Burlington High School
Burlington, Kansas
Teacher: Devra Parker
Excellence: Do We Have It?
By Chelsea Morris
12th grade
America is seen as the land of golden opportunity. Thousands of people from other countries enter the United States each year with hopes and dreams of becoming successful. Our country is a greater place to live than anywhere else in the world, and every day we strive for excellence in every possible way, shape, and form . . . right? Well, not exactly. I do believe the United States is the best place to be; however, I don’t truly believe that we do our best to obtain the state of greatness. As the famous philosopher, Aristotle, once stated, “With regard to excellence, it is not enough to know, but we must try to have and use it.” Despite the fact that I am incredibly patriotic, I do believe there are some ways in which America has abandoned excellence, and much of it has to do with money.
One way is shown in the public school systems. How can we expect the school systems to improve when the government keeps cutting the budget? The lack of sufficient funding is forcing schools to make decisions they shouldn’t have to make; they are having to chose between art programs and sports. Of course, they always choose the sports because, generally, that is what the town wants. It’s commonly accepted that more people will come to see a basketball game than a band concert. I’m not saying that sports aren’t important; however, I am saying that art is of equal importance. Fine arts help broaden students’ horizons, and studies have shown that kids who play musical instruments tend to learn easier and perform better academically.
There is also a severe teacher shortage in the United States; I believe this is largely due to how poorly teachers are paid. They are very important, and perhaps the most influential people in children’s lives. Without high-quality teachers, students are less likely to do well in school. Therefore, they are also less likely to further their education by attending college. It takes a special person to be a good teacher. One must be patient, smart, and creative. There are tons of people out there who fit that criteria and would make outstanding teachers. However, nobody wants to try to survive on a teacher’s salary!
Usually, after graduating high school, college is the next step. I haven’t made it there yet, but I will attend one next fall, and I have found out that tuition is way too expensive! America is supposed to be about equal opportunity for everyone, so everyone should have a good opportunity to go to college. However, many people simply can’t afford it. I know there are tons of student loans available that almost anyone can get, but two serious problems arise with taking that route. For one, the interest rates will seriously increase the already-too-high cost of attending a university. In addition to that, the student has to start off her career, and adult life, approximately 40,000 dollars in debt. This number is enough to scare most aspiring students away from student loans, sometimes turning them away from college in general. This doesn’t sound like reaching toward excellence to me.
Another department that lacks greatness due to fund deficiency is law enforcement. Policemen are among the seriously underpaid in America, yet without them, our society would fall apart. These brave men go to work and risk their lives everyday. They work to protect the people and uphold the peace. They do their best to keep drugs off the streets and away from our children. These people are among the few who truly strive for excellence in our society, but in spite of this, the government chooses to pay these individuals far less than adequate. I’ve actually had several friends consider becoming a cop after graduating high school. However, none of them have ever considered it for more than a couple of days, because they found out how much money police make. They decided that being in law enforcement simply wouldn’t provide them with the lifestyle they have come to desire.
Basically, today’s world
is simply chaotic, and there are some especially bad places out there, but
this country isn’t one of them. Of course, we do have our share of problems.
The United States prides itself on having a society with strong values and
morals. However, it is truly a money-based society. I don’t see any problems
that arise from this until the lack of wealth equates to a lack of
opportunity. Until this problem is fixed, which probably won’t be in my
lifetime, I will hold my belief that America has abandoned the true pursuit of
excellence.
Answers
To Questions Re: Required Reading
Ask Yourself:
Q1- Am I really where I want to be?
I do not believe I have fully reached the point where I want to be in my life. I do, however, believe I am moving in a direction that will take me to where I really want to be in life.
Q2- Am I moving in the direction that will enable me to make the greatest contribution?
Yes. I will graduate from high school with highest honors this spring; next fall, I will attend a four year university and major in something health-related. Once I am a professional in the health field, I will be making a huge contribution to society in my every day life.
Q3- If I could achieve my highest goals, what would my accomplishments look like?
If I were to achieve my highest goals, I would become a doctor. A few years later, I would also develop into a good wife, and a great mother.
Q4- Do I recognize excellence and search it out or do I find mediocre acceptable and am willing to settle?
I try to recognize excellence in everything. However, I am not perfect and I sometimes fail to search for it, which can lead to accepting mediocrity in some aspects of life. Yet, no matter what situation I may encounter, I will never settle for mediocrity in myself.
Q5- Do I seek out people, books, movies and other things that encourage me to be the best I can be?
Most of the time, I do seek out people who encourage me to be the best I can be. However, I can not truly say that I look to books, movies, or other items to further better myself.
Q6- Do I recognize the best in others?
I genuinely try to look for the best in everyone. Still, there are times when I may fail to do so.
Time Article
Q7- Do you agree with Morrow (paragraph seven) that: "Excellence demands standards. It does not usually flourish in the midst of rapid, hectic change. This century’s sheer velocity has subverted the principle of excellence; a culture must be able to catch its breath."
Yes, I do agree with Morrow. America is growing and changing at an extremely fast rate, and we may have turned away from excellence in some aspects just to appear excellent in others. For example, we have become the second most technologically advanced country in the world; at the same time, we are cutting a huge amount of money that should go into the public school systems.
Q8- Interpret this quote from paragraph nine: "Woe to them that are at ease in Zion."
If you set your goals low, it will be easy to reach to them. If everything comes easy to you, you are not truly striving for excellence.
Q9- Argue pro and con Morrow's contention that "Americans not yet successful (the struggling, the underclass) are apt to aim at ease, not excellence" ?
Pro - For the most part, the American people are happy where they are in life.
Con - They look for an easy way to escape any unhappiness, this causes most people not to aim for excellence.
Q10- Explain what Morrow means when he says (A) "the confusion contaminates character and disables ambition." Do you agree?
When too much is going on, it is easy to lose track of what you truly want in life and causes you to set your goals lower. Yes, I agree; there are so many people who could do so much better in everything they do. Yet, they think they are doing the best they can.
Q11- Argue pro and con the effect of over stimulation and under stimulation as discussed in paragraph 10.
Over stimulation can cause one to get confused, and under stimulation can result in boredom. However, over stimulation can also cause one to try harder and under stimulation can bring out the art in people.
Q12- Contrast practical excellence with metaphysical excellence as used in Morrow's last paragraph.
Quotations from Key 32 found at the end of your required reading
Q13- Copy and interpret your two favorite quotes. Explain why you chose them.
“I am the master of my fate. I am the captain of my soul.” – William Henley
This is saying that only I can get myself where I want to go; no one else can control my life, and I am the only one who can make decisions for myself. I chose this quote because it strongly reflects the way I perceive my own life. I know that I am in total control of my life, and nobody else can live it for me.
“Nothing can bring you peace but yourself.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
To me, this one means that you could have everything: all the money, fame, and fortune you could dream of, but you still won’t be truly happy until you are happy with yourself. I chose this one because it states something that I was taught at a very young age.