#25 Belonging

Surprise my place where I belong is HOBY! It is my favorite organization because it is a bunch of youth who are determined to make a difference... being at HOBY we are all so different but we are all connected and join together through this organization. I talk to HOBY's everyday and that gives me ideas of how to make an impact in my community and keeps me inspired to keep on going. It is amazing everyone who is a HOBY always does great things in there school, community, country and world. I always have new ideas and I always am involved in community projects and ideas now. I absolutely love this aspect of it.

#24 ...lions and tigers and zebras...oh my

*REDO*

#23 Oscar Pistorius

I believe Oscar should have been allowed to participate in the Olympics just because he had a disability doesn't mean he is any less capable of competing in the Olympics. I believe we deserve to give him the chance if he is able to prove himself which he did. However I think he should have had to make the choice to compete in the Olympics or the Para-Olympics because everyone else has to pick one because that seems to give him an advantage to be more likely to win a medal.

#22 Can you have "bad" morals and still be a "good" leader?

In my opinion yes. A leader is someone who can get others to follow you if your morals don't get in the way of leading I believe you can still be a leader. With Petraeus case I believe that he isn't good at relationships and he made an awful choice but he is still a leader those morals don't really change the fact that he has done a remarkable job in the military. Another example is Hitler he had awful morals but he managed to convince other to follow him and he pulled off an awful genocide. He had the worse morals but he was still good at leading people. You can have awful morals but still manage to lead people.

#21 Lance Armstrong

Hero- I realize what he did was awful from a professional point of view he gained fame and fortune. However, if he didn't cheat he wouldn't have been able to raise as much money for cancer and would not have gained as much publicity for his organization. He did great work for cancer research and he is truly inspirational for beating cancer! The ends justifies the means in my opinion. What he did was really wrong however so much good came out of it that I could never look at Lance as a villain.

#20 My Choice

What I really wanted to focus on is how we can get more students involved in our community and at IDCI. I think it is really important we involve the students more to educate them and make their time in the community more enjoyable. The first thing I have noticed is people at IDCI want to get involved but don't know how to I often have people ask is there any events IDCI needs help with or when is this event at the school I really want to know what's going on and when. As a school I think we need to make it more public as to what events are going on at the school, when, and how students can contribute. This may be by making a school calendar available of all the events in advance by posting it of a wall at the school or by making it available electronically online so students can be able to see oh their is a dance this day or oh idols is this day because it is often really easy to walk by and miss small posters hanging around the school. Also I have noticed people want to get their community hours but don't know how I suggest we start a volunteer club at IDCI and we find different organizations and fundraisers students can participate in after school. Teachers and organizations can come to this club and ask of help with things! This gives us a great opportunity to help students achieve community hours and get more involved with the community. I know other people who have these programs at their schools and it works really well!

#19 The Road to Me to We

a) Tim's Story was remarkable! It showed true out of the box thinking and great leadership. He went in thinking they can't paint they cannot do any thing then he switched his prespective thought of how he can help and what he can do for these people. After time and thought he found a solution and was able to give joy to these patients. He provided people with happiness which in my opinion is one of the best things someone can do.
b) Rain in Kenya: this section made me smile. It is funny how when we have rain or something small we get mad and we feel like our life will end if we touch it but in actuality we need rain and it helps everyones life. It is really amazing how something so small such as rain is so important and can make such a huge impact in our lives every day. It  brought joy and made so much happiness. Little things can really bring everyone together when they need it most.
c) Often in today's society we get caught up in all of these materials and possesions and we aren't as happy as we can truly be. This man gave up everything to try and experience true happiness and he found it he enjoyed living in a state of poverty and living life day by day and moment by moment. We often is our society get overly caught up in the moment.

#18 Me to We 10% Stopped

I believe this experiment was really amusing actually. People were so caught up in the future they were hypercritical and did not jump at an opportunity when they had it. Only 10% of people actually realized they should stop and focus on the present and help someone while they have the chance to. Many people have a hard time focusing on things in front of them because they are caught up in what they have to do eventually.

