Beach Sweep

I've almost forgotten...this Saturday, April 26th, the 23rd Annual Beach Sweep is taking place. The Environmental Club of Wall High School will be there (Avon Pavilion at 9AM until about 12:30PM). If you're not part of the Environmental Club you can still go and it's a great thing to do for community service. This bi-annual event, which started in 1985 in Sandy Hook, includes beaches, rivers, lakes streams, and underwater cleanups across the world.

Here's the link to the organization's, Clean Ocean Action, website:

http://cleanoceanaction.org/

Here's the link to another fellow blogger's site that includes a list of other area locations this event is taking place:

http://experiencetheshore.wordpress.com/2008/04/22/april-26th-2008-23rd-annual-beach-sweeps-clean-up-the-jersey-shore/

Unfortunately I have a lacrosse game in the morning and will probably not be able to go, although I really do want to. Maybe I can find some time.

Madonna House

Remember SADD club members...tomorrows the last day to bring in items for the Madonna House. Bring in three personal toiletry items like toothpaste, toothbrushes, combs, brushes, deodorant, etc. NO shampoo or conditioner or body wash because they are too heavy to transport. Put in a bag outside the main office or the boys/girls locker room with name and grade level.

Ethical Dilemmas

In journalism we are now currently studying ethics. I was instructed to find ethical dilemmas that involved my beat, school clubs. I was unable to find a real life example through my searches but, I did stumble upon a fictitious example. I'm sure ethical dilemmas take place everyday involving school clubs, but they are probably not big news in which it would be reported on in the newspaper or internet.


http://studentcenter.ja.org/aspx/LearnEthics/case_one.aspx



I personally have not really encountered big ethical dilemmas. Sometimes I'm not sure if I should report on a school club when I have a friend who is a member of the club or club president. I don't want people to think that I'm only reporting on the club because my friend is a member of the club.

Wallapalooza

Not sure if this totally qualifies as a school club but I thought I'd blog about Wallapalooza anyway. It seems Wall High School has a handful of talented musicians in several bands. The bands are coming to together to support the Wall High School Boosters Club to fundraise Project Graduation. The Wall High School Boosters Club is the parent-teacher organization of the high school. It should certainly be an interesting and exciting event and a great way for the Boosters Club to raise money. (Note: $10 for non students .. it isn't stated on the flyer)

Ski and Snowboard Club

So recently a student at Wall High School wanted to start a Ski and Snowboard Club. The student made a petition and had several students sign it and then gave it to the administration. The club, so far, is a no go due to insurance issues. Although not an avid skier myself, I've been skiing twice and snowboarding once (I like skiing better), I would definitely consider joining a club like this. It would be a lot of fun. Trips could be organized for the weekends or something up to a relatively close mountain. Maybe the administration will change their mind and in the near future Wall High School could have a new club!

Rock Away Hate

As promised I received more info and here's the flyer for Rock Away Hate...

...If you can't read the bottom it says, "All proceeds go to the MAtthew Sheppard Organization to prevent hate crimes across the country."

Red Cross

As promised I am keeping up my blogging but, considering I don't have school this week, I'm not sure how much is going on with school clubs. However, I was searching the internet and found something school club related. The American Red Cross offers students the chance to form a Red Cross club at their school. It is a great opportunity to do some community service, especially since it is becoming more and more important to colleges. Wall doesn't have one, and I'm not sure of any other area schools that do, but I'm sure it could be easily started. Here's the website which gives a lot more information.....
http://www.redcross.org/services/youth/0,1082,0_410_,00.html

I've been a bad blogger

Once again I have neglected my blog and this time I can offer you no excuse. I've been on spring break all week and haven't done much considering that almost everyone in Wall went away to warmer places besides me! This time I promise to keep up my blogging.


In other news...
I have not neglected my beat and have found out some cool info. The Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) of Wall High School is sponsoring a Rock Away Hate night. The date is Friday, April 18, 2008. It's going to be a night of music and entertainment with Chemtrail, Mr. Wilson, Dr. Calmes, and Mr. Neil. Tickets are $5.00

More info to follow as the date gets closer...

Sorry...

Long time no blog...sorry. Anyway I have finally finished my feature so I'm glad that's done. I wrote about students applying and receiving scholarships for college as well as talking about how much extracurricular activities, like school clubs (which this blog is about) really help a student. I talked to my guidance counselor who gave me good advice as well as the founder of Atlantic Financial & Educational Services, which is like a college consultant. For those of you who don't know a college consultant is like a personal assistant that helps you get into the top college of your choice. One of the best out there and probably most expensive, is Michelle Hernandez. I tried to contact her and I really wish I could have talked to her because apparently she is very successful in getting students into their top choices, like the Ivy's.

Here's a bit of an old article about Hernandez for you to read.
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/07_43/b4055063.htm



Anyway... I learned that the top things colleges look at are mostly your grades and the difficulty of courses you take. Extracurricular's still help though because they can be that deciding factor that gives you the extra push and show how you can handle school work and other activities, but to find out more you'll just have to read my feature!