My Letter to the School Board in Support of Mr. Paul Smith

Dear School Board Member,

My purpose in writing is to ask for your support in restoring Mr. Paul Smith’s position as the principle at Layton High. It troubles me to see a strong leader being forced out of a position he is highly qualified for. What the districts decision shows me is that Mr. Smith’s qualifications limit him to less then a high school principle. It would be incorrect for anyone to assume this. Help give back Layton High’s principal or help us retrieve a detailed explanation to their decision.

I myself am a student at Davis High School, who for the past semester has been interning as a history teacher at Layton High, under the direction of Mr. Delose Conner. My mere acquaintance was all I needed to understand the immense character that Mr. Smith demonstrated. I have been exploring the field of teaching as a career path for quite some time now, and have come to understand that teaching is not about the money, but about the joy that comes from serving students. This understanding comes from my first encounter with Mr. Smith. He sat me down in his office and explained to me that teaching was a noble profession, and also of the immense impact teachers have on future world leaders. Likewise, he stressed the importance of instilling values in students. It is more important to be the teacher that is disliked today, and admired ten years from now because of the valuable life lessons taught, than the teacher who was “cool” ten years ago because he pleased the students by succumbing to their pressures.

Some people may argue that he could be putting on a show to gain a good reputation with all those he meets. In reply to this I can say that no matter how persuasive the argument against him, I will know of the sincerity of the words spoken to me during our first meeting. Paul Smith is an admirable leader who supports his faculty and the students whom they teach. He is the cause of much success at Layton High School. Do what is best for the students. To neglect action would be contradicting the Davis School District’s Mission Statement, of fostering educational excellence, and providing a safe environment where students can acquire the skills, knowledge, values, and commitment to adapt to and lead a changing world. That is precisely what Mr. Smith explained to me, we need to nurture the future leaders of the world. I have faith the school board will do what is best for the education of the teenagers within the district.

Sincerely,

Wesley Mathis

Christmas is Coming the Goose is Getting Fat

This holiday season let me express with utmost reverence and sincerity my gratitude for all that God has blessed me with.

I have recently participated in a service project that has severely impacted my life. A group of my friends and associates scrounged for, and bought winter coats, hats, and gloves to distribute to the homeless and needy in Salt Lake City. I have seen a side of life that was difficult to observe. The natural man inside of many of us wants to remain in ignorance, or pretend that our eyes did not witness that side of life where you see fellow human beings suffering and living in ways we would never wish for ourselves. Astounding, it is absolutely astounding that we are here, living in the 21 century and some of us still live without the necessities that have allowed us continuance from day one of human existence. Unfortunately, too many of us, myself included, give into our natural man's intuition. We pretend like we never saw those in need, just so our lives will remain at ease. It is time to step out of the bubble of comfort in which we live. Let us rise to be greater then the natural man, by overcoming the urge to sit back relax and take it easy while men, women , and children all over the world still fight, not to pay of their credit card bill, but to stay alive, or to put at ease the hunger which pierces their stomach like lemon juice to a paper cut.

One of the concerns that my group had was that the nice coats which we provided would end up in the hands of someone who would rather feed their monstrous addiction to drugs, alcohol or tobacco, than provide warmth through the cold winter night. It does happen. Addiction and Moral perversion can be leading factors in these peoples position in life. An intoxicated man laying on the floor of one of the shelters we visited backed my testimony of this as he bellowed "Next person that a touches me I'm a gonna bla-ast um", while my feet shuffled near his face in the crowded hall. We tried to avoid providing aid to such addictions at all cost. However, no matter what hands the coats end up in our conscience will not be affected because we were doing what we could to aid in a battle for humanity.

Luckily, for my group as we were getting out of the cars to venture into the shelter my friend flagged down a woman passing by on the sidewalk. Aside from providing her with a coat hat and gloves we were able to find out just how frequent it is that a donation of some kind will be used to feed some ones dark habit. She told us how she happened upon her station in life, and how she appreciated the help she received. Prior to our meeting she was without hat or gloves, her shoes were spotted with tears and rips, and she was just borrowing a thin coat from a friend. She was once living under a road bridge with a few others when their home and source of shelter was taken away because of road work and demolition. She left for a few minutes, then to our surprise returned with a friend whom she had found which we could trust to properly use the supplies we had to offer.

