"A Big Step Towards My Future"

Being accepted to do senior service has been an honor,
this means I am one step closure to summer!
But the work for me has just begun,
I have to fill out more applications which is not fun.

I will be volunteering at my mother's hospital,
The New York Harbor Healthcare System is where I hope to be helpful.
First came volunteer applications, now two PPD tests!
This test is a Tuberculosis skin test; I hope I pass so I'll be less stressed.

I have to wait forty eight hours to get my shot examined.
Once I get my results, I will be able to get an ID did I mention?
I have to go through finger printing and bring my personal information.
I will be volunteering in the Emergency Room, but at least I'll have my mother in the hospital as my cushion.

Being able to see how a hospital works first hand will be a preview to my future.
I hope I can handle everything that I see and encounter.

"Timing is Everything"

Ever since I was a freshman I ran the 100 meter hurdle event.

People would ask me "Aren't you too short to go over them?"
I would prove them wrong but feel a little resent.
But that is the least of my struggles, as you will find out in this poem.

I have always been determined to beat my personal bests in hurdles.
For the past three years I have been very successful.
However, this year I wanted to push myself so I can write my times in my journal.
I needed to figure out a way to beat my personal bests and be careful.

Then I realized that I should start using starting blocks.
I have always known I should be starting down but I was doing so well without it.
However, the League Championship Meet was approaching which put me in shock.
I have always been avoiding starting down since freshman year I must admit.

That day, the forecast was in our favor.
I started to feel a little anxiety starting down with a hurdle in front of me.
But starting down while the track was wet was so major.
I remembered Coach Hartney saying "You looked the best you could be."

I set my blocks and mentally prepared myself for the race.
With practice and trust my struggle was finally overcome.
I felt as if I went at an even faster pace!
My start gave me an extra boost and lowered my time a ton!

"Why Can't We All Just Be Friends?"

During Spring Break, I saw my friend's dogs had puppies.

I thought to myself, "Imagine Austin had another buddy?"

I was asked to baby sit one of the eight Shiba Inu's,

I quickly said, "Of course, that is not an issue!"

I told my father I was going to be baby-sitting a pup.

The puppy was a girl, and she was the rut.

I brought her home and everyone fell in love,

my brother even came home to give her lots of hugs.

I ended up naming the puppy, Maya.

I knew how much attention she would require.

The attention that we gave Maya had gotten to Austin,

he seemed to get annoyed more than often.

I thought Austin would not mind having another friend,

but then I realized that he wanted their friendship to end.

As much as we wanted to all keep her, it was not working out,

Austin became aggressive without a doubt.

We knew Maya deserves better, even though she fit right in,

but it was only right to return her back home again.

She was so happy seeing her parents, which was a relief.

When she grows up to be the best dog ever, I will not be in disbelief.

"Senior Service?"

As senior year comes towards an end,

I find myself more and more overwhelmed everyday.

I realize how much will change between me and my friends.

Ever since I was a freshman, I was hoping to do senior service,

but now I'm second guessing myself whether or not I should do it.

As much as I want school to end, I am going to miss seeing my friends on a daily basis.

I told myself that I earned the privilege to be apart of it.

The experience of being in a hospital before getting my degree seems only right.

This is going to be one of the hardest decisions I admit.

"Senioritis" has not hit me just yet,

But I am sure it will be coming soon once all of my classmates get it.

I just have to look at the bigger picture of whats the better bet.

I think I have made my decision.

I am just trying to look out for whats in my best interest.

Senior Service will help me live out my passion.

"A Stressful Last Home Basketball Game"

On February 15, 2013, I hosted a Cancer Benefit Game.
The participants of "the half-court" shot took apart of the fame.
All proceeds went to Gilda's Club, a Cancer Support Charity.
This charity is a non-profit organization with assistance to help mend the wearily.

The stress of the preparation of the Benefit Game was enormous.
I had to make flyers, posters and other stuff that was important.
I was not sure if I was going to be able to pull it off,
but with the help of Mrs. Collentine and Coach Millan I did not feel so lost.

It was finally the big half-time show that everyone was waiting for.
My nerves of saying a speech in front of the big crowd shook me up like never before.
However, I took a deep breath and took it all that I had accomplished.
All of my struggles seemed to disappear after the "half-court" shot started.


The Lady Knights played our rivals, Cresskill.
We wanted this game so bad, it gave some people a chill.
The game was so close we had it in our hands,
it just so happened they unfortunately took the stand.

"Midterm Madness"

I thought Senior Year was supposed to be a breeze?
I find myself rushing against time and there's no time to sneeze.
Teachers bombarded me with study guides like every year,
And I do not like to cram like the rest of my peers.

It is the last weekend before midterms
and I am far from being a bookworm.
I told myself I would go to work, shower
and power nap for an hour.

My power nap turned into a long slumber,
but I figured I would pull myself together.
My struggle to complete my study guides
was starting to worry me, but I knew I had to put all my distractions aside.

I shutoff my phone and television,
plugged in my earphones and was imprisoned.
Segregating myself from everything and anything,
only led to me productively working.

I completed all of my work after hours of concentration,
atleast I am guaranteed to be in less frustation.
Now I just have to take a deep breath and stress less,
I took a big step in conquering this Midterm Madness.

"A Snowy December"

I have a fear.
The fear to drive in the snow,
But today I had work
And I needed to go.

I asked for a ride,
But no one replied.
I laughed to myself and said
"I hope I survive."

I turned on the heat
And wiped the car clean.
Let the journey begin.
I reverse onto the street.

What really frightened me
Was coming to a turn,
And the first turn I took
I felt my car swerve.

My stomach felt sick,
But I realized I'm fine.
I drove in the snow,
And got to work on time.

I was happy to finally
overcome my fear,
But I pray for no more snow
For the rest of the year.