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Tech presentation

Posted by Jackson Shumard in Technology - Freshman · Hull · d2 Band on
Tech presentation
​In this presentation I learned a lot about how to make a slide appealing. I learned that having a good selection of colors and big text helps the reader see the information. Something else I learned through research was to keep fewer words on the slide and explain more. That is why I did what I did, I chose the colors black and yellow because they are opposites, black is a dark base color and the yellow is very bright and makes the words pop. I also chose to make the circle bleed off the page a little to catch the person's eye. My whole design of my slide was based around what I learned, I made sure I had few words but the words I did have stuck in your head and made you think about them.

Media Fluency: Anthony Castro-Gomez

Posted by Anthony Castro-Gomez in Technology - Freshman · Hull · d2 Band on
Technology Benchmark (1)
Hello, my name is Anthony Castro and this is my 1 google slide. So first, I searched up how to make the slides interesting. Like ads on a billboard, I learned that when the image “bleeds” off of the slide/picture it looks more interesting. I read this on https://zachholman.com/posts/slide-design-for-developers/ So, I took an image from google of a basketball hoop that didn’t show the entire image and used what I learned from http://youtu.be/axj8IedTzfc?hd=1 (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. to use the image as the background. The reason why I chose a basketball hoop to be my image is because I have a passion for basketball, and I feel as though some people don’t and would never be able to comprehend it as well as I can. Basketball was what linked me to my friends back in middle school, that was the only way of interaction in a sense to get closer to your friends. After this, I wanted to find words that describe me the best in my opinion. I came to the conclusion of putting down ambition, dedication, and success. I am a very ambitious person, I strive to become better at whatever it is that I am doing. Basketball, for instance, is one thing I am always trying to improve in. Dedication describes me because it takes dedication to get to where you want to be in life. It takes dedication to get better at something. Finally I picked the word success because that is what comes out after hard work. I am a hardworking person, therefore success usually comes from my improvements. After picking the words, I added a reflection and changed the color of the font so it stands out and looks pleasing to the eye. I feel like it looks more interesting when I space the words out like that because it make you think about and take into consideration each word. I feel as though the significance of the word spacing is to show that the words are different from each other but they all are connected. The reason why I chose 3 words was so that it looks like an ad sort of, so you can quickly glance at it, manage to gather all of the information you need in like 10 seconds, then look away. This was my google slide based off of my me magazine and thank you for listening.

Michal's Slide

Posted by Michal Czapla in Technology - Freshman · Hull · d2 Band on
Soccer (1)
 Soccer has been with me ever since I was a young boy. I think I learned to kick a ball before I learned to speak words. That has lead me to create a slide involving soccer. As you can see, I’ve formatted the slide using the rule of thirds by adding the foot and soccer ball in one corner and the quote in the top left. This allows the focus of your eyes to draw into the composition instead of just glancing at the center. I also put some empty space to achieve a more balanced look in my slide and use the empty space (or night sky) to my advantage. I even made the foot bleed off of the page to really add more “umph” and only focused on the foot itself since that’s what the quote is about. The quote I placed in is from soccer legend Zinedine Zidane (who is one of my idols) and it really connects with me because it teaches me to be grateful for what I have even if things don’t go well for me in life, whether that’s in sports or in schoolwork. I put it in EB Garamond font because I found out that most people use that font when writing quotes. The font color itself is white so that it can contrast with the black background and catch the viewer's eye easily. 

All of these steps have allowed me to attempt at making a professional slide. This whole experience has really taught me a lot about slide design. Before this assignment, I legit didn't know about most of these tricks, and now that I know about them I can see how it improves the look on my slide. I'm definitely going to be viewing billboards and ads differently from now on. My whole perspective on designs has completely changed, and it will help shape bigger and better projects in the future. 

One Slide Assignment

Posted by Tayah Brunson on
Untitled presentation
​Tech Presentation/ Slide Script
Tayah Brunson
Blue Stream

When learning about slides I learned that color matters and it is one of the first things someone sees when noticing your slide. This slide had to depict aspects about me that I want people to see and to also show my knowledge on how to create a slide that is noteworthy. I chose the color blue because this is mine and many other’s favorite color, I also feel that having a blue background could bring memories to the audience maybe of a bright beach day with the family with the blue sky and bright sun looking down on you. Or a day that you went a road trip and when you looked out the window you noticed how exactly blue the sky was, or a memory of being at the aquarium and watching the fish swim through the water. Next I know your attention probably shifted to the sunflower in the corner. When children we made pictures with blue skies, characters, then a sun in either corner that was either fully or half way there. This sunflower was not put there to point out that memory of a younger you in art class but it does strike a memory to me that could show you more of me that you might know. Sunflower is a nickname I received from a student teacher in preschool. I was terrified and lost and fairly uncomfortable. We all had pictures on our place mats and cubbies and my picture was a sunflower, my teacher told me that I was special because her favorite flower was a sunflower. She called me her little sunflower so that I embraced my environment, she helped me feel more comfortable and I remembered where my stuff went and where I ate everyday. The message I chose to put is a message that many people hear throughout life but this is one that I’ve taken to heart. I see so many people scared to be who they are and I used to be one of those people until I truly stopped caring about what other people thought and become comfortable with what I know and that’s what and who I truly am. I know that I stand for more than just my race or age, I am more than just a student, I am not voiceless, and I dare to be me because no one can teach me how to live my life. I dare to be me and I dare to dream and to chase all of them, to learn, to make pathways for people like me, also I dare to be different because ordinary is too boring.

Direction: The direction in which your eyes are supposed to go is from the upper left corner to the bottom right corner. While your eyes travel over the space of my words you have no choice but to read the words I have placed on the slide to tell the viewer a bit about what my presentation is based on. The reason your direction of focus is perceived to go in this way is because the bright sunflowers will draw attention first and the negative space makes it easy for your eyes to be guided. 
Size:The size of the picture I put in the slide is to not take too much attention from the rest of the slide but to also draw positive attention to itself so that it is noticeable and I can touch on it. But it is also not to big as to take away from the other components that make up the slide. The size of the words were supposed to leave negative so that your eyes can be clearly directed in either two or one way but either of them being diaganal. 
Balance: I chose not to put so many words on one side in order to weigh down on 3 quarters of the page but to compliment the other side of it. 
Unity: Each component is meant to tell a story in their own way, the blue can trigger a memory, the flower can trigger a memory fear favorite color favorite person, the words will make you see me differently hopefully.
Negative Space: When I looked at the negative space on my slide I started to fill it in with my mind and picture other lines that are similar to the quote I used. It leaves space for the mind to wonder and fill in the blanks with thoughts of their own.
The Hue: The shade of blue I feel can make the person who is looking at it warm inside.