Our next adventure was entering the shelter, as we had decided that those volunteers running the place would be able to distribute the donations to the proper people. Many, men and women were waiting in line to gain access to the warmth of the building. The lengthy line was a result of the long process of inspecting each individual that entered for any dangerous behavior or intoxication to insure the safety of all the temporary residents. Many heckles were thrown our way as we were permitted to the front of the line to drop off our winter attire. Along with the insults floating around our heads hands from all direction were fondling the mountains of coats that we carried in our arms. One man with the stump of a cigarette came and while his hand rested on me he pleaded for one of the jackets that I carried. I could see the desperation in his eyes. One might wonder what drove that desperation: an addiction, or was he pleading for protection from the biting cold that would otherwise keep him up all night. Despite what it was I could see the pain this man was enduring, and as a result I allowed him to take the top coat, which his hand was already resting on.

I will never know the outcome of that coat but I feel I did some good in the world that cold night in Salt Lake. I do know however, the impact that night had on me. I witnessed a hard side of life that we often have no idea is there, because it is hidden from us to "protect" us from it's influence or to hide the shame that it would bring upon us to let others know that our own communities have these social problems.

As my family gathered around the dinner table a few nights later, we were prepared to enjoy a meal which my father proudly prepared. He offered a blessing upon that meal and in doing so he thanked the good Lord for our own blessings and asked a blessing on those less fortunate, on those who have no home, on those who were going without nourishment that night. My eyes gathered my own tears as I saw my fathers eyes drain onto his plate. Despite our own struggles we were among the fortunate who had food to replenish our strength.

No matter what station we are at in our own lives, there is room for service, even if we have to make room by expanding the bubble of comfort around us. This Christmas Season the goose is fat so let us share the trimmings with those who ask only for the drippings.

Fret Not the Wounds of Love

“We no longer know what love is. The thing itself is lost, drowned in a verbal deluge. It is impossible to come through to reality, which should be simple and clear.” French author Jules Renard’s claim that love should be simple and clear is even more applicable to the present day and age, than in his time. The meaning is lost, and yet we hear the word so often in today’s world: “Oh, I love those shoes…I love that flavor ice cream.” With every misuse the word becomes more distorted and misplaced. As a result its meaning is buried deeper in the sands of time. Beyond doubt, one of the greatest contributions one could make to today’s societies would be to restore an understanding of love, why it is needed, and how do develop it.

To lose the awareness of true love would be tragedy. Like hate, love is a strong word, and should not be beat to death as it is today. There are those who are in search of affection who do not understand what love is because of its loose and repetitive use in everyday conversation. For these lost individuals questionable places that include drugs, alcohol, sex and violence, can be perceived as places of refuge to a world that does not want them. Individuals in need who lack the understanding of love often obtain that warmth from those who will readily take advantage of those individuals’ need for affection; using the weary and down trodden for their personal gratification, and exploitation. Sadly the victimized will remain in ignorance and accept any form of love, even love masked with abuse.

At a scout camp I worked under a supervisor who was aware of the consequences of leaving someone feeling unwanted. He made efforts to make sure everyone on his staff felt like they belonged so they would not turn to other sources for a sense of belonging and false sense of affection. I admire him for this. At the time, regrettably, I was not as willing to take that challenge upon myself. Now I want to give others the understanding of love, for it is my belief that if we used the word as it should be, there would be less confusion and the love-deprived would find love’s true sources: a loving parent, a sibling, or a true friend. Likewise, those with an understanding of love would strive to embrace the needy. This is my wish, to revitalize a necessary awareness.

Love is an undying passion in many forms, not limited to romantic fever. True love can exist between friends, family, or anyone willing to accept others. My uncovering of love came through an occurrence with heartbreak. In contrast to what one may imagine, no upset in romantic involvement induced this affliction. Rather a separation from friends and family brought about the suffering. Isolation from loved ones, betrayal, or even a wayward child can produce various symptoms of a heavy heart. The only remedy is to be with others whom you love. The evidence of different forms of heartbreak provides the proof of varying forms of true love. Passion for friends and family can be just as strong as that of a new couple encircled by the flames of desire.

