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The First Semester

Alex Parrish

December 9th, 2016


English 101

ENGLISH 101 !1
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Reflection and Revision

After reflecting on my literacy narrative I started to make a mental checklist of

things that I successfully included and didn't include in my essay. Some elements made my

story click well and some made it feel empty and confused the reader. Being able to reflect

and revise is as skill that that all good writers need, using these skills to successfully convey

ideas to the audience is what all good writers aspire to do. As a writer I wanted to convey

the story of how literacy shaped my life and how I learned to write. When reflecting I

noticed I missed key points of P.I.E. and had a number of weaknesses including revision.

A major weaknesses I noticed was the lack of clarity, what made sense to me as

the writer didnt always make sense on the page and this a problem that should have been

caught in revisions. Until coming to the University of Arizona I have never revised an

essay on my own, and never opened my eyes to the benefit. I constantly had the arrogant

view that the words put on the page were golden and couldn't get better because I know

how to write. As I strolled into my first English class of college I was excited to prove how

well I could write and was awaiting a research topic or book to read, such as in High-

school. When given our first project I thought that it would be a great way to showcase

my skills and tell a personal story along with it. I sat at my computer crafting my story all

in one shot. I looked it over and thought it was perfect, but was blind to the essays

grammatical mistakes and lack of clarity. These mistakes are simple editing errors that the

process of revision can fix.

Another weakness I noticed in my essay was the lack of P.I.E. in my literacy

narrative. P.I.E. can help develop a writing piece a being it to the next level. I found after
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revisions that I didn't make a point, illustrate it and give examples of how my summer job

changed my writing. This lack of P.I.E is something that should have been marked in

reviews especially with peers giving a fresh look on it. A mistake that I made was not

having an outside review of my essay and the quality of my work suffered for it. In

hindsight it is a necessity that every good writer should use.

Some strengths I found with my literacy narrative, was the emotional attachment

to my major I conveyed to the reader and my critical thinking. The experience has made

me feel that I have already worked as an environmental professional and fueled my love

for this amazing industry.

Establishing credibility as a writer is one of the first links you have to make with

the audience, and this can be one of the hardest things in writing. I think one of my

stronger parts of the piece was when I talked about my knowledge of environmental

studies and history. This established creditability and showed that I cared about what I

was writing. This emotional connection and use of ethos strengthened my work and is a

skill I hope to continue using on my writing for future papers.

Overall my essay wasn't the strongest it could be and lacked some important

elements. Im glad I could identify my issues with a lack of P.I.E. and lack of revision, and

hopefully turn these weaknesses into strengths for the future. Revision and reflection is

one of the most important tools a writer can use to increase the quality of the work they

provide, its an important step in the development of a paper.



AlexParrish Parrish1
LaurenHarvey
English101
9September2016

Passionissomethingthatapersonneedsinlifetofindwhattrulyexcitesthem,

andmotivatesthem.Manypeoplestruggletofindtheirpassioninlifebutthroughwriting

Iwasdiscoveredmine,motivatingmetobethebestIcanbe.GrowingupIwasalways

hadaninterestinscienceandhistory,butinevertrulyunlockedmypassionforthem

untilthesummerofmyJunioryearworkingatasmallofficeinLongIsland.

EnvironmentalSciencehasalwaysinterestedme,forcingmetothinkdeeper

thanjusttherightandwronganswerbutmakingmeaskthehardquestions.

Environmentalscienceisthestudyoftheenvironmentusingamixofhistoryand

sciencetokeeptheareasweliveincleanandsafeforeveryone.Goingintomyjunior

year,IjumpedontheopportunitytointernatanEnvironmentalconsultingfirmcalled

ImpactEnvironmental.ImpactfocusesinsolidwasterecyclinginNewYorkCity.This

specificrecyclingfocusesonsolidwasteordirtandsoil,whenabuildingis

demolisheditleavesbehindadistinctfootprintwitharichhistoryofwhatwasgoingon

inthepastgoingbacktothe1700s!WhatwedoatImpactisfindthatfootprintand

figureoutofitsharmfulthethepeople,plants,andenvironment,andifitiswesolvethe

hardissuesofhowtocleanit,orevenbiggerwheretoputthishazardousmaterial.

