For my Senior Capstone project, I decided to volunteer at a Family Emergency Center in West Philadelphia and work with an Organization in Texas called Human Coalition. If you don’t already know I grew up in a single mothers homes where everyday I saw the struggles my mom undertook just to provide for my sisters and I.  This factor in my life has been deeply rooted in me and has shaped the person I am today. So my mission was to bring awareness to Teen pregnancy, for there is a lot of controversy to this topic. At the Emergency center, I got to work closely with the young mom that lived there. I was able to connect with these women while offering support.  My mother who was a former residence of the women’s home came in and talk to them as well. She told her life stories, challenges of being in their shoes and how she overcame her obstacles. The whole meaning of my project is to really just bring awareness to these women. I wanna be able to take their stories and be the messengers that they trust that will convey their message into something positive. I wanna be that person to let them know that their life choices don’t define them. Me and my mother will be that embodiment of this.

“Building Character: Strengthening the Heart of Good Leadership.” Center for Creative Leadership, ww.ccl.org/multimedia/podcast/building-character-strengthening-the-heart-of-good-leadership/.

• My Capstone will require me to have certain leadership skills. This website sets certain expectations to what they believe a leadership role looks like. It includes traits to follows. This could be a good guide to my success in my mentorship.

Great Valley Publishing Company, Inc. What Every Social Worker Should Know About Immigration Law, www.socialworktoday.com/archive/031912p24.shtml.

• Being the daughter of a teen mom, I noticed the struggle my mother  had when balancing working a job, taking care of 2 kids one her own and  trying to pursue an education for us all to have a better life. A lot of times mothers don’t have opportunity to go to school simply because of money. Their main focus isn’t just school now, it’s making sure their kids  have a roof over their head and something to eat. This sources talks about how some organizations help young mothers who want to continue an education.

Harden, Angela, et al. “Teenage Pregnancy and Social Disadvantage: Systematic Review Integrating Controlled Trials and Qualitative Studies.” The BMJ, British Medical Journal Publishing Group, 13 Nov. 2009, www.bmj.com/content/339/bmj.b4254.

• This source will be used to bring awareness on the impact on Teen Pregnancy. It also includes social disadvantages that come along with being a young mother. Counties such as the UK and the United States have high rates of teenage pregnancies. Social disadvantage can be seen in  unemployment, poverty, discrimination, and educational level, and place of residence.

“Helping Pregnant and Parenting Teens Find Housing.” Healthy Teen Network, 9 May 2018, www.healthyteennetwork.org/blog/helping-pregnant-parenting-teens-find-housing/.

• While doing extensive research, I found that there are different types of housing programs for young women all over the city. This website presents and explains the different types of programs.

HHS Office. “Grants.” HHS.gov, US Department of Health and Human Services, 19 May 2016, www.hhs.gov/programs/social-services/homelessness/grants/index.html.

• The place in which my mentorship course will take place is a financially assisted housing facility, but where do places like these gain funds to provide homes, food, and clothing for these women and their children? This source provides information on different grants that allow places like these to stay open and running.

National Research Council (US) Panel on Adolescent Pregnancy and Childbearing. “SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES OF TEENAGE CHILDBEARING.” Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports., U.S. National Library of Medicine, 1 Jan. 1987, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK219229/.

• This website focusing on the active changes teen parenting has on not just a mother but father as well. Being brought to the attention of the reader are long term consequences of early childbearing for the mother, the father, and other family members. Following behind are Labor Force Participation, Occupational Status and many more. This source is a great insight to people aren't aware of how teen pregnancy contracts from others.

“Pregnant and Parenting Youth.” Job Training | Covenant House, www.covenanthouse.org/homeless-youth-programs/mother-child-teenage-pregnancy-help.

• Here I have found a Local foundation Covenant House that  has sheltered and cared for young people. It presents data on young parents who have/ still face homelessness in the U.S. A list of services this foundation included are as well listed. Such as food, clothings, Jobs, and health care.

