Whenever you build a house, the first thing you start building is typically the frame. The frame holds your house together, protects it from bad weather, and makes it less prone to damage. When you start high school, freshman year is like the frame of your high school years. With this new experience comes new problems and opportunities, from making new friends to facing your first finals, which are completely different from your middle school years. Part of entering high school is also realizing you only have so many years until you become an adult, making these years some of the most important for your future.

As a sophomore becoming a junior next year, I've learned about what works and what doesn't in high school. Here's my advice for making the most of your freshman year and setting yourself up for success.

The first piece of advice I can give to incoming freshmen is to always go to your classes. This might seem obvious, but it's more challenging than you might think. According to a research report from the Chicago School Research at the University of Chicago from July 2007, about 15 percent of freshmen have extremely high absence rates, missing one month or more of classes each semester. These students have largely disengaged from school, and they remain enrolled but have poor attendance, and they have less than a 10 percent chance of graduating.

Other than just improving your chances of graduation, consistent attendance builds useful habits. When you show up every day, you're not just physically present, but you're also engaging with the lessons of your classes. You hear important announcements, participate in class discussions, and build relationships with your teachers. Teachers notice students who are consistently present, and this can work out for when you need help or when your grades need improvement.

Skipping class creates a domino effect: You fall behind on notes, miss instructions for assignments, and have to rely on others to catch you up. What seems like "just one day" can quickly become weeks of catching up on missing assignments or tests. Make attendance a priority, even when you're feeling unmotivated or overwhelmed by school.

Your freshman year grades matter more than you might realize. If you prioritize your grades in your first year, you'll build study habits that will significantly benefit throughout high school, including time management, consistent homework completion, and active studying rather than temporary memory retention. Your freshman grades also have a significant impact on your GPA, which affects college admissions, scholarship opportunities, and even eligibility for certain programs and activities later on in high school. A strong start gives you an edge for the more challenging courses you'll face in later years. Starting with poor grades means you'll spend the rest of high school trying to dig yourself out of a hole.

My final piece of advice is to join clubs, sports teams, or other extracurricular activities where you can connect with others who share your interests. LPHS has a large range of clubs and organizations that support different passions, from academic honor societies and debate teams to drama clubs.

Participating in extracurriculars provides experiences that go past just having fun. You'll meet students from different grade levels who share your interests, helping you build a network of friends and mentors. These relationships often become some of the most meaningful connections you'll make in high school. These experiences look great on college applications and teach you valuable life skills. Students involved in extracurriculars also tend to feel more connected to their school community and are more likely to have positive high school experiences overall.

Freshman year is your opportunity to lay a strong foundation for the rest of your high school experience. By attending classes, prioritizing your academics, and getting involved in your school community, you'll set yourself up for success in the years to come. Remember that everyone's high school experience is different, and it's okay to make mistakes along the way, but what matters is that you learn from them and keep moving forward.

The Enneagram Quiz is one of the most authentic personality systems of the modern era, giving nine different paths to understanding human motivation and behavior. The Enneagram doesn't just put us into boxes like so many other systems, but instead shows us our fundamental fears, desires, and patterns that decide our decisions. Each type is a different view from the way we look at the world, and each has certain strengths to be valued and limitations to navigate. The Enneagram isn't just a system for typing personalities, it shows us the ideas we have that take control of our response to the different opportunities of life. I'll explain the different types of this system and give some self-improvement advice that I’ve learned from different YouTube videos and different podcasts on Spotify, which will allow you to know more about yourself and others through the Enneagram.

http://enneagraminstitute.com is a website that was useful to me as I wrote the article, as it provided all the information about each Enneagram and how they work. If you have an interest in what Enneagram you are, I highly recommend taking their free quiz that tells you exactly what Enneagram you are.

The perfectionist types are “Ones.” They have strong feelings regarding what is right and wrong. They are also teachers, constantly seeking to correct what they see as wrong, but are afraid of failing. They are also critical and impatient. My advice for Ones would be to attempt to be kinder to yourself, notice why you are afraid of being wrong, and see the potential that you and everyone else have to improve in life.

