TT+Courtney

1. Put yourself in place of one of the boys who escaped the crash but was forced to watch "helplessly as Rob died". What is going through your head? How do you feel physically and mentally ?How do you think that you will feel tomorrow?

If I were one of the boys I would feel like it is my fault because I ecasped without even trying to help him.But i'm glad none of us went back because if we did we all could of died. I would be upset for not trying to help but I would be happy that none of us went in because we could of got badly hurt.

2. When you hear or read of a car accident that involved teenagers, what do you assume is the cause of the accident - drinking, speed - drugs? What about if you hear about a car accident involving the elderly? Explain your answers.

When I see something in the paper of a car accident involving teens I think of it as being drinking because most car accidents that ivolve teens has somethinkg to do with them drinking.When I hear of car accidents happening ivolving the elderly I think of it as being because of speeding because the elderly usually speed alot.

3. Andy and Rob have their own slang and manner of speaking. On the surface they seem to be putting each other down, but it is clear to us that they are close friends who respect each other. What purpose does this style of language serve? Does it draw kids closer together? Does it set you off from others? Explain.

4. In a paragraph rich with sensory detail, write about your own most frightening moment.

My own frightening moment was when my cousin and I were babysitting and she was haveing an asthma attack.I didn't know what to do so I called my mother and she took her to the hospital.She turned out to be fine but it was pretty scarey. The kids were crying the dogs were barking and I was trying to get them calmed down and help her at the sametime it was hard but im glad I was there with her to help.That was my most frighting moment.

6. Even though many people cried, Rhonda did not cry after the accident occured; she was angry. When or if a public tragedy occurs and it is not someone in your immediate family (9/11/01), how do you respond? Explain.

7. One //Herald// editorial says that statistics don't usually "mean much, but this statistic (Rob) had a name, face,..."When we hear of a statistic such as this that reports someone dying in a drunk-driving accident every 18 minutes - how do you feel? Do you agree that it is hard to feel emotional about the numbers when you do not have a face to relate it to?

8. In his homework assigment, Gerald writes that he would rid the world of 3 things. What 3 things would you rid the world of? Stick to concrete items, and back up your choices with personal reasons why you are eliminating them.

9. Neither of Andy's parents bother to show up for the game. How important is it for you that your parents turn out for the events in which you participate? Explain.

10.Andy mentions that some kids at school haven't looked him in the face since the accident; one even taped a mean note to his locker. How would you treat Andy now? Elaborate.

I would treat Andy like a did before.Because I know it wasn't his fault. I wouldn't be mean to him I think that no one has the right to judge him if they don't really no what happened. I don't think it was anyones fault for what happened. Everyone makes mistakes and maybe they shoudln't have been drinking but it was their mistake and i'm sure they all learned from it.

11.Does doing homework help you to perform better on tests? Does homework seem purposeful to you, or is it basically a waste of time? What alternate do you suggest? Defend your answer with three (3) points.

Does doing homework make me perform better on test it does not. I suggest that doing homework for some people might help but it does not for me. It makes me more confused. I like doing class work better because if I don't understand it the teacher is there to help me through it. I think for me homework is a waste of time it does'nt teach me no more than what I learned in school and it doesn't help me any.

12. Do you feel that your parents 'get' you or don't understand you at all? What makes you think this? Explain.

I don't feel like my parents get me at all.It seems like when I tell them something they don't seem to care.They don't care if i'm happy they only care about what they want me to do rather I am happy or not. When I need someone to talk to I usually go to my sister because she's been through everything i'm going through now and it seems like she really cares about me, with out her I think it would be really hard for me.

13.Andy believed that his friends would talk about him if he won academic awards. Then consider Marcus's unpopularity due to his achievement. Is academic failure or apathy built into teenager's notions about what is 'cool'? What effect does academic achievement have on you?

14. We learn about Andy's grades and study habits. Do you think the guidance counselor who advised him against going into pre-law was being realistic or unfair? Defend your answer.

I think the guidence counselor was being unfair. Andy's grades may not be the best but with support he might be able to change that. Andy is a smart kid he just worries about what people think alittle to much. He just needs to realize if they were true friends they wouldn't care if he is smart or not they would be there for him through it all.

15. In a class discussion, Keisha says, "All of us at one time or another feel like a cinder among the snowflakes. You stand out when you just want to blend in, you get noticed whether you want to or not". In a paragraph, write about when you have felt like a "cinder among the snowflakes

16. Andy envisions Monty will have a future as a doctor or lawyer. But when he thinks of his own future, he sees a blank, or darkness. Can you picture who you will be in 15 years? What do you envision about your future?