Burlington High School
Burlington, KS
Teacher: Mrs. Devra Parker
Excellence: Where Has it Gone?
By Kirsten Lanier
12th grade
Do you think that life would have been hard to live during the early 1900’s compared to the 21st century? Of course, the use of technology and medicine has made life longer and physically easier but that is not the case with everything. If we look past mankind’s achievements and focus on the way we perceive ourselves, do we think it has changed at all? Everyone has his or her own opinion, but I believe that, in a way, the meaning of excellence in America has been distorted over time.
The main change that I have noticed is the way Americans treat and talk to each other. Back in the early 20th century, the elders and parents were always appreciated by those younger than them. Children would look up to their parents and want to be like them when they got older. Now, most kids do not look up to their parents. Instead, they look up to other people such as football players and movie stars. Also, there was a formal way to speak to someone to show him or her that one respected and cared about him or her. For example, students would always say, “Yes ma’am” or “Yes sir” when asked a question. Now, it seems that quite a bit of children do not listen to their parents or elders anymore.
Also, during the early 1900’s, kids at a young age were taught manners that they used throughout their lives. Manners are another way to show others we respect them and that we are mature. It is the little things that do not seem to make a difference, but, in the long run, they do. For example, having good manners could help a person get a job later in life. There are still majorities of people that have manners but the few that do not make everyone else look bad.
Has everyone noticed that young adults’ standards within themselves have lowered also? It used to be almost everyone’s plan to go through school, get married and raise a family. If one accidentally became pregnant before she was married, it was very frowned upon and so it did not happen too often. Teens today are committing themselves into relationships that are way too serious for their age and where they are in their lives. Because of this, many young ladies are becoming mothers before they are married. Also, grades for some kids are not as important as they were many years ago. Some choose to drop out of high school and work a minimum-wage job for the rest of their lives, when they are capable of doing much more. This really upsets me that people would decide to do that to themselves and instead of living their lives to the fullest.
The change that I have noticed that upsets me the most is the fact that people are more materialistic now than ever. To most, it is more important to have a huge house and an expensive car than to be a good person. Instead of taking the time to get to know a person for whom they are, some just look at the amount of money one makes. I am not saying that it is bad to own nice property, but I do not think the world should revolve around it.
Although it seems that excellence has changed over time in America, I think it is important to take into account all the other changes that have taken place that also affect it. For example, the amount of education children receive at an increasingly younger age and skills they develop such as typing. Back during the early 20th century, a great deal of teens chose not to continue school past eighth grade because there was not always a need for it. Today, in order to get a nice, well paying job, a college degree is usually required. Another major change that I have noticed is the availability of technology to people now. Any kind of information that a student might need is right at their fingertips, along with material that is bad for them. Because of this, young adults are more aware of what is going on around them than they ever have been before.
So, has excellence really changed in America? I think that is a question everyone needs to ask him or herself at some point. Take a look at the noticeable changes that have taken place over the past 100 years or so. From our children’s absence of manners to our growing technology, make your own decision?
Answers To Questions Re: Required Reading
Q1- Am I really where I want to be?
Yes,
I do think that I am where I want to be in life. Sometimes I wish that I was
older, living on my own, and starting my own career. I understand that there
are steps that I must take before I reach where I want to be, and I’m willing
to take the time to complete them. In doing this, I am sure I’ll be happy
with where my life goes.
Q2- Am I moving in the direction that will enable me to make the greatest contribution?
Yes, I think that I am. Currently, I am finishing my high school education. I am also taking two college classes that, although I am taking during high school, will give me 15 hours of college credit. After high school, I know where I would like to continue my education, at Emporia State University. Once I am done with schooling, I would like to go into a career dealing with Accounting.
Q3- If I could achieve my highest goals, what would my accomplishments look like?
One of my highest goals for myself is to get all A’s in my high school classes. I know that I am not always able to accomplish that and, regretfully, I can live with it. Another goal that I have is to make a difference in other people’s lives. Sometimes I wonder if I will be able to do that with the field that I am planning on going into, but I will try to do what I can. The last goal that I have for myself is find a career that I enjoy very much and am excellent at. I do not want to spend the rest of my life having to do something that I am not happy with. If I am forced to do this, then I KNOW I will not do the best job that I possibly can.