“Twos” are warm, people-pleasing, generous, and demonstrative. They love without condition and are often selfless in loving and serving others. Twos yearn to be loved and needed, which, while in the process, get lost and forget about themselves and their own needs as they serve others. Twos also fear being unwanted or undeserving of love. My advice for twos is to learn to understand and honor your own needs and others. My advice is to practice saying no when necessary and understand that your worth is not in how much you can give to others. Learn sensitivity to when your giving could be a way of controlling or manipulating others for acceptance. True love is not only through giving but also through authentic receiving.

Threes are go-getters, survivors, and conscious individuals who are driven by a desire for achievement and recognition. They are proficient at goal achievement and setting, often being the best workers in the office. Active and efficient, Threes can read what others value and fit themselves to reinforce those demands. Their main fear is being worthless or not being noticed. Here's my advice for threes: Remember that your worth extends far beyond your achievements. Practice slowing down to connect with your authentic feelings rather than constantly performing. Cultivate relationships where you can be valued for who you are, not what you accomplish. Work on recognizing when you're being honest with yourself versus presenting an image you think others want to see.

Fours are deep-feeling, emotionally sincere, and imaginative individuals with a love for authenticity and depth of feeling. They have an amazing ability to absorb complex feelings and transform inner pain into expression. Fours usually feel separate from others and might cultivate their separateness as a way of forging identity. Their deepest fear is to be without identity or personal significance. As a four myself, my advice is to work at embracing the ordinary experiences as well as the unusual ones you'd already be drawn to. Notice when you might feel negative feelings or create drama in an effort to be authentic. Develop practices that keep yourself stable when you may feel emotional. Your empathy doesn't take away your individuality, but makes you more unique.

 Fives are contemplative, imaginative, and reserved individuals who want to learn and know. They are analytical, often thinking and observing, and gathering information on subjects that interest them. Fives save their energy and resources, setting boundaries to prevent emptiness. Their deepest fear is to be helpless, unable, or overwhelmed by the needs of the world. My suggestion to Fives is to not be afraid of having new experiences and not always analyze from afar. Become aware when your intelligence turns into a replacement for emotional connection or action. Practice awareness of your bodily presence and needs, as these may disconnect from your focus of mind. Recall that your knowledge is most beneficially used in community with others.

Sixes are committed to trust and loyalty and are security-conscious, responsible individuals. Sixes often have a high ability to anticipate problems and ready themselves for them, and they are excellent team players as well as friends. Sixes are motivated by a strong inner sense of fear, which influences them to see potential threats. Their greatest fear is to be lost and alone in a threatening world. Some guidance for sixes is to practice separating realistic caution from worry based on anxiety. Practice trusting your inner self, knowing instead of always looking for approval from outside sources. Notice when your questioning mind gets out of control and causes paralysis instead of wisdom. Keep in mind that preparation is key, but courage is often about pushing forward despite uncertainty.

Sevens are adventurous, versatile, and optimistic individuals seeking experience and excitement. They have infectious energy and can appreciate lots of things. Sevens are busy, quick-moving minds that connect ideas in original relationships, generating possibilities and alternatives. Their core fear is deprivation, stuck in agony, or denied experience. Sevens have to develop the capacity to stay with painful feelings rather than necessarily distracting themselves or reframing. Develop the capacity to invest deeply in fewer experiences rather than sampling many. Notice when your positive reframing is blithely ignoring rich truths that need healing. Depth tends to come from the capacity to stay with one thing long enough to be able to process through initial euphoria into sage mastery.

Eights are forceful, self-assured, and defensive individuals who show fortitude and oppose domination. Eights have a tremendous ability to act and an intuitive feel for power modes in any situation. Eights experience life intensely and take up space without regrets, defending the underdog and opposing oppression. They have the greatest fear of being harmed, controlled, or invaded by others. Some recommendations to eights are to work on being aware of your impact on others, especially those people who might be scared of your strength. Show your ability for vulnerability as a sign of strength, not weakness. Pay attention to when your defensiveness may be pushing away intimacy from others. Realize that real power is not only from assertion but also from the intelligence of realizing when to give in and when to be gentle.

