Time of Trump 

Recently in the news, Charles Wasko, a mayor in Pennsylvania, is being pushed to resign from his position as mayor because of racist Facebook posts he has made. Whenever reporters ask to speak with Mr. Wasko he refuses to comment on his actions. CNN asked Shawn Mauck, who is the West York Council president , how he felt about Wasko's actions and he is wishing for his resignation as well as the other 130 people who have chosen to sign a petition asking for Wasko to be censured. The reasons Mauck blames for Wasko's actions, according to CNN, is because of Donald Trump and the rise in his image through his campaign for presidency and controversial comments. Mauck seems to believe, based on his comment, that with Trumps actions in the news and media he has made it somehow acceptable to make deplorable comments, somehow receiving more votes from citizens. Does Trumps fame, power money, and false promises somehow make it acceptable for him to be making these statements, encouraging other politicians to act similarly if not just the same to feel as though they're able to contend and appeal to their voters? Is this election truly turning our nation towards a Time of Trump? 

As we have been reminded before in other articles discussing the topic of equality and racism, America was built on the fundamental belief that, "All men are created equal". No matter your opinion on what the framers original intent was behind that line, can we not all agree that social injustice and such disrespect for other human beings has no place to be making or influencing such dire decisions in a country, to which was once referred to as a melting pot, embracing so many different kinds of diversities. Why must we allow for media and skewed comments to dictate what we believe to be right or wrong? Are we not capable of rising above this, Time of Trump, by making our own decisions and ideas on what is best for our country? As Americans we must deter from belittling and tearing down others based off things such as skin color and not allow for that to be our world image; we are making this our image by allowing for politicians to act these ways and continue to win their elections. I feel it's best we avoid the rising Time of Trump through making our own informed decisions and embracing our nations melting pot roots, accepting all diversities that America has to offer. 

Donald Trump 

Running Through the Years 

"You're almost there", "You've got this girl", "You're running a great race!" These are all just a few examples of the encouraging comments said regularly at a Cross Country meet and it shows the love that all the athletes and spectators give to each other. These types of things not only kept me with the sport but has helped to turn me into the person that I am today. Beginning Cross Country as a seventh grader I was very nervous to meet new people and to begin running a lot more miles than what I was use to, which had been the preparation and running for the Girls on the Run 5k back in sixth grade a year earlier. The first night meeting everyone for a summer conditioning run was exactly how I had anticipated it to be at first, scary; however, it did not stay like that for long. This year is my Senior year as I look back at my Cross Country carrier, I am glad I made the decision I made that first night of summer conditioning because if I hadn't I don't know where or who I would be today.

That first night of summer conditioning as a seventh grader a senior, varsity girl runner approached me as nervous as I appeared and invited me to run with her. Still a bit hesitant and scared for what was to come I said yes. We started the run and ended the run the same way which was full of talking and laughter easing my worry and discomfort making me have a fantastic time; right then after starting to feel more comfortable I knew this was something I would want to continue to do. I went on to run all through my junior high and high school carrier improving my times, building stamina, and furthering my friendships with my other teammates. As of this far in my running carrier, still yet to finish my last season, I have been All-Conference, All-Region, and my team and I have been back-to-back state champions! I have enjoyed every moment of this sport and am grateful and blessed to have accomplished all that I have with the help of my teammates and, as I will now never forget, the senior girl runner who encouraged me all the way.

A few things I have learned through this sport is perseverance, when you get knocked down get right back up (quite literally to I might add), keep your head up, encourage and respect everyone because that is what you would wish for in return. My Freshman year, at a conference meet, I fell into a mud puddle on the course within the first mile of a three mile race and was covered in mud from head to toe. Needing help I asked spectators for help, however no one did; instead, knowing I needed to get up for my team, picked myself up out of the mud and ran the last two miles of the race. Not only did I get up and run the last two miles of the race once I had pulled myself out of the mud did I realize I had lost a shoe somewhere amongst all the now even bigger mud pit. Realizing there was no time to search for it I ran the rest of the race without a shoe, covered in mud and still somehow managed to run a personal record for the season. This race had taught me the importance of perseverance and never giving up because if I would had we might had lost the meet and I might had never been All-Conference that season. During the race hearing people still cheering me on showed me the importance of encouraging people no matter what a situation maybe. Since my Freshman year we have lost a lot of our teams strong runners as they graduated a head of me however that has not stopped me from encouraging my other teammates and learning to keep my head up in times of doubt glad to see all the good things coming out of my hardworking team. 

Without Cross Country, I don't know if I would had learned all of these great life lessons or perhaps maybe not in such a memorable fashion as what I have. I am excited to finish out my Senior season and for what is to become of it. Although we have a very small team this year I believe we can keep on pushing to be the best we can possibly be and continue to improve. I am proud to say that nervous seventh grader is now the senior varsity girls team captain and can't wait to see where my accomplishments take me. I am doing my best this season to encourage the younger junior high boys and girls just like I was years ago so it can lead them into something for which I will treasure forever, years filled with fun memories I will never forget.  

Freshman Year after falling in the mud 

Miss Congeniality

 Hello again everyone! Wow what a week it has been! This week back at high school we voted and nominated my senior class homecoming court which was very exciting! At what we call our tapping ceremony, each person nominated to represent each class is chosen as well as  three girls and guys from the senior class to which from those three a homecoming king and queen will be selected. However the senior class, not only gets to select three people to be in the running for king and queen, but also get to chose a 'Miss Congeniality' and 'Mr. Nice Guy'  to which those two are considered to be one of the nicest people in their class and this year I had the honor of being chosen as Miss Congeniality! I am very excited and honored to be able to represent my class and humbled by their decision to chose me. This picture is of myself after the tapping ceremony smiling for my little brother who is having to take a picture to send to my mother to whom is at work at the time giddy about me being chosen (gotta love moms!). I chose to blog about this because back at high school I feel like I am liked by a lot of people and consider a lot of people my friends. Back at college I am still meeting people in my geology class on campus and feel as though I am a bit more nervous to meet people here rather than back at high school. I believe this to be because I feel as though I am a lot younger than most of the college students I am working with and that they would not seem to like me being so much younger. Although I know this is just a mental block and that most of the people in my class are college freshman, making them my age or a year older, I am still yet trying to find my way to make friends at college. I feel as though I am slowly getting there asking more questions of my peers in that class and as a matter of fact on Wednesday's class I was talking to a guy in that class who said that I blended right in as a college student and he would had never known otherwise; this comment made me feel a lot more confident about myself and am looking forward to meeting more people throughout the semester! So comparing my life as a high school student to a college student I realize I have still some growing to do when it comes to making friends but am truly capable of making it happen!

Preface

Welcome to my blog, College Life as a Dual Enrolled Student, where I will provide incite to what my life is like being a part time college student as well as a current high school senior. This is my second year as a dual enrolled student and I hope to talk about the challenges I am, have, or will be facing throughout my time as a dual enrolled student at Central Michigan University. Not only do I plan to talk about the challenges I encounter but I also hope to talk about the things I seem to enjoy or find interesting. This semester I am taking one online course as well as one on campus course and by doing so I hope to discuss the perspectives from each side, both the life of a typical on campus student and one as a global campus student all on top of still being in high school. I am looking forward to this adventure and sharing my experience with all of you!
                                                             
                                                                                                                 -Ariel