Reynolds, Tammi. “Pregnant Teenagers Abandoned by Their Parents.” LoveToKnow, LoveToKnow Corp, https://pregnancy.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Pregnant_Teenagers_Abandoned_by_Their_Parents.

• This article informs me of the subject of abandonment, which has an affect on the teenagers overall experience during pregnancy and drives the lack of support throughout the process. This is a very useful topic, that shares an important perspective showing correlations to the abandonment of pregnant teens.

“What Teen Moms Want You to Know.” Seleni Institute, www.seleni.org/advice-support/2018/3/15/what-teen-moms-want-you-to-know.

• I had access to read over an interview that took place between a young mother and her mentor. I gained insight on the mother’s life story along with important context into what mothers in her situation would like outsiders to know.

Wolf, Jennifer. “HUD Programs Available to Single Mothers and Their Families.” Verywell Family, Very well family, www.verywellfamily.com/housing-assistance-programs-for-single-mothers-2997420.

• My mother, sister, and I left the housing facility because after being on the waitlist for a couple months she had been accepted into Section 8. Section 8 isa housing assistance program run by the federal government. It was created to help low- income families afford decent safe and sanitary housing. To get into Section 8 an HA determines your eligibility based on : your annual gross income, whether you qualify in their requirements, and U.S citizenship or eligible immigration status.

Sharron Norton

English 3

Pahomov

23 April 2018

Smoking Kills

Smoking pollutes the air, litters our streets, water, and results in accidental ingestion by small animals and children. Cooperation is needed in order to lessen this impact, and restore the planet to health. The production of cigarettes should decrease by 90% so that with time, the harmful habit could disappear. A significant decrease in the production of tobacco products will lead to the minimization of demand on it as the price will get higher, the supply will decrease and people will not be able to buy it.

Generally, the public is well aware that second-hand smoke is very dangerous. According to the CDC, second-hand smoke contains carcinogens, toxic metals and poisonous gases. While these substances have negative effects on human health, they also affect our environment as well. Second-hand smoke goes into our atmosphere and messes up the world’s air quality. There has  also been reports that a gathering of experiments indicates that levels of respirable suspended particulates (RSPs) decreased by up to 96% in public spaces that banned smoking. This improvement in air quality is not only for the sake of health, but as well as the organisms of the environment. Smoking pollutes the air, but the damage to the environment does not stop there. Thrown away cigarette butts customarily are left in public streets. Cigarettes are the most common  item that contribute to litter. Now, the main problem revolving around the disposal of cigarette butts are the cases when they are accidental eaten by children and animals. Studies have Shown that household pets or other small animals that make the mistake of ingesting cigarette litter may suffer tremors, vomiting, respiratory failure and even death. Just one cigarette butt is dangerous, and a whole cigarette may be lethal if ingested. Although others may not immediately recognize it, cigarettes are toxic waste and need to be disposed of properly.

Cigarette is the deadliest object in the history of human production. Cigarettes kill about 6 million people every year. Tobacco causes human deaths, more than by all deaths from HIV, illegal drug use, alcohol use, and motor vehicle injuries, suicides, and murders combined. Smokers die 14 years earlier than nonsmokers. Tobacco smoking is a leading cause of human cancer and deaths which are higher in developing countries than in developed countries. About 70% of tobacco-related deaths will occur in developing countries. Another factor that tags  along with something is Lung cancer which is an aggressive disease. The lungs are the most important organs that help us breathe and give oxygen to all the cells in the body. These organs are affect both directly and indirectly by cigarette smoking. One in 10 moderate smokers and one in 5 heavy smokers (15 cigarettes per day) will die of lung cancer. About 85% of smokers with lung cancer die within 5.5 years. Many types of cancers including pancreatic cancer and colon cancer, bladder and kidney cancer are caused due to tobacco smoking. Tobacco smoking is also associated with cancer of the oral cavity (including lip and tongue) in both men and women. If government were to restrict the intake people had with tobacco/ cigarettes, then the percentage of deaths and effects of cancer would definitely decrease as well.

