Captainship

I was the co-captain of the soccer team for the 2012 season and with that title came multiple responsibilities. I had to a leader on and off of the field. As a co-captain I needed to have initiative, integrity, and decisiveness. I was responsible for leading the team warm-ups and other activities along that line. I was in charge of making sure that equipment got from point A to point B. The qualities of being a captain and a leader go hand in hand and are essentially equivalent.

my experience as captain

I have had the experience of being the captain of a high school and college tennis team. The number one thing that I had learned as being a captain of a sports team was that it takes humbleness. Being the captain of a team does not mean that I am the best player on the team or even the best leader. I found humbleness as a team captain because I have to sometimes give others the opportunity to lead because leaders sometimes have to follow.

 As a captain I have to be someone that the team can come to if they are struggling with anything. It can be tennis or non-tennis related. I have to be able to give advice and help others on the team. I am also responsible for keeping the team up lifted and motivated for matches. I encourage the team to keep their heads up when they win and when they lose. I also encourage the ones that do not get much time on the court. I especially need to encourage the freshmen that are new to the adjustments of college. 

I got the position to be captain because I had the most experience and the oldest on the team. I had to learn from the previous team captains on what to do and I have to be able to be an example for the future captains of the team.

I think the most important thing I do as a captain is to make sure everyone has fun and gets along. Whether we have a losing season or a winning season, I want make sure the girls are able to say that their season was memorable.  

The Ultimate Hero

Below are lyrics to Skillets song "Hero" and it talks about how we are just normal people but are faced with challenges and we need a hero. This has been the theme of most of the class. We are all faced with a problem and need saving. This song obviously talks about God being the hero, but can be taken in a more literal sense, also.  Life is not all butterflies and flowers, it is hard work and not always the greatest at times, but we need to have something to believe it, have hope that someone will be there to save us. We need something or someone to look up to and trust in....
"Hero"

I'm just a step away
I'm just a breath away
Losin' my faith today

I am just a man
Not superhuman
Someone save me from the hate

It's just another war
Just another family torn
Just a step from the edge
Just another day in the world we live

I need a hero to save me now
I need a hero 

 I need a hero to save my life
A hero'll save me 
I've gotta fight today
To live another day
Speakin' my mind today

I've gotta make a stand
But I am just a man
My voice will be heard today

It's just another war
Just another family torn
It's just another kill
The countdown begins to destroy ourselves


I need a hero to save my life
I need a hero just in time
Save me just in time
Save me just in time

Who's gonna fight for what's right
Who's gonna help us survive
We're in the fight of our lives

Who's gonna fight for the weak
Who's gonna make 'em believe
I've got a hero 

 Livin' in me

I'm gonna fight for what's right
Today I'm speaking my mind
And if it kills me tonight

A hero's not afraid to give his life
A hero's gonna save me just in time

I need a hero
Who's gonna fight for what's right
Who's gonna help us survive

I need a hero
Who's gonna fight for the weak
Who's gonna make 'em believe
I need a hero
I need a hero

A hero's gonna save me just in time

The Unseen Hero

There are many heroes in my mind that go unseen or who are not recognized. There are many people out there who make a difference in others’ lives in a heroic way but are not always boasted about. Some of these people are benefactors who host charity events or meals for the needy. They are major contributors to education foundations and health oriented foundations such as cancer societies. Other heroes could be charity workers who are out providing service for those who are in need or doctors performing medical treatments for free. Without the work of charity workers, there are many homeless and low income families who would go hungry. Doctors who perform medical treatments for free save the lives of those who may not have otherwise had the treatment without their generosity. Another hero that everyone can relate to is his/her mentor or idol. This is the person who we strive to be like and who encourages us to work to our fullest potential. These people can give us the support that is needed when our friends and family do not, as well as support us when we are doing great things.

 These all are heroes in peoples’ lives that are not always recognized. Without these unseen heroes, many lives would go unchanged from the lack of their support. The lasting impact that the unseen hero can make on our lives is everlasting, and potentially one of the most influential parts of our lives.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=4xNFcvl2cnwsaM&tbnid=zhAaMIxUakozPM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gettyimages.co.uk%2Fdetail%2Fnews-photo%2Fcharity-workers-wearing-red-cross-tabards-packboxeswithnewsphoto%2F154742450&ei=ljB_UbOuOfDC4AO3hoCoDg&bvm=bv.45645796,d.dmg&psig=AFQjCNHa0rOajFwFi_vqB3eggNS9XTFiNg&ust=1367376390630715

http://cpnyc.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/mentor.png

Pirates seen in today's world

I never thought anything of the Pittsburg Pirates and their name until this year in english class. I realized that it can relate to what we are learning in class. Even in today's world we are still seeing pirates and logos and different things throughout our lives that can relate to literature. Now when I think of the Pittsburg Pirates I will think back to this english class and all the different things I have learned from it.

My Favorite Hero

In this class we have covered men in capes, vampire slayers, spaceship captains and other crazy things.  However, the one thing that we covered that I thought I would be excited about was wizards! I was disappointed with Harry Dresden but he did not change my love for Harry Potter.  I think that Harry Potter should definitely be incorporated into this class.  The whole class is focused on heroes and Harry is most certainly one of them.  He helps people, fights for what he believes in, fights for his girl, and has a wand that he uses to cast spells.  Harry Potter can be a classic example of a hero and we can just see the popularity of this story line from large number of books and movies that have been sold since it has come out.  Harry Potter even has his own theme park that was modeled after him.  The United States obviously sees him as a hero and I think that he would bring a new light to the class.  We didn't get to see any broom riding, three headed dogs, chocolate frogs or giant snakes this semester and I really think it would spice things up!

                                          
Melissa Brown

A Culture of Anti-Heroes

A newly-aired A&E drama, Bates Motel, prequels the renowned classic horror film, Psycho. Only about five episodes have aired, but the new show exemplifies numerous anti-heroes. Obviously,the most predominate character, Norman Bates, could be observed as the classic anti-hero simply because we all know of his murderous future. However, I believe arguments could be made supporting his mother or the policeman has the dominate anti-hero.

SPOILER ALERT: As of now, the series depicts the policeman, a.k.a. Norman's mother's new boyfriend, as the ultimate anti-hero--protective, loyal policeman on duty and aggressive sex trafficking customer on the down time. This detail within the series provides an interesting plot twist, as well as a twist on the flawed hero stereotype.