Mrs. Ho's 10th Grade AP Lang 2022-2023

     The Prince and Princess of Wales are visiting Boston this week, making it the first time they are in the U.S. in eight years. This reminded me of Princess Diana, who became the princess in 1981 and left an influential legacy. Princess Diana of Wales died on August 31, 1997, as a result of a car “accident”. To understand why conspiracy theorists, to this day,  might think this was not an accident, we have to rewind to her initial emergence in the Royal family.       Diana met Charles when she was just 16. He was 29. They got engaged when she was 19. Married at 20. I think the almost 13-year age gap is the first factor to consider about this relationship. Princess Diana suffered from post-partum depression, suicidal thoughts, and an eating disorder. Prince Charles thought she was faking her problems. He also commented on her weight which just reinforced her already horrific eating disorder that had to be kept a secret from the public world. The...

 Thanksgiving is most definitely my favorite holiday. Ever since I was a little girl, I have always loved Thanksgiving. But for the longest time, I could not come up with a single reason why. I guess I was too young to understand what was truly special about this holiday. But throughout the years I have been able to come up with why I believe Thanksgiving is the most underrated holiday. After Halloween people automatically skip over thanksgiving and immediately begin to think about the holidays in December. They look over what a special holiday Thanksgiving can be. I do not love this holiday due to the reason we have it but I love it for what it has become over the years. Every year my family and I spend thanksgiving in new york. I have multiple family members living there so we are still able to have a home-cooked meal. During Covid when we could not travel I was devastated that I would not be able to spend Thanksgiving with my family in New York. To me, Thanksgiving is an opportu...

       It really just hit me, like a ball to the face, that my 10th blog post was going to mark the end of our first semester of blog posts, and additionally, all of our blog posts for 2022. Therefore, I decided it was very important I go out with a bang, so to speak. I began to sit there and brainstorm ideas, whether or not I should write a typical review/informational blog post or the ones I usually do when I go on emotional rants. Eventually, I came up with the idea that I should write almost like a recollection of all my blog posts for the year, providing me with an opportunity to reflect on how I felt about the topics I’ve written on, how I think my writing has improved, did my emotional state at the time affect my blog posts, and so on. I came to figure, though, that maybe this idea should be my final blog post for Sophomore year in general so stay tuned. I went on to call a friend to help me come up with blog post ideas when the perfect topic finally came to m...

  From the age of 7, the word “family” has completely shifted its meaning in my mind. This summer will be my 10th and last at my favorite place in the world, a place in which I truly consider my second home, Camp Modin. It's difficult for me to reflect on the 9 most amazing summers here. Camp has made me grow individually and especially with my brothers and sisters in my bunk and equivalence. Its bittersweet that this is my last summer. I can't imagine not returning to camp next year and truthfully I dont think it will fully hit me until the last day of camp. It's impossible for me to see the reality that I’ll never be at this magical place with all my brothers and sisters enjoying our time being campers without a care in the world. Camp is a place where I feel most at home and not judged. I live with my best friends 24/7 and constantly enjoy even the simplest things. It's the one place where all my “real world” problems disappear.  I'm so beyond excited to return f...

As many of you may know, two days ago, two young boys in our community were critically injured in a horrible car accident involving a collision with trees on Montoya Circle. This accident has left our community in shambles as the boys begin their slow recovery process. As Jewish communities in Boca Raton grieve over this accident, we are reminded of the importance of driver safety. The accident, occurring just a couple days after thanksgiving, has reminded me of the things I should be grateful for and the unpredictability of life.  I happened to know both of the boys injured in the accident personally and attended school with them from first grade until eighth grade. Many of my friends still attend school with them, and I can’t begin to imagine what it must feel like to lose the presence of someone they are used to being with every day. Currently, both boys are hospitalized and one is in the intensive care unit, suffering penetrating injuries, lacerations, and significant facial tr...

  As I sit on my couch, watching Iran vs. USA in the World Cup, I am still indecisive about which team I should root for. My cousins and I are all closely monitoring this game, as we have many roots from the opposite side. Yes, we were born and raised in the USA; however, we trace our ties back to Iran.      As the first goal went in for the USA, I did not feel national support but disappointment in Iran. Although I am supportive of my country, I still feel an intrinsic sense of pride towards my Persian roots. My grandfather, who lives in Washington, D.C. today, is eagerly awaiting for the result of the game as he grew up in Iran and even participated in the Iranian army under the Shah.  Acknowledging that my feeling for this game ties back to my middle-eastern heritage, I recognize that this all comes from interfaith marriage. My grandmother, an Orthodox Jew from Poland, met my grandfather, a Muslim from Iran, when they both immigrated to America. The contr...