The 2014 election just passed and as a young adult I felt a huge importance in voting. Being a college student in college gives me so much passion for politics due to the fact that the government is helping me so much on this journey to pursuing my dreams and passion to become a nurse. So many young adults do not see the significance in their vote until they are called to action, and I was. My pastor Rob McCoy ran for assembly this year for my district in Ventura County. To support him in this I went to a political debate and was able to see just how much this election means not only to my personal growth and future, but to my faith as a christian believer.  

I can honestly say that I felt like a small part of the election, however so much planning and community is involved in this political process. Meeting Rob McCoy was amazing because he was the first politician I have ever met and he was so real, it was almost like talking to a friend. When I went to turn in my ballot I knew I voting right. So many people were working for him on their spare time and making phone calls and going door to door as a community in support of Pastor McCoy. Becoming involved and seeing all they were doing gave me so much hope that the community would help him win TOGETHER.

Not only did I participate in the vote for Rob McCoy, but I was able to vote on the propositions that were important to me and my dreams. So many propositions are passed within healthcare which is extremely significant for me because I hope to become a Registered Nurse after college. These election effect my beliefs, my finances, my education, and my future career, and I wanted a say in each of these. 

As I pursue this education I keep in mind that after college I want to be able to make a good living, support a family, and pay off my student loans. All these things I hope to do with my life revolve around the political system and how the government will help and support me. 

The way I see it, you cannot complain about how the government is run, unless you personally put your say in it. I did, and though my pastor did not win, my voice was heard and I was able to become a citizen that upholds their civic duty and is responsible for the government that I live in. 

HE FOR SHE

The well-known actress Emma Watson from the Harry Potter Trilogy has recently caught my eye in a video in which she spoke in front of the United Nations on the issue of feminism. Many young people do not understand feminism and in today’s society it is considered a “bad word” by

those who do not know what it means. In case you do not know what feminism is, feminism is a movement for gender equality in regards to both men and women. It is common for people to think the opposite and think that it is solely for women’s equality however it affects both genders in the same way.

      It may not seem like it but women are still being discriminated against by society. Some of the issues brought up by Emma in the speech is women’s wages being less than men’s, men being unable to express their feelings due to society’s suppression, and women being called tom boys because of how they choose to dress and act at young ages.

      Apart from the obvious, one issue that I have thought about frequently is women’s inability to fight in the army. There is no proof that men are always stronger than women. Women are completely capable of fighting just as men are. Some women would be honored to have the opportunity to be at the front defending their country yet they are still not even given the opportunity due to their gender.

            On average women are paid only 70 cents to every dollar a man makes. Women are being held from their own money due to their gender. If you asked any woman working for a living, she would be against this gender discrimination, however they do not associate themselves with the word “feminist” for the fear that the word holds.

            Many women believe that being a feminist means that you will do nothing to serve a man, that you will not be a stay-at-home mother, that you will become the family bread winner, or that you will not cook dinner for your husband. These things that some women find a lot of pride in by serving their family. However, to be a feminist only means that you believe women should have equal right; I personally believe that woman should have the right to choose whether or not they want to be the stay-at home parent, and decide as a family, without assuming that she wants to give up her career completely. Women have just as much of a right to choose what to do with their lives with the same equality men are given.

            What most males do not realize is that they are not exempt from this gender discrimination. Men everywhere try daily to show their masculinity to their friends, families, and women. If a man is going on a date, he is told he must buy the meal or he could look like less of a man. If a man cries in front of people, he risks looking “girly” which can cause serious mental problems for them, which causes them to repress their feelings.

             If you are for gender equality, you are a feminist, and you may not even know it. So often we close our eyes to these small discriminations and pretend they are not there, it will take something big to actually start any sort of movement.

       

      If you would like to see Emma Watsons video please follow the link below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0Dg226G2Z8

My first college adventure at CSU Channel Islands!