Along with assorted forms of love there are many levels of magnitude. Some may have a crumbling love that endangers a marriage, or friendship, while others is unfailing, strong as the roots of a great oak. The capacity one has for love also varies according to the individual. One can be open and accepting to all; this is ideal when one’s heart is sincerely open to all men and women. Unfortunately most of us limit our love to a select few. Exploration of the meaning of love must never end, and it is vital all have a basic comprehension of love and its many faces.

A lack of sincere affection for a person or a cause must not prevent us from partaking in the pleasure of love. We can grow love, as we choose, through nurturing it with service and practicing displays of affection. The elation that comes will be a gift worth treasuring. It is a mystery, in a world that is largely based around the material realm, how real the happiness can be when one works to serve and love his fellow man. Read now, Oscar Wilde’s fairytale, The Selfish Giant, in which Wilde depicts a giant when he comes to the realization that true love was found in allowing numerous children to play in his garden. Later, one morning, the giant wakes from his slumber to find a child alone under a tree with nail prints in the palms of his hands and on his feet. Outraged, the giant swore vengeance upon the vile beings that wounded the child whom he loved. However before the giant could turn to find his great sword, the child replied to the giant’s reaction saying:

Nay... but these are the wounds of Love... You let me play once in your garden, to-day you shall come with me to my garden, which is Paradise.

The giant once experienced the cold, misery of selfishness, but in return for his loving service he was able to experience the warmth of true happiness before laying down to die among the blossoms.

Being aware of love and how to obtain it provides the knowledge of happiness. This awareness is what I wish to give. Christ, in the form of a child, gave Wilde’s giant this same gift. However, one does not have to believe in Christ to gain this insight. As the season of giving approaches, try to reach out and serve those who have never entered the garden of paradise. A transformation will occur. The discovery of the true meaning of love and happiness will be made by the giver and the recipient.

My Thoughts on President Obama's Speech to Students

Obama or Stalin? I’m Confused

I cannot believe any mother or father who would allow their child to listen to the hidden subliminal messages in Obama’s speech to schools in America, or should I say U.S.S.R. President Obama is using his powers as a dictator, forcing innocent children to believe what he believes. It is not right. Next thing we know our kids will be shipped of to camps where they will be forced to watch giant screens with Obama’s face learning them in the ways of socialism, and anyone who disagrees will be violently abused. We can’t let this go undisturbed. We have to be patriots and fight. There are people who say that Obama can’t ruin this nation in four years, they obviously haven’t ever heard that Rome was built in just a day.

Now, I’m not a big fan of Obama, however, the act of extorting kids into his communist army is the most unexusable act of betrayal to this great America. The parents that boycotted school on Tuesday are the parents whose children’s education is most beneficial. Those who allowed their children to watch that presentation wasted their child’s precious time in the classroom. Their child’s time was spent listening to Obama’s speech on his political schedule. After seeing the speech many have found messages promoting communism. Obama had the nerve to tell students that if you give up on yourself you give up on your country; as if we wouldn’t catch the hidden propaganda, promoting government run institutions. Stalin could have hidden it better. Clearly Obama is trying to get students to start working for those institutions. He even said, “The story of America isn't about people who quit when things got tough. It's about people who kept going, who tried harder, who loved their country too much to do anything less than their best," He doesn’t want us to quit working when his secret police make our lives a nightmare. Government run companies, now that is qualitative life right there. It was a sad state in American history when Obama turned down the road that leads to classrooms becoming breeding grounds for the perfect subservient government worker.

