The wet Texas air was starting to get to me. I had not done anything strenuous and yet I was already dripping with sweat. It could have been the humidity; it could have been the excitement; but I think I was nervous because I was in line for the world’s largest wooden roller coaster: The Texas Giant. The line moved rather quickly. I saw some people get off the ride shaking. This scared me because I knew how high this particular roller coaster went, and I also knew how scared I was of heights. We were moving closer to the boarding station. Parents were taking their children out of line at the last second, while some kids had to escort their scared parents out. We finally arrived at the barding station and I sat down in one of the bright red cars, the first step in beginning the wildest forty-five seconds of my life.
The roller coaster operator set the red train in motion and my palms began to sweat as we began our ascent up the enormous hill. I was trying not to look to the side because my fear of heights was so great, but I forced myself to do it. The other rides looked exceptionally small from my position on the roller coaster and the people on the ground looked like ants, each going to their favorite rides.
At the top of the hill I noticed a sign that read: “Can we talk about this?” Obviously someone thought this was funny, but at the time I wasn’t amused. The train slowly rounded the top curve of the hill and pointed down the incline. The roller coaster gained speed and “coasted” (no pun intended) down the long, steep hill, to the bottom where we were jolted back up another hill. From then on all I remembered was the dull brown colored wood of the roller coaster zipping by my face and the bouncing and jerking of my body as the train flew over the tracks. Surprisingly, the ride was over before I expected and I got out of the car to exit the boarding area.
As I walked down the ramp, my head was pounding and my legs felt like Jell-o, but my excitement was sky high. From that point on my fear of roller coasters slowly diminished and now I will go on any roller coaster I can get to. I’m glad I took the chance to do something I wouldn’t normally do, ride the Texas Giant!
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Grade: 100 for content & organization, 90 for mechanics & process (multiple comma omissions on compound sentences)
Mrs. Meadows’ Comments: none
Peer Editors: Jessy Jordan, Jeff Von De Linde
Adult Editor: Kristen Zimmerman
Michael Gray
English 11/12 – 2
Reflective Essay
1994 was definitely the most eventful year of my life. I had many fun times and I had many tough times. I also made some crucial decisions about my life and made some friendships that will last a lifetime.
The year started out tough for me. I was at Brighton High School, sitting in one of my classes and hating every minute of it. Basketball was in full swing, but I felt that basketball was just as bad as school because they were both boring and tedious. My teachers and coach had no respect for me or anyone else. Communication with them was tough.
God had already started to bless my life because at about the same time a new family had joined my church, and I would become great friends with them. The Zimmermans — Denny, Linda, Kristen, Bethany, and Amber — had moved from Illinois to Utah because of a job transfer. On the second Sunday that they came to our church, our families went to lunch. From then on, our friendship has grown more and more. Last year wouldn’t have been the same without them.
Last summer, I also attended the FCA basketball camp in Flagstaff, Arizona, where I met a number of different basketball players from around the West. I also met Dave Bliss, the head basketball coach for the University of New Mexico. I went there with my three friends Gavin, Dave, and Jason. We all had a great time, and it was especially good for Jason who got saved while he was out there with us.
Half way through the summer, I was faced with a dilemma. I had to choose whether to attend Brighton High School for a second year even though I hated it or to leave my friends and go to Intermountain Christian High School. I had been thinking about the change most of the summer and finally decided that the move was in my best interest and that I should go to ICS. I feel that I made a good choice because this year has possibly been the best one of my life. I am actually enjoying school, playing basketball, and being with my new friends.
This past year was filled with many exciting events and was piled with special memories. Though there were some tough times, the good times are what brought me through. I will never forget them.
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Grade: 185/200 A-
Mrs. Meadows’ Comments: “no title sheet”
Peer Editors: Chatty, Josh, Jason W., Jessy J.
Adult Editor: Dalice Heiser
