Happiness Art Piece
Happiness and Meaning Project
The Happiness and Meaning Project was all about finding what makes us happy and what role 'meaning' plays in happiness. First, we read the book "Brave New World" and annotated it. That made us understand what the false definition of happiness is. Then, we studied and researched all about happiness and wrote a paper on it. I think recovering from emotional or physical discomfort, seeing other people happy, and sharing happiness is all how we can spread it and make ourselves happy.
Model United Nations (MUN) Project 2014
The Model United Nations project was a project that took a course of 10 weeks to complete, and throughout these 10 weeks, we learned the UN's role in the world. Before the projects even begun, each student was assigned a country, and mine was the United Kingdom. My country had to take its perspective on the two topics we covered which were North Korea Nuclear Weapons, and the Israel/Palestine Conflict. To be honest, these were very challenging topics to tackle, but once we did all of our research, we all had a better understanding of the whole issue. After we did all of our research in the evidence packets, we wrote policy papers, resolution papers, and finally speeches for the conference at our exhibition.
North Korea Nuclear Weapons
Israel/Palestine Conflict
Project Reflection
Tragedy Project
Link to my Tragedy Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SViMPHaLhu8&feature=youtu.be
Tragedy Project Reflection
Skylar Smith
1. What are you most proud of about you project? Describe it or put the quote. Why do you think you are proud of it? Be specific.
The part I am most proud of in my project is the fact that my partner and I worked very hard every day to get as much as we could done in that class period. When we worked we got a lot done, and very efficiently. I am also very proud of how we made our play tragic along with incorporating humor into it. In this project my partner and I were very enthusiastic about this. We tried to have some fun with it, even though this was a stressful project.
2. What advice would you give a student next year about how to be successful with this project? Be specific.
My advice to a next year student would be to use your time very wisely and work efficiently. The due dates at Animas High School are very time consuming. I would recommend making a shorter script so you can have more time filming and editing, and finalizing your project. Communication is another big thing to do with your partner, without communication think about it, how would you be able to work? You need to be able to express your thoughts and perspectives with your partner.
3. How do you feel working in partners went? Did it work out well? In what ways? What was challenging? Be specific.
Working in partners can go well and not so well. It worked out for me pretty well though. My partner, Dylan Carlson, and I worked well because you can always pull out the fun in a project. We made our video very humorous so it was easy and fun to act. It was challenging that our script was at first 6 pages and we were overwhelmed with the amount of dialogue we had to remember. It ended up not really ending with a health care tragedy so we had to change our script which took up a lot of time. This time was cutting into our filming time as well, so we didn’t really follow directions to start with.
4. What proved to be the most challenging task for you personally and how did you work to overcome it? Be specific.
The most challenging task for me in this project was the very last day to work on our project. I had all the footage of the video on my computer but I had to put together the whole video in one day. This was very pressuring for me and I think anybody else that had this much work to do in one day. No matter how stressful this was for me, I needed to finish it anyways. I know that my partner and I should’ve been more time consuming with this. Our first draft of our script was not that great, so we had to rewrite a lot of it which took up a lot of time.
Skylar Smith
1. What are you most proud of about you project? Describe it or put the quote. Why do you think you are proud of it? Be specific.
The part I am most proud of in my project is the fact that my partner and I worked very hard every day to get as much as we could done in that class period. When we worked we got a lot done, and very efficiently. I am also very proud of how we made our play tragic along with incorporating humor into it. In this project my partner and I were very enthusiastic about this. We tried to have some fun with it, even though this was a stressful project.
2. What advice would you give a student next year about how to be successful with this project? Be specific.
My advice to a next year student would be to use your time very wisely and work efficiently. The due dates at Animas High School are very time consuming. I would recommend making a shorter script so you can have more time filming and editing, and finalizing your project. Communication is another big thing to do with your partner, without communication think about it, how would you be able to work? You need to be able to express your thoughts and perspectives with your partner.
