Suburban Teacher Gives Hope To Interracial Students

Freedom Writers
Directed by Richard LaGravenese
Freedom Writers, starring Hilary Swank, was released on January fifth, 2007. Although Swank is the main Actress, its the students in her classroom are what brought the film together and made it come to life.

This is a touching story about Erin Gruwell, a typical well off white woman, who comes in to teach at Woodrow Wilson High, in the classroom where an integration has been implemented. There is much tension towards her, and between students of different race, but also from the head of the department, who would rather her teach them discipline than reading and writing. More importantly, we hear about the lives of the students in her classroom, how they are all fighting in their own personal wars. Basically, they all have it rough, but their teacher, who seems to be taking care of herself, and having an easy life, comes in and attempts to turn them into better people, help them get an education, and make the students, and herself, one big family.

Although the film was well put together, the storyline seems a little unbelievable. The chances of a typical white woman, with no teaching experience, coming in and getting as far as she did with her students without getting jumped is a surprising factor in itself. I agree with the education department when they say her teaching is unethical as well, it seems as if she has no curriculum, though she argued she wanted to teach the kids to read and write, not just discipline, sometimes is seems as though that's what she did in the end anyway. I personally enjoy most docudramas, mainly because the events that take place, can actually happen in some people's everyday lives; knowing that makes them a lot more touching. Freedom Writers, however, has a little too much false hope in it.

In my opinion the film is so succesful because of the students acting. Its their stories, and their preformances that keep you involved, when the script wants them to cry, it'll pull at your heart strings, you probably wont remember all of their names, but you'll remember their stories. The setting also played a big role in the film, it really helped to show how the students lived, and how much it ment to them being taken to big fancy resturants with chandalers, it also helped to set the atmosphere, along with the music, you could really get your head around their lives.

"Unexperienced Suburban female teacher can give hope to interracial students through awkward methods of teaching" Is obviously not the meaning that was ment, but after really thinking about it, thats all I can take from this film. I mean, without her, the lives of these students probably would have been completely different, they would not have gotten and education like they did, and would have probably died in a gang fight, chances are, some of them still will. The actual meaning of the movie is something like, as long as you have hope, or as long as you believe, you'll pull through.

"These aren't vampires, these are faries"

Twilight seems to have many teenage girls under its spell, after all the talk and love for the books and film I've heard around, I just had to see what actual critics thought of it, and it seems they are very underwhelmed. I, personally, did not expect the film to be as good as its hype made it seem, things like this are talked up so much that it just turns out to be a dissapointment when it doesn't turn out as amazing as everyone said it would be.

I enjoyed the review on mtvs' site however, because it was a compilation of more than one review, meaning you get more than just one opinion on the flim verses the novel. A review by Kurt Loder, who is not a fan of Stephanie Meyers original series, was mainly positive. Although he is botherd by the fact that a lot of the elements you think of when you think Vampire were taken away, such as coffins, bat transformations, or crucfix panics, but likes the fact that they cut back on all the "God-awful lovebird jabber", and get into the action a little more quickly. On the other hand, Justin Chang at Variety thinks that Director Catherine Hardwicke can't seem to get inside the head of Bella, and makes i the situation seem less passionate, and more ill considered than anything, and ends up making the the romance and supernatural aspects seem rushed.
Of the revies compiled into this, it seems Roger Edbert was the only one who took into consieration the audience Twlight was directed at. He sees the flim as "lush and beautiful", and thinks it will do well at appealing the audience it was made for.

Seeing as I have yet to see the movie or read the books, I can't really agree or disagree with any of these reviews, but I have learned that when I decided to check them out for myself, to watch the movie before reading the novels, or, apparently, the movie will just end up me angry, like the rest of the huge fans of the books.

Cover Letter

Shelby Hallihan
Renous, New Brunswick,
ShHa00257@student.nbed.nb.ca

Thursday, February 05, 2009


Mr. Allan Carter
Chief Editor
Blackville Talon
12 McLaughan drive
Miramichi, New Brunswick

Dear Mr. Carter

I would like to apply for a position on the Blackville Talon, preferably the Kids corner’s Middle School View point. I would find much enjoyment in traveling the school, interviewing and getting to know the students. If you would be so kind as to grant me an interview, I’m sure you would see that I have much to offer your paper.
I have great people skills and charisma for interviewing, which is the main reason I would be the best choice for the job, but I also really enjoy doing write ups. I can also be a very organized person when the job at hand calls for it. My communication and teamwork skills are my main pride however, and would defiantly be a great asset for working on a paper and talking to the people.
Thank you for taking the time to look over my application and considering me for a job and I hope you will take the time out of your busy day to grant me an interview.

Respectfully yours



Shelby Hallihan

Wild Cat

I was out later than expected tonight, when the lush forest blocks out the sun you tend to lose track of time, and the rest of the world. However, when you’re studying the raw, natural beauty of nature, the rest of the world is not nearly as magnificent.

Now I have nothing except my own good sense to lead me back to camp. The forest is peaceful, and the smell of the trees and oncoming rain put me at ease, so I walk slowly. Eyes of unknown creatures watch me pass from the shadows; I know my footsteps are not the only ones crackling the leaves below. Although I do this every other day, the sounds of the night strike fear into me, different sounds come from all difference discretions, screeching, growling, rustling, and more that I can’t identify. Above all the other sounds, closer than the rest I hear the roar of a wildcat above me in the treetops.

My instincts say run, but I know better, if I run the wild cat will chase me, but if I keep my pace, he may just keep stalking me until I’m safe again. I continue on, slower than before, straining to keep track of my predator. I can hear my own ragged breathing and my heart pounding in my chest, they’re much louder than the sounds of the night, only when I stop trying so hard is when I can hear him jumping and slinking over the branches and through the thick green leaves. I stop, standing still to get a good imprint of my surroundings. Every direction shows tall dark shadows of trees looming above me, it feels like they’re staring me down, on in and around them are eyes, eyes of all different sizes shapes and colors. A light mist has settled, making it hard to see my own hand in front of my face, although my situation is more difficult now I find the mist invigorating.

It feels like the whole forest has gone silent and lightless during my pause, there is not way I’ll make it back without using my flashlight. The click sounds like a thundering crack in the silence and the light is like the glow of headlights in the night. I gradually turn to get a complete picture of the jungle. Something snaps behind me, swiftly I whip around, only to see the beast that’s been stalking me right there in front of me, its lets out its battle cry, making the whole jungle echo, then it pounces like a monster out of a nightmare, its claws ripping and burning through my flesh, and warm blood trickles down from multiple wounds over my body. Realizing I’m not its dinner of choice, the wild cat leaves me on the forest floor to die.