Don't judge a book by its cover

Sitting on the old and dusty, seventy’s looking couch, I read over my best friend’s English paper in thought of what grade I had received on mine. Papers were received as names were called out from the obnoxious nasally voice of the teacher. After a short five minutes, I put my friends paper down in disbelief that my name had still not been called. As I approach her desk the only thought that can transpire is “I must be in trouble”. I pull the teacher aside to ask what had happened to my missing paper. She simply pulls out the paper and says “well I have this paper right here with no name on it, but it can’t possibly be yours”. 

I skim over the text reading the words that I had slaved over the last week writing. This was my paper, it was definitely my paper. My teacher says “You obviously didn’t turn in a paper, I know students like you. The jocks that take advantage of other students work. The ones who are lazy and care for nothing.” Sitting there in disbelief of what I had just heard, I blew up in the teachers face with profanity no one should use. But that day she crossed a line. To question a student’s knowledge strictly on appearance is absolutely unheard of. This just shows another perfect example of the old saying, “don’t judge a book by its cover”.

word count (239)

Aim for the moon, even if you miss, you’ll land amongst the stars

Growing up with older brothers was always a learning experience. With such a large age difference between them and I, it was hard to be a part of the games they played day in and day out.  Being left out in a game of football or basketball was not uncommon. They had an overall size advantage. But, when it came to baseball, they believed anyone, any size could play. Now I am here, at UMBC playing on the baseball team, leaving behind a list of accolades achieved throughout the past years. My brothers never played a minute on any college athletic team. I give them the credit for my success in sports.  Ever since I was little my oldest and if you must say “wisest” brother would always tell me, “set your goals high, so that you’ll never set yourself up for regret”.  Now I am competing at the division 1 level and my goals have been set even higher. Some people doubt that I will ever play professional baseball, I believe those assumptions are only fuel for my fire and help me strive to get better day by day. One day, I will fail, and I will find my place in this world. But I will never live my life saying what if? The time has come to prove my conscious mind wrong. It is time to prove the others wrong.

Words: 232

Who am I? You tell me

Hello, My name is Tom Gilchrist. I am a Junior at UMBC and I play on the baseball team. I am currently majoring in Interdisciplinary Studies, focusing on business and culinary arts. My passion is baseball. Its all I've done since I was around 3 years old. Around 8th grade i developed a passion for cooking, and ever since then I have wanted to open my own restaurant. I know it is a hit or miss type of industry, but I believe if your not living for a reason, then your not living. I am basically full Irish and I love it. The family environment that I share with the people around me really is one of a kind. I was born in Olney, MD. And I have lived the same house my whole life. The best part about that is having the ability to relive all the memories created there. In the future I plan to open my own restaurant with my best friend Steve down in beautiful Boca Raton, Florida. Who wouldn't want that life?