Peer Review Student of the Month

Bianca's Student of the Month Story
Paragraph:                   50 points
5 Quotes:                     25 points
Inverted Pyramid:       15 points
Extra Credit:                 0 points
Total:                          90 points

Earthquake Story

Several people were injured after an earthquake in San Francisco Bay area Monday morning. The earthquake caused a building to collapse, which injured six people. 

"A building housing McHenry’s Auto Supply at 2342 Plum St. partially collapsed, killing two people and injuring six others," according to public information officer from the Hayward Fire Department Jennifer Vu. "Names of the dead are being withheld pending notifications of families."

Hayward firefighters used ropes to stabilize the auto supply shop, conducting a search of the building and capped a gas line after detecting a gas leak at the site.

"Twenty-one fire personnel, 12 police and five American Red Cross workers responded to the building collapse, with some arriving within four minutes of the quake," Vu said. "Three of the six people injured were hurt seriously enough to require hospitalization and were transported to Hayward General Hospital. No other serious injuries have been reported in Hayward" 

A scientist from the U.S. Geological Survey came to assess the magnitude of the earthquake. 

"The epicenter of the earthquake, which had a magnitude of 6.4 on the Richter scale, was under the Hayward Hills," U.S. Geological Survey scientist Penny Gertz said, "it occurred on the Hayward Fault, which runs under the hills."

Hayward resident Mike Beamer, whose apartment is across the street from McHenry’s, felt a rolling motion that lasted for about 30 seconds, with a big jolt coming in the middle. 

“I was eating my breakfast when the room started rolling. I dove under the table just as I heard an explosion outside and a chunk of cement flew through my kitchen window. That’s when the screaming start across the street.” Beamer said. 

__________________________________________________________________

Huntington Story

Janice Jones was shot in her home on Wednesday when her gun accidentally discharged. The 9 mm handgun discharged after Jones's dog knocked it over. 

 "Jones was eating pork chops in the back of her motor home, which was parked on Beach Boulevard near Highway 1, when her dog knocked her 9 mm handgun off a seat. The weapon discharged when it hit the floor, and the bullet passed through Jones; leg and through the side of the vehicle," California Highway Patrol press Liaison Tammy Rye said “It could have been worse, the bullet hit two inches from the gas tank.”

Jones was transported to Huntington Beach Hospital via ambulance and later was transported to Irvine Medical Center, and Jones’ dog, a Pomeranian named Tombo, was placed in the care of the Huntington Beach Animal Control officers.

The dog seemed to be malnourished, according to Janet Ngo, one of the animal control officers, and had fresh cigarette burns on its forehead. “It could have done with a little less abuse and a few more of those pork chops,” Ngo said.

News Values

Timeliness:

• There was an earthquake in Pakistan, India, and Afghanistan, but no immediate reports of injuries or damage. The earthquake frightened hundreds of people and was felt in several major cities and countries.
• Powerful Earthquake Strikes Pakistan, India, and Afghanistan
• Powerful Earthquake Strikes Pakistan, India, and Afghanistan 

Proximity:

• After the apprehension of the the murderer of 18 year-old  Haruka Weiser, the University of Texas is unsure of what to do about the security of the campus. Students are now wary of their security and are concerned with the inability to seal the campus. 
• UT grapples with security worries in wake of slaying
• Even as University of Texas administrators sought to calm an anxious campus after the death of Haruka Weiser, officials continue to grapple with a fundamental issue: striking a balance between the safety of a public university and public access to it.

Impact:

• Trump takes the phrase "America First" from America's isolationism era, right before World War II, and claims to be speaking for the "silent majority". These phrases and slogans cause some people to be cautious, remembering the Nazi sympathizers in America, and other people to follow his policies.
• Donald Trump says 'America First' like isolationists before World War II
• Donald Trump says 'America First' like isolationists before World War II

Prominence:

• The Panama Papers are bringing important political information to light about several political leaders around the world and their offshore bank accounts. These papers let the public know about tax evasions and such information that the politicians would rather keep hidden.
• Panama Papers Leak Signals a Shift in Mainstream Journalism
• Panama Papers Leak Signals a Shift in Mainstream Journalism

Conflict: 

• Philippine Soldiers were killed in a fight with a militant group. The militant group has kidnapped around 20 foreign citizens like Rolando del Torchio, who had been released the day prior to the firefight. 
• 18 Philippine Soldiers Killed in Firefight with Militant Group
• 18 Philippine Soldiers Killed in Firefight with Militant Group

