Our+Writings+--+7D

= "The Last Lecture: Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams" by Dr. Randy Pausch =



After watching Dr. Randy Pausch's inspirational speech, "The Last Lecture," seventh grade students wrote about lessons that they have learned in their own lives. Their writings are listed below.

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[|Monica N.doc]

[|Joseph Nguyen.doc]

[|Terrence Evans ;).doc]

[|Cierra Henry.doc]

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[|Camilla Do.doc]

By Ms. M. Hudson A blog entry that I wrote July 25, 2008:

I saw Randy Pausch's story on The Oprah Show. A slender, joyful man, Pausch encouraged viewers to make the best of their lives. The interview was pure a la Oprah. I was encouraged. But, today is different because Pausch has died.

His podcast lecture was created for his children, but it also prepared all of us for this day. The day that the image in the video serves as one of a few remnants of live images of Pausch. So, tonight, I watched the lecture, loaded it onto my Facebook page, and emailed it to my friends and family. As I listened to the brilliant Pausch discuss lessons he had learned, I reflected upon my own life and its lessons. I even learned new lessons during from Pausch's lecture. Chief among these new lessons is a list of action statements to govern one's life.

As listed in the video:

1. Tell the truth. 2. Be earnest. 3. Apologize when you screw up. 4. Focus on others, not yourself.

While each appears simplistic and I sincerely believe that many of us already live by them, the first one is the hardest for me. Who tells the truth all the time? The lies I tell are usually intented to spare one's feelings, so I do not know if I can achieve it entirely. I am very adamant, though, about the third one. I always remind myself to never be too angry or too full of myself to apologize to others.

Nevertheless, Pausch's lecture is invaluable. I admire him for teaching us to be fearless leaders of our own lives. More importantly, he teaches us how to confront mortality.

I will keep his wife and children in my prayers as well as the countless students and professionals whom Pausch has inspired.

Thank you, Mr. Pausch.

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__Links__ Pausch's Story Pausch Update

= Love Poems, Anyone? =

At first worried that they would have to write sappy love poems, the seventh grade students were asked to write poems about things that mean a lot to them. In other words, they were asked to write love poems about the things for which they are passionate.

By Ms. M. Hudson
 * A Ballad for My Students**

It may seem corny or even creepy But I have loved you since I first saw your name Printed on white paper. Permanently etched in my mind: Henrietta Jones, Erin Plasiance, Maya Jones, Christopher Holloway, Justin Jack, Kierra Hart -- The list is infinite. Even when your names escape my tongue, Your prepubescent faces remain. Stained upon my heart. Unchanged by time. There is just something about a teacher's students. Once assigned to a specific class, The teacher in me quickly searches for your potential, Which I am confident exists. Offering an earnest, clean slate I beseech you, Whoever you were last year -- for better or for worse -- Is no more. The door is open. And open to more than learning. Take advantage of this opportunity to be whom you envision. To be the person you desire. To simply Be Yourself. And when you are ready, Ready to be more than your mind can comprehend, Ready to allow God to work in your lives, I will be there as your teacher. In the sacred space of the classroom, Where I am entrusted with your futures. I invite you to reach for greatness, for There is just something about a teacher's students.