The idea of going away for college has never felt so real until I took the tour of California State University of Channel Islands and I instantaneously knew that it was the place for me. Today I was able to attend an orientation at CSU Channel Islands called Discover CI where I got information on clubs, courses, student housing, and financial aid. The campus itself took my breath away, when I arrived there was a cool breeze and you could smell flowers all over the campus. The campus is the newest of the CSUs but some of the buildings were built in 1934 so it has this beautiful old architecture. CSUCI has character, only Channel Islands students can say their college was once a mental asylum! This actually really attracted my attention to the campus even though some people think it’s a little creepy, I think it’s unique. Sitting on top of a mountain on campus you can see a huge wishing well and it was the same well used in the movie “The Ring”. Some people believe the campus could be haunted, spooky.

The people I met were all friendly and The staff was great. I wrote my information down for a couple of clubs to contact me. I would really like to be a part of a religious group and the Rotary Club on campus as well as get a job in the health office, so I am extremely excited about getting involved. I was able to visit the nursing stimulation lab which was really fun (in case you didn't know, I will be going into Pre-Nursing). I guess the nursing students get to intern at CHLA (Children’s Hospital Los Angeles) and it is a dream of mine to work in that hospital! This school was made for me.

About ten minutes away from the campus is the Beach and ten minutes in the opposite direction is the Camarillo Outlets! I don’t think I could ever get bored at CSUCI, the campus has a recreational center, tons of clubs, and the Residents Assistants put on activities all the time. Another thing that caught my attention was this room where students could go in and paint all over the walls, floor, and ceiling. It looks really fun and extremely therapeutic.

The dorms got me nervous, they are small and house six people! I am sure it will be a lot of fun but we are girls and girls need to get ready in the morning, in front of one mirror. I need space, so I am praying I get a double room! Dorming will be great regardless, I know I am going to make a lot of new friends.

 My mom, grandma, and I all went up to the top floor of the Broome Library and the view was to-die-for. I sat with my mom and she has always been sensitive about me going to college because I am her youngest and I will be far away from home so it got a little emotional. I am really going to miss her a lot. I know she’s really proud of me.

Words can’t express how excited I am to start this new chapter in my life. I have to admit I’m pretty scared. I know this journey won’t always be easy but I am ready to take on the challenges of college and make this year one to remember at CSU Channel Islands. Wish me luck and let me know if you have any questions!

From Fitting In To Standing Out

Coming into High School I had just one goal: fit in. I wanted to find friends and get by with good grades. But of course I was interested in medicine so I became involved in the Health Careers Academy, where I began my transformation from fitting in to standing out. Coming from a huge school made it difficult to stand out among others. There were so many inspiring students and I wanted Amy Kelley to be one of them.

All of my friends raved about HOSA, how it was so much fun and you had to do it. If you would have told me my freshman year that I would be speaking in front of hundreds of people and leading an organization with a team of eight other individuals, my reply would have gone something like this, "You're crazy." But then I saw it for myself. Walking into my first State Leadership Conference and seeing the frenzy of blue suits, students preparing for competitive events, and  young leaders on the stage speaking as if we were just friends and not a crowd of 2,000 HOSA members.

 In my mind it was so insane, scary to even think of something like this, but I grew to love HOSA, it became my passion, it was where I fit in. I thought about state office that year and when my advisor asked the chapter, "Is there anyone interested in running for state office?" my hand felt like it weighed 3 million pounds when I raised it and asked to run. From that point on I was determined to stand out, to be someone unique.

The day before I won my election I sat at the President's breakfast and talked with a chapter president who told me that being a state officer is not about being known or getting credit, but serving the members behind the scenes, when they aren't looking. I take this to heart and every day I serve as an officer, I question not just how my decisions will affect myself but also the members of my region.  

Standing on stage with my newly elected team I heard my favorite thing about HOSA, screams and cheers enveloping the entire room. Cheers from my chapter, my friends, and my region. They had taken a leap of faith and voted me in; they chose me to be their voice.

Every time I speak to a crowd I feel as though I am raising my 3 million pound hand at that meeting where I decided to become an officer, although I am shy and nervous, I took a step up when I decided to stop fitting in and start standing out, striving to make Cal-HOSA better everyday.