ComingintomyfirstsummeratImpactIdreadedEnglishclass,Ihadideasinmy

headthatIstruggledtoexpressonthepageclearlyandwithanyvoice.ThestrugglesI

wasfacingspreadtoeveryclassIwasineffectingmeinScience,andHistory.Ihadno

ideahowmuchcriticalthinkingandwritingskillscouldaffectmyeverydaylifeandbe


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usedinanythingmorethanjustenglishclass.WhenIstartedatImpactIwasdoing

basicworklikescanningindocuments,suchasmapsandfinancialreportsandmoving

officefurniture.ThiswasgoodformebecauseitkeptmeawayfromthewritingIsawso

manyofmypeersdoing.TheengineersIworkedwithmademefeelscaredtoeventest

thewater,theconstanttypingandsurveyingwasintimidatinganddaunting.

Afterafewmonths,movingboxesandmindlesslyputtingreportsintoexcel,I

wasaskedtoshadowandlearnfromsomeoftheengineersIhadcautiouslywatched

typingaway.TheengineerIshadowedshowedmetheropes,lettingmedoing

everythingIcouldtohelphim.Heletmeparticipateinsoilsamplingonamajorhighway

improvementprojectandperformpropertyinspectionbeingcompletedforabankina

sale.Themapsforthepropertyshowedittobeaformergasolinestation.Whowould

haveknown?Ihavealsobeengiventhechancetositinonvariousmeetings,andeven

activelyparticipateinsalescalls.TheexperiencehasmademefeelthatIhavealready

workedasanenvironmentalprofessionalandfueledmyloveforthisamazingindustry.

DuringtheselongsummerdaysIreallydidinvokedapassionthatIhadforthe

subjectandcareerandknewthatwaswhatIwantedtopursuewhenIwasolder.One

ofmybiggestprojectsIhelpedwithwaswritinganenvironmentalimpactreportor

Phase1,namedbecauseitwasthefirstphaseinevaluatingifapropertywasaffecting

theenvironmentinanegativeway.WehadtogotoasiteandbecomeSherlock

HolmesandWatson,combingoverthesiteforanysignofenvironmentalimpactor

distress.Whenwewerefinishedthehardpartcame,thelongreport.Iwastaskedwith

justasmallpartofitbutitwasstillcompletelyhorrifying.Icouldbarelywriteabouthow

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LordoftheFlieswasaboutevil,howwasIsupposedtowriteaboutenvironmental

impactintechnicallanguage,aboutwhatweexperiencedatthesite.Thistrialbyfire

reallypushedmeoutofmycomfortzoneinthebestway,teachingmehowtowriteand

conveymyideasclearlysothatmyreadercanunderstandme.ThesoftskillsIlearned,

liketimemanagementandhowtoworkwithsomeoneeffectivelyissomethingIhave

usedineverysubjectsinceandIwilluseforyearstocome.CominginthatsummerI

hatedwriting,morethananythingbutIleftwithcompleteknowledgeonhowtowrite

clearly,andmeaningfullytransformingenglishclassfromadullclassIstruggledwithto

afunandengagingone.Theexperienceallowedmetolearnfromtopengineersinthis

amazingfield,andhastrulymademeseemyselfpursuingacareerintheindustry.

DuringmytimeatImpact,IreallydiscoveredsomethinguniquethatIloveand

lookforwardtodoinginthefuture.Thispassionwillmakemycareerfeellesslikeajob,

makingeverydayanadventureandfuelingthispassion.Ifyoufindsomethingthatyou

aretrulypassionateabout,wecanunlockourtruepotentialandnotonlydowhatwe

love,butlovewhatwedo.


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Critical Thinking and Composing

The Community Profile that we wrote, was a very enjoyable essay to write. It

allowed me to use my strengths of research and discovery but shed light on my weakness

of proper citations and critical thinking skills. The Community Profile allowed me to

investigate and bring to light an organization I not only care about but one I'm involved

in.

