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  By Leah 🥀 “A Rose For Emily” 🥀  "A Rose For Emily," written by William Faulkner tells the story of a mysterious woman, in a small town. Throughout the passage, the theme of isolation is highlighted, and greatly emphasized through the careful use of syntax and diction. Read the excerpt from my essay below to see how this is demonstrated in the text:       Miss Emily’s firm attachment to her home provides understanding to the reader by highlighting themes of solitariness as well as confinement.  This may be demonstrated when Emily composes a letter in response to the sheriff, regarding meeting with him to discuss her taxes. She simply responded with a letter, which informed the sheriff she would not be leaving her home. The narrator emphasizes this when stating, “A week later the mayor wrote to her himself, offering to call or send his car for her, and received in reply a note on paper of an archaic shape, in a thin, flowing calligraphy in faded ink,...

  By Leah  A Family’s History in One Photo   My Grandmother and Grandfather look so in love, gazing at their wedding bouquet, likely imagining the life they were to create together, the memories they would form. This photo represents my place in society because the two people in this photo have greatly contributed to making me the person I am today. Although I never met my grandfather, I am inspired to be happier because of the way in which my mother describes him. Living with my grandmother for nearly ten years, learning from her, watching how she treats others, I am inspired. I desire to face the obstacles set in my path just as strongly and fiercely as my grandmother. Pushing through obstacles with not only determination, but with a smile on my face is the goal I would like to look back on in the future. My Grandparents (1959) My Bolita (2020)

By Leah 🐊 San Jacinto Plaza🚎 The San Jacinto Plaza, not only a two acre piece of land, but a place for people to interact, has affected the identity of the city of El Paso. From the purpose it served long ago, to the historical significance it provided today, the Plaza continues to impact the way El Paso is viewed, and has gifted a historical location for the population of the city to connect. For instance, the San Jacinto Plaza was opened to the public in 1883, making it an establishment impactful to the community since over a century ago. The San Jacinto Plaza, opening opportunities for new establishments to form, brought in many people, making businesses such as the Plaza hotel and the Plaza Theatre as successful and popular as they are today. Its convenient layout and purpose have drawn much of the population together in one iconic area.  During the late 50’s, my grandmother worked as a maid, crossing the border every day to take the streetcar to the Plaza and arrive at the h...

By Leah    🏥 Blood Transfusions-Worth The Risk? Whenever a person thinks of blood transfusions, they certainly do not think DANGER! The true nature of blood transfusions involves more risks than many believe, especially transmitting highly dangerous, and oftentimes fatal diseases. Some of these transfusion transmitted diseases include parasites, viruses, and bacteria. These infections vary in intensity and severity from recipient to recipient. The severity is also affected by how severe the person which donated the blood contracted the disease. Not only have blood transfusion been proven to transmit fatal and deadly diseases, but they also have proven to cause extended stays after surgery on patients which received pre as well as post surgery blood transfusions, and caused more post surgery complications.  A brief excerpt from my report better explains this information: “HIV, malaria, syphilis, and various other harmful infections enter the bloodstream, people who unknow...

By Leah  Throughout my literacy narrative, I discussed my journey of literacy in the Mexican culture and the Spanish language, learning to recognize it as my own, and see just how big of a role it plays in who I am. In my essay, I discussed the various ways I found my place in the Mexican culture, the locations which allowed me to embrace who I am the most. Oddly enough, these places turned out to be, for the most part at school. One of these places was Folklorico club. This is a traditional Mexican form of dance in which women and girls wear large, colorful skirts, waving them around to showcase the vibrant colors. I danced my heart out in this club, and waved that skirt with pride. Above is an image of a Folklorico dancer in her vibrant colorful skirt. I also told the story of me and my family's arrival to our new home where we would live with my grandmother. I recall being greeted by my family members, each with a huge smile on their face. Their smiles provided me with a certain...