Bad Habits -- Madison Siegel

Posted by Madison Siegel in English 2 · Pahomov · E Band on

Bad Habits

Okay so it’s been a year since we moved. My friends from back home seem to be doing good. When they asked me why I don’t move back because Mom lives in Vermont I wasn’t really sure what to say. I made a new life here in New York City, and not that I don’t miss them and would love to see more of them, but things were just so complicated when we lived there. I’m sure you understand. You’re my brother and that’s why I’m telling you about Mom.

I mean Mom and her crazy drunk moments. Dad always disappearing to go to the casino. It was just not fun. It was terrifying. I understand that the last two years before we moved was when it became ugly. The yelling every night, Mom treating us terrible because she was drunk and replied to it with anger, Dad lying about where he was going. I feel the exact same way you do. After realizing what they have been doing I would search Mom and Dad’s room to see if Mom had hid another bottle in there. I just wanted to know if she was still drinking. I would put the bottle back after I touched it, I just wanted to know. I was hoping each day that she had taken her last sip and that we had reached the bottom of the hill our lives were going down. I mean she had to know that she had a problem or else she would have kept the bottle with the rest of the alcohol in the kitchen. I mean your my brother and I know that we both handled this in a different way. I stayed quiet when all of this was happening, and you expressed your voice to them. Yes. I know I can’t leave Dad after everything he’s done for us. I mean he quit going to the casino and took us here so he could have a job and take care of us. When he saw how much we were affected by everything he took matters into his own hands. That’s  what’s  important. I feel like my life belongs here because it doesn’t matter what he’s done in the past, it matters what he’s doing now. The difference between Mom and Dad is he got his life back together. He is making an effort. After finding that bottle hidden in Mom’s house I now know that she’s not making an effort. She abandoned us, and that is what makes me sad.

Wait? He did what in Florida?

A few months ago? He lost how much money? $1,500!?!

Where did you hear this? Mommom told you? You’re telling me that a 96 year old lady recognized this, but we didn’t? I can’t believe this! I can’t believe him! I gave him money to help get everybody presents for Christmas and he just ended up wasting it at the casino? I knew that all the money wasn’t adding up right. He seemed really worried about it and kept saying that he spent most of it on gifts. When they didn’t even cost that much and I paid most of it. Wait? He also hasn’t been giving Grandma the rent? So the money we give him each month to live in our house is also just going to the casino. None of it has actually gone to the rent? Well what was the point of all of this if both our parents are still doing the things they were supposed to stop?

I mean they’re acting like children,-- even I feel more grown up then they do. The worst part is that Dad comes to me when he’s in trouble. He owes me $1,700 at the moment and instead of trying to pay me back this is what he does? I’m not even sure who I’m mad at more Mom or Dad? The thing is that I still see Dad trying to put his life together and raise us right where Mom doesn’t even seem to care and is just out drinking 24/7. I get that Dad lost a lot of money, but at least he is trying. I think he does it to try and have more money for the family. So I guess at least his intentions were to help. We should confront both of them and try to get them to stop. Wait. If I confront Mom she’s just going to deny it. She’s going to fight with me about it and nothing will ever be solved. Maybe I should just let Grandma know what’s been going on and tell her I know about Dad’s problem. What do you mean I can’t tell anyone about Dad’s problem? If I talk to Grandma she’s going to want to help, not get mad at you and never speak to you again for telling me. So I can’t confront both of them? So we’re just going to have to continue letting them hurt their lives and ours? This isn’t fair. I have tried my hardest. It’s their turn.


A Daughter's Disappointment//Monologue

Posted by Daeja Richardson in English 2 · Pahomov · E Band on

** Phone Rings**

Hey mom.

Yeah, I’m really excited about that trip! We haven’t seen you for like two summers. And we usually go every summer. I can’t wait to come to Jamaica once summer breaks comes around!

Wait, what?

But I thought you already did. Because you told that like two weeks ago.

I know but I still thought everything was all together  for next year. It’s gonna end up being a another boring summer for me.

What do mean we might come for Christmas? We don’t even have our passports together so how?

No, it’s nothing never comes out in my favor. I ask for so little and now it’s not happening. I doubt that Jamaica in Christmas will happen too. **sighs**

It doesn’t matter anymore…..

(hangs up)


Daughter(thinking): I figured that  was gonna’ go again. It’s like she doesn’t even care. Knowing that my passport expired two years. She should’ve contacted the people then. And she always  waits to the last minute. And then she gets mad at me for looking miserable all the time. ITS HER! It's like I can't even tell her about her actions because I’m a child. According to her I would be getting smart or would be having an attitude. But that is never the case. And that's the thing with me, I’m always biting my tongue. But what if I did speak? I shouldn’t hesitate…...right? She should want to know my thoughts. She should take my statement under consideration right? But I’m just a child and I need to stay in a child’s place. But when talking to her I feel a bit imitated so that’s I keep my mouth shut. And there I go again biting my tongue.



One Slide About Zoe

Posted by Zoe Zisser in Technology - Freshman · Hull · d2 Band on
ONE slide pres.

Ḧello Class, this is my one slide. I chose a background that has an important meaning to me. I have an obsession with the sky at all times of the day. I love looking at stars and sunrises and everything in between so my choice of background is explanatory. I used all black words and shapes to contrast against the bright background. The line of the horizon directs your eye to the main points of interest. One of them is the penguin. Penguins are my favorite animal so I felt like it was important to include. The black silhouette compliments the background and words well. The quote I picked is very important to me because I idolize Walt Disney and I try to live by those words and I try to just keep living my life without letting small things throw me off. And that to just keep living is more important than holding grudges and letting small things throw me off. In my research it says to have minimal words and have contrasting colors. The black against the bright background brings attention to the words. The font size I chose is a good size for the page. My penguin bleeds off the page to make a more modern statement and to increase use of negative space. The mickey mouse head in replace for my O in my name is there to add more individualization of my name. And adds small details that tells more about me.


" A True Ironman" Monologue- Shaheed Williams

Posted by Shaheed Williams in English 2 · Pahomov · E Band on
https://soundcloud.com/shaheed-williams-992746362/monologue-ironman


Am I ready? Hell yea, I’m ready. Never knew a time when I wasn’t, that’s why I’m the one that’s going to come out on top. I’m the underdog and it’s underdog season (laughs). All these guys here, I’ll dust them, no doubt about it. (Coach speaks) I know I know, I lost last year and the year before that, and before that year but I’m going to win this year. (Clenches fist)


And Imma beat that asshole Jerr- er um Terry or whatever his name is. I swear that man is a cheater, did you see his cavs last year? They were bigger than my head! And bro, you already know I got a big ass head! He’s a steroid abuser, I’m telling you. , I don’t know how he be passing the drug tests. Maybe because he’s rich and he paid off the people running the event or somethi- (pauses) Speak of the devil and he shall appear, look who decided to show up. It’s Jerry Terry.

