Myself

I was born in Göteborg (Gothenburg), Sweden. I moved to Salt Lake City, Utah when I was only three years old. My little brother was two years old. My family and I lived there for about five years, until we moved here to Maryland. I still keep in touch with my best friend from Utah. Her name is Clarise.

Something unforgetable happened on my 8th birthday. We were driving across the country. Our car had broken down so we were stranded in a little town. A few people there invited us to ride their horses and they gave me a birthday cake. It was an unforgetable birthday. I got to ride their pony by myself and it started galloping across the field. I was so scared! I got bucked off and my mom made me get back on so I wouldn't be afraid of getting on a horse again. It didn't quite work because I'm still afraid to ride horses.

Middle School

In the Middle School there is a year A and year B. Each year there are five cycles. Each cycle has a theme, for example cycle five's theme this year is Balance. In each cycle we have two weeks of Social World (Social Studies), two weeks of Natural World (Science), one week for final projects, and one week for Theme Tests and finishing up work for the cycle. We are split into groups to work on projects and then we present our projects to each other for the information.

Each week on Monday's we make a Weekly Planner which is a schedule for what we are going to do each day. In the morning we have morning meeting where we share news, acknowledge each other for things we've done, do brainteasers, and do brain-gym to wake up our minds. Then there is a lesson if it's scheduled which is about twenty minutes. After that we do Homework Check, where the teacher checks if we did our homework and discuss what's happening in the novels we are reading. Next is group work where we split up into our groups to work on our Social World or Natural World projects depending on the week. Then we have math for 45 minutes until lunch. After lunch is Personal World (Health) where we quietly sit or lay down in our spots writing about our assignments. Next is Individual Work where we do literature work and writing assignments. Then it's time for jobs. Everyone is assigned to clean up certain parts of the classroom and when we're done we either go out for P.E. or have Foreign Language classes. They switch off every day. Then it's the end of the day and we go home at 3:45.

Friday's are different. We have a vocabulary quiz and in the first week or Natural World and Social World we have a Socratic Dialogue where we get a reading and discuss it. On the second week we have a test on what we've learned in the subject. Then we have an elective like drumming, bowling, juggling, etc. We also get an extended P.E. which is about and hour and a half.

Final project's week is where the groups get these huge projects to sum up what we've learned in Natural World, Social World, and Personal World. Then on Thursday or Friday we present them to each other and we get a grade. 4.0 is the highest grade and we get a rubric that we have to follow. Then in the last week of the cycle we have Theme Tests. These are three tests that take the entire day. They are on Social World, Natural World, and Personal World. For the rest of the week we finish up work and fill out our contracts which are like report cards. We have parent/student/teacher conferences where we go over our contracts.

Oneness Family School

I have been at OFS (Oneness Family School) ever since I was in second grade. I've really enjoyed the hands on materials and how each teacher has time to make sure I understand what they are teaching me. I am glad we use the Conflict Resolution system instead of using violence or any other way. Conflict Resolution is a way of solving a problem by communication and coming to a common understanding. The best thing about it is that it really works! I haven't been in many conflicts but when I have used Conflict Resolution it has been the best solution.

There are many after-school programs but some of my favorites are the Peace Choir and Drama Club. I was in the Peace Choir for two or three years, it was fun. I've been in four drama productions at OFS. They were: Honk, Into the Woods, High School Musical, and The Wizard of Oz. This year in The Wizard of Oz I was the lead, Dorothy. It was a lot of work but it really paid off in the end with our incredible performances we all did. Even though it was hard work it was still very fun and exciting.

OFS is almost like a home to me. I have so many friends there, including the teachers! The environment is so friendly, and so are the people. I've learned so much and I want to graduate and move on but it's also hard because of all the memories that I've made at OFS. The trips I've been on have also made many memories. Last year my class went to Florida! It was an amazing trip. I can't wait for our spring trip!

Amman Imman

Our school is sponsoring a project named "Amman Imman." Ariane Kirtley is the founder and program director of "Amman Imman, Water is Life." Ariane speaks with such compassion about teh children and adults in the Azawak, Niger's most remote and abandoned territory, covering 80,000 square miles and inhabited by 500,000 people. There are barely and roads, dirt paths, schools or health centers, and most importantly there are no permanent sources of water. Amman Imman's mission is to help the water situation by building permanent sources of water throughout the territory. Ariane came to our school in the beginning of last year's school year (2006) and spoke with such compassion about her experience and lack of help from world organizations. At first she tried to get support but was told that no help could be given. She did not take no for an answer. Instead she started traveling around in North America spreading her word about the lack of water, the people of the Azawak Valley and the need for financial support. She was very knowledgeable about her topic and convincing. She made us all feel we needed to take part in raising funds. She made me believe I can help change the lives for these people. My school helped spread the word to other Montessori schools around the country and the world and with their help we raised enough money to build the first bore-hole. There are still many bore-holes to build.

