Category: Student Work

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Social Problems: Symbolic Interactionist Perspective

Here is a prompt we were given in my social problems class. I wanted to share with you my response because I thought this was a very intriguing and engaging prompt to be answered that could definitely be up for debate.

“Using the symbolic interactionist perspective, are terrorists viewed as criminals or patriots? Why or why not? What is the United States’ position in negotiating with terrorists?”

My Response:

“When using the symbolic interactionist perspective, I believe that terrorists can be seen as both patriots and criminals through different peoples’s eyes, depending on whose perception you are trying to understand. Symbolic interactionists only put meanings to words, and then choose how they will associate those words in their own terms. By using this theory, terrorist take action against words they believe put them in danger or deserve to be challenged, which can be described as a broad form of patriotism, but they also commit crimes and actions that are the key words behind criminals and acts of terrorism, such as death and destruction. The United States does not negotiate with terrorists, therefore there is no policy when it comes to negotiation.”

How would you answer this question, and do you agree with my response? What someone may find heroic seem catastrophic and evil to others through the symbolic interactionist perspective?

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Written by Me: The Stone by the River Bank

Here, is part a story I wrote during my senior year of high school, inspired by the Alaskan rivers.

On a quaint river bank, you can see the sun rising over the cascading mountains, as the freshly fallen leaves slowly make their way to the ground. The blue jays and cardinals start their melancholy song which is almost as colorful as the feathers on their backs, bright and fluffed in its own way that each bird will stand out when looking for a mate. They bob in and out of branches while chasing small insects that buzz through the sky like tiny cadets on a top secret mission. As the bright, blinding sun illuminates the river bank, you can see just how clear the blue water is all the way to the bottom of the river. The pink and white salmon swim rapidly up stream while the water fights against their every move. The fresh taste of dew and a tiny hint of pine feel the air as the trees begin to move and awaken with the light breeze that tickles through their branches. Right along the river bank, among the sand, rocks, and broken branches, is a small stone. It’s something you wouldn’t notice unless someone picked it up, threw it at you and told you to take a look at it. The small stone is grey, with a round, smooth finish that fits snuggly in your palm. It feels like a small ice pack against someone’s soft, warm hands. You can smell the hint of dirt and feel it when it rubs off against your palm. How could something so small and quaint, simply have so much detail in the palm of your hand?

The stone is something no one with the naked eye would notice, and even if one was staring directly at the bank. The first things you see might be the flowing water, and the sound of it gliding across the rocks, or the gigantic, lush trees that shade all of the small animals while they run about looking for food. You might even notice the large, jagged rocks, washed up along the banks that have been worn out by the water which has crashed and collided against it for centuries. The stone is so small and irrelevant to the big picture that it goes unnoticed. Such as the tiny ant hills that we sometimes step on while trying to find soft ground to walk across when we take walks in the grass. You might not even notice as the tiny ants scramble under your tennis shoes while trying to run for their lives. Their whole, organized and prosperous colony is destroyed, but we still go about our day and never know it even happened.

written by: Addison Sullivan
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My Graduation Speech!

Hi. We did it. We finally did it. Through all the obstacles and setbacks, starting from the teacher walkout our 8th grade year, then a global pandemic that shut down the world for about the last 3, we’ve still managed to find a way to make it here tonight in our caps and gowns. I’m not sure how, but we did it. The last 4 years have led me to face some of my most difficult challenges, and without the support group and people I’ve had by my side for the last 18 years, I never would have been able to overcome the many challenges that high school has led me to face. I’d especially like to thank my family for making the trip and being here for me today, it really means the world. I’d especially like to thank my mom, who’s been there with me through it all, from changing my diapers, to helping me pick out my senior prom dress, my father who has pushed me to always be the best I can at everything I try, starting back in T-Ball when he told me to hit a baseball off of a tee straight between the eyes of a kid who was making fun of me for my small size, and my Grandfather who I have always had to give me advice anytime I may need help, no matter the time of day. Without the support of my family, I never would’ve accomplished the things that I can now proudly brag about to my Grandma Judy, in Clarksville, during the holidays. I have also come across many people here at SHS who have left a definite lasting impression on me. This last year, I had the honor of getting to take Mrs. Gibson’s 4th hour anatomy class. Even though I only knew her for 1 year, her kindness, sense of humor, and lightheartedness will always leave an imprint on me, and be the source of some of my best memories here at SHS. On another note, I know Covid has taken a toll on everyone across the globe, and especially on those who lost family members and friends during that time, but through adversity, the Class of 22’ was still able to achieve incredible things. Through athletics, academics, band, FFA, and all other organizations in school, we were able to show just what we’re made of. If I could take one thing that I learned away from high school, it would be to never fear a challenge and to rise in the face of adversity, whenever the opportunity may reveal itself. If you never try, you will never know what you’re truly capable of doing. Sometimes what we see as failures or setbacks, may actually be tiny blessings in disguise. I often struggled throughout high school. Not as a student, but as a teenager, growing into a young adult. One of the biggest lessons to take away from high school, in my opinion, has absolutely nothing to do with academics. Throughout high school, we learn who we are, how we want to be remembered, and who we are going to become. The choices we make, mold the paths that we take, so I wish the best of luck to the Class of 22’ and will leave you with one quote, which I would like to consider a family tradition. In the words of the wise Master Yoda, “Try not. Do or do not. There is no try.”