Did he just smile at me?! I’m really going to embarrass this man in this race. Give me my Redbull and my Fruit Snacks, that’s all I need right now (Starts doing jumping jacks). Ok Joseph calm down. It’s not worth mad getting over. If I mess this race up, who knows how long until my brother Jacob has until his condition is permanent. How much time we got until the Ironman race, coach? 5 minutes? Aard, cool. I’ll be famous, ya know, if I win this race., Nno...I will win this.. I have to. I have to win this for my bestfriend, my ‘lil bro, my partner in crime. This race means a lot to our family. Our dad did this Ironman race, the hardest marathon in the world, and won. Ever since he passed, my bro and I have been working our asses off to live up to his name. My brother got hospitalized in last year’s race by falling off a cliff. Nearly worked himself to death and almost got paralyzed.


Those medical bills are crazy expensive, there’s no way my family can afford that ever since my dad passed. That’s why I have to do whatever it takes to win. Restore my family’s fame and my brother’s body. I’ll never resort to cheating or drug enhancements. That’s not what my father would have want. Oh wait, past me my phone. Yea, I need to call Jacob and see how’s he holding up.( Dials number)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

Hey Jacob, it’s me Joseph. I know you're probably sleeping right now, so I’ll leave you this voicemail. Just know I’m about to whoop some ass in this triathlon. It’s beautiful out here, Hawaii is definitely amazing, just like how Dad use to describe it. Remember that day he came home from his Ironman race? He walked in the house with the brightest smile on his face. And with that Golden medal. That day me and you both knew ever since then, we wanted to be just like Dad. (Laughs) Look where that dead bastard got us now. Well,I got a minute until the race starts. Love u bro, this one's for you. (hangups)


Any advice Coach (Pause) Alright, just stay in my A-game and I have to remember it’s a marathon, not a sprint. Anything el- Terry keeps staring at me and smiling. He really pissing me off. (Pauses) He’s doing that on purpose to annoy me and to distract me from my real goal. I’m not going to let him distract me no more, I just need to focus on winning. For myself, for my family’s pride.. For my brother. I’m ready coach, this race is mine and I’m not losing.


How Did I End Up Here // Monologue By Kai Payton

Posted by Kai Payton in English 2 · Pahomov · E Band on

God damn I got too drunk last night. I wish I would’ve never went to the bar with Rick, but he was back in town after that tour, and I hadn’t seen him for months.... I ended up in a hotel room by myself and left my wife at home by herself with the kids. *Looks around the room* What happened last night? Condom boxes? Liquor bottles? No no no what did I do? What did I do? *Checks Phone* She called me twenty times last night. She had to be worried sick *pause*

Wait, who’s number is this *reads messages* Last night was great those pills make everything better right? *Puts phone down*  I have to tell her but I can’t because that will ruin the marriage. But how will my wife look at me knowing I let the woman get the best of me even though I was drunk. Why would Rick ever let me leave with her? Even when we were growing up in high school he always got me into the worst situations but he’s my bestfriend a person I could always count on *sighs* Jay you really messed up big time *sniffs* What will my kids think of me if Brittney leaves and they never see their dad again. They’ll think I’m a dead beat. Maybe I could keep this to myself and just act like this night never happened. Or not I’m not the best liar especially when it comes to talking to Brit.

I feel like the most disgusting man alive right now. Nobody will respect the fact that I let myself get to the point where I couldn’t make it home to my wife. Your family should always be your first priority but Rick even when we were younger always brought the worst out of me. This isn’t the first time I ended up in a hotel after a night with Rick but this time is different. You have a wife and kids now and you let a woman take advantage of you. You’re a grown ass man Jay. Why couldn’t I snap out of it. I can’t look at my daughter little face without the thought of what I’ve became last night. I’m a cheater, someone that can’t control himself when he’s out with the guys, and the worst part is that I can’t be her Superhero anymore.

No Jay you’re overthinking this it isn’t your fault she had to see the wedding band on your finger she’s the one in the wrong. She saw how drunk you were and decided to make a move on you. She wanted you more than you wanted her. What you want is waiting for you to come home. You’re gonna get a hell of a talk when you get there. I wonder how many time my kids asked where’s daddy last night. *housekeeping knocks* I’m good. *laughs to himself* Imagine what would’ve happened if Brit found out about last night. Guess I dodged a bullet right there.

*phone rings* Hey Brit. (Pause) I know I know I’m sorry baby I’m on my way home now. I went to a hotel Rick got me tore up from the floor up. (pause) Baby I couldn’t drive home I was done I could barely walk. Rick drove me to the hotel and I’ve just been sleeping as soon as I got here I fell asleep. I just woke up a couple minutes ago. (Pause) Alright okay don't worry I’m on my way home now.


"The Move" Monologue by Benjamin Rivera

Posted by Benjamin Rivera in English 2 · Pahomov · E Band on

Walks in the door throws his backpack on the bed.

“Sometimes I just can’t with this woman yo , it’s always something with her”

“She really be drawn, I ain’t bouta be in this cracker ass school. My mom’s got me chopped if she thinks I’m moving. Harlem is the life I wanna live, may not be the safest but this is my home and she got the nerve to tell me we moving after New Years.”

“Why can I never have anything for me, Huh? I follow all her rules, go to school, and get good grades for what?”

“It’s crazy because she never even talks to me I feel like I made my own life already”

“I go to one of the best schools in New York. I have a huge opportunity and she still won’t even listen to me, I just feel like I’m a ghost in my house, they show envy to my success and show lies through smiles.”

“I’ve created something big, a foundation where there's a big future and you want to move me 2 hours from my home.”

Looks down in sorrow

“All my friends, all my teachers, all my relationships… For nothing. I love my life in the the city. I don’t get into problem, I don’t do drugs, and I’m never in the streets so why take me out because of someone else’s doing”

“She won’t let me stay with my grandma, like c’mon she would look after me for so many years  so why can’t I stay with her. I could still go to the same school I do now, there’s no reason why you should be here trying to dictate my life like I’m your slave or some”

“She’s really confusing though”

“When she told me I was just in shocked because she never thought of moving until he got here, and I can never say nothing about it,

“He took my spot as the man of the house, it’s crazy because I’ve been looking after everyone for 16 years and he got the nerve to be here 6 months and start taking over shit”

“I ain’t even gonna pay him no mind because I lose everything when I open my mouth, that’s why I stay in my room all the time, it’s my solitude from her and the world.”