The Community Profile let me play reporter and investigate my new home of

Tucson and the amazing community it has. I looked into the Jr. Wildcats youth hockey

organization and interviewed its senior members and leaders. A big problem I had with

the profile was my citations and sources. This was a shock to me because I thought my

research was thorough, but after reflecting I saw that I could have added sources and

added more critical thinking and not just informing. My citations was by far my biggest

weakness, mostly because my in text citations of the interviews weren't put in. This was a

simple mistake that I should have fixed before my final submission but skipped over in my

final review. After reflecting I was hoping that I could fix these mistakes for the future and

improve my writing overall

Some strengths I had while writing my Community Profile was my work on the

article itself to look ascetically pleasing, and provide a hook to bring the reader in. It is

a gradual process, taking hold not over weeks and months, but over years, decades, and

entire lives. The game engraves its way into the body and envelops itself around the soul

completely, hockey becomes us. The opening really is a strength and intrigues me to

learn more about the organization and the community.


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The quality of my information was good and provided a clear picture of my

organization. I also successfully conveyed my opinion enthusiasm of the organization

across to the reader providing examples of events and ways to get involved. The

organization has a simple mission; provide children with a fun, wholesome sport-fitness

activity to promote sportsmanship and safe, competitive play and to help the children

improve their knowledge and skill. By showing how much enthusiasm I have I hope that

transfers over to the audience intriguing them to learn more. Another strength that my

Community Profile had was rhetorical awareness. This awareness was used to promote

the organization is a positive way by using pathos, showing the audience how much

passion the coaches and families involved had for the organization.

I think that my Community Profile overall was one of my strongest essays of the

year and promoted my strengths. The weaknesses I had is something to reflect on and in

hindsight are easy fixes going forward. Diving into such an amazing organization on

campus was my favorite project this semester and I go so much out of the experience.
ALEX PARRISH OCTOBER 17, 2016

The Jr. Wildcts

Brett Bushnell
President

Senior Year Student

It is a gradual process, taking hold not over weeks and months, but over
years, decades, and entire lives. The game engraves its way into the body
and envelopes itself around the soul completely, Hockey becomes us. Jeremy Hiltabidel
Head Coach
Three miles north of The University of Arizona, at the Tucson Indoor Sports
Complex three students run the very successful youth hockey organization, Graduate Student
and introduce kids to the wonderful sport of hockey. Brett Bushnell, a senior
here at the University is the president of the organization. He donates
countless hours of his time, despite the fact that he plays goalie on the
Universitys hockey team, is a full time student and plays in the UA
marching band. Brett works along two graduate students, David Sticker and
Jeremy Hilatabidel who all selflessly donate their time coaching the Junior
Wildcat teams. The Junior Wildcats were established in 2013 as a way to
get local kids interested in the sport involved with the hockey team. Over
the last few years the organization has taken off and has expanded to David Sticker
include multiple age groups and skill levels. The organization has a simple Coach/ Treasurer
mission; provide children with a fun, wholesome sport-fitness activity to
promote sportsmanship and safe, competitive play and to help the children Graduate Student

improve their knowledge and skill.

1
ALEX PARRISH OCTOBER 17, 2016

It has really become


more then an
organization, its a
family
The Junior Wildcats have travel and in house
teams ranging from kids age 8-18 and like to keep
kids in the organization for as long as possible to
promote good habits ad behavior on and off the The University doesnt directly support the
ice. To help with this coach David Sticker has
Junior wildcats but they still represent the
players from the Arizona hockey team come down school wherever they play. We always have
and help with practices and homework. The kids
fundraisers to help keep the cost to play and
absolutely love having the older players come travel low but it always helps to get
down, playing along side them and helping with
donations Brett says.
homework really grows the bond between them
encouraging them to go further in both their
They have participated in multiple
academic and hockey careers. It truly is such a
tournaments around the country, from
rewarding experience. Stickler says.
California to Florida. We try to say close to
home just to keep costs down, but if we make
The rink has become a second home for many of it to nationals we take the team on a big trip
the kids involved in the program, transcending it
and the kids absolutely love it. Coach
from a sport to a something bigger. It has really Stickler says, Some of my best memories
become more the an organization, its a family
growing up were on roadies with my team,
Coach Jeremy Hilatabidel says. We have almost we want to create the same memories and
one hundred families involved in the team and
grow the love for the game.
hanging out with them during trips or after games
is a blast! he goes on to say. Brett Bushnell
commented The families devotion and constant
support really hold this team together, they really
are great people who show how much they
appreciate us. When you see that you have that
effect on the community it makes it al worth it.

