Student Declaration of Independence

We the students of Grosse Pointe South High School find it necessary to band together in order to create a common stronghold, that united shall allow for the dissolution of silly rules and regulations imposed upon us by King Provenzano and the Grosse Pointe School District. It is with all due respect that we bring forth our opinions. It is in doing so that we hope to engage in a quicker absolution of the past and current administrations’ mistakes. Only then can we look to our future within this institution and see that it is bright and beautiful.

Let it be known that we are entitled to certain rights as high school students. Namely, we have the Right to Sanity, Happiness, Physical Well-Being, Expression and Proper Accommodations.  We have been held prisoners in this school for too long. It is as if we are hardened criminals that must do homework or blog until our hands are calloused or fall off.  We are chained to our rooms and not allowed to wander the halls, nor leave a social event for fear we may commit some crime.  Our happiness and physical well-being have been ignored. These administrators should realize that we, as teenagers require more sleep, adequate nutrition and longer lunch hours.  Let’s not forget about our much-needed happiness in order not to commit suicide or deal with depression.  Also, we suffer from inadequate facilities with no air conditioning, ventilation, and no free parking lot that is sufficient enough to accommodate all students. It is our right and duty to provide for all students the necessary elements in order to succeed at this institution of higher education. We must rid this place of old ideals usurped with pain, agony, and suffering which they have inflicted. Hence, we must abolish this fiefdom. We hereby submit as proof of our allegations the following testimony that we do solemnly swear to be the whole truth

<!--[if !supportLists]-->       I.           I.  <!--[endif]-->More Holiday Breaks

When someone who does not know the school walks it, they see hard work, but with that hard work, sleep deprived students and teachers. Sleep can fix many of the things the teachers have issues with the students. If the school introduces more regular holiday breaks, instead of longer holiday breaks. This would give the student body more time to understand the difficult concepts of life, say school has all of Friday Saturday Sunday off. More time to do homework would permit more time to actually understand those lessons. More breaks would permit a healthier school in general.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->    II.           II.  <!--[endif]-->Harmless Pranks Should be Allowed

During spirit week all staff is on the hunt for pranks. Such things as, writing 'senior' on underclassmen's arms. This does not inhibit their class performance in any way. The students are still able to get their books, get to class, and be able to pay attention. The same with Glitter-Bombing; it affects no actual school notion. All that does is make the underclassmen shine a little more. Those are just simple pranks to make the day a little more light hearted; everyone needs a little laughter.

<!--[if !supportLists]--> III.            III. <!--[endif]-->Less Strict Tardy Policies

The planner states that after seven unexcused tardies you fail the class. Instead of the concrete rule the rule should be circumstantial. There are situations that one cannot help, they were bound to happen anyway, there was just bad timing. The rules also permit teachers marking you down because you are tardy. That is not fair; the grade in any class should be based on homework, participation, and book smarts. The proof is in the pudding.
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<!--[if !supportLists]--> IV.  <!--[endif]-->S   IV. School Dance Restrictions

Dances are meant to be fun. However, even the simple task of buying a ticket for a dance is complicated by forms and ticket numbers and showing your school I.D. Although they are school run, dances should not be treated like a normal day at school. Those attending should not have to abide by the same strict dress code and above all else should not be forced to stay once they arrive. If you want to leave a dance you should be able to do so at any point during the night.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->    V.           V.  <!--[endif]-->Admission Fees

When attending school sporting events such as football games, students should not have to pay to get in. More students would attend games if admission were free. School teams need encouragement and this would get them a lot more support from the student body. Money would still be made from the cost of tickets for people who are not students or faculty. No admission fee would increase school spirit make games more enjoyable.

<!--[if !supportLists]--> VI.            VI. Attendance

Signing out in the attendance office before leaving school serves no purpose. If a parent must already call the student out there is no reason for that student to also have to go to the attendance office to sign out. This is an unnecessary step that does nothing but complicate a process that should be very simple. An absence should not be marked unexcused if the student did not sign out. Signing out is easy to forget and makes it easy for students to be punished unjustly.   

<!--[if !supportLists]-->VII.            VII. Respect From Teachers

If students must respect their teachers then teachers must also respect their students. Teachers should not be allowed to abuse their authority by mistreating their students. If a student were to disrespect a teacher it would not go unnoticed. However, it is commonly overlooked when a teacher is rude to a student or class. If respect is demanded of us, it should also be demanded of faculty.   

