walking home from school, the Taliban issued a shooting and attacked the young girl, shooting her in the face. According to Associated Press, "the Taliban... targeted her because she promoted 'Western thinking.'" The Taliban, an extremist Islamic political group responsible for numerous terrorist attacks, do not believe in "Western thinking," nor giving women much rights at all. The attack on Malala Yousafzai sparked controversy around the world.

On Saturday, February 2, 2012, Yousafzai successfully underwent surgery in order to reconstruct her skull. Only a couple of days afterwards, she released a video speaking to the public and stated, "I want every girl, every child, to be educated."  Malala also announced her success with the surgery and her determination to continue to advocate girls' education rights. In order to achieve her goals, she has launched the Malala Fund, an organization that will support education for young girls.

Unlike the Taliban, whom does not approve of Malala's actions, many others have supported her through her hardship and determination to make a difference. Not only have women activists throughout the world promoted her, but Time Magazine has stated in the November 2012 issue that Yousafzai "has become an inspiration not only in her native Pakistan... but all around the globe." Time did not solely write an article about her, but it also nominated Malala as a 2012 "Person of the Year" candidate. Malala Yousafzai has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for 2013, as well.

This article grabbed my attention immediately, not only was an innocent human being shot by vicious men, but it was a fifteen year old girl. I cannot in any way relate to her situation, considering we live in two completely different countries with completely different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, but I feel strong sympathy towards her, due to our similar ages. It makes me realize that no matter how old you are, you can make a difference in the world.

Malala Yousafzai shows the world that standing up for what you believe in takes courage and strength. She has gone through terrible hardship, hardship most people never encounter in their entire lives, but she has shown through her determination to make a difference that she can survive and thrive from the traumatic experience and grow into the person she wants to become, helping other young girls get the education they deserve, no matter where they live.

According to Mike Krumboltz in his article, "Donations Continue to Pour in For Cleveland Victims," featured in The Upbeat, readers learn about the generosity people have shown for the Cleveland kidnapping victims.

Recently discovered in the home of Ariel Castro, "Berry, Kngiht, and DeJesus were... held captive for roughly a decade." In the home, the three women were raped and beaten. Apparantly, all of them experienced miscarriages, although one did have a birth and her daughter is currently six years old.

It is reported that there has been "over 5,100 donations from all 50 states and several foreign countries." All donations have been given to the three women for financial support, according to The Cleveland Plain Dealer. Key Bank has also provided financial guidance to all three women.

A restaurant in Cleveland named Hodges has "raised thousands of dollars by selling t-shirts." The t-shirts feature a picture of Charles Ramsey, one of the men who helped to rescue the three women. Charles Ramsey works at the resturant but is currently on paid leave.

It is terrifying to imagine living captive in a home of a complete stranger for ten long years with two other women. Not only were they isolated from the world, but starved, beaten, and raped as well. All the women were of young age when they were kidnapped, one of them being only 17 years old, my own age, a scary thought.

Ariel Castro, the suspected kidnapper, is pleading not guilty in his upcoming trial according to his lawyers.  Fortunately for all three women and the young daughter, they are currently in good health and receiving great financial support from all over the world, thanks to people's kind generosity.

As a student of Batesville High School, taking my eleventh year of English in Mrs. Gillmore's class, I have been asked to create a short fiction story, making up a character of my own with a main conflict that will lead to the falling action and eventually a resolution.

As I have started creating my fictional story, there has been both easy and difficult aspects to it. The more easier part was creating my character's personality and what she wishes to do throughout my story. I had fun getting to come up with a person all my own and give them all the attributes I wanted to give. It was rewarding to be able to have complete control over what I wanted to happen in my story.

There has also been some difficulties with creating my story. Coming up with the main conflict is one of those difficulties. The reason behind this is that the main conflict is what can make a good story, in my opinion. Without it, there isn't any anticipation or interest. I've had to think harder and longer on creating the main conflict and making it as interesting as possible, without it being too ridiculous, and being able to have falling action afterwards, leading up to a perfect resolution.

