Dyslexia

School has never come easily to me. As an honor roll student you would never guess that I was and still am the girl who struggled. My whole life I have seen things differently than others, sometimes seeing words that do not exist, or even missing them as if they were never there. I have always felt that I was viewed as being different by my peers, that they thought I was dumb.

This past month I was diagnosed with dyslexia, which is a general term for disorders that involve difficulty in learning to read or interpret words, letters, and other symbols, but that do not affect general intelligence.This diagnosis only  made sense due to the struggles I had faced in the classroom for as long as I can remember. Although this diagnosis is recent it is evident that I have had it my whole life.

Before I was diagnosed with dyslexia I always stayed after school for extra help, attended tutoring, and frequently requested one on one time with teachers. I am the girl who always asked too many questions, or needed extra time to finish tests, studying late into the night reading notes over and over until I could clearly understand them. I am the girl who has learned how to do things on my own. I feel like I have worked harder than my classmates, and have been rewarded with good grades.

Although dealing with dyslexia without knowing it caused me anxiety and worry, it has shown me that no matter what is thrown my way I am capable of overcoming it with my hard work, determination and perseverance. I have realized my strengths and weaknesses.The long hours of studying, the hours spent after school, to better myself academically, and to teach myself how to live and understand my life with dyslexia has been something I would never change. Knowing I have dyslexia gives me the extra drive to succeed even more in the classroom.

Many times in life we are faced with things that are hard to overcome, but we can not let them define who we are. This is something that I have come to know all too well. Dyslexia is not something that will just disappear one day. It is not something that will slowly begin to fade. It will always be there and I will always have to learn to live with it, but it will not define me.

David Charles Thomson: NQHS Graduate

David Charles Thomson: NQHS Graduate

By: Abigail Koch

Many say some of the fondest memories you will ever have are from high school. It's a time for discovering who you are as a young adult and who you want to be. You begin to learn your strengths, weaknesses, and true passions. It's a time to meet new people and start fresh, creating an identity for yourself. Your high school becomes your second home for those four years you attend. Creating bonds with the peers, teachers, coaches, and staff.

It has been 8 years since David Charles Thomson walked the halls of North Quincy High. A lot has changed with both Thomson and NQHS, but a lot has remained. Thomson has achieved many things in his young life and credits it all to North Quincy High. Thomson is a graduate of the class of 2008, and a veteran. He served 8 years in the Army Reserves, and was deployed to Afghanistan in 2010 - 2011. He has earned his Associate's Degree, and serves on the Boston Fire Department. Thomson is a father of two, to one year old Vannah, and 2 years old Wyatt. Thomson is married to NQHS graduate of the class of 2009, Chelsea Thomson. When asked about his experience at North Quincy High he expressed his gratitude for all the people he met throughout his four years, and how they were always there for him through the ups and downs. He talked about the opportunity of being able to meet his future wife, and how NQHS created memories that will last a lifetime. Thomson stated “ Those times and experiences are what made me the person I am today”, demonstrating how much of an impact NQHS can have on you for the rest of your life.

Victory for Koch

Abigail Koch: Picture Worth A Thousand Words

Mayor Thomas P. Koch celebrates his victory, becoming part of history. On November 3, 2015 Mayor Koch was re elected as the 33rd mayor of Quincy. Koch has been Mayor since 2008, when he defeated former Mayor William Phelan. This was the first four year mayoral term in the history of Quincy. If Koch completes these next four years he will be tied for the longest running Mayor in the history of Quincy.

Koch had a hard fought battle and held his victory throughout both the primary and final election. At first he was faced with the opposition of three candidates, Gutro, Mahoney, and Phelan. The race was then between Phelan and Koch for the final. Koch 52 will be serving as Mayor for the next four years. It is unsure if he will run again in 2019. For now he is celebrating with family and friends.

She's a Keeper

She’s a Keeper

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By Abigail Koch

If you were to watch a North Quincy Girls Soccer match you would be sure to see a petite, blonde headed girl in a fluorescent  green goalie shirt standing firmly in the net. You would most likely catch her soaring through the air, challenging breakaways, and supporting her teammates throughout the game. This girl is Shannan Kennedy, no stranger to North Quincy soccer. Kennedy is a senior captain who has been playing soccer for twelve years. She has started in net since her freshman year. In the past few years, Kennedy has broken records for not only Most Career Shutouts, but Most Career Shutouts in a season. This has not been an easy thing to accomplish for Kennedy, but she has continued to work hard into this season. This past spring the North Quincy Girls Soccer program was given the tragic news of the passing of their former travel coach and current goalie coach Michael Kennedy. I had the honor of sitting down with current goalie Shannan Kennedy, daughter of former coach Michael Kennedy. I asked Kennedy a few questions pertaining to no longer having her father by her side on and off the field. Her maturity and grace was shown in her responses. “The hardest part of not having my dad with me this season is not having him be there to tell me what I am doing wrong, or need to improve on, and he was very supportive of me.” I asked Kennedy what has helped her get through this season without her goalie coach and father and her response was simple: “My team”. She expressed her gratitude for her teammates and coaches and how she would not be able to carry on without them. I was also fortunate enough to sit down with senior, teammate, and friend of Kennedy's,  Nicole Flora. When asked about Kennedy, Flora responded with, “What stands out most with Shannan is her compassion. Not only for the game itself but for each person on the team. She genuinely cares about each player, and she thinks about what's best for the team, not just herself and her position.” These kind words are a perfect example as to why goalie Shannan Kennedy should be recognized not only as an outstanding athlete  but an even more outstanding individual, a perfect example as to why she is described as a “Keeper”. Without Shannan Kennedy the North Quincy Girls Soccer team would simply not be the same.

Photo: Goalie Shannan Kennedy to left with father and goalie coach Michael Kennedy to right.

Photo courtesy of Alison Radzik

Save Our Public Schools

Vote NO on Question 2- Save our Public Schools

Abigail Koch

The recently proposed law requested by the state Board of  Elementary and Secondary Education is seeking the approval for up to 12 new charter schools or enrollment expansions in existing charter schools every year. There are many problems that could result in the passing of this.

The main problem is the amount of funding that will be taken away from the public schools in that district. Many of these public schools already struggle with funding, and this will only add to the deficit. If public schools are already struggling we should attempt to fix them rather than take more money away, giving it to the private charters. According to the Massachusetts Information For Voters 2016 Ballot Questions, “This year alone, charter schools will take more than $400 million from already-underfunded Massachusetts public schools.” This is something that can be prevented by voting no. This will not aid in strengthening the already struggling public school communities.

There are many public school systems across the state that are so strong and create great opportunities for their children in the community. This will only take away from those opportunities. With the passing of this proposal the number of charter schools will grow rapidly each year. This growth of the charter schools could end up costing local public school districts billions of dollars.

If we vote NO on question 2 there would be no current changes in the laws of charter schools in our community, and our public schools would remain the priority in each community. Save our public schools by voting no on question 2 on Tuesday, November 8, 2016.

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