MelodySchmidt.com

I have just been informed that I was accepted to the newspaper staff for the 2008-2009 school year. Peninsula High’s newspaper, The Pen, is a great newspaper, and I’m glad that I’ll get to be a part of it.

The following is an excerpt of an article that was published in the December 2007 edition of The Crayon Report. Click the link below the excerpt to read the entire article.

           Now that the holiday season is approaching, I can’t help but think how lucky I am. This is a time of the year when people are especially generous, and many drives are organized to help those in need. I did something similar in February of 2007, for my Girl Scout Silver Award. In case you don’t know, the Silver Award is the second highest award a Girl Scout can earn and it requires at least forty hours of community service.
          I organized a drive at my Cotillion where I would collect fancy dresses, shoes, purses, accessories, and unopened makeup. I would donate my proceeds to underprivileged high school girls, so that they could have an unforgettable prom night.
          My drive had an extremely poor turnout. I spent hours at my collection table and  for all my efforts, I had a whopping eleven dresses and three pairs of shoes.
          I planned another collection at my church. This time, I advertised in the church bulletin, passed out fliers, gave speeches and even had an article in the local newspaper.
          At the collection held at my church, I collected almost 200 dresses! I also received over 30 pairs of shoes, numerous purses and accessories. My efforts paid off big time!
          I sorted through all of the items at my house, and I was amazed by how generous everyone was. When I called the Toberman Settlement House in San Pedro, the place that I was planning on sending my donations to, they were speechless. I couldn’t blame them; I was still amazed by how many donations I had received.
          When we got [to the Toberman House], the only room big enough to properly store everything was their thrift shop. The donations took up almost half of the shop.
          I saw some of the girls pick out the dresses and shoes. They had smiles on their faces. I know the dresses will go to great use.
          All of the employees at the settlement house know me as the “prom dress girl.” I have received many photos of the girls wearing the dresses. They all looked beautiful and happy. We have been there several times after, and every time I am graciously thanked. This was definitely the most rewarding experience of my life.
          I am thrilled to know that I already helped over a hundred girls go to prom, and more will benefit from my efforts in the future.
          This holiday season, we should all look beyond our own needs and do what we can to help others.
 

The following is an excerpt of my article published in the 2007-2008 edition of Teen Pub magazine. Click the link below to read the whole article.

          With the new school year approaching, many students are excited to be back, some groaning and wishing the summer was longer. Most of them are excited just to be back with their friends. For me, this year is really different. I’m starting high school!
          I’m super excited to begin the next chapter of my life. These years are going to be so much different than my middle school life.
          When I was in middle school, if I got a bad grade, I could just say, “Oh well,” and brush it off. Now, every grade counts toward college and life beyond.  
          High school is so different from middle school (so I’ve heard)! With all the new activities, such as dances, pep rallies, and more, I’m super excited. Of course, I’m also sad to leave summer.
          High school won’t be a complete surprise to me, though. I’ve already taken a high school course in summer school, so I’m prepared for the difficulty of the classes. I went to school at a high school campus (but unfortunately not the school I’m going to).         On the other hand, the school I’m going to in the fall was completely unfamiliar to me! I’d never been inside the campus until this past June, except for the swimming pool and the track. When I first entered the huge campus, I thought, “There’s no way I’m going to find all my classes.” But then again, isn’t that what everyone thinks on their first day at a new school? I thought that in middle school, and compared to my high school, it’s tiny!      
          With middle school finally done, I get to focus on doing my best in ninth grade, and all the years to come. In the photo albums, that “First Day of School 2007” page will always remind you of that day.  It’s not just the beginning of a new grade; it’s the beginning of a brand new year.
 

 The following is an excerpt of my article that was published in the September 2007 edition of The Crayon Report. Click the link below the excerpt to read the entire article.

 With the new school year approaching, many students are excited to be back. Most are happy just to be back with their friends.
 For me, this school year is the beginning of a new chapter in my life. I’m starting high school! I know, at times I’ll be confused, overwhelmed, scared, exhausted, but I’ll also be excited, motivated and fascinated.
 These next four years are going to be much different than my middle school years. The school is a lot bigger; it’s a bit intimidating.
  Quiet often, I drive by my future high school, and the huge number of students that comes pouring out there every day is almost unreal. When I first entered this huge school on orientation day, I thought, “There’s no way I’m going to find all my classes.” But then again, isn’t that what everyone thinks on their first day at a new school?
 My practice round in middle school is over. I am moving out to the “real” world. I am going to live a bigger, more mature life. I’ll drive, go to parties, have a boyfriend, and prepare for college.
 Much of an adult conversation is about their high school. They can never forget that funny math teacher, or the head cheerleader. They always remember prom night, and many other events. I’m thrilled to become part of that experience, and can’t wait to see what high school brings for me.
 This school year, I will focus on doing my best and giving it one hundred percent. A new school year is not just the beginning of a new grade; it’s a brand new chance to become the best you can be!