Human Interest

• The Brussels attack and the Paris attack have caused lots of panic in European capitols. Officials fear that there are underground cells in many countries and that high-tourist countries are high on the ISIS attack list. 
• Revelation on Brussels Attackers Fuels Fears of New Assaults
• Revelation on Brussels Attackers Fuels Fears of New Assaults 

Novelty: 

• Rock artist Bryan Adams canceled his Mississippi concerts due to the state's prejudiced laws against LGBT people. Adams is not the first artist to cancel a concert over biased laws, and in addition to artists, major organizations and business have also threatened to leave a state where such laws are passed. 
• Bryan Adams cancels Mississippi gig over 'anti-LGBT' bill
• Bryan Adams cancels Mississippi gig over 'anti-LGBT' bill

Student of the Month Story

Freshman Emilia Fox was named Bowie High School's April Student of the Month through her dedication to her academic success. Fox was diligent in finishing her assignments as well as assisting others in their learning and understanding of difficult subjects.
"My friends were my inspiration for helping others because they often asked for my help." Fox said.
Fox's help not only impacted students, her aid was also beneficial to her teachers.
"Whenever Emilia answers her classmates questions, she frees up some of my time so that I can grade papers and write tests and such," English teacher Angel Coulby said.
The help Fox provides extends beyond the help an average student provides.
"It's not often that I have a student that is as helpful in class as Emilia is. Most students that understand the material help mostly their friends, but Emilia helps everybody in the class when they need it, regardless if they disrupt the class," Coulby said.
After school started, it didn't take long or Fox to fill the role of the go-to tutor.
"In the beginning of the year I had no idea how to do dimensional analysis and Emilia was explaining it to me when a few other students started listing too, and the way she explained it, really made sense to the class. She is one of the biggest reasons that I aced that test. Ever since then, she's been the first person I go to when I don't understand something," Freshman Katie McGrath said.
Fox is just as helpful and polite in the real world as she is inside the classroom.
"Emilia is a great person as well as a tutor. She never makes me feel inferior when she explains things, and she never just gives me the answers, she makes sure that I understand the concept and that I can do it on my own. And when I see her in the halls, she always makes sure to be nice and ask how my day's going. I once saw her help a student pick up his papers after they flew out," McGrath said.
Between helping her classmates and completing her own work, Fox has a lot to have pride in.
"Even though it was a bit exhausting, and I would get internally exasperated often, I wouldn't change anything. I'm proud of having helped my peers," Fox said.

My First Interview

1. How did your friends react to your achievement?
They were proud.

2. How did your family react to your achievement?
They were proud as well. 

3. What was the most enjoyable aspect of working towards this award?
The best part was knowing I could receive this award.

4. What was the least enjoyable aspect of working towards this award?
The worst part was knowing about all the work that I had to finish.

5. Was it your intention to be given this award? Why or why not?
I hadn't intended to win at first, but then I thought that it would be best for me.

6. Looking back at all the work you did, would you do anything differently?
I would manage my time better.

7. What do you plan on doing next?
I plan on helping others work toward receiving this award.

8. What regrets do you have in relation to winning this award?
I don't have any regrets.

9. What aspect of working toward this award was the most difficult? Why?
The most difficult part was knowing there was a lot of work left to do.

10. What aspect of working toward this award was the easiest? Why?
The easiest part was the work itself.

11. What was the first thing you did after you learned that you were named Student of the Month?
The first thing I did was I wrote about it in my book.

12. Why do you think that you deserved/didn't deserve the award?
I feel I deserved the award because I worked hard and that I deserved recognition. 

13. Do you plan on continuing working as hard as you have up until being given this award?
I plan on working just as hard because I'm committed to my project.

14. How did you find out that you were named Student of the Month?
It was announced over the intercom during class. 

15. How important is this award to you in comparison with other awards you've won?
I feel that all my awards are equal in importance.

16. If you hadn't won, who would you have liked to see be the Student of the Month?
I would have liked to see my friend Marissa win.

17. In your opinion, how did your project measure up to other students' projects?
I feel that I succeeded more in my project.

18. What aspects of your project would you not change?
Even though it was exhausting, and I would get internally exasperated often,I wouldn't change anything.

19. Which aspects of your project are you most proud of?
I'm proud of having a huge impact on my peers

20. What was your inspiration for your project?
My friends were my inspiration for helping others because they often asked for my help.

Inverted Pyramid