Q4- Do I recognize excellence and search it out or do I find mediocre acceptable and am willing to settle?
I believe that I recognize excellence within myself. I understand that I am not able to do everything as well as others can. Also, I know there are some things that I am better at than others. I want to work with what I can do best and focus on that. But in return, I do not want to by pass what I am not so good at. Instead, I will try the best that I possibly can and learn to live with it because that is who I am.
Q5- Do I seek out people, books, movies and other things that encourage me to be the best I can be?
Sometimes I do, if I think that it will help me the best to achieve what I
want to. I do not rely on people, book, movies, and other things on
everything though. The reason I would most likely use sources like this is
for a school project or paper.
Q6- Do I recognize the best in others?
Yes, I always try to see the best in other people. I understand that everyone
has something that they are good at, and I recognize them for it. I also hope
that they try to look for the best in me too.
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."
I do somewhat agree with it. I agree that excellence demands standards, but not all the time. I believe that one standard would be that in order to have excellence, a person must try their best. I also agree that excellence can’t flourish during the midst of rapid hectic change. The way that I am taking this to mean is that there can’t be a standard of excellence if what excellence is judged on is constantly changing. The last part says that in order for excellence to come back to American, then the velocity of changes must decrease and the society needs to catch their breath. I think this is true also, but I would like to see it actually happen before I totally agree with it.
Q8- Interpret this quote from paragraph nine: "Woe to them that are at ease in Ziion."
The way that I
interpret this quote is that people who live a wealthier life do not have to
work as hard for excellence. For example, if child’s parents are very well
off, he or she most likely would not have to work hard to earn money to go to
college or to pay the bills. In a lot of cases, everything is given to them.
Sometimes, they get used to this way of life and don’t try their hardest at
everything they do. On the other side though, people that have no job, no
money, and no place to live would have to work hard for everything they want.
I also think this quote is saying that the standards of wealthier people
should be the same for those that are struggling because they do not have the
same opportunities as everyone else.
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" ?
I believe that this is
trying to show that sometimes those that are not as well off might not work
hard for what they need. For example, the homeless on the street that begs
for money everyday. Instead of looking for a job or an education, they would
rather wait for handouts. I think it is saying that if a person discovers
life can be given to them (by begging for money),
they will not strive for excellence. This is not always true thought. There
are still some that, although homeless, try their best to get a job and start
a new life.
Q10- Explain what Morrow means when he says (A) "the confusion contaminates character and disables ambition." Do you agree?
I do very much
agree with this statement. It is saying that when people find out that they
can live life the easier way through begging and handouts, they will forget
about excellence. Instead of trying their best, the person might only tell
themselves that they are not good at anything and that begging is the only way
to survive.
Q11- Argue pro and con the effect of over stimulation and under stimulation as discussed in paragraph 10.
A pro of stimulation is the fact that there is information everywhere now. A person can go to the library, get on the Internet, or watch an educational video to learn new information. The con of it is that places where information can be found is not always educational. For example, parents must worry about their children stumbling onto a ‘bad site’ on the Internet. A pro of under stimulation is that people will be forced to figure things out on their own (instead of being told). The con of this would be when a person is not able to understand and learn new information on their own (without stimulation).
Q12- Contrast practical excellence with metaphysical excellence as used in Morrow's last paragraph.
It is saying that people get confused with something physical (like an object) that is considered excellence with something that is not an object. A nice car could be considered excellence by some. A good grade on a test is excellence also, but is something a person did. If the test is later destroyed, that person will still know that he or she got a good grade and that makes them happy.
Q13- Copy and interpret your two favorite quotes. Explain why you chose them.
“Be not angry that you cannot make others as you wish them to be, since you cannot make yourself as you wish to be.” – Thomas Kempis (1380-1471)
I like this quote because I find it to be very true. Some of my friends have parents that think their child should get good grades while they themselves did not do very good in school.
“Nothing can bring you peace but yourself.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)
This is a lot like the saying “money can’t buy happiness.” A person can not be happy until they are happy with themselves and where they are. This is something everyone should know.