#16 Amanda Todd

The Amanda Todd story is very sad. People say it is an awful story which shouldn't be talked about but I believe we need to talk about this stuff. I think this because suicide is truly awful and this poor girl was judge based on a stupid mistake she made, she was harassed and hurt because of one choice. She killed herself because she thought nobody cared and she wanted help and people are upset over this being public news. This is a story that can be a great lesson and bring awareness to this issue which is suicide. Amanda Todd's death is a remarkable story which can teach us new things and help out those in her situation.

#15 Challenge Day What happens next?

Next I think we need to do some thing to help things to continue. As I already mentioned in class we need to make announcement of challenges randomly just to get a message out there and help people continually talk and be the change. I also think we need a challenge tree where students anonymously write things they are proud of things or different struggles they have been through and just get these things out there for people to know about.

#14 B? so... Challenge Day

Did you notice there are two number 14`s? Anyways I went to Challenge day for the second year and I realized how much things helped last year but it also made me think about stuff that I never knew bothered me. It was very helpful and made my closer with a group of people some of which I never knew before. It helped and was very exciting to learn of new things in mine and others lives it m=put perspective on this and helped me to continue to want to make a change.

#14 The World Value's Study

At first these results seemed surprising to me because after all wealthy countries have more luxuries and items however this is when I realized we are not the happiest. We are so wrapped up in new things, in money so we can get new things we are not always happy just to be us. If I had a dollar for every time I have heard "FML" over silly things like a school project or a broken cell phone. We are obsessed with consumerism not the important things in life such as family, friends, love,health and so much more. These countries who have less are happier because they communicate to each other and celebrate things that they do have.Poorer countries actually realize how much they have and should be thankful for.

#13 Happiness

Some explain happiness as a release of the chemical serotonin. It is the chemical that release the feelings of "happiness" however I believe it is so much more than that. Happiness is when you can't help but smile, laugh or just feel good. When you are joyful about something in your life it makes everything just seem well outstanding. In order for me to me happy i need people who I love around me as well as them being truthful and honest to me. Happiness is when I achieve something or when I am able to help in someone these are a few things that make me happy. I will recognize the feeling of happiness when i just feel good,or when I smile without trying or when I laugh this is how I know when am happy.

#12 Joe Paterno

I don't think he failed to be a leader, he lead this team for a long time and did his job and what was important and that was to report the sexual abused that had occurred. I don't know what they expected him to do he did what he had to. He would have failed if he did not report the issue I do not understand how they expect him to do more. He did in my opinion the most and the best he could do!

#11 Keith Taylor's Story

This story really shows how something small can change into something huge. he decided to finally make a change and give something back. He was determined to reach his dreams even by doing small things for other. Gradually everything grew and it became viral. Everyone wanted to help it is really absolutely amazing how something so small and grow to make a huge difference.

#10 Marc's Story

Marc's story is very impressive almost as impressive as Craig's. For a kid to be thrown into that situation must have been very hard. He was trained to be a doctor with no previous knowledge then was forced to look after patients by himself. Of the course of the year watching many die as well as teaching English must have been what seems like an endless task. He watched people die and was forced to try in some effort save there lives. He had no idea what he got himself into but he pushed through it.

#7....14-Year-Old Teaches Family the Power of Half

What this fourteen year old decided to do along with what her family agreed to do is extremely generous and indescribably good. She gave up everything a teenager usually wants to benefit the lives of several others. I can honestly say I do not think I would ever be able to give up all of that. It was very courageous and her and her family are some of the nicest people if they are willing to give up half of what they have to help others in the world. What she did was absolutely outstanding and she is beyond a great person for doing this for others.

