Farewell

I have officially finished my first semester of college.  Is this real?  I still see myself as a high school student with such anxiety towards the thought of college.  But, I am a second semester freshman with real life experiences to prepare me for my future career.  I have learned so much throughout my classes, but I have also learned so much from being on my own, being in charge of my own decisions.  College has made me a well-rounded person, so far.  I am hoping to gain as much knowledge each semester as I have just form my first semester.  I thank you Dr. Luthin for treating our class like adults, teaching us to become better writers, and allowing us to have fun at the same time.  I have become a much better writer than I ever believed possible.  Thank you and farewell.

The Home Stretch

Well, I just finished my excursions final; that was shockingly easy.  I am so relived to have one final done, but tomorrow has me stressing.  Two finals in a row, then turning in our college writing paper right after, then somehow finishing a project also!  This just cruel.  Teachers don't understand that finals week will be the death of me.  Just kidding, but seriously, tomorrow will be a long day!  I need more hours in one day, 24 isn't enough.  Pretty soon, I'll be heading back to the library for some more studying.  Hopefully I won't be there for 7 hours again.  Although, if it all pays off in the end, I wouldn't care how much time it took me to study.  My grades are the most important aspect of college, at least they are during finals week.

Finals Week

The worst week for a college student is finally here; finals week has begun!  I never thought Carlson Library would be such a popular place at midnight on Monday on finals week, but I was wrong.  I have been here for 6 hours now, but I'm putting the finishing touches on my Research Paper for College Writing.  There is not a chance of leaving for many more hours.  I have not studied for this long all semester in total.  I actually haven't studied at all this semester.  Well, I'm making up for that now!  I started on Level A, because we all know how much I love to talk, but moving back to the quiet level was a great decision.  I am getting so much work done that wouldn't be possible with the distractions at my apartment.  It's time to get back to my paper and studying.  Good luck everyone!

Pittsburgh Steelers

Pittsburgh Steelers versus Baltimore Ravens!  One of the biggest games of the season and Charlie Batch is our only hope.  We need to win this game to hold a wild card spot for the playoffs and every fan has their doubts.  I know I did!  I never expected a 23-20 final score!  Throughout the game, I thought there is no way Charlie Batch will pull this game out.  To my surprise, he did!!!!  The Pittsburgh Steelers won!  Who wouldn't thought without Big Ben that the Steelers would've won?!  Not me!

Belated Thanksgiving

It's been a while since I've written a post so I decided it was time to write something, especially if I was supposed to be writing these each week for a grade.  I wanted to just share what I am so thankful for since I haven't written about Thanksgiving.  I realized over the break that my family will forever be the most important people in my life.  I was blessed enough to have dinner with all four of my grandparents for Thanksgiving.  It is amazing to still have all four of my grandparents healthy and still kicking.  Thanksgiving in my family is just a feast with just a few members of my family.  I loved seeing my grandparents, but I wish my aunts, uncles, and cousins would've been able to come to Pennsylvania to share the great day with them.  Family is and will forever be the most important aspect of my life!

College

I can't believe there is only one month left in my first semester of college! This can't be real.  Time has been flying by and I'm just here for the ride.  It was so weird getting used to living away from home, but now that I'm here, I never want to leave.  College is a lot of work, but I am loving the amazing experiences that I am having.  Clarion is the perfect university for me, and I wouldn't change my decision if I was able to go back and choose over again.  I have been able to become a news anchor for the Clarion TV Station, and I have gotten so much experience in a field that I want to pursue for the rest of my life.  I have enjoyed meeting new people, and starting my adult life at Clarion University.

2092...

Eighty years from now, Plum Borough will be the exact same as it is now, in 2012.  Pittsburgh, being only 20 minutes away, offers many attractions that are conveniently close to those of Plum.  Ten minutes away is Monroeville which also offers a great deal of businesses and attractions.  There is a small business strip on Route 286, which leads through Plum.  If someone needs something, the strip district will probably have what you would like.  I don't believe that in any amount of time, even 80 years, will change Plum Borough, the second largest borough in Pennsylvania.  The high school will hopefully be remodeled along with the elementary and middle schools.  In eighty years, I believe Plum Borough will be the same as it has been for many of years.

Pittsburghese

Pittsburgh has its own language.  This language is known as Pittsburghese.

Chipped ham- Shredded ham

Worsh- Wash

Yinz- You (plural)/ you all

Stillers- Steelers

Red up- Clean up

Dahntahn- Dowtown

Crick- Creek

Slippy- Slippery

Gumband- Rubber band

Jaggers- Thorns in plants

Nebby- Nosey

Pop- "Soda"

Pittsburgh Steelers

It was about a month before Christmas and I was feeling like a giving daughter.  I figured, I can't give my parents another present that is worthless. With some online shopping and brilliant thinking, I figured there wouldn't be any better present than tickets to a Steeler's game.  I spent $350 on these tickets for my parents, but I knew it would be the best Christmas present for them.  In Early December, I gave my parents their present, but to my surprise my dad was unable to take off of work for Christmas Eve.  I was devastated, but my mom told me I was able to go to the game with her.  I had the time of my life at my first Steeler's game, but I couldn't shake the thought that my dad should've been there instead of me.  I felt awful that he couldn't go, but it was a great experience with my mom that I would never change.

Letter to the Editor

Dear Editor,

There is a large problem that is changing the Plum Borough School District.  I need to show the district of their financial actions.  Plum Borough has spent more than enough money on the recently improved football field and the brand new softball field.  Our athletic facilities are some of the best around, but shouldn't academics be the district's first priority?