3. How do you feel working in partners went? Did it work out well? In what ways? What was challenging? Be specific.
Working in partners can go well and not so well. It worked out for me pretty well though. My partner, Dylan Carlson, and I worked well because you can always pull out the fun in a project. We made our video very humorous so it was easy and fun to act. It was challenging that our script was at first 6 pages and we were overwhelmed with the amount of dialogue we had to remember. It ended up not really ending with a health care tragedy so we had to change our script which took up a lot of time. This time was cutting into our filming time as well, so we didn’t really follow directions to start with.
4. What proved to be the most challenging task for you personally and how did you work to overcome it? Be specific.
The most challenging task for me in this project was the very last day to work on our project. I had all the footage of the video on my computer but I had to put together the whole video in one day. This was very pressuring for me and I think anybody else that had this much work to do in one day. No matter how stressful this was for me, I needed to finish it anyways. I know that my partner and I should’ve been more time consuming with this. Our first draft of our script was not that great, so we had to rewrite a lot of it which took up a lot of time.
Health Insurance Tragedy Script
Dylan Carlson
Skylar Smith
Trouble with Health Insurance
Prologue
(Scene starts where George is running around in the fields and Alyssa is looking for him. Alyssa starts to shout his name).
Alyssa: George!? George!? Where are you? Dinner is ready!
George: I’m comin mama. (George starts to run to Alyssa)
Alyssa: There you are son, I have been looking everywhere for you! (George gets closer and closer to his mom until he collapses).
Alyssa: George! (Alyssa runs to George and sees that he is not breathing then she runs to the house and calls the hospital)
Hospital Operator Lady: Hospital of Kenya, what is your emergency?
Alyssa: My son just collapsed and he isn't waking up! Come quick please!
Hospital Operator Lady: I have an ambulance on the way. They should be there quickly. Where is your son ma’am?
Alyssa: He is in the field about 25 meters from the house!
Hospital Operator Lady: Do not move him. We have trained paramedics on their way.
Alyssa: Tell them to get here faster, he isn't breathing!
(Alyssa hears an ambulance that is close and sees it pull up and she shouts and waves it over to her)
Alyssa: Hey! Over here! We’re over here! My son needs your help!
Ambulance Doctor: We need to hurry to get your son into the ambulance and back to the hospital ma’am. You can explain what has happened after we get him breathing again and stable.
Alyssa: Okay, okay! Just please help him!
Ambulance Doctor: We are doing the best we can ma’am. Just sit down and let us do our magic.
(After a few minutes of the doctors working on Barack they come over to her)
Ambulance Doctor: Your son is in a stable condition but Doctor Muhammad will run some tests to see what is wrong with him.
Alyssa: Okay, we just need to get to the hospital already. (Minutes go by that seem like hours before they reach the hospital)
Chorus: (As Alyssa’s conscience)
Stay calm Alyssa,
Everything is going to be okay
The hospital is only in the Villa
You just need to hope and pray
If you believe in your heart
You will make it through this
You are as tough as a shark
Dont be afraid to give him a kiss
And be strong instead
Don’t give up
The ambulance is almost here
So please, have no fear
Don’t let the tears flow down your cheek
For that just shows that you are weak!
Start of Scene One
(Scene one starts in a Hospital room where George is sleeping and Alyssa is talking to the Doctor.)
Doctor Muhammad: Ma’am just calm down. We are going to have to run a few special tests on your son.
Alyssa: How long will they take? How long until I have my son back and healthy? (Panicking)
Doctor Muhammad: Ma’am we won’t know until the tests come back which usually takes about an hour or two. While you wait we can talk about your insurance and how you are going to cover this if it is a serious case.
Alyssa: Okay. I have insurance. It’s in my purse. Here it is! (She hands the papers to Doctor Muhammad) Will it be able to cover the tests?
Doctor Muhammad: Your insurance will cover the tests on your son ma’am, but it is looking like we may have to operate on your son. Your insurance will not cover the surgery if it is necessary and the cost is quite expensive.
.
Alyssa: Why won’t my insurance cover it though? I’ve given so much money for the company in case something bad happened like this. And now they’re not going to cover it?
Doctor Muhammad: The surgery is going to be over 20 grand. Can you afford that?
Alyssa: I’m afraid I can’t afford that. Please, I need help. (Worried)
Doctor Muhammad: (Doctor Muhammad's Pager beeps and he needs to go help with another patient) Excuse me Ms. Kornelius but I have to go into surgery with another patient. I’ll give you time to think about what you want to do.