My character, Khloe Waters, a sixteen year old girl with a love for animals, has always wanted to help her community's animals, by creating shelter and a loving home, away from abuse. In a way, she is a superhero, although she is just a typical teenage girl. At first sight, you would notice Khloe's height. Her growth spurt hit her all at once, during the summer before ninth grade, and she now stands to be 5'11. Growing up, Khloe was always around animals of all kinds. Her parents were involved with the organization called ASPCA, or The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

I hope to create a story I'm proud of, something that can grab a reader's attention and maybe even make them want to be more involved with preventing animal abuse, just like my character, Khloe.


Jay Gatsby silently walked outside of his beautiful white mansion, looking at it with fascination, realizing he may not see it once more. His thoughts were occupied with Daisy Buchanan and spending the rest of his life with her. 

Right after the terrible accident involving Myrtle Wilson's death, Daisy knew deep inside she could not stay in her home much longer. The decision she was facing was whether to leave with Tom, her husband, or Gatsby, her recently reunited lover. Daisy paced back and forth, thinking of all she would leave behind and what Bles-sed Precious, her young daughter, would think of her. 

As Gatsby packed up the last of his things and allowed his servants to leave the premises, Daisy arrived. She let her belongings drop to the floor, and ran into Gatsby's arms, letting her tears run down her cheeks, full of mixed emotions. Daisy knew Jay Gatsby was meant for her, and she was willing to risk everything to be with him. Gatsby and Daisy took one last embrace before heading out, ready to leave town and start their new life together.


In a recent magazine entitled Upfront by The New York Times, an article named "Puerto Rico: The 51st State?" enforms readers of the possibility of allowing Puerto Rico to be officially apart of the United States, making it the 51st state in the Union.

For the first time ever, Puerto Rico has cast a ballot "in favor of... becoming the 51st state." Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory and has been since 1898, during the Spanish-American War. Now, more than ever, the citizens of Puerto Rico are ready for a major change and hope to one day be an addition to the 50 states of America.

Although the people who live in Puerto Rico are considered American citizens, "those living in the U.S. enjoy full constitutional rights." Puerto Rico is about 1,000 miles from the coast of Miami, Florida and has only one non-voting member of Congress. Also, those living in Puerto Rico cannot vote in the presidential elections, making the residents feel not as important as those who actually live in the United States.

A Puerto Rico local stated in the article that, "[they] are not happy being second-class citizens." Those who support Puerto Rico becoming an official state believe that Puerto Rico would highly benefit from it, both economically and with increased tourism. Those who oppose statehood believe the island would lose it's culture and the residents would then have to pay federal income tax.

This article certainly caught my attention. The fact that Puerto Rico may have the opportunity to become the 51st state is very interesting. It also reminded me how some states were wanting to secede from the Union not too long ago, after the election of President Obama. It's funny how those who are already states and benefit from all America has to offer want to secede, while Puerto Rico would love to join the Union as a state.

It is unfortunate that the residents of Puerto Rico feel like "second-class citizens." It is not sure whether Congress will actually approve the statehood for Puerto Rico, considering it is a very important decision and the United States is dealing with enough issues, including the economy and certain nuclear threats from North Korea. Eventually, it may become an official state though, and those living in Puerto Rico will not stop hoping for this day will come.



Women abuse is a problem that has gone on from the beginning of time all around the world. Although there have been many people who have tried to fight for women's rights, it is obvious that people do not learn from past mistakes, and women continue to be abused every single day.

Violence Against Women

Abuse comes in all kinds of forms. It is not only physical, such as hitting or beating, but it is emotional and verbal, as well. Words hurt and manipulation can also tear someone down, slowly but surely. Usually, emotional abuse takes place in relationships. Though it is definitely not always men abusing the women, it is more common for the women to be the victim. Women are weaker, physically, giving men more power over them, and some men seem to enjoy taking control of that vulnerability.

 In many countries, especially third world countries, women abuse is not considered taboo. It is a regular thing that people learn to accept, which means men repeat the same abuse to their future wives or daughters, creating a cycle that never ends. In the Middle East, there is a practice that has gone on for many years. It is frowned upon, but the abusers do not always get the consequence they most definitely deserve. It involves throwing acid onto the face of a woman, either to get revenge or for some other personal reason. The acid, a harmful chemical, burns the face of the woman, literally melting off their skin and leaving behind a gruesome look. Although the advanced technology we have allows surgeons to reconstruct those victimized by the heartless attackers, the women abused will never have the face they once had.