NATIONAL CHAMPS!
The Travel teams of 8 and under, 12 and under and 18 and under all
finished in first place last year in the youth national tournament in
California.

2
ALEX PARRISH OCTOBER 17, 2016

We are lucky to have


so many great people
to keep the team going
for years.

We typically have practice twice a week, and games on the weekends Stickler said It can be a lot
so volunteers from the Arizona team really helps. Stickler grew up in Tuscan and has played all
over the country. He attends school here at the University of Arizona and plays for the Cats, and
made it clear he doesnt wanna leave. My roots are here, I think we have made something here
that is bigger then uswe feel that we really make the difference in the community. The Team
wants to continue playing for years to come, opening hockey up to kids of all ages. We are lucky to
have so many great people to keep the team going for years Coach Hilatabidel says.

The Junior wildcats has truly made a


difference in so many kids lives, getting
involved with a sport that has a lifetime of
memories. The three volunteers that
devote countless time and effort have
created an amazing organization rooted
deep in the community. The mentoring
that they do is unmatched truly making
connections with every kid. After learning
more about them and what they do, I am
so proud to call myself a wildcat.

WANNA FIND OUT MORE?


Visit: http://www.azjuniorwildcats.org or check them out on Facebook!

3
ALEX PARRISH OCTOBER 17, 2016

The Jr. Wildcats- Edited

Brett Bushnell
President

Senior Year Student

It is a gradual process, taking hold not over weeks and months, but over
years, decades, and entire lives. The game engraves its way into the body
and envelopes itself around the soul completely, hockey becomes us. Jeremy Hiltabidel
Head Coach
Three miles north of The University of Arizona, at the Tucson Indoor Sports
Complex three students run the very successful youth hockey organization, Graduate Student
and introduce kids to the wonderful sport of hockey. Brett Bushnell, a senior
here at the University is the president of the organization and he selflessly
donates countless hours of his time, despite the fact that he plays goalie on
the Universitys hockey team, is a full time student and plays in the UA
marching band (Bushnell). Brett works along two graduate students, David
Sticker and Jeremy Hilatabidel who all donate their time coaching the
Junior Wildcat teams. The Junior Wildcats were established in 2013 as a
way to get local kids interested in the sport involved with the hockey team.
Over the last few years the organization has taken off and has expanded to David Sticker
include multiple age groups and skill levels. The organization has a simple Coach/ Treasurer
mission; provide children with a fun, wholesome sport-fitness activity to
promote sportsmanship and safe, competitive play and to help the children Graduate Student

improve their knowledge and skill (Wildcats).

1
ALEX PARRISH OCTOBER 17, 2016

It has really become


more then an
organization, its a
family
The Junior Wildcats have travel and in house teams
ranging from kids age 8-18 and like to keep kids in
the organization for as long as possible to promote
good habits ad behavior on and off the ice. To help The University doesnt directly support the
with this coach David Sticker has players from the
Junior wildcats but they still represent the
Arizona hockey team come down and help with school wherever they play. We always have
practices and homework. The kids absolutely love
fundraisers to help keep the cost to play and
having the older players come down, playing along travel low but it always helps to get
side them and helping with homework really grows
donations Brett says (Bushnell).
the bond between them encouraging them to go
further in both their academic and hockey careers. It
They have participated in multiple
truly is such a rewarding experience. Sticker says
tournaments around the country, from
(Sticker).
California to Florida. We try to say close to
home just to keep costs down, but if we make
The rink has become a second home for many of the it to nationals we take the team on a big trip
kids involved in the program, transcending it from a
and the kids absolutely love it. Some of my
sport to a something bigger. It has really become best memories growing up were on roadies
more the an organization, its a family Coach
with my team, we want to create the same
Jeremy Hilatabidel says (Hilatabidel). We have memories and grow the love for the
almost one hundred families involved in the team
game (Sticker).
and hanging out with them during trips or after
games is a blast! he goes on to say. Brett Bushnell
commented The families devotion and constant
support really hold this team together, they really are
great people who show how much they appreciate us.
When you see that you have that effect on the
community it makes it al worth it (Bushnell).