Fortunately for us our country still has leaders who are fighting for democracy. I would like to regurgitate the words of the head of the Republican Party in Florida, by saying how Obama’s address was an explicit attempt to “indoctrinate” the president’s “socialist” schedule. When it comes to Obama I am reminded more and more of the brutal communist dictator, Hitler, and the persuasive nationalist, Stalin. A history and government teacher at Brighton High School said in a news article, "It's a disgrace when a social studies teacher has to seek parental permission to show a speech in class by the president of the United States." I was shocked, I just couldn’t believe it. If I were that reporter I would have been like, “No, it is sad when a social studies teacher is no longer a social studies teacher but a socialist studies teacher!” I don’t know why Kim Jung Il and Obama don’t have a little tea party and bash ideas off from one another. It is also unfortunate that Saddam Hussein was never around to witness the Obama administration. He may have been on better terms with the United States.

Some people have told me that I am just overreacting, and that my opinion is bias because I did not want Obama to be president. They say that the democrats were adamantly against President H.W. Bush when he gave a speech promoting science and math education. The head democrat in the house said the Department of Education should not produce political advertisement but should focus on making good students. This is an absolutely ridicules disagreement, the democrats were just angry because President Bush was legitimately trying to inspire students to do well in school. Now they’re trying to point fingers at people like us when we’re trying to fight a legitimate socialist threat to this country. It is stupid that our nation is so torn over political parties that if one side doesn’t get what they want they have to tear down the rest of the country to try and prove a point.

It is scary to think we have entered a time when no one is willing to stand up and protect this nation. Every one who is willing to let such a dictator take power should feel ashamed of themselves. People shouldn’t be so subservient to the president. We need to fight for a free education now so we can have a free country later. If it isn’t obvious to one that education has been restricted by the presentation of these political ideas obviously that person doesn’t know what he believes politically and he needs to get a grip of his ideas before Obama does it for him. We need to fight this socialist upheaval before it grows too late. We cannot let our political insecurity rule our lives. We can do it America!

Can I have My Thoughts Back Please?

Those who composed the Bill of Rights handled it brilliantly. To narrowly define the rights of citizens would invite negative rather than positive debates. In the Bill of Rights very few exact definitions were made. For instance, the First Amendment’s right, that entitles each man, women, and child in this nation to free speech, is left open to interpretation. No man can read the lines in the amendment and give a definition of free speech. This openness is a component of this right that makes it truly free. If the authors of the Bill of Rights determined what is or is not free speech then doors to abuse by our own government would have been opened. Instead, the First Amendment has been left open for personal translation to a certain point. Still, in this great nation the right to free speech is abused time and time again. One of the largest areas where limitations on speech have crossed the line between acceptable and abuse, is in higher education. The freedom of speech is the essential key to education. It presents different ideas to all and allows debates to be presented to each individual. This provides for the individual acquisition of truth and knowledge. To abuse this power deteriorates a student’s ability to think for himself, creating a sense of dependency. It is not coincidence that most developing countries with poor education are the same countries where the voice of the people is silenced, as if they were ignorant children, by corrupt government officials.

As an intern in high school education, one of the questions I asked my supervising teacher was: what makes a good teacher? His answer was, a teacher that gets students to think for themselves. He further illustrated the point that provoking debate persuades students to gain knowledge themselves. If a teacher provides information that causes a student to become engaged, and leaves it open to debate, the student will then search for ways in which he can contradict the teacher. The student will be thinking, and then be entitled to voice an opinion. The student is enabled to figure out for himself what he views as truth. If one desires a higher education one cannot achieve it through a closed-minded system such as the Residential Orientation Program at the University of Delaware. The program advisors used humiliation and embarrassment as techniques in an attempt to force thought behavior along with conformity in regards to race, sexual orientation and other social problems, accepting no discussion of other views. If an institution of higher learning dictates teaching methods, and forces ideas upon students, then it will lack in its diversity of ideas and methods of learning which prevents students from seeking knowledge and finding the truth for themselves. On the other hand, an institution that provides a variety of courses and curriculum, open to debate, will be successful in provoking thought and forming independent minds. The advisors at the residential halls in Delaware forced students to accept their ideals as truth and trapped students in an environment that deterred thought. This is why a free voice is imperative to anyone who desires a higher education.