Amman-athon

On May 13th the Peace Arbor class, grades 1st through 3rd, at the Oneness Family School held an event to decided to contribute to the Amman Imman project. This event was called the Amman-athon. They went out onto a field and did several different activities. They shot basketball hoops, dribbled basketballs, jumped rope, hula-hooped, hopped on one foot, and run around a field. The students would get sponsored for each activity they did. Ben, a third grader in the Peace Arbor, told me that for every basket made they would get twenty-five cents, for every minute running they would get ten cents, and for every hop, jump, dribble, etc. they would get five cents.

Debbie Kahn, Oneness-Family School Associate Director, says that this event uses their skills for a better purpose. All of the money they collect goes to people of the Azawak. They are not competing against each other, but are transcending themselves to help others. Eliza, a Peace Arbor student, dribbled 270 times and was sponsored by her Neighbor, Grandmother, and Aunt. The highest scores was made in hula-hooping. A girl named Lily hula-hooped 680 times. If she had one sponsor she would have made $170! Just imagine what the entire class would make if you added it all up!

Read what Peace Arbor teacher wrote about the Amman-athon on the Montessori Amman Imman blog at this link: http://montessori-amman-imman-project.blogspot.com/2008/05/amman-athon-day.html

BET J

The 8th graders took a week off of school to be an intern. We got to chose where we wanted to go and I chose TV. My teacher approved and contacted a few people. I got a chance to intern at BET J. It used to be BET Jazz but now they show more than just jazz so they changed it to J. I got to tour around the buildings and learn about how everything works. Here's a video I made on the last day.

Graham Nash

Graham Nash visited Oneness on October 15th 2007. I was asked to tell a speech. This is what it said:


World Oneness-Heart Award Presentation to Graham Nash
Oneness-Family School October 15th 2007 Dear friends and honored guests, welcome! Hello my name is Louise. I am in 8th grade here at the Oneness-Family School. It is my privilege today to present our school's highest honor- the World Oneness-Heart Award- to our very special guest Mr. Graham Nash. Our school is now celebrating its twentieth year of existence. Throughout our history this school has empowered hundreds of students to become global citizens - endowed with the skills, the global awareness, and the compassionate, courageous character needed to make the world a more harmonious place in the 21st century. We are extremely proud that our little school is known across the world as a school for peace. Today is a historical event in our school's history. We welcome you Graham Nash. You have contributed to the betterment of the world for decades through your uplifting music, your innovative art, and your many initiatives to call us to social action so we may become engaged citizens and worth stewards of our mother earth. You have dedicated your life to making the world a more peaceful, more beautiful and more caring home for all of us. Mr. Nash, you have said, "To me it has always been the most unreligious of actions to kill human beings in the name of God. It is time for the religious community to help put a stop to this madness by coming together and denouncing the killing." The courage of your convictions and the clarity of your voice for peace have been and continue to be an inspiration to all of us who believe in peace and work for peace. It was your idea to gather musicians at the National Cathedral to pray for peace through music. Tomorrow night you dream will be realized with a concert for peace, featuring many great musicians gathered together for the single purpose of raising our consciousness toward a higher goal. Music is a universal language that expresses the message of love. Mr. Nash you have always carried this language in your heart and love has no greater messenger than you. Our school is dedicated to the dream that one day all of God's children will play together peacefully and will grow up to love and respect one another, willing and able to share the worlds' resources and to work for one common future. Here at our school, by working together with respect and love, by fostering our imaginations and my nurturing our minds, we are making that dream a reality every day. The World Oneness-Heart Award is our school's highest honor - bestowed upon exceptional human beings who have been beacons of light in our sometimes dark world. Past recipients of this award have included peace champion Muhammad Ali, musician and humanitarian Wyclef Jean, and social scientist author Riane Eisler. Graham Nash we are so happy and proud to have you join this list. On behalf of all the students, teachers, parents, and our entire Oneness-Family School community, it is my pleasure and honor to present you with the World-Oneness-Heart Award.

Drama

This year's drama production was The Wizard of Oz, and I got the honor of being the lead roll, Dorothy. I started preparing even before we heard about the auditions. I had been taking singing classes and learned Over the Rainbow. My auditions went well even though I was scared and I was chosen to go first. I was so happy that I got the lead that I couldn't stop talking about it. It's what I've always wanted ever since my first drama production in Utah, when my brother and I were part of a play about cats. It was a lot of work being Dorothy because I had to memorize basically the entire script! But it was worth it in the end. I got many compliments and I had lots of fun. I can't thank June (the art teacher/drama teacher) enough for the opportunity. It was also very special to me because this year was my last year at Oneness, which meant that it was going to be my last drama production at OFS.

Graduation Speech

Graduation Speech

I can't believe this is the last day I'm going to be a student here at the Oneness Family School. But thankfully it's not my last day with Oneness. Oneness will always be with me, wherever I go. All of the memories and lessons I've gained from my six years here at Oneness will stay with me. I have finished algebra 1 in math, my writing and reading skills are improving all the time, I understand and speak Spanish, I've played many different sports, I have learned many different subjects in science, the history of America, different parts of the world, and evolution. But I have also learned about peace, love, friendship, virtues, how to be a leader, how to be myself and stand up for my beliefs, and many different life lessons.