#9 Book of Awesome

Nothing beats a white Christmas in Canada. At any age when you first open your eyes from your humble rest. You lay there for a moment and then all at once you realize it's Christmas morning. You wrap yourself up in your blanket and run down stairs still wearing your pyjamas from the night before. You go down those stairs to see your Christmas tree. Sitting all around your tree is presents from friends, family and loved ones. Hanging over your fireplace is you stockings filled with presents and sweets. Family slowly starts to open there presents there expressions are outstanding whether they love or hate the gift they have been given is something amazing to watch. Everytime someone says "thank you" or "I love you" the room gets warmer and more filled with joy. After the fact, you sit down on the couch drinking a warm hot chocolate which you feel the warmth slide down your throat, all around you is empty boxes, ripped wrapping paper, and so much more. Nothing can compare to that sweet joy of giving. Christmas is pure happiness. Awesome.

#8 thanksgiving idea

My idea is as a school we raise should money and donate different traditional thanksgiving food for those who may not be able to afford a full thanksgiving, turkey and all. If we cannot donate this I think as a school we should join together and make the dinners and serve free thanks giving dinners in our school. We cook and serve and people show up and eat in our cafeteria it would be a great community event as well as helping the people who deserve to have a great thanksgiving dinner.

#6 Kim's Story

Kim's story is absolutely heart breaking to hear. It really puts emphasis on how we should promote peace and not hate and shows how we should blame an entire Country for some peoples views. The fact that this picture possible saved her life is amazing because she got the treatment she needed however the fact that people abused this picture was not fair to her. She became a poster child and was stopped from achieving her dream. However her foundation that came out of this is amazing and inspirational. She grew from her struggles and that is a very hard thing to do.

#5 Me to We Craig's Story

Craig's story is absolutely incredible and truly inspirational. The fact that Craig at such a young age was so determined to make such an impact in the world and in the lives of others is remarkable. Many people at a young age don't often think of how they can make a difference. But Crag has managed to make an impact in millions of lives! It is incredible that he went to east asia and helped people and saw first hand what is going on in the world and what needs to be changed.His story inspires me to want tgo join Me to We and help his cause.

#4 Best Leadership Experience

My best leadership experience was raising awareness for Falling Whistles the non-profit organization. Eleven friends and I were told at a leadership conference to pick an organization and use social media to raise more awareness for it. What we did was make a video talking about the organization and how people can support it. We also used twitter and facebook to let more people know about the organization. As well we went around and told people about the organization and asked for there help to support this wonderful cause. We also started and outline to a blog we are going to start to let people become more aware of this organization and the issues its facing. It was a great experience which allowed me to see how you can easily become more aware and help others become more aware. My friends and I are still using tweets and posts to get the word out.

#3 A Leader

When I think of a leader I think of Nelson Mandela. A man who sacrifices his entire life in order to better his community is more than just good citizen, he is a hero. Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela is a miraculous man who gave up everything in order to better society. Nelson Mandela is an excellent example of a good citizen. Born and raised in South Africa, Nelson Mandela was a very influential man in history because of the way he changed society. When the South African government implemented the Apartheid Policy which limited black rights including the right to vote; Mandela began to protest in several ways some of which include: strikes, boycotts, civil disobedience and other non-violent protests. Mandela was eventually arrested and jailed for his actions. The South African government would release Nelson Mandela if he agreed to cause no more harm and change his political views. Mandela refused to give into the government. He remained in jail while rage all over the world built up against the South African government. Eventually Mandela`s protest and struggle in jail was over when the South African government agreed to remove the Apartheid Policy. Mandela gave up his freedom in order to better his country .Nelson Mandela caused a global movement and bettered a society. He changed the lives of millions and gave up his freedom in order to reach common goal. Mandela is a leader who is known all around the world.He influenced so many people it's impossible to not think of him as a leader.

#2 What's Not Wrong?

One thing that is never wrong in life is a blanket. They are never wrong because they are warm, soft and just make you feel comfy. A blanket can be used at any time and they will always make you smile. A blanket is something everybody loves from babies to elders and everyone in between. Blankets are perfect for everyone.

#1 This Year in Leadership

This year in leadership I want to get a better insite into myself, my school and my community. I want to help others and get to know people better than I already do. I hope that this course can farther develop my leadership skills that I have already began to create. By getting to be more invovled in this school I believe I can easily become a better more passionate leader. I would love to makean impact in this school because I see how amazing this school is but I already see areas in which we can approve this school.