NATIONAL CHAMPS!
The Travel teams of 8 and under, 12 and under and 18 and under all
finished in first place last year in the youth national tournament in
California (Wildcats).

2
ALEX PARRISH OCTOBER 17, 2016

We are lucky to have


so many great people
to keep the team going
for years.

We typically have practice twice a week, and games on the weekends Sticker said It can be a lot
so volunteers from the Arizona team really helps. Sticker grew up in Tuscan and has played all
over the country. He attends school here at the University of Arizona and plays for the Cats, and
made it clear he doesnt wanna leave. My roots are here, I think we have made something here
that is bigger then uswe feel that we really make the difference in the community. The Team
wants to continue playing for years to come, opening hockey up to kids of all ages. We are lucky to
have so many great people to keep the team going for years (Sticker).

The Junior wildcats has truly made a


difference in so many kids lives, getting
involved with a sport that has a lifetime of
memories. The three volunteers that
devote countless time and effort have
created an amazing organization rooted
deep in the community. The mentoring
that they do is unmatched truly making
connections with every kid. After learning
more about them and what they do, I am
so proud to call myself a wildcat.

WANNA FIND OUT MORE?


Visit: http://www.azjuniorwildcats.org or check them out on Facebook!

3
ALEX PARRISH OCTOBER 17, 2016

Works Cited

Hilatabidel, Jeremy. Interview. 10th Oct. 2016

Bushnell, Brett. Phone Interview. 11th Oct. 2016

Sticker, David. Interview. 12th Oct. 2016

AZ Junior Wildcats. Brett Bushnell and David Sticker, 2014,


azjuniorwildcats.org. Accessed 10th Oct. 2016

4
Parrish !1

A Final Reflection

This semester has been one of the hardest academic periods of my life, I survived a major

geographic change, regulated myself with a continuing work load, faced challenges with sports

and friends and most importantly learned about myself as a person. I feel this semester has

warmed me into my new home of Tucson and I love it. Reflecting on these past writing

assignments has really made me reflect on my work habits and how much I've changed since my

first day here at the university. It showed me my biggest weakness of time management and

revisions and my biggest strengths of community involvement and being creative with a project.

All of this opens the door for growth in the coming semester and reflection on how to conquer

upcoming challenges.

Throughout the semester, the SLO I most improved on was my revision and reflection.

This skill was something I neglected before I came here and has developed into something useful

that I use in every one of my classes. With all the improvements I have made this year I feel that

I still have much to learn, both about English and myself and am open to finding the best way to

better myself and my writing for future endeavors.

The SlO that I still need work in is conventions, my grammar and basics are sometimes

skipped over because Im excited about my Idea. This goes back to editing and revision because I

need to go back and revise, as well as use peer editing to ensure quality of my work. I hope to

improve my writing skills in 102 and really focus on developing more as a writer to benefit

myself in the future. Overall my experiences, the good, bad and the ugly shaped me as a writer

and has showed me who I am and how I am most efficient and that is one of the most valuable

things I will learn.


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In the following semester I expect to reflect on and actively use the skills I gained in

English 101, but to also increase my knowledge of English. Even with my revision process bring

something I struggled with I hope that I can successfully use it in English 102. Going into next

year I will defiantly need to change some study habits that I was sure worked and be more open

minded to change. I think English 101 got me over initial challenges that I knew I would face

and has created a better student and person in me.

English 101 has transformed me into a better student and has successfully prepared me

for writing in every class that I will be involved with in the next four years. I truly believe that I

have evolved into a better writer and critical thinker. The friendships and lessons learned in this

first semester will not soon be forgotten, and Im excited to show the world what I got for next

semester. The memories I have made in English 101 have been truly special and was a true

journey of self discovery.

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