Frisco High School Walks Out Part 2

For those wondering what my previous statement was regarding:

Several days ago, the superintendent of Frisco ISD, Dr. Lyon, sent an email to the parents of Frisco High School Students. The letter was a notification that the current principal at Frisco High School, Sylvia Palacios, was being "reassigned" to another position in the district. Many viewed this as a demotion, and disapproved of the district administration's decision. Students and staff believe the "reassignment" is due to a few parents complaining to the school board about her and claiming she should be "disciplined". In the eyes of many students, the school board was unjustified in their actions because -contrary to what some parents believe- the principal at Frisco High School was admired by most of the students. Many students have claimed to share a bond with Ms. Palacios that they haven't shared with any other educator before. In support of Ms. Palacios, the students of Frisco High organized a 2 mile march from the school to the Administration Building that will take place at around 12:15. The students hope to collectively show the district their position and get the administration to reverse the decision of her demotion.

Since I never went to Frisco High School, I never knew Ms. Palacios. However, after seeing the outrage most of the students, I can only believe that she made an extraordinary impact in the students' lives. It's amazing to see students fight for "righteousness" and "justice". And don't get me wrong: I am not and never have been "against Frisco ISD". I always support their decisions because I see the growth that it brings, but this time…I think the students (not the parents) know best.

Frisco High School Walks Out

Good luck Frisco High School students! I'm proud of you guys for standing up for a wrongful demotion. Walk with righteousness.

Happy Mother's Day Mom

Happy Mother's Day Mom! My gift to you is another weekend where I'm out of your hair.

and this:

Thank you mom. You're super cool.
From when I'm hungry or Dave's drowning in the pool
to every afternoon when you pick me up from school

Thank you mom. You're not lame.
You wake up everyday make sure that we do the same
You comfort Dave and I when all we feel is pain.

Thank you mom. You're the best
Oft we may not get along because we're stressed
But then we resolve the issue and move along with jest

Thank you mom. You're the one I care most about.
You make awesome turkey sandwiches and steelhead trout
You made me an Eagle Scout

.

Thank you mom. You're amazing
I'm always grateful that I'm under your wing.
Whether Summer, Winter, Fall, or Spring.

Thank you mom. You're better than ok.
You make sure that I'm never led astray.
That's why I love you even when it isn't Mother's Day.

-Amit

Do People Quit Caring?

Today, one of my Facebook friends asked a question on Facebook:

At what point do people quit caring about making change in the community and just focus on their own advancement?

It is an interesting and thought-provoking question. My response was "I don't think people stop caring about making change in the community, but rather they feel that they can't do it unless they change themselves. People naturally want to make a difference, but not all of them understand that they can do that regardless of their "status" in the professional or social world."

Others believed that it was maybe a result of failure when they did care about making change or perhaps the narrow approach to "make change". They only tried one way and didn't like it, so they gave up.

A general consensus is that an individual will care about making differences in the community so long as they feel they are actually making a difference, and will give up the moment they don't think they are doing anything significant anymore (even if they actually are).

What are your thoughts?

Hosting TEDxKids@SMU

This past weekend TEDxSMU held their TEDxKids@SMU and TEDxSMU conferences for the sixth year in a row. As usual the TEDTalks were marvelous and thought-provoking, but it was at the TEDxKids conference where I had a new connection with the speakers. I, alongside Kelly, Rives, and my friend, Olivia, co-hosted the event. It was so much fun talking with the presenters, figuring out what we were going to say next, meeting the kids while getting written on during the breaks. I always enjoy the Kids' conference (sometimes even more than the one for the adults) because they have so much energy. My favorite memory of the day was when I was in the stairwell next to the stage with Rives and Olivia, and, all of a sudden, Kelly opens the door with a happily worried face and says "Howard [Goldthwaine] just invited all of the kids on stage, so we're going to have to do a little bit of corralling". We walk outside and we see at least 300 kids on stage dancing the "can-can". Naturally, the four of us go out and begin dancing along until the end of Howard's talk. The kids loved every bit of the conference and knowing that I helped give them a show to enjoy made October 31, 2014 the best Halloween ever.

The next day at TEDxSMU, I volunteered for the second year in a row. Our jobs were to add to the environment whether physically through set up and take down, or mentally by mingling with the adult attendees and encouraging discussion on the talks. When I didn't have anything specific to do, I watched the astounding presentations. People like Alexander McLean told remarkable stories about the African prison and the hope he sees for inmate rehabilitation. Speakers like Cindy Dyer spoke about the courage that we need to bring an end to domestic abuse and the need for the  population to speak up. Presenters like Andrew Sturm talked about cacoethes, the irresistable urge to do something inadvisable, and how it was this mindset that brought him to create a crosswalk in the Dolphin Heights neighborhood of Dallas. As usual, I was inspired to think differently. As usual, I reconnected with old friends and made new ones. As usual, I loved  TEDxSMU2014

My First College Exam

Last night, the entire floor of the residential hall was silent. People were in their rooms, in the library, or in the depths of the basements. Everyone was studying for the Chemistry exam we had this morning. Talking about stoichiometry and conformational isomers, I was in my wingmates' rooms going through exams of years past. We were worried. For most of the juniors, this was their first test in a college class. Apprehension grew greater as each second passed. We didn't check for a Boogeyman under our beds when we went to sleep, we checked for Dr. Schwartz (and his cats, Spooky and Saffy).

The following morning everyone woke up to go to 0800 Biology, but everyone was thinking about 0900 Chemistry. A few hours later, we confront our fate. We take the test, and most of us were pleasantly surprised when we walked out. We studied. We did the practice exams. We did our homework. We were prepared.

It's fascinating to see how certain big events can change lifestyles for most people. My first exam scared me. I studied harder than I have before, but it was fun doing it because I wasn't alone. I guess that's what college is really about: a closeness with everyone around you.

                                                                                                           -Amit

It's My Time. It's My TAMS

The Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science is a place like no other. It's a place where great minds come to learn at a level they couldn't find elsewhere. It's a place where students can find opportunities to show off who they are in a manner they couldn't find elsewhere. It's a place where teenagers can experience the wonders of living with one another in a residential hall they couldn't find elsewhere.

I'm a TAMSter, and I love being one. It's been three weeks, and I'm constantly looking forward to what aspect of college life I get to experience next. I moved into my dorm on August 21st and began my college life.

One major part of college life is Academics. I have a great schedule, which involves waking up at 0630 in the morning everyday and going to class at 0800. I have a Biology class with the rest of the Junior class to start off my week. I also have Chemistry: a class in which my professor often discusses his cats' lives and his weekend Bridge games. My Calculus class is always exciting: new greek letters added onto numbers in a mission to define what doesn't really exist (limits) and how everything changes. My Writing About Literature class becomes very philosophical because the material we read isn't what you'd find in a typical high school because of content or insight.

The second biggest part is Student Life. TAMS constantly encourages its students to be active in the community through community service. The first Saturday we were at a local Denton City Park to clear trails, create gravel paths, paint/stain parts of the wooden playground, and pick up trash. It was a wonderful experience for everyone, and a great way to get people to start helping others. Dorm life is never uneventful. Whether it involves hanging out with friends in the common rooms downstairs, playing Risk in a wing mate's room, or attending club meetings, there is always something to keep you occupied when you're not busy studying.

I am happy to be here. Everything is different: I've gotten used to a completely new academic lifestyle and personal lifestyle (that involves me washing my clothes instead of my mom). People not only know me as Amit, but Phil as well (for Philanthropist). TAMS is a new step. TAMS is where I am right now. TAMS is an adventure, and I've already laced up my hiking boots.

                                                                                                  - Amit