“She may think that when I snap it’s out of disrespect but it’s not, it’s out of sorrow because I can never even get an I love you from her”

“Is it really hard to say I love you to her oldest son, the person who always stood by ya’side”

“That’s not how she sees it though, so instead of giving you my love I give it to what I want most, my dream”

“She’s not going to shoot me in the foot like I’m a dog and do as she pleases, I’m a human the same as you.

“So when she tried to say we moving to east bumblefuck she knew damn well I wasn’t going to be happy.”

“She keeps telling me that the school is good and I’m going to like it even more than here but I don’t believe it”

“Since she’s at work right now so it gives me sometime to actually think, maybe I should look at the school”

Searches up the school through his computer

“ I mean the school looks good, they have everything I want from a school it’s not the city but it could work”

“I just don’t know if it is the right thing to do right now though.”

“Hopefully things workout for the best of us”


"True Friend" Monologue

Posted by Mamadou Samassa in English 2 · Pahomov · E Band on
True Friend

Ah yo shut up,(pause) Ownen no just shut up. I really had it with you. I’m really about to sock you keep on trying me, you got no clue what you saying (pause) “I’m retarded”. You really think I'm going to let it slide through? No, (pause) I’m speaking here stop trying to change the topic .

Why do you think it’s Okay to call someone slow? Huh? (pause) I mean you're the one that does whatever that girl Sandy tells you to do, (pause) okay, but the point is  if she told you to jump off a cliff you would do it you son of bit*ch.

 You said things in the past that I let go, once you embarrassed me in front of my whole class, saying I didn’t have deodorant on, instead of looking out for me you didn’t. Do you understand what that means? (pause) of course you wouldn’t. You always invite Max and Jacob to your parties and you guys backbite me, don’t act like I don’t know, would you like to eat my flesh, or even better would you enjoy stabbing me while I’m not facing you. What you got to say about that?  You know what F**k our friendship, f**k everything. I need to hang around better people, people that will take me for who I am and not who they want me to be. Owen you  would be the type of friend  that would only applaud me for doing dumb stuff, so you can mock me, (pause)you’re one of those people that takes pride in watching others fail, in watching me fail calling me a “retarded”.

(To the Audience)

Poor Owen, if only he could understand what a retard in my definition means , it’s someone who is behind on  everything, someone who doesn’t deserve spot anywhere in our society, and all that I could tell you is,  that’s not me, and that will never be me, I earned my spot in society, and I know for a given fact that I’m important, I make a difference. You don’t understand at what extent I want to just snatch all that arrogance away from him, and see the Owen I’ve known since we were in kindergarten. It’s as if as soon as a teenager has a taste a little bit of goodness in high school, they seem to  forget about everything that was once  important to them, (pause) all of it, and become a so called “savage” to grab people's attention. Owen walks into every situation blind as if his soul couldn’t just leave his body at any instant. My dear friend I’m here I was always here, through your problem, through your times of joy and happiness, through your struggle I feared this a day would come where our friendship will break. It’s like you're a tree loses it's leaves a friend loses it's friends, it seems that we’ve arrived the finish line, the end of our journey. Bye my friend or as the french would say ”Au Revoir mon cher amie”.


I would love to just embarrass him in front of the whole world, but who would I be? I would love to make him feel my pain, but I won’t, I would love to fight him nock all his teeth out, but I won’t. All that I know is that I must be the bigger person today, tomorrow, everyday. (laughter…..) Today I choose to forgive him, to forgive not only because I’m the bigger person, but because it’s only fair that I let him see the regretful mistakes he carries within himself, so he see the path to fixing himself, and he will follow it, and with that he will finally find peace within himself


Look in the Mirror- Tyah

Posted by Bahtyah Ward in English 2 · Pahomov · E Band on

I’m not doing this. Nope. Who do they think I am? I mean, really!? Why did I even come here, I can leave, if I just slip out. Damn it, I’m already in the room. If I leave now, people will be calling me all day and my mom will SURELY find out. Oh no, I’m not having that. I already told her I would go through with this and tell all the people what’s going on. I hate sounding so weak, that is NOT me! I mean look at me in this mirror, I’m not ready. What if I pass out? What if they think I’m one of these weirdos that cut themselves and all that other sh*t. This is some corny stuff on this paper, I have to basically expose myself and what happens next? Counseling, because they’re scared for the poor girl and her poor issues. Honestly, I can do without all of this. Publically speaking about my anxiety, depression, and mental state as of today. Poetry is my way out — not this, never this. This is public and social suicide. Nobody is gonna talk to me, at all. Nothing good will become of this, I’m not doing this. I mean I know I can, my mom usually tells me the word, “can’t” is not in my vocabulary. This should be a easy thing to do, what I have to do isn’t that bad. I’ve heard worse on those crazy people commercials and etc. What about the part where I tell them about the..(thinks for a little while) nah that ain’t gon be good at all. Well maybe I should have skipped out, I can play sick or something. As if they won’t think that I’m sick in the head enough. I blame my teacher the most, why can’t we write a letter to ourselves? My mom will be coming to watch me present this, she knows nothing about my problems. I’ve been hiding these for so long, I am so good at it. At times, I think of saying all that I need to say but then again….No. I wish I was normal. Look at me in this mirror. How is it possible to look so good on the outside but be so broken inside. I wish that doing a monologue wasn’t the assignment for school. How can I get out of doing this assignment without failing it? I can finesse, I know it! I’ll come up with something creative. I am starting to feel some sort of hope for myself, I can do a big scene. The teachers will feel soooo bad and say, “You know, you don’t have to share.” Yes! I’ll be out of here and still get that A+, because my monologue is so sad. Only thing is, people will eventually see my monologue when I post it on the school website. Guess I should just come clean. I know I can do a speech. I think it’ll make my mom proud but also very sad. It’ll make me feel stronger and my shoulders less heavy. This could be a story to tell my family one day, if my children ever feel scared, I’ll encourage them. Deep breaths, clear throat, eye contact, and patience. Whoo— this feels like I’m about to go skydiving, so risky. I ain’t no punk either. May all this go well. I hear something!/ -Hears someone knock on the door- Yes! I’m coming out now, I’m gonna be ready in a few. What could a little honesty do to anyone? Just some monologue-y type talk and a little sob story for the one time. Let’s do this.