Nines are harmonizing, trusting, and secure individuals who make their environments peaceful. They have an exceptional ability to sense all sides of an issue and problem-solve by really understanding it. Nines may tend to lose themselves in other people's plans and have trouble knowing or communicating their own agendas. Their greatest fear is loss, breaking apart, or separation from others. A few suggestions for nines are to practice recognizing and understanding your desires, needs, and preferences as opposed to automatically giving in to others. Become aware of how your search for peace might be an evasion of necessary conflict. Practice staying present with your own experience rather than giving in to helpful distractions. Keep in mind that true harmony comes not from evading differences but from integrating them into an expanded whole.

The Enneagram reveals more than personality; it reveals our hidden motivations and offers a map to self-improvement. Knowing your type enables you to appreciate your unique strengths and patterns that can prevent you from achieving your best. That awareness creates room for wiser choices and genuine expression. When you use the guidance in your daily life, you'll be moving away from patterned responses toward greater decisions while at the same time developing more sincerity for others in different ways of journeying. It's not necessarily an easy trip, but the reward is a more balanced, authentic expression of who you are.

Red Dead Redemption 2 by Rockstar Games, which came out on October 26, 2018, is a western action game that also serves as a prequel to the first Red Dead Redemption that came out in 2010. In this game, the story takes place between 1899 through 1907, which also looks at the death of the Wild West period.

Since its release, Red Dead Redemption 2 has been named a landmark in video game design and storytelling. Critics praised the game for the attention to detail and the immersive open world experience. The game received perfect or near-perfect scores from major gaming critics, including a perfect 10/10 from both GameSpot and Eurogamer, which gave it a 10/10. This makes it one of the most critically acclaimed video games of its generation.

The games’ technical aspects were impressive. At Rockstar’s hands, we see in-depth and living world, which sets new marks for open world game design. In every aspect of the environment, we see great detail from the complex character animations to the dynamic weather and life systems. Also, players can jump into almost any element of the game world, from taking on side missions to getting caught up in the daily lives of nonplayer characters (NPCs).

The graphics and sound in this game are what won it awards for best audio design and best art direction by The Game Awards. We see incredible attention to detail in the world, which is presented to us, from the snow-covered peaks of the mountains to the dense green of the forests and the vast open plains, which go on for what seems like forever. Also, the sound design is great; a background score that perfectly matches the environment, and sounds that place you right in the middle of the action.

Upon entry into the world of Red Dead Redemption 2, players are introduced to Arthur Morgan, a deep and complex character. Arthur has been a part of the Van der Linde gang since he was a teen. He was raised and mentored by Dutch Van Der Linde, the leader of the gang. At the start of the gam, Arthur is Dutch’s most trusted right-hand man, a devoted follower who has full faith in Dutch’s idea of freedom and survival.

At the beginning of the game, Arthur is a seasoned outlaw. He does what Dutch tells him to do without question, which includes into the gray area of morality like debt collection, store robberies, and scams. His loyalty to the gang and Dutch is total, and he doesn’t hesitate to partake in these actions for what he sees as a greater purpose of survival and freedom.

As progress, we see Dutch’s leadership break down. What had been a  close group that lived by a code of honor begins to fall apart under the pressure of his risky and unpredictable decisions. Arthur’s faith in Dutch is shaken as he sees betrayals of friends, dangerous impulsive plans, and a large focus on getting out to Tahiti.

A life-changing event, which in turn becomes a turning point for Arthur and has him reevaluate his life and choices. This journey is much portrayed in the diary, which he kept, which also includes what he reflects on and feels deeply.

His journals present an unfiltered and personal view of his growing consciousness. In one telling entry on mortality, which is also quite sad to read, Arthur writes, "Maybe I don't want salvation. Part of me has always longed for death. Well, here it comes. I suppose." This line speaks to the core of his existential struggle and the issue of his past, which he grapples with.

Another powerful piece looks at his past lover, Mary Linton, and also at his self-reflection. Arthur Morgan wrote in his journal, “Got a letter from Mary. What did I expect? What did I want? We were never meant to be and never really were, and yet somehow, in the end, I discovered I had a heart because it was broken. Oh, you fool. You sad, deluded fool. Torn in two by different ideas of who you were, and it turns out you weren't either of them."

