2008 Second Place Winner: Amanda Podbelsek
Learn more about the "Literary Contest."
Amanda is a Senior at Lincoln Community High School in Lincoln, Illinois and participates in girls tennis and softball...she is also a member of Math Club, National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and L.E.A.F. Club. After her completion of the fall tennis season, she received recognition as part of the All-Academic Conference Award. Amanda also holds the record for the most steals in a season for the high school softball program.
Amanda chose "Cracked on Black" as her subject...one of my personal favorites. To quote Amanda, "I was immediately drawn to the drawing because of the different textures and dimensions created by the tones of charcoal. When I first viewed the drawing, it actually made me feel calm and peaceful. However, I delved into the state of the egg yolk emerging into a new world and immediately made the connection to a Senior emerging into the world of adulthood."
Congratulations Amanda...Marsha Robinett
This is Amanda's descriptive essay...enjoy
A Senior in high school is overcome with fear once it finally sinks in that he will be sent off to college on his own. However, before the realization is accepted, a Senior has already begun to familiarize himself with adulthood. For instance, one has already obtained a driver's license, and extended curfew, and the ability to vote by the age of eighteen. The driver/s license prepares one for living on his own and being independent; the extended curfew teaches one not to abuse privileges; voting sympolizes independence as well, and is a privilege to express yourself. These stepping stones in life are a mere "warm-up" for transitioning from high school to college.
Once a Senior realizes that he will be sent off to college on his own, the first instinct is to freak out. An individual is faced with the question of how to pursue one's future. Also, at college one usually has to start from scratch: new friends, new school, new room-new everything. The realization is simply overwhelming and seems impossible. What most students forget is that others have overcome the same fears and challenges before: parents. Parents will always be there for you and have first hand experience to guide you.
Remember Seniors: don't be intimidated. Parents are not going to throw you, Seniors, to the wolves: they are going to prepare you, and help you along the way during college. Like the yolk in Marsha Robinett's portrait, it is natural for a Senior to feel vulnerable when first emerging from a protective shell into the new world of adulthood. However, with a supportive family, one will see that the new world isn't so bleak and black after all.
PS...make a "Point"...leave a comment
Let Amanda know what you thought about her descriptive essay.
Learn more about the "Literary Contest."
Amanda is a Senior at Lincoln Community High School in Lincoln, Illinois and participates in girls tennis and softball...she is also a member of Math Club, National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and L.E.A.F. Club. After her completion of the fall tennis season, she received recognition as part of the All-Academic Conference Award. Amanda also holds the record for the most steals in a season for the high school softball program.
Amanda chose "Cracked on Black" as her subject...one of my personal favorites. To quote Amanda, "I was immediately drawn to the drawing because of the different textures and dimensions created by the tones of charcoal. When I first viewed the drawing, it actually made me feel calm and peaceful. However, I delved into the state of the egg yolk emerging into a new world and immediately made the connection to a Senior emerging into the world of adulthood."
Congratulations Amanda...Marsha Robinett
This is Amanda's descriptive essay...enjoy
...Cracked on Black...
Dimension, detail, depth-all function together to capture the beauty of a commonplace occurrence in "Cracked on Black". In the work, Marsha Robinett uses charcoal to transform a broken egg into a masterpiece. By using the diagonal lines formed by the broken shell and the round curves of the shell, the artist direct the eye to the focal point of the portrait: the soft, round, vulnerable yoke. From it's white, protective shell, the yoke emerges into a bleak, black world. To me this vulnerable yoke symbolizes a Senior student who has fully emerged from the illusion of childhood and has found himself faced with the challenges of growing up.A Senior in high school is overcome with fear once it finally sinks in that he will be sent off to college on his own. However, before the realization is accepted, a Senior has already begun to familiarize himself with adulthood. For instance, one has already obtained a driver's license, and extended curfew, and the ability to vote by the age of eighteen. The driver/s license prepares one for living on his own and being independent; the extended curfew teaches one not to abuse privileges; voting sympolizes independence as well, and is a privilege to express yourself. These stepping stones in life are a mere "warm-up" for transitioning from high school to college.
Once a Senior realizes that he will be sent off to college on his own, the first instinct is to freak out. An individual is faced with the question of how to pursue one's future. Also, at college one usually has to start from scratch: new friends, new school, new room-new everything. The realization is simply overwhelming and seems impossible. What most students forget is that others have overcome the same fears and challenges before: parents. Parents will always be there for you and have first hand experience to guide you.
Remember Seniors: don't be intimidated. Parents are not going to throw you, Seniors, to the wolves: they are going to prepare you, and help you along the way during college. Like the yolk in Marsha Robinett's portrait, it is natural for a Senior to feel vulnerable when first emerging from a protective shell into the new world of adulthood. However, with a supportive family, one will see that the new world isn't so bleak and black after all.
PS...make a "Point"...leave a comment
Let Amanda know what you thought about her descriptive essay.
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