In the summer of 2007, Steve Lopez, a famous Los Angeles Times columnist, held an essay contest, in which kids were supposed to vent about what bugs them about their parents. I was a runner-up, and my name as well as a quote from my essay, were featured on the cover page of the Los Angeles Times. Click the link below to read my winning essay.

The following is an excerpt of an article that was published in the August issue of South Bay Woman magazine. I hope you like it!

       There are many special events in one’s life; their 18th and 21st birthdays, their wedding, the birth of their child, their golden wedding anniversary… Many of these events will not come for me for a while, but this month, my first real milestone is occurring; I turn 13! I’m so excited to finally be a “real teenager.”
       A lot of times you hear, “Oh, she’s thirteen, now she’s a woman.”  It’s really not like that at all. In my opinion, turning thirteen signifies the beginning of a bigger and perhaps more exciting life. It takes many years to transition from a teenager to an adult. 
       I’m amazed that those pictures of me as a three-year-old were taken almost ten years ago. They say when you’re a teenager, time means nothing. And they’re absolutely right. When you’re young, you don’t worry about wasting time.  You think you still have a life time to go. Ten years ago I was a tiny tot, but ten years from now I’ll be of drinking age, and past college. I’ll have a real adult life. That’s pretty hard to wrap my head around.
      As a teenager, you have to work harder to see results. When I was little, I could just yell, “Mommy, I want some juice!” and she’d go running to prevent a tantrum. “Go get it yourself. You’re old enough,” it’s her motto these days.  I have to do chores around the house, and sometimes I babysit my brother.  I used to be able to eat whatever I wanted, due to the energy-burning magic of kids. For the first time, I actually have to exercise so I don’t pack on the pounds. It takes time and effort to stay healthy and fit. 
      Becoming a teenager is exciting, but at the same time kind of scary.  I can finally get my own cell phone.  I can go to the neighborhood mall with just my friends, or see a movie. All these years, it’s always been, “Wait until you’re older.” Finally, I’m hearing that less and less. Sometimes I will fail, but I will get back up.  I guess that makes me a “big kid” now!

In my July article in South Bay Woman, I mentioned a fourth-grade level test about U.S. history that teenagers took. The results were surprising. Click here to take the test. Stick around until the end of the test, and you can see the results of the teenagers who originally took the test! Click below the excerpt to read the whole article.

          It’s that time of the year again; the 4th of July. You know what that means…barbecues, fairs and fireworks; the whole week, you see nothing but Fourth of July clearance sales! The Fourth of July, or Independence Day, is a fun summer holiday to spend with family and friends. It’s also a time to celebrate the history of America.  But how many teenagers today know what Independence Day really is all about?
          Some American teens honestly don’t have a clue about our nation’s birthday. Some thought that the purpose of Independence Day was to signify the end of the school year! To celebrate our summer freedom, perhaps?A fourth-grade level survey of 1,020 teenagers, conducted by the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, showed that 150 teenagers didn’t know the Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4, 1776. Almost 200 teens didn’t know that there were 13 original colonies.
          “When you look at these numbers, it means that more than 5 million U.S. teenagers don’t understand the true meaning of Independence Day,” said Colin Campbell, president of the foundation that runs Colonial Williamsburg. Thankfully, almost all of the teenagers knew where our capital is and who our current president is (if they didn’t know that, I think we’d have real issues!).
          You can’t blame the youth too much, though. Even at an Independence Day fair I attended last year, the pie-eating contest was announced several times on the main stage ( to make sure we didn’t miss this highlight of the fair), along with the hula-hooping contest, the bike parade, and the delicious food. Sadly, the Declaration of Independence exhibit was “hidden” in the small corner area of the fair that didn’t attract many people.
          America! For more than two hundred years this word has represented hope, opportunity and freedom. I wanted to find out if young people truly understand what our country represents. I went to the beach and asked some teenagers what being an American means to them.
          Here’s what they said:
“Being an American means having more freedom than most countries.”
“We can do whatever we want.”
“In our country you can be born poor, but you can still become the next Bill Gates if you work hard enough.”
          So this summer, let’s all look past the spare ribs, corn on the cob, pie-eating contests, parades and fireworks, and take a moment to reflect on our history and remember the forefathers who risked so much to create this country.
          God bless the USA.

This article of mine was published in the June issue of South Bay Woman. Hope you enjoy it!