In a powerful moment of self-awareness, Arthur contemplates his complex feelings about Edith Downes, a woman whose life has been deeply impacted by his past actions. In his journal, he reflects: "What a conflicted fool I've become, or have always been. (Edith) looked at me like I am what I am. A killer seeking out salvation. Only I'm not. I don't want to save. I don't deserve it. I just want to help a few folk. Felt like a fraud and a fool, but at least I did something." Edith represents a profound source of guilt and redemption for Arthur, challenging him to confront the consequences of his past and seek some form of personal reconciliation.

Beyond its amazing visual design and character development, Red Dead Redemption 2 was known for its game-changing take on what storytelling in video games can be. The narrative isn’t a set path from point A to B, but an alive and responsive experience that sees player choices play a large role in how the story plays out. The game also has an honor system, which logs the player’s moral choices and which, in turn, presents different story lines, endings, and also adds to the appeal of playing through it multiple times.

Gameplay mechanics were also noted for their real-world feel. Arthur must eat, sleep, and also take care of his equipment. We see that he requires the player to clean weapons, care for horses, which in turn also means feeding and grooming them, and that the character’s appearance will react to what the player does and the environment that is presented in great detail. This level of detail created an immersive experience, which at the time was rare in games, and in today’s market, is also a standout feature.

Red Dead Redemption 2 breaks from the norm in terms of what we see in video game stories. In Arthur Morgan’s story, we see beyond that of a simple bandit’s tale; we see a human story of reflection, moral gray area, and the want for redemption, which in some cases may not seem possible. The game also presents players with a study of a man who is in constant play between his past, present, and the question of what might happen to his friends and their families after he passes.

Critics and fans also note that this game is a breakthrough in interactive narrative. It is more than a game, it is a detailed and personal story experience that challenges players' moral choices, survival skills, and personal growth. Red Dead Redemption 2 is an example of unique art that is hard to express in media like books and television.

John Lennon's transition from a working-class man from Liverpool to a global icon showcased musical innovation and personal contradiction. Rising to fame with The Beatles, Lennon's personal beliefs and passionate songwriting helped redefine music in the 1960s. Following the band's breakup, his solo career shifted toward experimental sounds and politically charged messages alongside his second wife, Yoko Ono. This evolution introduced Lennon's debut solo album "Plastic Ono Band," which revealed his internal struggles and search for authentic expression.

“Plastic Ono Band” was released on December 11, 1970, and distinguished itself from Lennon's work during his time with The Beatles. Lennon created the album after several sessions of primal therapy with therapist Dr. Arthur Janov, which made this album an emotional rollercoaster with themes of death, isolation, religion, anger, class, fear, love, and the search for personal meaning.

There are many tracks on this album that I enjoy, so I won't be able to explain each one, but I’ll discuss the ones I enjoy most.

“Mother” is the first song on the album, serving as a great introduction. The song talks about Lennon's parents and their distance from him. “Mamma, don’t go. Daddy, come home.” Lennon’s mother, Julia, died in a car accident on July 15, 1958, when he was only 17. However, Lennon's father, Alf, abandoned him and Julia when he was just an infant. With Lennon's vocal delivery and the background of his connection to his parents, this song sticks with listeners.

“Hold On” is another of my favorite songs from the album, and it follows “Mother.” “Hold on, John, John hold on. It’s gonna be alright, you're gonna win the fight.” In this song, John reassures himself and his wife Yoko that they will find the strength to overcome their challenges. During the song’s production, it took a total of 32 different takes, experimenting with effects such as tremolo and delay, to achieve the final product that Lennon was satisfied with.

“Look At Me” is my favorite track on this album. This song explores Lennon's quest to understand himself and make meaningful connections with others. “Look at me, who am I supposed to be?” Lennon wrote the song during his time in India with The Beatles while recording their self-titled album “The Beatles,” nicknamed the “white album,” which is why “Look At Me” sounds similar to “Julia,” featured on the “white album.”