I can still remember the first time I came to Oneness. I had just turned eight and was about to go into second grade. It was summer vacation in 2002, and my brother and I were visiting Madhavi's class. I remember Iggy the Iguana, and Pooter and Scooter the two loud and friendly parakeets in the hallway. When school started I was very nervous and shy, but eventually I opened up and made some very good friends. I remember visiting the Smithsonian so much that I never wanted to go back again. Now when I do go back, many fun memories come back to me. The Sticky Bear typing program really helped me with my typing skills. I passed all 30 levels and it boosted my typing skills when I went into 4^th grade. Now I type about 80wpm! Math wheels. They are extremely helpful, especially when you get into middle school. It is a lot easier and faster if you can do all the simple math problems in your head instead of having to get out your calculator.

Well, one of the first times I visited the Peace Academy was when Nadia Hewchuck invited me to be a guest for a few minutes. I got to sit in the big green chair, I was asked a few questions, and they told me about their class. It was so scary being with all those fourth and fifth graders. I was partly relieved when I got to go back to the Peace Arbor. When I finally graduated to the Peace Academy and was introduced to how everything worked, it became a lot more fun. I remember sitting under Peter's desk reading things I wrote with my best friend Leah. Then came one of my favorite trips, in 4^th grade we went to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. We went to Kenny Wood, an amusement park, a sports center with lots of fun games and activities, and we visited a museum. I will never forget that trip.

It was always so sad to see the 6th graders leaving and moving on to the Middle School, and I can honestly say that I was terrified of the middle school. They were always so much bigger than me, and I was also afraid of the workload. Well, I was glad that I had one more year in the Peace Academy before I had to face the Middle School. Or so I thought. That summer I took a test to see if I could skip 6th grade. Sure enough on orientation night, I surprised everyone in the Middle School as a 7th grader.

I learned that the middle school wasn't as scary as I expected. My friends were all there and a few other people I was going to get to know very well. 7th grade was so much fun. By the end of the year I felt like I had learned so much that my head was going to explode! Not only did I learn a lot but I had fun doing it, plus all the work we did paid off with the amazing trips. I learned a very valuable lesson during the orientation trip, when we went camping. Never, ever, put your tent in a ditch, especially when it's going to rain. That was a very muddy and wet situation.

Our next trip was to Florida. That was probably the most exciting week that I can remember: trick-or-treating, going to Sea World, visiting NASA, hanging out at the beach, and telling speeches at the Florida Peace Conference. Assateague was our last trip of the year. It was so windy that we had to strap our tents to benches to prevent them from flying away. One morning I woke up and everyone in the tent was lying on the door.

My 8th grade year was also an adventure. It was such a bummer when we heard that Deborah was leaving, but then Amy came, our fun sarcastic teacher together with Pearl, our math and science teacher. They have made the Middle School a fun and enjoyable place to be. Amy has really been there for me this year. Since I'm always at school early and stay after school so late, we always get a chance to talk about everything. She even gives me a ride home. I'm glad I got a chance to have this kind of relationship with my teacher because I'm not quite sure what to expect for next year. My fellow 7^th graders, the Middle School just wouldn't be the same without you. I'm going to miss all the crazy times we've had together. Gabrielle and Kathi, my 8^th grade friends, even though we only came to know each other as good friends last year I feel as if we've been best friends forever, and I wish we didn't have to go our separate ways but I hope we can still find time for each other. I've had lots of fun plotting, imagining, and hanging out with you guys.

Ever since before I was born I have been a Montessori student and I'm proud of it. My mom has always taught Montessori so it was right that her children should be taught it as well. I also appreciate that each class isn't only one grade. So I can hang out with my friends that are older and younger than myself.

This also means that I got to be in the same class as my wonderful little brother Jacob. I love you Jacob, and even though you can be annoying at times I still miss you when you're over at your friend's house. And I am proud to be your big sister. Thank you Mom and Dad for always supporting me, and always having faith in me. I really appreciate it, and I couldn't ask for better parents.

Dear CPG and Peace Arbor students, you all have the most innocent way of giving a compliment or a hug when I least expect it. And it makes my day every single time. Carina, you are such a kind, generous, and giving person and I always love talking to you for even just 15 minutes each morning. To all the aftercare teachers and office staff, thank you for putting up with all my questions and requests I've bothered you with.

This year's drama production was a lot of fun, and thank you June for giving me the opportunity to be the lead in the play. Now it is one thing to be a creative person, but it is another thing to inspire someone. So I thank you June and Brian for inspiring me to be an artist. Debbie, you have opened my eyes with all the effort you have put into the Amman Imman project. You have inspired me to want to help as much as I can. I also want to thank Debbie and Sondra for helping me with my Heroic Journey. Both of you have been very supportive and I have learned a lot.

Andrew, I couldn't thank you enough for creating this school. I might never find a place as warm and welcoming as Oneness has been. Oneness is almost like my second home. It's sad that I will never be able to walk down the corridors of this school as a student again, but I can't wait to see how much the school will continue to improve. My experience at Oneness has been so fantastic. