Iola High School
Iola, Kansas
Teacher:  Loretta Arnold

My Community
By Alana Middleton
12^th Grade

…Communities…come in all different sizes.  There are large communities, such as, the world community, and then it filters down to small communities, such as our families.  Each community has its own special meaning and importance.  Without them, we would not survive as individuals.

The world community is of major importance.  It is what brings the many countries together as one force.  The world is like a community because we unite to help each other out.  Other countries provide us with supplies we don’t have and we provide other countries with what they might not have.  Also, other countries provide services and assistance when we are in need; likewise, we provide other countries with help and services when they are hurting.  An example of this is when natural disasters, like the recent tsunami, hit the eastern costal countries and when the earthquakes buried hundreds of people in Indonesia.  The world community acted quickly to send workers, medical supplies, and food.  Without every country helping those in need, thousands…might not have survived.   We have a fantastic world community, although it does have its weaknesses. 

There are some things that the country does not agree upon.  The main argument is religion.  Most other countries disagree with what America does.  We let people worship any kind of religion.  Many coutries in the world restricts individual beliefs.  Understanding our differences in this area would make for a more caring world.  Perhaps we wouldn’t have so many wars if we could understand and respect each other’s beliefs.

Our national community is a great one.  What makes this country great is that Americans have freedom.  This is like no other nation.  Everybody in our nation helps to support each other.  We stick together through the bad and the good.  When the World Trade Centers went down, everybody saw to it that the families of the victims in the World Trade Centers were taken care of.  Families help families in America.  Most of the people became involved to help our nation [recover].  The military was also called to help.  We have troops overseas fighting for us – [for] our rights and freedoms -- and they are doing a great job against the War on Terrorism.  There were others who started organizations to help raise money.  These organizations raise money, gather canned foods, and gathered clothing for the families.  The nation acted with compassion towards those who were victims and acted with force against those who threatened to harm our national community.

My local community is like one you would see on TV or read [about] in a book.  It is a small neighborhood.  We, in Iola, Kansas, are a very supportive community.  When the Iola High School Fillies Basketball Team went to state last year, the entire town of Iola with its surrounding communities, was there.  People you wouldn’t normally see at the usual Friday night games showed up three-hours away in Salina for the big game.  And the support isn’t just in sports either.  When the grade school or any other special organization sells things to raise money for school programs and clubs, most people help out.  Even if it was just something little, they usually buy.  Traditions are also important in Iola.  When we have parades, carnivals, and the annual fair, the whole town of Iola comes out.  There is no other place like my hometown of Iola.

Friends are those people who you can talk to, hang out with, and just be yourself around.  When I am with my friends I don’t feel that I have to be something I am not.  I never have a bad time when I am with my friends.  They always make me laugh.  We have such a great time together, whether it is going out to eat, seeing each other in school, or staying over at each other’s house.  I have a lot of friends and when I need to talk, I can talk to any one of them.

My family came from Germany.  When my grandpa went over seas to Germany as part of the army, he met my grandma.  When my grandpa came back to America, my grandma came with him.  My grandma left behind her mom, dad, and sisters.  My aunt is a nun in Germany, and my great grandma is in her nineties.  I love to have this kind of ancestry.  When I talk to my [relatives] on the phone, I have to [speak] German.  I do have my dad’s sister with me to help me, [and] it is so much fun.  I am glad that I can say I am related to them.

When I was in the third grade, my mom and dad got a divorce.  It was for the best.  My family is a weird family.  Every week I switch houses.  This way I can see my mom and dad the same amount, and I love that we do this.  When I am at my mom’s I stay with her and my brother and two sisters.  When I am at my dads I stay with my dad, my step-mom, my half-sister, my two step-brothers, my real brother, my step-sister, and my two real sisters.  It is very hectic and very stressful.  When I go to my dad’s I like it because I never get bored.  I am always busy driving my siblings places and babysitting.  It is very relaxing going to my mom’s.  I love having my family weird like this.  It would not be as challenging and exciting if I didn’t.

Each type of community has its own uniqueness.  I feel that we have a great all-around community.  I would not change the way my family, friends, our nation, or the world is.  

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