Alyssa: (Alyssa calls Angelica, her best friend, and asks for help) Come on pick up!
Angelica: Hello?
Alyssa: Angelica I’m in a bad situation. George is in the hospital and they are running tests to see what is wrong with him.
Angelica: Oh my god what are you going to do?
Alyssa: I don’t know what to do, George could die if I can’t afford to pay for his treatments.
Angelica: Just hang in there I will see what I can do to help you with the costs. Maybe my dad will be willing to give you a hand.
Alyssa: Last time you talked to your dad you called him a selfish rich jerk.
Angelica: He seems to like you. He might want to help you. (Doctor Muhammad walks into the room)
Alyssa: I have to go the doctor is back with the tests for George.
Angelica: Okay, I love you. Hang in there, bye. (She hangs up the phone)
Doctor Muhammad: I am back with the tests.
Alyssa: And?
Doctor Muhammad: Your son has gone into kidney failure and we will have to operate as quick as we can get him a new kidney. Will you be able to pay for the hospital bills while he is on the waiting list?
Alyssa: I don’t know. My best friend Angelica is going to talk to her father to see if he wants to help my situation (Alyssa’s phone rings in the middle of her talking to Doctor Muhammad) I’m sorry, I have to take this. It is Angelica calling with hopefully some good news. (She answers the phone) Angelica!?
Angelica: Alys- (Alyssa cuts her off in the middle of her sentence)
Alyssa: George needs a new kidney.
Angelica: Oh my god. Is he going to be okay?
Alyssa: I really hope so.
Angelica: I talked to my father and he said that he would help you with paying for hospital bills but the most he would pay is $10,000. How much does the surgery cost?
Alyssa: Oh my god, that is very thoughtful of your dad, thanks so much! Hold on let me ask the doctor. (Alyssa turns to the doctor). How much will the surgery cost?
Doctor Muhammad: I’m afraid the surgery will cost 28,000 dollars.
Alyssa: Bu-but, how will I pay for the surgery?
Doctor Muhammad: I will give you time to think about it. Your son only has a couple days to live.
Alyssa: (Alyssa puts her phone back up to her ear and talks to Angelica) Angelica are you still there?
Angelica: Yeah, what do you need?
Alyssa: The surgery is going to cost 28,000 dollars. I don’t know what I am going to do!? I’m afraid George isn’t going to make it.
Alyssa: (Alyssa hangs up) Doctor, I want to see my son.
Doctor Muhammad: As you wish. (Doctor Muhammad takes Alyssa to George to talk to him)
Start of Scene Two
(Starts in the patients room. Alyssa comes up to George speaking to him in a light voice).
Alyssa: Hey George. (In a light voice) (A tear starts to rush down her face)
George: Hey mama. I’m tired
Alyssa: Just sleep buddy, it’s going to be okay.
Angelica: Hey I’m here. How’s George?
Alyssa: He’s sleeping right now. He’s only got about 15 hours to live. And it is 10:00 at night.
(The night goes by and George wakes up and wakes up Alyssa by crying)
Alyssa: Whats wrong son?
George: My tummy hurts mama.
(Alyssa looks at her watch and it says that it is 10:00 in the morning)
Alyssa: It’s okay George just go back to sleep you need your rest.
(Doctor Muhammad walks in right before George falls asleep)
Doctor Muhammad: Hi Alyssa, can I have a word with you?
Alyssa: Yeah sure. Angelica stay here and watch George. (Alyssa and Doctor Muhammad go out of the room and start talking)
Alyssa: Yeah what do you need? I’m trying to spend time with George before he… you know, dies.
Doctor Muhammad: I know, and I am coming to tell you that you might want to start saying your goodbyes. He could go any minute now.
(Alyssa chokes up) Alyssa: Okay. (They walk back into the room)
Alyssa: Hey George you awake?
George: Yes.
Alyssa: I just want to say that I love you and I will always love you.
George: I love you too mama. (George falls asleep and his heart monitor goes to flatline and Alyssa falls to the floor crying)
Chorus: (As Alyssa’s Conscience)
Just hang in there
It’s not your fault about the insurance
If this country had good health care
This country would have a better appearance.