Life Lesson //Kyle Thomas

Posted by Kyle Thomas in English 2 · Pahomov · E Band on

My dad is so annoying. He thinks that I am suppose to always do my homework. My dad be like “Did you do your homework” and I say “yea I did” knowing that I was lying the whole time. So, one day my dad had got an email from my teachers and he was really upset with me. So, when I had got home he was sitting there on the couch. I knew that something was up. My dad was like “why are you not doing your homework.” I look at him like “what are you talking about I do do my homework.” so, he was like your teachers emailed me saying you don’t do it. Why are you lying to me?”(angry on his face) I notice how angry my dad was that I wasn’t thinking and said “I do”.

Like when I saw him that angry it made me feel some type of way? Like it’s like I made my family disappointed at me.  He was like “go to your room and don’t turn anything on since you want to be a liar. So, I stormed up the steps so mad that I almost punched a hole in the wall. But I didn’t I stayed poised by controlling my anger and then I hear my door open. It was my dad and he walk over to me and was like “Son all I am trying to do is teach you a lesson. “ I said what do you mean you are trying to teach me a lesson and he was like “don't be a liar because it will create a really bad image on you.” Then he went on and said this “people will not trust you if you keep on lying.” Then he kept going on and on and was like “ I am trying to protect you because I don’t want you to be put into a bad situation with someone.”

Suddenly I start to realize that I need to change my ways. Like after hearing what my dad was saying to me it took me into a different state of mind. Like for instance, it made me want to actually try and take off these negative things that teacher and students have about me. So, I started to work really hard and try to prove everyone wrong. I took this serious, and it started to show in my class and in my grades. When my dad seen my grades he was so, proud of me because he knew that I had taken in what he had told me. So, my dad was like “Son I really like how you listen to what I had said and took upon yourself to start doing your work and handing in all your missing work.” So, this made me so proud because I can see my how proud my family was with me. What I had taken away from this was to always be honest because if I wasn’t then people will still think of me the same way.


Never Forget

Posted by Teyonna Little in English 2 · Pahomov · E Band on

Never Forget


By: Teyonna Little


Lyric, I keep telling you: Life ain’t fair. You keep comparing yourself to those girls and what they have. You think they're happy? No! They’re insecure. Sure they might have been through some things, some struggles. But I’m sure they have never been through what you’ve been through. There is a reason you are not like them. I wasn’t like them either. Let me tell you something. (she points finger to her daughter’s chest) I was suffering. (she point at her own chest, face slightly frowned). Suffering from a brutal and harsh reality. My reality was waking up and being raped, molested and verbally abused for six got damn years. (she yells) I wasn’t loved, I didn’t get new clothes or new iPhones. Shit! I didn’t even get a birthday cake. Yet each morning, I walked out of a house, a so called “home” everyday covering up my pain and my hurt. And you got the nerve to compla… (pause and takes a deep breath; restraining from getting even more angry) For so long, anger consumed me. Depression. Hell yeah. Stress. Most definitely. But I had to hold on. I had to keep praying. I had to keep fighting. I came to a point in my life where I was mad at the world. Always getting into fights. Face down, ass in the air. Cursing in every sentence I said. I had no respect for myself. I was out of control. (she looks at her daughter innocently) Listen sweetheart, I speak from experience,

I come from a place of suicidal ideation, ignorance, carelessness, low self-esteem. You don’t even have a clue. That was me. (says stronger and more firm) That was me. And babygirl, I know you’ve been through some things as well.  But you have to press. You can’t complain about not being like those girls. You weren’t created to fit in, you were created to stand out. Oh, how I wish you could see it as clear as I do. But you will never be like them, you will always be you and no one else but you.

I want you to look into the mirror everyday and see something that you thought was never there. At your lowest, darkest moments, look at your reflection, at your beautiful face and say “I am beautiful. I am loved. I am worthy. I am intelligent. I am respectful. I will forgive, I will respond to B.S. differently. I will learn self-control. I won’t be depressed. I will succeed. I will stand up for what I believe in. I won’t act on impulse. I won’t curse any more. I will no longer let anger take over me. I will be a changed person.” Because God is just that great. He loves me. And my past will not define me or my future. And don’t let your past define you. Look into your  beautiful big brown eyes, Cry if you need to. I’ll cry with you. Look into your eyes baby, do you see that glow, my daughter, do you see it? Let it show. You are amazing in spite of your flaws, in spite of your pain. Who cares if your mother came from a terrible background? I’m here, aren’t I? You’re taking care of, aren’t you? You’re loved. I love you. God loves you. Understand this: there will be many more struggles and obstacles ahead of you. Life is never going to quit throwing darts at it’s target. But you keep on dodging and dipping like you know how. But most of all, you keep your head up and never forget your worth, my baby. Never forget. (pause and a smile with a tear)


Media Fluency: Nile Shareef-Trudeau

Posted by Nile Shareef-Trudeau in Technology - Freshman · Hull · d2 Band on
Media Fluency_ Nile Shareef-Trudeau
​As you can see, I tried to do something simple, but, at the same time, complex.What do  I mean by that? I have created a simple design but the meaning behind it is not understandable until after it is explained. First I will talk about why I chose this  color as my background. Purple represents a number of things such as royalty, ambition, creativity, wisdom, peace, pride, and magic, all of which I associate myself with. The text “Boonoonoonoos” has a meaning of “special person”, in Jamaican Patois (a language used in Jamaica). Because it is unfamiliar, with the help of the lines, it draws the viewer to it. The lines represent everything coming from the outside world shaping me into this “special person” I’ve become/ am becoming. The lines, bleeding off the page, not only show how the outside world affects me to make me who I am but they look as though they could be projecting outwards as well. This shows how I think I shine outwards and affect the world around me. The shape I chose was a star. I chose this to add to the idea that I believe I am my own person and special in ways others may not be.There is a lot of space. This shows that there is room for more. What I mean by this is there’s room for growth. I have so much more to learn and experience as well as put out into the world. Everything on the slide works together in harmony to emit this idea of me and who I am. This is why I made this design how it is for my slide about me.

Nile Shareef-Trudeau

Jakob Cantor

Posted by Jakob Cantor in Technology - Freshman · Hull · e1 Band on
Untitled presentation (2)

Tech Presentation Script.


I started out with the two sports that I play and love, baseball and basketball. These sports take a huge amount of time out of my schedule. I have been playing these sports since I was younger and a lot smaller. I play these sports for travel teams and school. Pretty much every day after school I am playing and practicing one of the two sports or both in the same day. In the summer I am mainly focusing on baseball. I have a lot of tournaments and season games. For basketball I have one or two tournaments. Through the winter I am practicing baseball indoors because it is too cold to practice outside. I am playing constant basketball games throughout the week and weekends. I chose to add these two visual images because these are the two most important sports to my that I love a lot and keep me out of bad situations.