        Three years ago, I was preparing for middle school. Everything felt so grown up, and I felt important and mature. In reality, I was just a little kid, eager to learn about the exciting things in middle school; new lockers, more classes, and more students. Now, three years later, I’m preparing for my final four years of school: high school.
          This fall, many students will take the leap from child to young adult by starting high school. I know, at times we’ll be confused, overwhelmed, scared, exhausted, but we’ll also be excited, motivated and fascinated.
          The very first step I took toward high school, was scheduling. That’s where the first confusion for the soon-to-be- freshman began.  With almost 30 electives to choose from, such as Forensics, Creative Cooking, Mock Trial, and many more, I had a really hard time deciding.
          Quiet often, I drive by my future high school, and the size alone scares me. Not to mention the huge number of students that comes pouring out there every day. Then there is the question of safety.  The incidents at Virginia Tech and Columbine have frightened me and make me wonder if schools are really safe. Sometimes I feel like I’m leaving a great safe place behind, only to be thrown into the uncertain.
        The transition to high school has made me think of these past few years. I remembered all of the funny things that happened to me. In the first week of sixth grade, I was tardy to four classes, because I didn’t know my way around campus. I ended up going to the wrong class twice, and I even ripped the seat of my jeans. It was embarrassing, but now I’m laughing about it.
          When I graduate in June, I’ll also think of all the great teachers I had. Teachers who involved us in learning with great joy and enthusiasm. I’ll remember the smell of every classroom, and the way we could watch the P.E. class through the window.
          Middle school is a time of my life that I’ll probably never forget, but I’m even more excited about high school.
          I’m thrilled to become part of that experience, and can’t wait to see what high school brings for me. Congratulations, Class of 2007!

        Last year, my school put on a concert of several songs from various musicals. “Popular,” one of the most well-known songs from Wicked, the hit musical, was one of the numbers they performed. I was instantly a fan of Wicked, which led me to see the musical this past weekend.
        Performed at the Pantages Theater in Hollywood, Wicked is a musical that has the same characters as The Wizard of Oz, but explains what happened before Dorothy came in. It tells how the Wicked Witch of the West came to be evil, and how her sister, the Wicked Witch of the East, was crushed by Dorothy’s house. The plot of Wicked was a little hard to keep up with at some parts, but at the end it all clicked, and made The Wizard of Oz make perfect sense.
        Before I went to see the musical, I looked at several videos of it online, and was already impressed. The videos didn’t even come close to the real thing! The stage was the first thing I noticed when I walked into the theater, and it was amazing. A huge dragon looked out from the top of the stage, and along the sides, there were staircases and balconies. The actors were constantly going up those staircases and balconies, so my eyes were constantly moving all over the place.
        I had heard from some friends that the actors in Los Angeles version of Wicked were not very good, but boy were they wrong! The actors had little quirks in their character that made them hilarious, and their jokes kept the audience laughing. I didn’t hear one bad note the whole time, and their voices were strong all the way through. Even though I have memorized the soundtrack, every song still thrilled me. Before the show, we went to look in the orchestra pit. I was impressed to see almost 20 musicians. Those are probably the best musicians in the area, for they played the whole musical perfect!
        I’d say the best part of the musical was the special effects. For one part right before intermission, Elphaba (the witch) flies on her broom and is lifted into the air! The lighting creates a ripple effect and you actually believe that she’s flying. It’s incredible. Like in the movie The Wizard of Oz, the wizard has a massive statue that “talks.” The statue in the musical nods its head and moves its eyebrows and everything! It also talks really loud, and that scared me a lot.
 All in all, I was extremely impressed with Wicked. I know several people who aren’t into musicals at all, and they loved it. They weren’t bored at all; the whole experience was captivating. If you’re going to invest in one great musical, Wicked should definitely be the one.

The following is an excerpt from my article that was published in the Daily Breeze on April 15, 2007. To view the entire story, click the link below.

          “No tests, no homework. Just a class full of delicious food.” This is the way the chef class was described to me by my fellow classmates. “Wow,” I thought. This class should be a breeze.”
          Cooking had never been a big interest in my life. Once in a while I’d scramble some eggs and make Christmas cookies with my mom. All that changed on the first day of seventh grade. The minute I walked into my chef class I was not only greeted by a wonderful teacher, but also by a great aroma of spices and herbs. Sitting in the kitchen instead of a regular classroom gave me a sense of familiarity and comfort.
          Taking a chef class has been a real eye opener for me and far more rewarding than I first thought would be.
          Not only did I learn how to be comfortable working in a kitchen, but I also went from a picky eater to someone who is open to new flavors and textures. Cooking has become a big hobby of mine. I took it a step further and started experimenting with more difficult recipes. Sometimes I am successful; sometimes things don’t turn out the way I planned. I guess that’s life. With every mistake we learn a little bit more. I truly believe that cooking is an art that is satisfying for the whole family.