Every day the voices of truly intelligent teachers and students are drowned out by the sound of binding chains. The First Amendment is being abused on campuses like that of the University of Delaware. Students and teachers are being denied access to the debate floor by those trying to force conformity. It is no one’s job but our own to control how we think and learn. When the residential advisors at the University of Delaware stepped over their bounds by enforcing their ideals of conformity, they took it into their hands to dictate what is or is not acceptable speech. Our First Amendment was created to prevent any entity from dictating terms of speech. It is the right of the individual alone to determine what he or she will agree with. The students’ rights in that hall in Delaware were infringed by advisors who sought to force the students to accept what the advisors perceived to be the truth. Clearly, forcing someone to accept what is said, while denying anyone the right to disagree, is abusing the right to free speech. Forcing someone to believe something is true, without discussion, eliminates the thought-provoking procedure that allows us to develop our own thoughts and knowledge. Therefore, abusers of this right have stolen the right to think as well as speak. This oppresses education and does not allow free learning.

An additional harmful effect of the oppression or force of voice in education is the neglect of a student’s opportunity to challenge opinions. Hayden Barnes, a student at Valdosta StateUniversity, challenged the university’s president on an issue concerning the construction of a parking garage for the school. Hayden was irrationally punished by expulsion because he was said to be “a clear and present danger” to the university even though no materials presented contained any evidence of threats towards the school. This was a clear, forceful and cowardly attack on Barnes’ right to state an alternate opinion. What the president says is what goes, and nothing anyone else says is allowed to change that. It is acceptable for the university president to have an opinion; however, it is not acceptable for the president to compromise a student’s education because that student decided to share his challenging point of view with others. This action reduced the spread of information merely because it was diverse and controversial. Education is not supposed to limit the information that one can receive or distribute, even if it challenges what is perceived by others to be correct. If one forces what one believes and allows no room for challenging influences, that person or organization must be fearful that an opposing point of view may be discovered to be right. A “free speech” education must consist of many sides of ideas being freely argued so that one can choose for oneself what to accept as truth.

Despite instances where the right to speak freely has been violated, many colleges and universities have excelling students with bright, open minds. They are intelligent because they have heard varieties of opinions from different teachers who have also developed their thoughts in the same manner. These professors and teachers have determined what they see as truth, and encourage students to do the same. It is the duty and responsibility of an educational institution to insure and protect the right of a pure and uninfluenced voice for the educator and the pupil. Schools open to debate and varying ideas achieve greatness in academics. In contrast, schools that limit or determine what can be said damage the integrity of the educational environment by manipulating thought process.

My Analysis of Bram Stoker's: DRACULA

On God’s Errand?

One of the most intriguing novels of all time is a Gothic novel, Dracula, written by an Irish man Bram Stoker and published in 1897. Readers today are still captivated by the mysterious creature created by Stoker. Never will Count Dracula and his phenomenal supernatural powers be forgotten, never will humans cease to long for that power and never will our fear of the unknown be gone. However, most readers may overlook the inner value concealed within the book’s pages. It is unfortunate the messages delivered by our protagonist, Van Helsing, have long been lost to the motion picture business. The true nobility of this Dutchmen is now hidden behind the handsome faces that have distorted the character, Dr. Abraham Van Helsing. The Van Helsing presented by Stoker is not the physically fit, hunter, that many of us have come to know. He is a knowledgeable professor that fights with his wits and wisdom, and whose faith that his mission is from God gives him the hope and motivation to carry on. This belief, that he is an instrument in God’s hands, is what carries him forward with an attitude of, “if not me than who?”

We know that this man of science has a sincere, unfailing belief that all things are possible in a world created by God. This is illustrated as he chastises John Seward for denouncing any explanation to the mysterious happenings that does not include factual evidence. In Chapter 14, Van Helsing calls Dr. Seward prejudice, in that he does not look beyond what he knows for answers. So this gives reason to believe that when the suitable time will present itself the professor will be willing to put aside science and begin his work for his god. It is this strong belief that motivates him to be persistent against the vile, demonic, brute that is stuck in an immortal battle against Christ. He realizes that God has given them this assignment and clearly presents his ideas to his comrades in Chapter 24 when he explains why it is, that even though their monster has left them for his homeland, they must endure to the end and destroy Dracula for the good of mankind. Put in his own words, “Thus are we ministers of God’s own wish: that the world, and men for whom His Son die, will not be given over to monsters, whose very existence would defame Him. He has allowed us to redeem one soul already, and we go out as the old knights of the Cross to redeem more. Like them we shall travel toward sunrise; and like them, if we fall, we fall in good cause" This quotation further illustrates that in order to prevent the defamation of the Father and the Son, he is willing to sacrifice his life as a crusader of old.