Furthermore,  The use of tobacco products is one of the main causes of preventable and premature death and disease the world over. It does not just affect the smokers themselves but the innocent lives of their neighbors and Earth itself. If people in higher places were able to put a stop to production and its passing to people in the country, then there would be a big change. Change in global warming, as well as the welfare of people in this planet. People would be more safe.

Sources:

“Should Smoking Be Banned?” Vaping Daily, vapingdaily.com/quit-smoking/should-smoking-be-banned/.

Begh, Rachna, et al. BMC Medicine, BioMed Central, 2015, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4601132/.

In the second  quarter of my art class, we were giving 5 major assignments and these art pieces resulted in the finishing of blind finished contour drawings, creating my own art piece, remaking of a famous piece of art, illustrating from a piece of writing, and photo editing . During the process of this task to complete, my creativity was unleashed. From these assignments, I was able to truly have faith in myself as an artist and test my resourceful talent that has been hidden for so long.

My artwork is about the excitement of exploring with your eyes, mind and spirit the unique and the mysterious. The work that I create in Mrs. Hull’s room is created to have immediate impact and long lasting power, personally for me, atleast. My art pieces are very meaning for to me because its about  doing what I never thought I could do that I never thought I would actually had the time to do before. And from the process I completed in every class period, the paintings and art pieces had  engaged me  by their power of color, motion and imagery and  eventually moved me  into a sense of wondering and curiosity. Right then and there, I was beginning to be pulled in--to be involved in the process of discovering all the variety of shapes, the dark and light spaces in between them, how they're connected, float or seem to move fast across the paper. And to my surprise, I would return the next class period  to the painting and find new insights and associations with the imagery that I would then add to me  overall sense of experiencing the original beauty of the creative process. When completing I knew once placed in my room, that they would  energize it and me as well.

Looking past the obvious, close observation and engagement is major key during the process to making art work.  The challenge is to see beyond the distraction of  self- doubt and to just go with flow. Capture the  uniqueness within yourself and your work. The advice I have for others is enjoy your experience and don’t deprive yourself from greatness. Even if your spend an entire class period just pondering multiple ideas of what you want to create in your assignment, that's fine.  It may not seem like its progress, but let me tell you it is. The process of creation is in a constant state of decay and renewal. I say this because you won’t have anything unless you bring your artist side to life. Set it free to explore and be open minded to trying new things. Even if it may seem unusual.  My goal is to inspire those who to discover beauty in unusual places.

Sharron Norton

Personal Memoir

Ms. Pahomova

3 English

The Ingredients To A Perfect Disaster

They tell you don’t forget where you came from. I regret where I came from. The manifestation of my existence was solely based on the desire of skin and a placeholder to fill the missing piece of a father’s love. There was no love in my making, nor is there today. No happy white picket fence type of family. Instead what was left of this mess was a 15 year old high schooler with clothes that looked as if it couldn’t barely fit her small petite body always with a big snow coat on, rushing to the bathroom. And to your surprise, hiding me.  

I never really knew the details surrounding the circumstance around my coming into the world.  I was left to soak up whatever my mom or grandma desired to slip out. I was left to suffer the longing to want a father. I’m independent and I had to learn that the hard way. I learned dependability, for it was a gateway to disappointment. Do you know how it feels to always feel alone? Do you know how it feels to always be disappointed, to always feel drained by the disappointment? I do not want your pity. I don’t need anyone to tell me that I’m better off, or that my life's better without him in it. I’ve understood this from a young age. I’ve understood that two can sometimes be better than three. When the last one is only there to anger you. All that I am is all that you see. My heart not being placed on my sleeve is no longer a defense mechanism, but a way I’ve chosen to live my life.