The turf on the football field has been replaced in the past few years, along with the track become resurfaced.  A brand new softball field was built last year and news uniforms were purchased.  Two years ago, German was cut from our school district's curriculum.  The option for languages is now only french or spanish.  This gives students less of an option to learn new languages.  Many teachers have been laid off due to a lack of budget.  Many new, amazing teachers have lost their job due to no longer have german or family consumer sciences.  Family consumer sciences was cut because it was found to be unnecessary.  Many teachers lost their jobs because the school board has made irresponsible decisions.  Lost jobs and forgotten electives should not have to be put on the back burner due to bad decisions.

This issue has taken place due to a poorly put together school board.  I can only image what will be sacrificed next for the sake of budget mistakes.  I ask you to please consider changing the school board because the decision that are made have been ridiculous.  The future of Plum Borough's academics is going to be a result of your decision.

Sincerely,

Kelsie Gestrich

My Town!

For the past 18 years, my home has been a little town called Plum Borough.  Plum Borough is located twenty minutes away from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  Plum is the second largest borough in Pennsylvania.  It is well-kept by all of its citizens.  The borough is respected by all that live there.    Plum Borough is a suburban town surrounded my shopping centers and restaurants.  Most of the people living in Plum Borough are middle working class people.  Plum is considered a prominent area.

As a child, I grew up in the largest section of Plum, called Holiday Park.  Holiday Park, similar to the rest of Plum, contains very similar one to two story houses.  Many of these houses are single-family houses.  In fifth grade, my family moved into a larger house on the other side of Plum Borough, which caused me to change elementary schools.  I transferred to Adlai E. Stevenson, which is also located in Plum.

Adlai E. Stevenson Elementary School is located on the same parking lot as A. E. O’Block Jr. High School.  Both buildings sit on the land that was used to store missiles after the Cuban Missile Crisis.  Plum’s mayor at the time, Mayor O’Block was friends with the Vice President of the United States, Adlai E. Stevenson.  Vice President Stevenson donated the land to Mayor O’Block for educational purposes.  Adlai E. Stevenson’s building was never reconstructed from a missile storage facility to an elementary school.  A. E. O’Block was reconstructed, but both buildings remain on the missile storage ground.

My new house was built only a half mile away from the newly reconstructed high school.  Plum has been constructing many new housing plans throughout the past ten years, which is causing the borough to become nicer and better known.  Plum Borough contains five different elementary schools, one Catholic elementary/middle school, a junior high, and a high school.  Each grade of students contains over 350 students, which makes our district a AAAA school.

Plum Borough WPIAL sports have not been a success for many years,  Plum Borough is known for being the home of two professional athletes.  RJ Umberger attended Plum High School and then went on to play hockey for Ohio State University.  During his senior year at Ohio State, he was drafted by the Vancouver Canucks and a few years later by the Philadelphia Flyers.  Umberger is currently play center and left wing for the Columbus Blue Jackets in the NHL.  Pat McAfee is the place kicker for the Indianapolis Colts.  McAfee graduated from Plum Senior High School.  McAfee attended West Virginia University for football and started as a freshman.  He played soccer, but was also a punter and place kicker for West Virginia University.  Pat McAfee was drafted in 2009 and is still the place kicker for the Indianapolis Colts.

Plum Borough School District donates around $50,000 every year to the Make-A-Wish Foundation through many fundraisers at all of the school buildings.  Through the Television Production classes, students film these various events to show how the money is raised each year.  Last year, I had the privilege of being a host in the 12th Annual Make-A-Wish Telethon that takes place near the end of December.  This telethon showcases the various fundraisers while also interviewing donators and important figures throughout Pittsburgh and Plum.  Last year, we beat our own record and raised over $50,000 for Make-A-Wish.  Raising that much money for a great cause is a  rewarding feeling.

Oakmont Country Club, located in Plum Borough, has been the location of 8 U.S. Open golf tournaments, 3 PGA Championships, 5 U.S. Amateurs, 2 U.S. Women’s Open, and is the location of the 2016 U.S. Open.  Plum Borough was housing many professional golfers through their journey at the U.S. Open.  Tiger Woods stayed in a small bed and breakfast in Plum, across from Oakmont Country Club.

Throughout the past 18 years, I have learned that I wouldn’t have wanted to grow up anywhere other than Plum Borough.

Waiting for Toast...

With the use of technology rising, it is common for many people to spend any free time texting, tweeting, or playing games.  I have to say, I am one of the teenagers that is always on their phone.  While waiting for toast, I often play games on my phone or "creep" on the people that I follow on Twitter or Instagram.  I tend to have my phone in my hand where ever I go, especially while waiting impatiently for something.  If I am with others, I will talk to them while waiting for toast.  But... When in doubt, take your phone out!

Race Portrait

Plum Borough is known as a white, middle class town.  There are other ethnicities throughout Plum, but it is a generally white area.  Throughout the high school, there are few African Americans, Asians, and various other ethnicites.  Plum is a common school for Foreign Exchange Students.  Many families in Plum offer to become host families for the school year, while students from other countries live with them throughout the year.  Many surrounding school districts are known to be more diverse than Plum Borough though.  No matter how few of other races there may be, Plum is a very accepting and welcoming borough.

Historic Marker

I was unable to put the picture behind the font in this post.  I'm clearly not a blogger...

Oakmont Country Club

Founded in 1903 by Henry Clay Fownes, this golf course was the home of eight U.S. Opens, three PGA Championships, and five U.S. Amateurs.  Taken over by his son William Clarion Fownes Jr., he created a family environment, yet keeping the legend of a great golf course in Plum, Pennsylvania.

Proverb

The grass is greener where you water it.

Hey, it's me.

My name is Kelsie Gestrich.  I'm a freshman at Clarion University.  I am majoring in Communications with a concentration in Broadcasting.  I created this blog for my College Writing course, taught by the great Dr. Luthin.  So welcome to my blog, feel free to take a look around.