In a small tribe in an African country, there is a tradition that has been passed on through generations of women. The difference between the acid attacks that takes place in the Middle East is that while the attackers in the Middle East are male, the practice in Africa is performed by the women. The practice in itself has a meaning behind it, it is to try to prevent young girls from being sexually assaulted by the men in the tribe. It involves beating a young girl's breasts with hot rocks, in order to prevent the breasts from growing in, ultimately making them seem far too young to have sexual relations with. The practice is painful and does not always prevent the breasts from coming in, but rather only leaves burnt skin and scarring, physically and emotionally.

Women abuse is everywhere. Not only in third world countries, but in our own towns. Although it may be impossible to stop abuse from happening altogether, there is always hope to try to minimize it as best as possible. Anyone can help, by teaching children from an early age that abusing someone is wrong, or by helping end somebody's pain who is going through it already. There is no limit to how the world can help those abused and make women feel at peace and safe in their lives.

For more information on women abuse, check out Violence Against Women.



In a recent news article entitled, New SARS-like Virus, Kate Kelland informs the viewers of Yahoo! News of a deadly new disease that has taken over Europe.

According to the World Health Organization, the virus was identified in Septemeber of 2012. WHO explains that SARS, "or Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, symptoms... include respirtatory illness, fever, and coughing." The virus is currently showing person-to-person transmission. Viruses such as SARS usually travel in airborne droplets, causing this case to be very interesting.


In an article by Dylan Stableford from Yahoo! News called, Malala Yousafzai Speaks Publicly, the world is informed of a brave, young girl from Pakistan who was shot by the Taliban and survived.

Malala Yousafzai is a fifteen year old Pakistani girl who advocated girl's education rights. In the fall of 2012,  while Malala was walking home from school, the Taliban issued a shooting and attacked the young girl, shooting her in the face. According to Associated Press, "the Taliban... targeted her because she promoted 'Western thinking.'" The Taliban, an extremist Islamic political group responsible for numerous terrorist attacks, do not believe in "Western thinking," nor giving women much rights at all. The attack on Malala Yousafzai sparked controversy around the world.

On Saturday, February 2, 2012, Yousafzai successfully underwent surgery in order to reconstruct her skull. Only a couple of days afterwards, she released a video speaking to the public and stated, "I want every girl, every child, to be educated."  Malala also announced her success with the surgery and her determination to continue to advocate girls' education rights. In order to achieve her goals, she has launched the Malala Fund, an organization that will support education for young girls.

Unlike the Taliban, whom does not approve of Malala's actions, many others have supported her through her hardship and determination to make a difference. Not only have women activists throughout the world promoted her, but Time Magazine has stated in the November 2012 issue that Yousafzai "has become an inspiration not only in her native Pakistan... but all around the globe." Time did not solely write an article about her, but it also nominated Malala as a 2012 "Person of the Year" candidate. Malala Yousafzai has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for 2013, as well.

This article grabbed my attention immediately, not only was an innocent human being shot by vicious men, but it was a fifteen year old girl. I cannot in any way relate to her situation, considering we live in two completely different countries with completely different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, but I feel strong sympathy towards her, due to our similar ages. It makes me realize that no matter how old you are, you can make a difference in the world.

Malala Yousafzai shows the world that standing up for what you believe in takes courage and strength. She has gone through terrible hardship, hardship most people never encounter in their entire lives, but she has shown through her determination to make a difference that she can survive and thrive from the traumatic experience and grow into the person she wants to become, helping other young girls get the education they deserve, no matter where they live.

I love fashion and makeup.
I like to ride bikes, play tennis, and sketch.
I am an avid reader.
I can speak fluent Spanish and work as a translator.
I like a variety of music and love watching movies.
I wish I could dance.
And sing well.
I am a Potterhead.
I think, I may possibly spend too much time on the computer.
I'm kind of weird.
I love food.
I would like to become a psychologist.
I'd like to learn Italian, then French.
I'm nervous about the future.
On that note, I worry too much.
My birthday is May 15th.
I have traveled half way across the world to Europe and I want to go back.

Blog for English 11 - Mrs. Gillmore.

"English grammar is so complex and confusing for the one very simple reason that its rules and terminology are based on Latin, a language with which it has precious little in common." -Bill Bryson.