In a brief 5 question interview given to 4 classmates, I found them to have many differences, but even more similarities. Nick F., Alex G, Courtney M. and Sarah M. share similar dreams and characteristics while still being very unique. In my first three questions I asked them the same things: “What do you want to be”, “What kind of animal would you want to be?” and “what would be your ideal pet?”. The results were quite interesting.
Ambitious, friendly and energetic like a kangaroo would describe Nick F. in three words. Nick states the place he would like to live; a mansion on the beach with his whole family. I think this shows how much he wants to be with his family. Many people might forget about their family if they had a mansion on the beach, but he desires the company of his close family to make an experience enjoyable. “I could soar through the sky” Nick said when describing why he would choose to become an eagle more than any other animal. To me this symbolizes a want of freedom and no worries. I always thought eagles must have a lot of peace being able to fly like that. A medical scientist, hopefully Nick in the future, would help with breakthroughs in medicine and cure disease. Here he has set his goals high and has found an uncommon career that he would probably thrive in. Last year in math class I remember him to be smart and patient, qualities that would be very helpful to him. Though he is one of a kind, these qualities show up a bit in the following people, also.
Courtney M., clever and caring, parallels Nick in his pursuit of a medical career. However, unlike Nick she would rather treat patients as a Pediatric Oncologist than become a researcher. This shows she wants to individually ease the pain of small children with cancer. I admire her because being so close to sick children can become immensely depressing and it takes someone especially unselfish to put other’s needs before their own. Courtney replied “dog” to both what animal she would like to be and to own. Knowing that dogs are loyal and friendly this definitely shows her character. Moreover, dogs live an uncomplicated and simple life, like Nick, Courtney would enjoy such a worry free lifestyle. Courtney remarked that she believes everyone in the world should be nice. I expected people to say everyone should have food or for everyone to be hard working, but then I realized this answer made more sense. If everyone in the world were nicer and cared more about humanity then we would cease to wage war so constantly and share the wealth between all countries, as there really is enough to go around. Courtney and Nick both shared a goal of going into a science oriented career to help people and they both wanted to be an animal they thought looked carefree, but they did not want the same pet or the same job.
Sharing qualities with both of the previous people, Alex G, smart and creative would like to explore a different kind of science. Instead of turning to medicine he would like to pursue and computer engineering job. This is a very interesting choice and will probably take a lot of work to make it happen. I don’t think I could understand a computer in a million years; Alex must have a great understanding of technology. I am amazed at how many people are in Honors English who have aspirations to go into a science and math related profession. Like Nick, Alex wanted to be a bird, but this was because he liked the idea of being independent and not relying on other people or machines. It seems interesting that he does not like to rely on machines, but he wants to become a computer engineer. Maybe he wants to better the technology so that it will become reliable, similar to Nick who would like to better the medicine we have now. Alex expresses he, like Courtney, would like to own a dog. I think dogs are easy to relate to and make great pets, Alex says he connects best with them. He probably likes them because they are one of the smartest animals. Alex definitely compares with the other two and still keeps certain distinctions from any one else.
Family and friends can always be found with Sarah M.. After moving twice, she prefers Miami for her friends and she would like to vacation with her family in Hawaii. There is something to be said about this since many people would like to use their vacation to get away. Family seems to make her feel secure and happy; I can understand that since my parents always make me feel safe. Two opposite yet equally appealing careers tempt Sarah, one is to become a doctor the other a singer. A doctor is like what Courtney wanted to be, but a singer has not yet been chosen among the few. Both professions require an immense amount of talent and work. Also, like both Nick and Alex she would like to be a bird, though for Sarah it is because she would feel safe. All three of them chose the same animal for different reasons. Sarah wanted to have a pet husky or lab also for protection. Though they seem very different at first glance they really do hope and dream for the same things.
This simple survey reveals that ultimately people are all the same. Whether on a large or a small scale everyone has fears, hopes and dreams. I see that this age makes everyone eager to help and ready to take on life’s burdens. Though they all feel unsure and long for the protection a carefree attitude, they must face their fears and follow the path that they have paved for themselves. All four are determined and admirable students who will follow similar dreams in their own way.
8th Grade Honors English Class