<!--[if !supportLists]-->VIII.          VIII.   <!--[endif]-->Dress Code  

We believe that the dress code is too Puritan at our school. Females should not be forced to wear clothes of a certain length to school. This is a hassle for the parents because they now have to take the student shopping. All this excess shopping can cause money problems for the family. Students should be allowed to wear what they wear outside of school to school.
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->IX.   Start and Dismissal Times                                                                                                                                         The time that school starts at Grosse Pointe South High School is too early. Also, the time school ends is too late. Most students attend extracurricular activities after school and must spend the remainder of their day completing their homework. This results in a late bedtime for students. Since school starts so early, the kids come to school sleep-deprived and they are not ready to learn. 
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->    X.            X.  <!--[endif]-->Parking

Parking spaces at this school are very limited. With such a large student body, we are in need of many more parking spots than we currently have. There are only two free lots at the school which can be far from classes and lockers and they can fill up very easily. The only convenient lot is only available for seniors and costs money. This is extremely inconvenient and causes students to be late for their classes.

Our complaints are very simple and clear.  They are what we require and what needs to change.  We need to be able to dress how we want and be able to leave a school dance when we want.  If we are always told to be independent and to embrace being different then it’s impossible when we have so many restrictions.  When we come home with hours of homework and have to do it all in one night then wake up and do it all over again with not enough time in the day to get our assignments done it get a little hard to do.  We spend hours and hours at our school, but when we go to see a two hour long sporting event we suddenly have to pay to see our peers play.  If you are a student, then you should not have to.  If you are sick and need to go home, but cannot get a hold of your parents you cannot leave.  The fact that you have to get called in is ridiculous; we are in high school, not kindergarten.  A day does not go by when we all feel disrespected by teachers.  If we are not supposed to be sassy to you, then you cannot be sassy to us.  Being yelled at and told what to do and when to do it if when we say one thing back we are simply again yelled at.  Going to school is like working with more pressure so when a holiday is present we should get it off.  This gives us more time to do homework and catch up on sleep that is lost because of school starting to soon.  When we do not turn in an assignment on time, our grade goes down.  When teachers do not grade a paper on time, we deal with it.  When we do not get to class on time, our grade goes down.  When teachers are late, we deal with it. The balance in this school is not fair for one class to be treated over the other.  During spirit week, we want to show our spirit and seniority.  But when we are told that doing this could cause suspension, it changes our harmless game.  If we want to feel like we are actually people and have real rights, then we should be able to do what we want.  We should not have other people bossing us around like salves and having these restrictions makes us become less than what we are.

Declaration of Independence

We the students of Grosse Pointe South High School find it necessary to band together in order to create a common stronghold, that united shall allow for the dissolution of silly rules and regulations imposed upon us by King Provenzano and the Grosse Pointe School District. It is with all due respect that we bring forth our opinions. It is in doing so that we hope to engage in a quicker absolution of the past and current administrations’ mistakes. Only then can we look to our future within this institution and see that it is bright and beautiful.

Let it be known that we are entitled to certain rights as high school students. Namely, we have the Right to Sanity, Happiness, Physical Well-Being, Expression and Proper Accommodations.  We have been held prisoners in this school for too long. It is as if we are hardened criminals that must do homework or blog until our hands are calloused or fall off.  We are chained to our rooms and not allowed to wander the halls, nor leave a social event for fear we may commit some crime.  Our happiness and physical well-being have been ignored.  These administrators should realize that we, as teenagers require more sleep, adequate nutrition and longer lunch hours.  Let’s not forget about our much-needed happiness in order not to commit suicide or deal with depression.  Also, we suffer from inadequate facilities with no air conditioning, ventilation, and no free parking lot that is sufficient enough to accommodate all students. It is our right and duty to provide for all students the necessary elements in order to succeed at this institution of higher education. We must rid this place of old ideals usurped with pain, agony, and suffering which they have inflicted. Hence, we must abolish this fiefdom.  We hereby submit as proof of our allegations the following testimony that we do solemnly swear to be the whole truth.