Granted, this noble Dutchman is in a merciless plight against the devils angel, he still has another motivation beyond his service in God’s army. His great affection for his dear friend and guiding light, Mina Harker, is an equally important manufacturer of inspiration and determination. He knows the existence of the soul sucking monster not only is a prime threat to mankind’s spiritual salvation, but is the primary threat to Mina’s own salvation. As long as Dracula lives she to is bound to earth life as a monstrous being. His love for his friend is passionately presented as he pleads for her to carry on and preserve her human existence in Chapter 22. “You must not die. You must not die by any hand but least of all by your own. Until the other, who has fouled your sweet life, is true dead you must not die; for if he is still with the quick Un-Dead, your death would make you even as he is. No, you must live!” These words were uttered with such passion because regardless of his wisdom he is not ignorant of the fact that he must constantly be learning from others, and he firmly believes Mina is far more intuitive to Gods will than himself. Therefore, the preserving of his virtuous Mina is top priority. His decision, to fight for Mina’s life, is well rewarded. As intended Mina proves to be a guiding light to all her friends, for instance in Chapter 23 Jonathan, Mina’s husband, has a heart full of hatred and disgust as a result of the misdeeds of the count. Indeed it’s his intention to utterly destroy the beast that brings darkness upon them. Mina with her guiding light, as was awaited by Van Helsing, brings a moment of shame upon her protectors when she explains that just as Lucy was imprisoned by demons so the count after centuries is still captive to immortality, cursed to produce evil on this earth. She requests they be motivated by love and search to set free a long lost man and aid in the regaining of his soul. She says, “I know that you must fight---that you must destroy even as you destroyed the false Lucy so that the true Lucy might live hereafter; but it is not a work of hate…Just think what will be his joy when he, too, is destroyed in his worser part that his better part may have spiritual immortality.” This emergence of light helps them focus on the true nature of their work at hand. This also furthers Van Helsing’s faith of Gods hand in their crusade.

Finally, it is revealed to readers that Van Helsing is not fearful to continue in the perilous journey. This is because of his faith in the rewards that will come from the fulfilling of their duty to God. This idea seems to be brought across through symbolism in Stoker’s novel, particularly the mark cast on Mina’s forehead from the sacred wafer touching her violated flesh. Van Helsing says, “It May be that you may have to bear that mark till God Himself see fit, as He most surely shall, on the Judgment Day, to redress all wrongs of the earth and of His children that He has placed thereon.” The mark perhaps is a symbol of the burdens that they are about to come across, and just as her mark will be removed with the destruction of the vampire king, so shall the fiery burdens we have to face be doused by God and any wrongs we endure be undone. Van Helsing is motivated by that firm faith in God, and the knowledge that as long as he is working under divine direction, no matter what his end shall be, Christ will lift those afflictions from him.

The Van Helsing that Stoker created is not the dazzling, sweep-women-off-their-feet action hero. He is rather a character of deeper unseen nobility, fighting for the physical and spiritual well being of mankind, and motivated by what is right and good. It is unfortunate and sad that in today’s world of distorted and mangled morals, where no one seems able to decipher between what is right and wrong, a hero is measured by how many women he sleeps with rather than what good he has done for the world he lives in. Van Helsing is a crusader, a hero of old, motivated by his faith in doing what is right and just in the sight of the almighty.

“Be not afraid for Madam Mina; she will be my care, if I may. I am old. My legs are not so quick to run as once; and I am not used to ride so long or to pursue as need be, or to fight with lethal weapons. But I can be of other service; I can fight in other way. And I can die, if need be, as well as younger men.”
Abraham Van Helsing