rant #1

Disclaimer: According to the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights of the United States of America's Constitution, I have the freedom of speech and press, which I am utilizing in this. No names were named and I have kept all organizations and schools that I have mentioned in this rant private for their protection. All opinions are of my own.

Rant Time #1 – How Unfair the Justice System Is

On Thursday, I found out that my waiver to play sports this year was denied, so I have to go to a second hearing to get my case heard. I am fuming right now and disappointed that 10 middle aged men decided the fate of me playing my two favorite sports was never meant to be. I felt so angry that I decided to do something and say what I’m thinking about right now.

Now the reason why I had to get this waiver was because if someone transfers after sophomore year to another school, he or she is ineligible to play a sport he or she previously played in high school. Basically, I can’t play volleyball and tennis against non-conference schools this year. Now I requested a waiver to be eligible to play, but they did not have time to put my hearing in. So the head of the board gave me an interim waiver to play volleyball and they would have a hearing about that. Three games into the volleyball season, they have this interim waiver hearing so I am able to play volleyball (the tennis hearing will happen later). The board of this organization denied my waiver, overturning the decision made by the head, which has never happened in more than a decade. I am so disappointed because now I can’t play half of my next 12 volleyball games, including HOMECOMING, which is the hugest game of the season. This also means that I can’t play some of my tennis matches either which means I won’t even have a place on the team, which sucks.

So why does a person become ineligible after sophomore year? It is to prevent someone from being recruited for sports from another school. So why was my waiver denied? I did not transfer for athletic reasons. I transferred to my old school (which I went to for ten years, transferred after eighth grade, now transferring back) because I HATED my old school. Okay, hate is a strong word, but I didn’t like some of the teachers, most of the girls (all girl school), and the academics weren’t challenging enough (they were challenging; I’m just saying that I like even more of a challenge). Now, this school isn’t bad at all, it just wasn’t my cup of tea. However, people have different tastes, and this wasn’t to my liking. It’s like this school is coffee, and it doesn’t have enough sugar. However, the school I go to now has enough sugar for me. Make sense? As you can see, I transferred because I missed my old school and wanted to come back. Do you see anything wrong with that? Well apparently the board does.

Why would a perfectly innocent, nice, sweet girl, as I am told, be denied her right to play sports? I get good grades, actually I get really good grades, I don’t party or do anything stupid, and I’m in a really good group of friends who are awesome. I’m a self proclaimed nerd and don’t consider myself an athlete, even though I play volleyball and tennis. However, they decide to deny me my right to be active, stay healthy, and have fun with these sports. I play tennis outside of school, but I really wanted to play this year. I’ve never gotten past the first round of the state tournament and I’m on JV volleyball! Not varsity volleyball, JV VOLLEYBALL!!! I’m not even that good and yet I still can’t play half of my games?

There was an article in the paper a few days ago about a guy with my same problem switched schools because he moved and he got his waiver approved. He’s a great football player and I’m a mediocre volleyball and tennis player. Do you see the injustice? We have slightly similar cases, since he said, in the article, that he did not like his old school. I find this unfair and very saddening that these two cases were treated differently. Now they are under different circumstances, but still, it is saddening. When I heard of my decision, I cried. Yes, it was that bad.

If you have ever read To Kill a Mockingbird or have seen the movie (Gregory Peck was impeccable, I must say), you can probably recall the part where Tom Robinson is unfairly pronounced guilty. Jem then sees the injustice of this, knowing that all the evidence pointed to his innocence. However, the justice system was failed because of the racial prejudice. I compare my situation with that one part of the book because it reminds me of how I feel that the justice system has failed me in a way. I did not transfer for the reason this rule was put up, and yet they deny me from playing my two favorite sports, making it seem like I did transfer for athletic reasons. However, they failed to see the point that I just didn’t like my school and miss my old school. If they knew me, they know I’m not the kind of person who would do such shady things. This just makes me think, how can I ever trust the justice system? What did I do to make them decide this? These questions just make me think.

I hope you have enjoyed this rant. Please tell me what your views are of the situation.

"and in that moment, I swear we were infinite."

So today I finished "The Perks of Being a Wallflower." I believe it has taken the place of "The Book Thief" of my favorite book of all time. I might just give a few reasons why.

1. The plot is just real.

It reminded me of my favorite show, Degrassi, which put every single high school issue known on a single TV show. I loved reading these "things" that are never addressed anywhere to shield children from issues that are too "harsh" and stuff. Basically, "banned books" are always the best to read because they go to places that normal books are too afraid to go to, if you get my vibe??? Basically, life is rough, and we don't need our eyes shielded from the harsh reality that really is life. We don't need a "scary stuff" filter. We're old enough to handle it because it does happen. Why don't adults get that???

2. (redundant, I know) It reminds me SO much of Degrassi.

I know this is kind of redundant, but it reminds of Degrassi (unlike the previous comment, I will elaborate). On this one episode of Degrassi, "Jane Says, Parts 1 & 2", Jane tries to remember why she hated her father so much. Well, she slowly remembers throughout the episode how he molested her when she was younger. Like Charlie, she doesn't remember, in the beginning, some parts with loved ones, like aunt Helen. However, Jane hated her father and Charlie loved his aunt Helen. However, they both experience the same amount of pain in remembering these horrifying moments. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I'm glad that this book is "High School: Uncensored." It keeps it realistic and in perspective, not all rainbows and smiles (Mean Girls reference, but of course) like every other stupid high school story/book.

Okay, maybe I don't have a third reason because I feel unjustified if I reviewed the book. I think that someone who actually has gotten decent grades in high school English should review it, not me haha. But it is an amazing book and definitely worth its money.

What I'd rate it: A

Who Should Read it: Age 14 (High School Freshman)-Adults

Movie Rating: Rated R, but definitely appropriate for high schoolers

P.S. I hear that a movie adaptation with Emma Watson as Sam (rumor, but probable) and Logan Lerman (!!!!!!!! Huge smile on my face right now ;) as Charlie (most definitely in talks, but most likely) is going to come out in 2011. So pumped. I really can't wait to see Logan Lerman (heehee gorgeous :) playing Charlie and Emma Watson playing Sam. Maybe it'll be a movie I'll actually want to see lol.

xoxo, sammmm