Why won’t health care do it’s job?
We need to think positive and move forward.
I will always be with you when you need to sob.
I know you must be very angered.
We will get through this together,
Persuasion is key.
George died because of health care
Should this make them more aware?
It is so tragic that this world will have this problem forever,
The health department really cares about their money, not to get their people better.
THE END
Skylar Smith
Trouble with Health Insurance
Prologue
(Scene starts where George is running around in the fields and Alyssa is looking for him. Alyssa starts to shout his name).
Alyssa: George!? George!? Where are you? Dinner is ready!
George: I’m comin mama. (George starts to run to Alyssa)
Alyssa: There you are son, I have been looking everywhere for you! (George gets closer and closer to his mom until he collapses).
Alyssa: George! (Alyssa runs to George and sees that he is not breathing then she runs to the house and calls the hospital)
Hospital Operator Lady: Hospital of Kenya, what is your emergency?
Alyssa: My son just collapsed and he isn't waking up! Come quick please!
Hospital Operator Lady: I have an ambulance on the way. They should be there quickly. Where is your son ma’am?
Alyssa: He is in the field about 25 meters from the house!
Hospital Operator Lady: Do not move him. We have trained paramedics on their way.
Alyssa: Tell them to get here faster, he isn't breathing!
(Alyssa hears an ambulance that is close and sees it pull up and she shouts and waves it over to her)
Alyssa: Hey! Over here! We’re over here! My son needs your help!
Ambulance Doctor: We need to hurry to get your son into the ambulance and back to the hospital ma’am. You can explain what has happened after we get him breathing again and stable.
Alyssa: Okay, okay! Just please help him!
Ambulance Doctor: We are doing the best we can ma’am. Just sit down and let us do our magic.
(After a few minutes of the doctors working on Barack they come over to her)
Ambulance Doctor: Your son is in a stable condition but Doctor Muhammad will run some tests to see what is wrong with him.
Alyssa: Okay, we just need to get to the hospital already. (Minutes go by that seem like hours before they reach the hospital)
Chorus: (As Alyssa’s conscience)
Stay calm Alyssa,
Everything is going to be okay
The hospital is only in the Villa
You just need to hope and pray
If you believe in your heart
You will make it through this
You are as tough as a shark
Dont be afraid to give him a kiss
And be strong instead
Don’t give up
The ambulance is almost here
So please, have no fear
Don’t let the tears flow down your cheek
For that just shows that you are weak!
Start of Scene One
(Scene one starts in a Hospital room where George is sleeping and Alyssa is talking to the Doctor.)
Doctor Muhammad: Ma’am just calm down. We are going to have to run a few special tests on your son.
Alyssa: How long will they take? How long until I have my son back and healthy? (Panicking)
Doctor Muhammad: Ma’am we won’t know until the tests come back which usually takes about an hour or two. While you wait we can talk about your insurance and how you are going to cover this if it is a serious case.
Alyssa: Okay. I have insurance. It’s in my purse. Here it is! (She hands the papers to Doctor Muhammad) Will it be able to cover the tests?
Doctor Muhammad: Your insurance will cover the tests on your son ma’am, but it is looking like we may have to operate on your son. Your insurance will not cover the surgery if it is necessary and the cost is quite expensive.
.
Alyssa: Why won’t my insurance cover it though? I’ve given so much money for the company in case something bad happened like this. And now they’re not going to cover it?
Doctor Muhammad: The surgery is going to be over 20 grand. Can you afford that?
Alyssa: I’m afraid I can’t afford that. Please, I need help. (Worried)
Doctor Muhammad: (Doctor Muhammad's Pager beeps and he needs to go help with another patient) Excuse me Ms. Kornelius but I have to go into surgery with another patient. I’ll give you time to think about what you want to do.
Alyssa: (Alyssa calls Angelica, her best friend, and asks for help) Come on pick up!
Angelica: Hello?
Alyssa: Angelica I’m in a bad situation. George is in the hospital and they are running tests to see what is wrong with him.
Angelica: Oh my god what are you going to do?