The car represents traveling and my love for traveling. Even though I live in the city and walk pretty much everywhere, sometimes I take the car to go to a location that is not walking distance. When in the car, we are always making jokes together and making the most out of the car ride. The time I spend in the car with my family and friends are good fun times, we talk, play games and listening to music. This leads to my last visual image, Music. Music is a big part of who I am. It sets the mood in different situations and makes me happy. Music is a big topic that gets brought up in a lot of my conversations.


​From the critique of my slide I learned different suggestions about my work that helped me create a better and more thought out slide. I learned from my critiques to not stretch the images out, to create a clearer contrast in the letters and highlight, and to create a more neater and symmetrical slide. All of the criticism I got on my work helped me create a better slide for my upgraded slide.


I chose to change many of things on my new slide to make it better and cleaner. When creating the second draft of my slide, I researched and listened to my peers on ways to create a better laid out slide. I researched about contrasting colors and chose to add white letters the contrasted with a darker brown color. The images I picked out on my first slide I stretched out which made them more pixelated which I got ride of a shrunk them to their normal sizes. I made sure all of the images were symmetrical to each other and that they corresponded in a way to the highlighted color of the text.


Throughout the process, I learned that it is easier to follow a slide when it is simpler and more symmetric. I used my classmates and teachers to help me create a better slide. They gave me constructive criticism and different ideas to help me create a new better slide.


Fork Roads and Fire

Posted by William Flenner in English 2 · Pahomov · E Band on

(Starts with Jason near the phone and he puts his camera on live recording. At the bottom of the screen it says: ‘Feel free to comment to “(610) 414-399” during this video.’ Jason backs up 3ft from the camera.)

Jason: Hello, to all who are hearing this and hello to one particular person. My name is Jason Carter. Inhabitant of South Philadelphia. Not anymore. Yeah…That name…that place…does it sound familiar? Yeah, (Nods head) because you know how you are related to me. You know what you did. Now, (lays hand on chest) I might not know your name but you will know if you are that particular person. You will know because burning a house is not something that you would forget. (Lays hand on chest)I mean I wouldn’t, (Raises hands and shrugs) who would? Now (Lays hand on chest) I wouldn’t start a fire, (Shrugs) so I wouldn’t really know, (Points at the camera and lifts chin slightly) but you do. (Shakes head) You won’t forget what you did because you did it out of pleasure. I remember that night two days ago, I saw that devilish look in your eyes, the smile on your face, illuminated by the flames. You know what that told me? Hmm? It told me that it was no mistake and you didn’t regret it.

(Pause)

But truly…I do not know the real reason why you did it. Sure you did it out of pleasure, but what for? (Eyes narrow) Was it revenge? Now, since I don’t know who you are I don’t remember doing anything to you to make you mad at me. I didn’t even recognize you. So right now, what you did was just nonsense to me. Just why did it have to be me and my family?

(Pause. Text message alert appears on the phone’s screen under notifications. Jason walks up and looks at the message.)

And we have our first comment from my buddy, John Shoemaker. He says: ‘I was there on the night of the fire and I saw Adam Clark was there. I know him from school.’

(Pause)

So…Does anybody know who this Adam Clark may be?

(Pause. Text message alert appears on the screen.)

Now we’ve got another text message from someone named Chen and in his reply it says: ‘I know that kid, he goes to my school, he steals people’s money and phones and sprays graffiti on people’s houses.

(Pause. Text message alert appears on the screen.)

Another person, Carlos, exclaims: ‘He threw bricks at my windows. (Shakes head in disbelief)

And we have another message, It is from an 8th grader named Ethan. His message reads: ‘He is my older brother Adam Clark. Two nights ago I remember that he left my house in in the middle of the night. I have kept this secret for a long time and should have said it earlier: he has been doing things I don’t agree with for about three months now. Each new thing that he does is worse than the last.’

(Pause. Jason looks shocked at this new information)

So, apparently, I am not alone. Adam has been hurting others.

(Pause)

So, what should I do? Should I call the police and tell them that Adam did it? Maybe I can just leave an anonymous tip? I don’t know if I really have enough evidence here…

(Looks at messages again)

Now my brother is getting into this. He says: ‘Yo, little brother. Maybe you should give this kid a break, maybe he is like me. I did drugs and went to jail. It was because I didn’t have a friend to talk me out of it. You know my story. So I am just saying maybe this kid needs a chance. Sure he screwed up and I am not happy about him torching our house, but jail is not the solution.’

(Pause. Looks uncertain. Moves away from the phone)

Sigh Okay, now I really don’t know what to do. I mean maybe this kid really did have a rough life like my brother said, but should I still be sorry for him? I mean he made me (put hand on chest and look sad) lose…everything…dear to me. I never thought that it might happen to me, but it did, all because of him. What do you think that I should do?

(Turns and walk of screen. The End)

Level 4 Procrastinator

Posted by Salvatori Camarote in English 2 · Pahomov · E Band on

To person: What are you doing Emmy! He’s literally right in front of you!


To self: Okay it's 10:33, I should be done by at least 11ish, leaving me about an hour to finish my homework. Why do teachers have to give us projects and homework? What's the point of school if we have to do the work at home? I mean everyone knows 80% of the kids just look up the answers for whatever they demand us to do. Do teachers want our childhoods to be spent having anxiety and breakdowns over every other project? Why give us this busy work? And why give us so much work? How much homework do I have for one night? Just tonight I have Four 3-step equation problems, answer questions for a 10 page document, answer 10 questions for biochem, write a 500 word script in spanish, write a 3 paragraph film analysis, and write a 600 word draft for a monologue. Now each of these things are simple, but in 1 night. 1 night!


To person: Emmy why is everybody in this game so toxic? I make 1 mistake and this kid will not stop crying   .


To self: Okay so I don’t have history tomorrow, so I can do that homework tomorrow after school. Then I can do biochem in the morning, Math and the film analysis at lunch, leaving the spanish script and the monologue for tonight. I'm a decently fast typer so it should be fine. As long as this game doesn't last too long.


To person: Can you guys actually try so we can win already? I got homework I still have to do. No you’re not even trying, you keep using the scout which is utter garbage. (Slam fist on desk) It's not my fault I procrastinate… (realization, over exaggerated sigh)


To self: I can’t keep doing this to myself. I had 3 days to do the monologue, the entire week for history, 2 weeks to do the spanish script and the film analysis. I promise after today I will no longer procrastinate. If these assignments weren’t due until the morning I’d be screwed. Wait… Are they all due in the morning? Sometimes they switch it up… Nah probably not right.... I should check to be sure. (pause) No. NONONONONONONONONONO! Why is the monologue have to be due at 12!? That's nowhere near enough time! There's no way I’m gonna finish I don’t even have an idea yet.