Crucible Epilogue

Gabrielle DeLoof

Mr. Provenzano

Honors American Lit. 1^st Hour

17 October 2011

Crucible Epilogue

As for Salem, it is now far off from my world.  I am better because of it.  I hated living there during such a critical time of my life.  It was a wretched place that made me feel like an outcast. I had nothing.  I was an orphan.  When I thought I had something or someone who cared for me, I was wrong.  It was all just a bad dream.  However, everyone got their just dues.  The one person in particular was that no good John Proctor who was the devil.  I can’t believe that some feel that he died a hero.  How can someone who commits such a grave sin as adultery ever become a hero?  He hurt me so much that I am happy that he was hung.  It is too bad that I wasn’t the one who got to tighten the noose.  

As that chapter in my life closes, another one opens.  My good friend, Mercy has allowed me to travel with her.  We have come upon an interesting town called Boston.  There are many men here who are different than those in Salem.  I am no longer a slave but can work as I please.  I labor in a place called a saloon for Mr. John Smith.  He is such a gentleman.  The other day I got a taste of something called “gin.”  The fresh, cool, crisp taste of one sip made me feel like I was in the woods amongst many pine trees.  For a second, I saw myself dancing in the woods with the girls again.  Or was I dancing in the saloon amongst the women and men?  I did not feel like myself, but I was happy as my subconscious came before me.  I didn’t think I drank but a sip, but perhaps it was more.  Soon I found myself in another room with unfamiliar surroundings.  Mr. Smith was introducing me to Mr. Jim West.  Next, I was dancing with a blonde hair, blue-eyed man.  Soon he said that he would be paying me very well for my time spent entertaining him.  Why would I be paid to be dancing with a man?  Hard up for money, I was interested in what he meant by his statement.  No sooner than I wished to find out than I soon came to realize what he intended.  Before I knew it, I was unclothed, and in his arms lying next to him in bed.  I kept wondering if this was a dream or reality. 

It is harder to get out of things than you first think.  Mr. Jim West and I started off drinking and then danced.  I soon came to tell Mr. West that I had a great time with him and hoped to see him again sometime soon.  Mr. West asked where I was going and I told him that I was tired and needed to go home with Mercy.

 “Well Abigail, Mercy is having some alone time with Mr. James Dean” said Mr. West.  What was I supposed to do?  I couldn’t go to Mercy because she was having “alone time” with Mr. Dean, so I simply asked Mr. West if he could take me home.

 “I would love to take you home, Abigail, just come with me to the back room to get my jacket.”  As we approached the back room, Mr. West told me I could spend the night here since there was an extra bedroom.  I agreed to do the latter.

Mr. West took me to the bedroom where I would be staying the night and showed me the sheets, blankets, and where the bathroom was. 

“Thank you Mr. West.”

 “You’re welcome,” he replied. As he was about to walk out, Mr. West shut the door and locked it.

 “I am fine Mr. West.  I need to change and get in bed,” cried Abigail.

 “I will be helping you get dressed tonight, Abigail.”  As he said that to me, he tossed me on the bed and started to undress me.  He put himself on top of me and the way he was touching and feeling me felt so nice.  I didn’t want him to stop so I let him stay with me for the night.

I awoke to the rays of light from the sun on my face as it entered through the window in the bedroom.  Just then I heard a pounding of feet on the floor and a husky voice say, “Thanks for the night.”  Then the door shut.  A few minutes later there was a knock on the door and Mr. Smith entered the room.  He told me what a great job I had done and that I was welcome to stay and continue to work at the saloon.   I went to find Mercy in order to discuss Mr. Smith’s proposal.  I found her alone inside the saloon sitting on a bar stool.  We exchanged our stories with what had transpired during the night, and we both somehow felt that this was our new life and beginning.  To finally have someone or people that love you, while at the same time being taken care of and paid lots of money was all that we needed. 

Some people call us devils or prostitutes, but they will never know what it was like in our previous life as orphans.  Finally, we had the ability to dance without being told it was witchcraft, and we had found happiness within this new life.   

Crucible Essay

The Crucible

            In Arthur Miller’s novel, The Crucible, it is seen that hysteria enabled the town of Salem, Massachusetts to flourish in witchcraft. It became a community where once upright citizens were accused of committing absurd crimes. The town engaged in rumors which caused much panic and apprehension. The latter, caused the town to be blind to what was truly right. The hysteria was perpetuated by many people in the town in order to benefit them. Abigail Williams was a teenager who was responsible for a lot of drama as well as incited the trials because of her behavior.  Also, Reverend Parris tried to conceal the inappropriate behavior of his daughter by blaming others. In addition, the Putnams wanted to blame others for something that couldn’t be controlled. Ultimately, the three characters noted to be responsible for the witch trials are Abigail Williams, Reverend Parris, and the Putnams.                                