Addison Sullivan, Sallisaw High School Class of 22′
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Archeology: My Research Proposal

Topic: Ancient China

Ancient Chinese archaeology begins with some of the earliest civilizations known to its land, such as the Shang dynasty, when “ …inscribed oracle bones and enormous material remains were found through scientific excavation in Anyang in 1928.” (Liu). The Shang Dynasty has provided many archeologists with artifacts left behind to help better tell their story, for instance, “structures as imposing as the tomb of a warrior queen or objects as beautiful and complex as a decorated bronze vessel…” (Kelly). These objects can be used to piece together ancient history, and to better understand who the Shang Dynasty really was. According to Danielle Elisseeff, author of New Discoveries in China, “Not so long ago China’s civilization and art were only known to us through artifacts preserved in Western museums and the origins of these treasures were often relatively obscure.” (Elisseeff). Western museums now hold much of what was left behind by ancient Chinese dynasties, such as the Qin, Tang, and Han dynasties. The Qin Dynasty, was the first Imperial Dynasty of China, and remained in power from 221–206 BCE and is said that “the contributions of the leaders and people of this time have a legacy that can still be seen in Chinese culture today.” (Kovacs). Another important Dynasty to bring to light, would be the Tang Dynasty, who ruled from 618 to 907 AD. Ancient Imperial China is a great example of archeological and architectural intelligence that played a major role in the survival and ultimately the demise of entire empires.

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Creative Writing: Tales of Greybriar House – My Story!

I love writing. When we were given the Creative Writing assignment, I was super excited. Therefore, I would like to share with you my version of the story:

“A sudden chill took over Mariam’s entire body, as she hurriedly scurried over to close the shutters. She wrapped herself up in her own arms as a way to find warmth, then sighed as she returned to her vanity. The brisk air created a terrible drift inside the house, and poor Mariam was forced to dress herself in the cold but large master bedroom. As she sat in her chair in front of the mirror, she heard a sudden creaking noise outside the hallway. Hopefully, her fiance would not be opening the front door anytime soon. Poor Mariam was not even dressed yet.

She finished adjusting her new, purple tunic with her brand new petticoat. The deep purple skirt she had sewn to also match her tunic was very much up to par for Mariam’s high standards. She hoped this attire would certainly please her fiance, Hiram, since she knew he had been deeply frustrated with her. No matter how hard Mariam tried, she was unable to produce a child for her fiance. Therefore, Hiram would not officially wed Miriam until he was sure she could bear his children, for a man’s entire fortune is sure to go onto his children, not strangers. After all, he was building a brand new house for the new Greybriar family. And with no family, Hiram had no need for Mariam.

She checked the mirror and adjusted her curls, as she felt a sudden nauseous turn in her stomach. She ran to the window and opened the latch, as she vomited over the side of the old house, then let out a deep sigh and sank to the wooden floors. She was 4 weeks late, and she knew it must only mean one thing. Mariam was about to become the new Mrs. Greybriar.”

Written by: Addison Sullivan
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Belonging at OU

Throughout the year, I learned much about belonging and what it feels like to really fit in with a group. I took a course second semester called “Gateway to Belonging” which highlighted the importance of belonging and how it can change someone’s entire outlook or experience.

After I finished the course, when it came to the true definition of belonging, I came up with this definition:

Belonging is a psychological feeling of being at home, or feeling like you are a part of something. According to Lisa M. Nunn’s research, she refers to belonging as “feeling as if you are meant to be there” and that you can “truly be yourself.” There are different realms when it comes to belonging, such as social, academic, and community. Social belonging comes down to feeling as if you are a part of a social group and that they are people that are similar to you and might like to do the same things that you like to do. Academic belonging can be described as feeling a part of a percentage at your school, possibly according to your major, GPA, or other academic placement numbers. Community belonging is when you find a group of people that are similar to you and possibly share the same ethnicity as you, making you feel like you are already a part of a group. In short terms, belonging is something you decide that you are, no one else can decide for you.

Therefore, before you decide you don’t like a place, try first to look within your self to welcome new changes, then look to others.