So I live taking one day at a time. But sometimes the noise gets too loud. The clamor begins to suffocate me. And just before I lose the grasp of what really matters after I worked so hard to get to that place; I slip back into my old ways. A place of solitude where my mind was beaten to believe I was nothing. A place where I was pushed into blaming myself.  A place where I envied others lives, and punish myself every day for it.  For it’s a sin in my religion. I tell myself it’s the color of my skin, but it’s not that simple. I know I am beautiful on the outside. But ugliness was linked to the environment I lived in. I envy the innocents my peers have had growing up when it has been ripped out my bare hands with my permission. I had no voice. For was silenced by my emotions on the lost of him that if I expressed how I felt then he would once again leave and this time it would be my own faught. So I endured the misery. I took comfort in it for it made me feel. The inflicting torment it gave me constructed agony in the best way. A love-hate relationship, I guess you can say.

But with this self medicate came along the nastiest type of anger. I would put on this personification that I was okay and that it didn't affect me but inside, self-hate dominated. I hated myself, for how could I have wanted somebody in my life that didn’t care about his only daughter? A person who had the money to care for you but choose not to. How could I want a man in my life who purposely disrespected my mother constantly and caused the feud between our relationship? The load of regret became too heavy and all at once it towered down. All that was left of the ruins were brokenness. He left me with nothing. The only thing this man gave was the color of my skin and my appearance. Everything else he selfishly possesses in his childish soul. Everything he took from me that prevented me from access to a world of both parents to happiness of a little girl, innocence, and peace. He denied me access to feel the love from a father.  What he stole from me was the opportunity on how a man should treat you. I have to learn this on my own for there are just some things a mother can’t teach you.  He says, “ All the things that you went- Nu, I never meant to put you thought it”. He explains this to me as if he wants me to tell him how to right his wrongs. But I couldn't and wouldn’t. He was too stubborn for his own good to see that he was the cause of my despair. And like father and daughter,  I was too.

I felt lost in this world. All that went through my head was that no one could understand how I felt. In the aftermath of it all, I felt that I would never be truly cherished. But in the midst of it all, I got the chance to actually feel loved by someone. This person was very dear to me.  But I let my fear of letting someone into my life misguide me and letting a great opportunity fade away. I had been beaten into submission into thinking that all the good things that came across my life would never work. I was so used to believing that all men were the same. I let fear and the anger of my father, once again, rob me of what I was to be awarded of. And still today I am troubled by my decision. Trouble from how my life could separate such a great relationship. How it's baggage dressed in sheep's clothing took the responsibility to purposely shout out to destroy happiness when I need it most. I was arrogant, thinking it would actually last right? Yeah, I know.  

I blame my failure at a true relationship all on me. I didn’t know how to handle all the emotions. For so long I’ve had all of these emotions bottled up because I am ashamed of my thoughts. I can’t talk to my friends even my mother, who is my closest companion, about how I feel because I have no words it. And if I try to speak on my body will drown in it all. And I carry this burden with me every day. I don’t feel anymore. I used to be sad but now I’m just numb. And now, all of a sudden I feel really tired. Like the world had drained me of everything that I had. And suddenly,  I decided it was time to change. To not give this man the satisfaction of feeling he won. To live for my sisters. Live for my mother and do the best I can so I won’t be classified as another stereotype. But I do have my bad days. Someday I feel the world can be just a plane of my existence and nothing more, just repeated streets and highways, to remind me that the world never changes. And during those days, the only consistency I enjoy is sleep.

Sharron Norton: Enraizada en mi patria

Soy Africana,

La hija de los padres trabajadoras,

Tengo seis hermanos,

Producto de África,

Un ave de Dios.

Veo libertad,

Saboreo la comida de mi abuela,

Oigo la voz de mi mamá,

Toco el pelo de mis hermanos.

Practico deportes con pasión,

Corriendo como el animal de mi,

Le senga de África está en mi,

Aceptado en la historia de mi patria.

Somos productos de África,

Somos Africanos,

Hablamos inglés:

Somos como el depredadores en tiempos de cacería,

No somos uno somos muchos,

No hablamos de uno, hablamos juntos,

Mi mamá yo somos uno

y