To person: OH MY GOD WOULD YOU JUST DO ANYTHING! YOU LITERALLY HAVE DONE NOTHING FOR THE TEAM. I NEED TO GO AND I'M NOT GETTING BANNED BECAUSE YOU SUCK!


To self: Okay Okay I’ll just type on my phone between rounds… I’m so stupid. I should’ve just done the projects in the first place. Then I wouldn’t be stressed out every night getting a max of 4 hours sleep.


To person: God our teammates were trash… Good Game! Hey Emmy you up for another game? I can just do my homework in between rounds. (3 second pause) Aw come on, can’t you do your homework later?


Midnight Sprees

Posted by Sara Frunzi in English 2 · Pahomov · E Band on

“Midnight Sprees”


How do I feel today? (sarcastically) I wonder. I feel (gasp) the way I do every time I’m in this room with you. You ask me this question every week, Lydia, and I answer in the same way. I’m fine. I sit in this bland office with cushy chairs, and I’m always fine. I don’t want to be here. I never want to. I want to leave this place and never look back. I don’t need help, and I certainly don’t need your talk therapy. But y’know, my parents just can’t accept that, so here I am. My parents can’t handle the idea that their precious little girl can deal with bullies.


(Pause)


They sent me here because they care? Really? They didn’t care, or notice, when I came home with bruises and a tear-stained face. My mother just kept playing solitaire, and my dad just kept working. He doesn’t even really need to work that much, we’re kinda well-off, but he never seems to spend time outside the office. Also, they didn’t care at all when you brought them in here for a therapy session. I mean, really, they pretty much told you that it’s your job to fix me, not theirs. (sarcastically) Oooh, therapy. They just want me out of their way. Speaking of, there was also that time when they didn’t care about... (trails off)


(Pause)


It’s nothing. I’m serious, really. Nothing. (pause) No, I’m fine. (tugs on sleeves) Fine… You really are that desperate to know? I almost killed myself. There I said it. Proud of me now, Lydia? Have I lived up to your standards?


(Pause)


You didn’t need to know. What had happened was… I got fed up. It was another day, with the same bullies and the same insults… (voice gets a little lower) “slut, whore, fatass”. The same voices in the back of my head nagging at me all day. Too many bodies on my mind. So… that night I decided I didn’t want to go through with it anymore. I cut myself, instead of others. But then I got scared. There was so much blood, and I wasn’t used to it coming from my own body. My victims never fought back. I called Andrea, and she rushed over to help me. She doesn’t know about my late-night habits. You don’t even know about them. We managed to stop the bleeding with a t-shirt, and to clean up my room. My parents never go in there anyways, so it doesn’t really matter, but just in case. I drank a lot of water and juice, and ate some food. Andrea told me that I have to tell you, but I didn’t really mean for you to find out…


(Pause)


Why? Well because of the feelings and the thoughts coursing through me, why else? I’ve killed people, and it lurks in the back of my mind- who am I going to kill next? I just can’t decide sometimes and it eats me alive. Y’know that feeling when you’re underwater in a pool and you can hear everything but it’s muffled? That’s what it feels like. Until I feel someone’s blood in between my fingers, until I hear their screams, muffled by whatever I stuck in them to shut them up. Nothing is ever still. It feels like everything is always vibrating; me, my school, my life, my heart, my head. Everything. My heart beats faster than ever lately. I always feel like people are out to get me, and even in a room full of friends I feel so lonely. All I think about is my next murder.


(Pause)


Yeah, I guess… I do see it as a problem… I almost killed myself, for god's sakes! Maybe I do need help… (speaking pace quickens) What if I’m beyond help or beyond care? What if I’m too broken? (pause) I’m too broken. It’s pointless. But… What if it isn’t? I don’t know, I don’t know. I don’t know what to feel or think; I just can’t be this way anymore! I’ve killed three people this month. They didn’t make the news- doesn’t look like a serial killer. The first was an old man-- I poisoned him, it looked like suicide. I helped that old man by putting him out of his misery. The next was a woman, younger. I made it look like a domestic violence case, reported it to the police and everything. The man is in jail, but he sexually assaulted her anyway, so he deserved it. Just last week I killed a woman, an abusive mother. Her daughter is too young to understand, anyway. She’ll learn when she’s older. So really, I’m not doing anything bad.


(Pause)


What, no! I’m not going to some asylum. Oh hell no. You’re not going to lock me up in some psych center! I don’t need that. You’re wrong, I’m fine! Or maybe I’m not, but that’s not the point. I don’t need to go to a crisis center… They hurt people there, and I don’t need to be any more hurt than I already am! I don’t need to be sedated or any of that shit! I’m fine.


(Pause)


The police? No, no! Fine, I’ll- I’ll go to your dumb psych center. Just don’t lock me away forever...


Ari's Slide

Posted by Ari Burstein in Technology - Freshman · Hull · d2 Band on
Slide- Q2 Slide About Me

Good morning everybody. Today I will be presenting my tech slide. Although there is not much on the slide, I believe you can learn a lot about me from it. I’ll start off with the background. It is an image of a wrestling gym. A reason that I chose this image because it shows the side of me that is a wrestler. But on a more meaningful level, this image portrays a part of me that less people get to see. It shows that when I set my mind to something, I can accomplish it, no matter what it is. That is a wrestling mindset.

I chose the layout of the slide for multiple reasons. One of them was the contrast of the colors. I love the color combination of yellow and black, and I thought it would make the slide pop-out to the viewer. Another reason was that there were lines running through it, and my research said that that would put the image into focus.

The quote represents one of the main things I stand for. The quote reads, “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.” The person who said the quote is Josh Keitt, one of my wrestling coaches who is also the Athletic Director at CAPA. The quote, along with inspiring me, also portrays how I participate in topics that I am passionate about. If I set a goal for myself, I will spend countless hours working to achieve it. This applies not only to wrestling, but my entire life.

Thank you all for listening and have a great Thanksgiving Weekend!


Media Fluency Slide Assignment

Posted by Douglas Oliver on
For my slide, I chose an image that was well known like Starry Night, by VIncent Van Gogh. I have a very explosive personality and I thought that the image showed that in a physical way. I also used black to contrast against the multitude of colors so it’d be as clear as it could. Big text was another thing in the slide I thought was nice because it caught the audience’s attention and gets straight to the point. The quote I chose spoke on individuality which I personally feel I show on a daily basis. Presentation wise, the image has a value of a flowing characteristic which directed the viewer’s eyes on the image.