One of my last favorites from this album is “Love.” While there isn't much unique background about this song, it's a simple yet beautiful piece. “Love is real. Real is love.” By the time of the album's release, it's safe to assume that when John sings about love, he refers to his wife at the time, Yoko Ono.

John Lennon's "Plastic Ono Band" represents his artistic courage and emotional honesty. With this album, Lennon transformed his struggles into art, creating something that resonates with listeners decades later. His willingness to reveal his true self through music remains one of his most distinctive artistic achievements.

In an era where career changes are normal, some individuals find their calling and stay true to it throughout their professional lives. This is true of Mr. Cheezem, a remarkable educator who spent 30 years teaching 7th grade social studies in Kesling and mostly in the same classroom.

His story offers valuable insights into the evolution of education and the timeless principles that make for effective teaching.

“I tried to vary the instruction: everything from history simulations, games, personal stories, real-world connections, and project-based learning. I think mixing things up really kept students engaged. I also used a lot of songs/mnemonic devices to help students remember information,” Chezem said.

His method of teaching allowed for students who may learn in different ways, to feel involved in and learn the lessons taught. His career is filled with proud teaching moments. 

“Not sure if any single moment stands out, but I loved seeing students who struggled in most of their previous educational experience- find success in my class. It was always awesome to see their self-esteem grow right before my eyes,” he said.

Chezem shows that teaching isn't the only job of being a teacher, but it is also watching kids develop into mature people and grow their self-esteem. 

“I’m old enough to have taught without computers in the school, before cell phones, before the internet. I was teaching before air conditioning in the school. I still remember doing grades with a calculator. The only technology was an overhead projector. Needless to say- the classroom has changed a lot in the three decades that I taught,” he said.

Despite all of these changes that Mr. Chezem experienced during his decades of teaching, he still was committed to his impactful teaching.

Just because Mr. Chezem has stopped teaching at schools doesn't mean he still isn't making an impact on students/kids. 

“I have retired from teaching, but I have not retired. I am busier than ever. Currently, I am a Teaching Pastor and Youth Pastor at Journey Church. So, I still teach- just a different subject. I still enjoy going to Slicer games, playing pickleball, and traveling,” he said

Despite retiring from teaching, Chezem explains that he cherishes his job still.

"I still loved my job when I retired, which isn't the case with every retiring teacher. I miss the students, and I miss the classroom. I miss building relationships with students and seeing them grow."

He particularly misses taking students to Camp Tecumseh, which was "a highlight of the year for students for years" before the trip was discontinued. Now, he does something similar by taking youth group students on retreats.

He has a wealth of knowledge and advice for teachers.

 "I would tell them that students don't care what you know until they know how much you care. I truly believe that positively connecting with students is the greatest single factor in seeing struggling students succeed. I would also let them know that expectations and consistency matter. Without those, the classroom can be difficult," he said.

Chezem describes himself as "kind of a dying breed," having taught the same subject in the same school, mostly in the same classroom, for his entire 30-year career as a teacher. 

“I taught the same subject for my entire career. 30 yrs! I taught all 30 years in the same school and most of which were in the same classroom! A lot of people would make comments like, 'You really don't like change, do you?' My response was, 'I just really love what I do!' he said.

His story reminds all of the impact dedicated teachers can have across generations of students. While classrooms may change with technology and educational trends come and go, the heart of great teaching remains the same with genuine care for students, consistency, and a passion for the material.

Chezem embodied these qualities throughout his career, and though he's moved on to new forms of teaching, his legacy lives on in the countless students whose lives he impacted over three decades in the classroom.

Mac Miller was an artist from the 2010s who was recognized for his rapping, producing, and songwriting. Miller had seven studio albums, including “Blue Slide Park,” “Watching Movie with the Sound Off,” “GO:OD AM,” “The Divine Feminine,” “Swimming,” and “Circles.” His most recent album release is “Balloonerism,” a posthumous album that gives Miller’s fans another chance to enjoy his music.

Mac Miller passed away at age 26 from an accidental drug overdose of cocaine, fentanyl, and alcohol on September 7, 2018. Before Mac Miller passed away, he recorded a couple of albums that were later finished, remastered, and released after his death. His first posthumous album was “Circles,” released in early 2020, and his second posthumous album, “Balloonerism,” was released on January 17, 2025.