Alyssa: I don’t know what to do, George could die if I can’t afford to pay for his treatments.
Angelica: Just hang in there I will see what I can do to help you with the costs. Maybe my dad will be willing to give you a hand.
Alyssa: Last time you talked to your dad you called him a selfish rich jerk.
Angelica: He seems to like you. He might want to help you. (Doctor Muhammad walks into the room)
Alyssa: I have to go the doctor is back with the tests for George.
Angelica: Okay, I love you. Hang in there, bye. (She hangs up the phone)
Doctor Muhammad: I am back with the tests.
Alyssa: And?
Doctor Muhammad: Your son has gone into kidney failure and we will have to operate as quick as we can get him a new kidney. Will you be able to pay for the hospital bills while he is on the waiting list?
Alyssa: I don’t know. My best friend Angelica is going to talk to her father to see if he wants to help my situation (Alyssa’s phone rings in the middle of her talking to Doctor Muhammad) I’m sorry, I have to take this. It is Angelica calling with hopefully some good news. (She answers the phone) Angelica!?
Angelica: Alys- (Alyssa cuts her off in the middle of her sentence)
Alyssa: George needs a new kidney.
Angelica: Oh my god. Is he going to be okay?
Alyssa: I really hope so.
Angelica: I talked to my father and he said that he would help you with paying for hospital bills but the most he would pay is $10,000. How much does the surgery cost?
Alyssa: Oh my god, that is very thoughtful of your dad, thanks so much! Hold on let me ask the doctor. (Alyssa turns to the doctor). How much will the surgery cost?
Doctor Muhammad: I’m afraid the surgery will cost 28,000 dollars.
Alyssa: Bu-but, how will I pay for the surgery?
Doctor Muhammad: I will give you time to think about it. Your son only has a couple days to live.
Alyssa: (Alyssa puts her phone back up to her ear and talks to Angelica) Angelica are you still there?
Angelica: Yeah, what do you need?
Alyssa: The surgery is going to cost 28,000 dollars. I don’t know what I am going to do!? I’m afraid George isn’t going to make it.
Alyssa: (Alyssa hangs up) Doctor, I want to see my son.
Doctor Muhammad: As you wish. (Doctor Muhammad takes Alyssa to George to talk to him)
Start of Scene Two
(Starts in the patients room. Alyssa comes up to George speaking to him in a light voice).
Alyssa: Hey George. (In a light voice) (A tear starts to rush down her face)
George: Hey mama. I’m tired
Alyssa: Just sleep buddy, it’s going to be okay.
Angelica: Hey I’m here. How’s George?
Alyssa: He’s sleeping right now. He’s only got about 15 hours to live. And it is 10:00 at night.
(The night goes by and George wakes up and wakes up Alyssa by crying)
Alyssa: Whats wrong son?
George: My tummy hurts mama.
(Alyssa looks at her watch and it says that it is 10:00 in the morning)
Alyssa: It’s okay George just go back to sleep you need your rest.
(Doctor Muhammad walks in right before George falls asleep)
Doctor Muhammad: Hi Alyssa, can I have a word with you?
Alyssa: Yeah sure. Angelica stay here and watch George. (Alyssa and Doctor Muhammad go out of the room and start talking)
Alyssa: Yeah what do you need? I’m trying to spend time with George before he… you know, dies.
Doctor Muhammad: I know, and I am coming to tell you that you might want to start saying your goodbyes. He could go any minute now.
(Alyssa chokes up) Alyssa: Okay. (They walk back into the room)
Alyssa: Hey George you awake?
George: Yes.
Alyssa: I just want to say that I love you and I will always love you.
George: I love you too mama. (George falls asleep and his heart monitor goes to flatline and Alyssa falls to the floor crying)
Chorus: (As Alyssa’s Conscience)
Just hang in there
It’s not your fault about the insurance
If this country had good health care
This country would have a better appearance.
Why won’t health care do it’s job?
We need to think positive and move forward.
I will always be with you when you need to sob.
I know you must be very angered.
We will get through this together,
Persuasion is key.
George died because of health care
Should this make them more aware?
It is so tragic that this world will have this problem forever,
The health department really cares about their money, not to get their people better.
THE END