Alex's slide

Posted by Alex Jimenez in Technology - Freshman · Hull · e1 Band on
For my Me Magazine slide I did get my research from this article that showed me the best way to do my 1 slide. But what matters here is, why would I create my ! slide the way I did? There was a lot of stuff I could have added but since I only had a 1 slide limit then I only picked what was important and what truly represented me. Of course everything represented me but I only chose what showed me the most. I liked the layout and I believe that it is pretty self explanatory. These non copyrighted pictures represent me in the sense of who I am. The tacos represents my favorite food, the soccer ball represents what sport I like to play, Tamalex represents my favorite restaurant, the volcano the San Mateo Ozolco, Mexico represents where I come from, the American flag represents where I am currently living, and Penn Park represents where I show my soccer skills. This is only some stuff that represent me but at the end of the day it’s me.
  • What did you learn from the critique of your slide? I learned that best one slide is always organized and should be creative and not so basic. I also learned that the best slide is always eye catching. You never want to put a long text because no one has time to read a long text. Always put the most creative stuff on the slide. You always have to put the most important things on a slide. Don't put too much because then it looks dis organized. 
  • Why did you make the changes you made to the slide? I made the changes I made because based on the feedback I got from my group members they said to be more organized. Even though I organized my work I did change it a little because the word "Me" was very basic and boring. I changed the color to red because it made it pop more. I also changed the theme because before there was some weird thing on it and so now it's just black and looks a lot better. It also makes the pictures and "Me" pop out a lot more.
  • How did the research you did help to create a better slide? It helped me because I did everything like it said I just wasn't organized. It also said to only include the most important things. That's because it will be more eye catching. You always want to have the basic but good stuff so that you can make the reader process what you did. Don't try to add a lot of color because then it will look really messy and it won't be satisfying.
  • What were some of the sources you used to create an amazing slide? I just used Ted Blog which game tips on how to make a better slide.
one slide me magazine (4)

My Eyes by Louisa Strohm

Posted by Louisa Strohm in English 2 · Pahomov · E Band on

“Oh my god Penny, your eyes are like so blue.”

(rolls eyes) Thanks a bunch. I hate that phrase. Since the day the pigment entered my eyes I think I’ve been receiving compliments on them. “Oh my, look at your eyes!” or “Wow, your eyes are so pretty!” When I was younger, I found it nice to be complimented on one of my physical features so often, I was very fond of the attention. But as I grew older, and became a teenager I began to hate it. For me, the worst thing about receiving a compliment is that the complimentor always feels the need to be thanked, and will get all offended if you don’t thank them. It’s like, “Gee thank you SO much for letting me know that my eyes are blue. I’ve never heard that or seen myself in a mirror.” I’m just really sick of it, you know? When you attend a co-ed high school as a respectively pretty girl with blue eyes, boys love to tell you about it. “You have such big, beautiful eyes.” they’ll tell you. They’ll tell you they’ve never seen eyes like yours and ask you if it runs in your family. They will pretend that they care. They really don’t. I know now that they will tell you what they think you wanna hear, just so they can feel like they’re gonna get somewhere with you. Don’t let them. Do I not have anything else worth complimenting? I know I’ve never been the smartest. I’ve never been the most artistic or talented in anything really. But nothing, really? They’re just eyes, my sister and dad have the same exact pair. Hell, lots of people have the same pair. They’re blue, trust me I know. You know, maybe I’m wrong for complaining. I’m sure lots a girls would kill to have my eyes, and receive attention like I do. You know what no, I’m right. If you really like me, and you wanna compliment me, you should dig a little deeper than just finding the first physical feature you notice and uttering something that you think I’ve never heard before. Compliment me on my personality or on my mind. Honestly, anything but my eyes at this point. Compliment me on the point I made in that class we have together, or tell me I have a nice speaking voice. ANYTHING but the eyes. Please, spare me from having to hear about the two things that fill the round sockets on my face. Complimenting should be about making someone smile unexpectedly by surprising them with your fondness of a feature that not many others recognize. THINK before you compliment, because I’m done saying thank you.

You never meant home to me anyway - Orlando Aguayo - Monologue

Posted by Orlando Irizarry in English 2 · Pahomov · E Band on

You never meant home to me anyway.

Okay

you can do this.

(inhales deeply)

Maybe I can't. No I can't do this, I'm going to tell him. I'm tired of hearing him say that I walk just like a girl or that my voice is too high for him.

(pauses)

But what if he is fine with me being gay. I am his son, right?

I don’t know man, I don't think I can do this, I'm shaking just trying to think what to say

Should I just say, “I'm gay and proud. I don’t care what you’re going to do?”

Or should I not tell him, and just date girls even though I don't like them? I mean that's wrong, right? Playing with their feelings? I'm not a fuck boi

(pauses)

I can't keep this from him anymore man , he’s picking up clues:

Clues like me being around girls more than I am with guys.

Clues like me wearing black nail polish saying I'm emo but in reality I just wanna wear it.

When I was younger my nickname to him was fruit cake so he knew that I was gay.


My mom doesn't care.

She wants me to stay true to myself.

She also told me that when i'm ready to come out do it without regret, if he didn't accept me,

Or if he does do something crazy I can just live with my mom, that's why she left right?

She left Because he would hit her repeated for reasons like when she didn't serve his food once he entered the house from work

Because she didn't want to lay with him because he smelt like a damn whole bar

He used to mark her all up with bruises and busted lips

That's the reason why my brother Matthew isn't here now because she had a miscarriage

Man fuck this, fuck it man, I have to tell him.

Okay I can do this I can do this okay I got it.

Breath, Jonah breath.

(Breaths in and out)

I'm ready

(pauses)

Dad can we talk I have something I wanna tell you please don't scream please dont.

Remember when you used to call me fruitcake because I would act and talk just like a girl?

Well I have to tell you something

(inhales in and out)

I am

(cough)

I am... I am..

(coughs)
I like like guys okay I like guys

(Pauses)

No this isn't a phase you obviously knew I was, because you mocked me on a daily basis.

What are you crazy? Are you? Therapy won't fix this, I am gay and that's what I am you can't change that.

But dad I'm your son are you kidding me

Man I knew you weren’t  going to approve cause you’re a damn homophobe you despise gay people with a passion.

(Starts to get upset)

What! No you listen to me, you can't tell me that I have to date girls to live here I'm not going to live a lie and claim I have feelings for them.

Okay then I will pack my bags and leave.

You never meant home to me anyway.

We never had a son bond anyway

That father and son bond

You never came to my talent shows, never showed up to none of my Father and Son dances at least I was active in school and participated in events

No wonder mom left your miserable ass your so damn judgemental and abusive

Beating her up and making her have a miscarriage

The only brother i’ll only have

But What ever Daniel I’ll be out of your hair after I'm done packing

You know what? Go to hell, asshole.

(Slams door)