“Balloonerism” was recorded in 2014 in correlation with his mixtape “Faces” and stands out as an album in Mac Miller's discography, with the album being an experimental album with genres including jazz rap, neo-soul, abstract hip-hop, and neo-psychedelia. In this album, there aren't a lot of artist features, but there is one that stands out, considering this was years before her debut album “Ctrl,” SZA. With this album being recorded almost a decade ago, and being released just recently, it doesn't sound in any way “old” or “classic” compared to Miller's earlier work. It's a fascinating album to listen to when understanding the background of Mac Miller's life.

The album talks about topics such as addiction/substance abuse, isolation, death, and mortality. When noticing the condition he was in back when this album was recorded, he was just starting to struggle with his drug addictions, which makes this album even more heartfelt to listen to after his death from his overdose. 

One of the songs on this album that I enjoy the most is “Funny Papers.” This song discusses death, personal struggles, and the search for peace. “Yeah, somebody died today; I saw his picture in the funny papers. Didn't think anybody died on a Friday.” This line from the song is ironic because Mac Miller passed away on a Friday, making it a bit spooky to consider that he wrote this only a few years before his tragic death.

Another one of the standout songs in the album for me is “Excelsior.” In the song, Miller sings about how we all were children one day but started thinking like adults randomly. “All of this before the brainwash starts, before they get polluted, start thinking like adults. Life is fantasy and somersaults then, before the world tears apart imagination.” In a way, this song feels nostalgic to me, especially with the background of kids playing and having fun.

"Balloonerism" stands as an image of Mac Miller's artistic uniqueness and vision. Released over a decade after its creation and years after his passing, this experimental blend of jazz rap, neo-soul, and psychedelia captures Miller at a moment in his life when he was beginning to confront the demons that would eventually claim him, but with creative brilliance. With songs like "Funny Papers" and "Excelsior," the album serves not just as a collection of songs but as an album that completes the understanding of Miller's artistic journey and reminds us of the musical genius we lost too early.

During spring break, I went to Arizona with my family, where we explored several state parks, national parks, and national monuments. The week I spent in Arizona was peaceful and beautiful; I loved hiking and experiencing the outdoors. Below are some of the parks and monuments I enjoyed the most.

One of the many places my family and I visited was the Montezuma Castle National Monument in Yavapai County. The Sinagua people constructed the castle along the waterways beside the limestone cliffs where the castle was built. The castle was mistakenly named by explorers in the early 1800s who assumed it was built by the Aztec tribe and named it after Chief Montezuma. I enjoyed learning about the history of the settlers in the area, how people discovered the castle, and the multiple findings made in the region. This is a perfect place to visit if you are in the area for an hour, and don't necessarily mind walking. The cost for entering the park is $10 per adult and kids under 15 are free.

Another visit my family and I made was to Fort Verde Historic State Park. This park became one of my favorite places during the entire trip. The area served as an active base for General Cook’s U.S. Army scouts and soldiers during the Central Arizona Indian Wars. Over the years, as the wars ended in that region, the base was left abandoned and later sold at auction. When you visit the park, the first thing you see is the museum, which explains and showcases the history of the base and its inhabitants. I’ve always enjoyed learning about history, so this part was exciting, and I loved seeing all the artifacts discovered after the land changed hands, including weapons, furniture, uniforms, and more. After visiting the museum, you can explore four buildings that have stood the test of time, where you learn about the history of each structure and who resided in them during the years that the base was active. This place is another nice visit if you have an hour of free time while visiting the state. The fee to enter the park is $10 for anyone over 14 and $5 for anyone under 13 with children under 6 being free.

One other spot I visited was the Agua Fria National Monument. While I was there, I hiked the Badger Springs Wash Trail. The weather was hot, but I still loved the trail. My family and I aimed to find the petroglyphs in the area, but they were so high up that we couldn't see them. We ended up taking a detour, which made us hike more than we intended. Even after straying from the trail a bit, I still enjoyed it because it was simple and looked beautiful. To enter Agua Fria there is no cost, unless you have a group over 25, then you will need to have a permit.

