When I first arrived in August, I expected 7th grade to be exactly the same as 6th grade but with less work as last years 7th graders told me that. But I soon realized 7th grade was a lot more fun than 6th grade but was a lot harder. 6th grade was not nearly as demanding as 7th grade and was kind of a warm up for middle school. By October, I’d figured it out and life was pretty normal. Everyday was the same, you wake up, to through school, come home, and the get ready for the next day. Eventually, I figured out how to deal with the work that school gave you. I always got caught unprepared but I got myself back into the system just like I do every year.

In 7th grade I learned to expect the unexpected, things won’t always go your way, and stick with your friends. As the year comes to a close, I’ll miss all my friends but summers only 3 months anyway and school will come back quicker than I think. If I had to do it over again, I would do my work ahead of time rather than waiting until the last minute to do it. My advice for next years 7th graders is don’t do your homework at 10 every night. It’ll make you very tired especially if you’re going to play sports. Waking up at 6 to go tire your body out even more isn’t going to work out so well.

Recently, the owner of the Los Angeles Clippers, Donald Sterling, was caught making racist comments about minorities and African Americans. Sterling was caught on tape during a conversation with his girlfriend where he complained about her bringing African Americans to the Clippers games and the tape was later broadcasted by TMZ and spread through the internet so the whole world could hear the racist comments made by Sterling.

Adam Silver, the NBA’s new commissioner, was very pressured about this topic. Fans everywhere were demanding justice for Sterling’s comments. Even teams in the NBA were wearing their warm up shirts inside out, so that the logo of their team and the NBA wouldn’t show. The Clippers changed their website so that when opened, the screen reads “We are one” on the front page with the clippers logo below the large words. Silver knew that something had to be done about the issue so he stood up for the NBA boldly. On April 29, Silver made a public announcement to the world. Silver banned Sterling for life from coming to any NBA games, practices, or any NBA facilities. Sterling was also fined 2.5 million dollars, the most anyone can be fined under the NBA constitution. Sterling was also forced to sell his team.

With Sterling gone, the league can now be relieved of all the comments Sterling made and the league is back to normal. The playoffs are still going on and we can all enjoy basketball like we should.

Queen of my tub, I merrily sing,
While the white foam raises high,
And sturdily wash, and rinse, and wring,
And fasten the clothes to dry;
Then out in the free fresh air they swing,
Under the sunny sky.

I wish we could wash from our hearts and our souls
The stains of the week away,
And let water and air by their magic make
Ourselves as pure as they;
Then on the earth there would be indeed
A glorious washing day!

Along the path of a useful life
Will heart’s-ease ever bloom;
The busy mind has no time to think
Of sorrow, or care, or gloom;
And anxious thoughts may be swept away
As we busily wield a broom.

I am glad a task to me is given
To labor at day by day;
For it brings me health, and strength, and hope,
And I cheerfully learn to say-
“Head, you may think; heart, you may feel;
But hand, you shall work always!”
-Louisa May Alcott

“Psst, did you hear?” Rumors are spread everyday behind peoples back. They don’t always cause physical pain but rumors can still be very harmful.
​ One reason rumors can be harmful is the fact that they can easily be blown out of proportion, including even to the point of homicide. A shocking but true example are the Salem Witch Trials in 1692. Women were being unfairly killed because false rumors had been spread about them being ‘witches’. I cannot believe how dramatically rumors can affect someone’s life. The trials show rumors can be insanely over exaggerated.
​ In addition, rumors might not always be true. For instance, I had heard a friend attending another school had been expelled. Though, when I consulted him, he had only been suspended. I had believed this rumor and was rather worried for him. Therefore, I know not everything I hear is completely true.
​As a whole, rumors can be harmful for multiple different reasons. Sometimes it pays to not be influenced. Just because you hear it, doesn’t make it true.

5 seconds. 5 tiny little seconds parched on the clock. We’ve run this play 1000 times and I know where I’m supposed to go but this is where it counts. Time freezes as I glide into position. Sweat trickles down my face as the inbounder and I lock eyes. The ball floats into my hands as I realized I’ve been waiting for this my whole life. My form tightens as I split-secondly check everything. “What if I don’t make it?” “What if I lose the-
Swish.