            Abigail Williams provoked the witch trials in the town of Salem.  Abigail’s parents were dead so she had no one to look up to or someone to tell her what was right and wrong.  When John Proctor had an affair with Abigail, she thought that he was truly in love with her and wanted to be with her.  “I look for John Proctor that took me from my sleep and put knowledge in my heart!  I never knew what pretense Salem was, I never knew the lying lessons I was taught by all these Christian women and their covenanted men!  And now you bid me tear the light out of my eyes?  I will not, I cannot!  You loved me, John Proctor, and whatever sin it is, you love me yet” (Miller 24)!  This quote clearly explains that the affair John had with Abigail belonged to the past.  He tried to put the incident behind him while for Abigail she had no sense of closure.  She begged him to come back to her and leave Elizabeth.  John didn’t love Abigail and she could not see that.  John only had an affair with her because his wife was sick and wasn’t able to do those things.  Abigail made the town of Salem pay by being a leader and inspiring the deaths of innocent people. Abigail was very upset with John Proctor and she then directed her anger at his wife, Elizabeth. One example in which Abigail tried to blame Elizabeth in order to get her out of the picture was “Why, look at my leg. I’m holes all over from their damned needles and pins.  The jab your wife gave me’s not healed yet, y’know” (Miller 149). Abigail then continues to lash out inappropriately and this behavior is what incites and contributes to the initiation of the trials.

            Not only was Abigail Williams responsible for the witch trials, but Reverend Parris played a major role as well.  Parris felt that with Abigail’s progressively more uncertain actions and the hints of witchcraft would threaten his reputation.  “It must come out-my enemies will bring it out.  Let me know what you done there.  Abigail, do you understand that I have many enemies” (Miller 10)?  Parris was exceedingly paranoid, and a power-hungry man who cared more about his reputation than he did about his about sick daughter, Betty.  He was well liked by many people in the town and had modest respect.  Parris did not pay any attention to what was most important in his life.  Reverend Parris also left out the fact that his own niece, Abigail, had been caught dancing in the forest.  This also showed he was desperate to protect his reputation and he didn’t want this information leaked out. As a result, Parris was quick to judge others such as when he spoke about John Proctor, “He’s come to overthrow this court, Your Honor” (Miller 92)!  Parris wanted to get rid of the townspeople who were against him. He did not want to lose his position as minister of the town which as a result led him to contribute to the trials.

            Lastly, it can be seen that the Putnams had a basis to bring forth and foster the witch trials. While Tituba was being accused of witchcraft, she was asked who came with her to the Devil.  She said that she saw Goody Good and Goody Osburn.  “I knew it!  Goody Osburn were midwife to me three times.  I begged you, Thomas, did I not?  I begged him not to call Osburn because I feared her.  My babies always shriveled in her hands” (Miller 47)!  Here, Mrs. Putnam stated that Goody Good and Goody Osburn were the reason for the death of her children.  She, like the others wrongfully accused people of something that was not in their control.  Both Mr. and Mrs. Putnam wanted to blame and put Goody Good and Goody Osburn in prison because their seven children had died at birth. Also, they wanted to gain more land, and if these people were put in prison or hung, they could undertake this.  Thus, they suspected witches killed their children and not natural diseases which provoked them to instigate the accusations of the trials.

            Many people in the town of Salem were accused of witchcraft even though they were innocent.  The community was composed of many respected and responsible individuals.  However, during the course of the story these citizens become unscrupulous and are driven to accuse others in the town for their own personal gain.  This sets in motion a town full of hysteria and blame which created an environment in which the trials were brought to fruition.  An innocent teenager named Abigail Williams, blamed John Proctor because she was too young to understand what their affair was about.  Also, Reverend Parris had ulterior motives of trying to uphold his reputation and position within the town.  The Putnams too, had material gains to spread the notion of witchcraft.  Thus, Abigail Williams, Reverend Parris, and the Putnams were ultimately responsible for the propagation of the trials due to their own inherent needs and wants.