Now my favorite part of the entire trip was Grand Canyon National Park. This place had long been on my bucket list of things to see in my life, and even though I spent the entire day at the park, I wish I could have spent more time there. The Grand Canyon was so beautiful, and when I saw it for the first time, the best way to describe it was like seeing a beautiful picture you've admired all your life but never experienced in person until that moment. Unfortunately, my family and I didn't do any intermediate or harder hikes while there. However, we still explored several easier trails at the South Rim Visitor Center such as the Rim Trail, and the Bright Angel Trail. The price for entering is $30 per vehicle with exceptions being certain days such as January 20 for Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday, and November 11th for Veterans Day.

My week in Arizona had a nice combination of natural wonder and historical discovery. From standing at the edge of the Grand Canyon to seeing ancient cliff dwellings and military outposts, each site provided a unique picture of both natural and human history that defines Arizona’s history.

When I was younger, I enjoyed a variety of shows. I remember being little and sitting directly in front of my TV before school and eating Cheerios while watching cartoons. Now, of course, I’ve grown up since then, but I still have a deep appreciation for many of the shows that made an impact on how I see certain scenarios in my life. The shows that I am going to mention are some of my favorite shows that I used to love when I was younger, and I’ll go into detail about each of them.

The first show that immediately comes to my mind when I think of my childhood favorite shows is “Regular Show.” Now despite what the title says, “Regular Show” was a unique show at the time that it was first airing on Cartoon Network. It was mainly targeted towards teenagers, but I still loved watching with my brother when he was in high school. The main characters in the show are Mordecai and Rigby, and each episode starts with normal, realistic scenarios but as the episode progresses it slowly progresses into usually chaotic endings. Mordecai and Rigby are both in their early 20s and are stuck at a job at a park. I love the dynamic of Mordecai and Rigby in the earlier seasons because Mordecai is the smart and almost responsible adult, while Rigby is dumb and the problem child. The early seasons have my favorite episodes of the entire show, and it's so hard to pick a favorite episode, it's like picking a favorite child because I love all of them so I won't.

Another childhood favorite of mine was “Teen Titans Go." Looking back, this is probably the show I regret watching so much as a kid. The show is a spinoff of the original "Teen Titans" from 2003 and mainly focuses on being more of a comedy than an action show, featuring the original characters from the 2003 series, including Robin, Raven, Cyborg, Beast Boy, and Starfire. Every episode was random and silly, but they were entertaining to watch when I was younger. 

“King of the Hill” is one of the childhood shows that I watched with my brother and dad, even if it wasn't exactly family-friendly. The main character in the show is propane salesman Hank Hill and his family in suburban Texas. The show's humor was ahead of its time in my opinion. I loved the relationship between Hank and his son Bobby with their misunderstandings and moments of connection being funny and meaningful. Episodes like "Bobby Goes Nuts" had me laughing hard, while the show's lessons and characters were entertaining. “King of the Hill” dealt with normal situations through unique characters, showing that good humor can come from simple moments. 

“Clarence” was another one of Cartoon Networks shows from around the 2010’s era that I loved. The show is about a 9-year-old kid named Clarence who goes through his everyday life of just being a goofy, lighthearted kid, and having different scenarios for each episode. In most of the episodes, Clarance is with his two best friends Jeff and Sumo. In the trio Jeff is the uptight, germaphobic, rule listener, Sumo is wild and unpredictable, and Clarance is kind and friendly to everyone. I love the dynamic of this trio, and I love all of the “adventures” that we get to see in each episode.

These shows are just a handful of the ones that I enjoyed and probably made an impact on how I see and think about ideas and scenarios. "Regular Show" taught me that it'll be okay even with what happens in life. "King Of The Hill" showed that at the end of the day, sometimes all you have are friends and family. "Teen Titans Go," despite my mixed feelings about it now, introduced me to the world of superheroes, and "Clarence" reminded me to find joy in the every day and appreciate people for their uniqueness. Looking back at these shows now, while they were entertaining, they were experiences that helped shape my sense of humor, my values, and how I relate to others, creating memories and influences that continue to show.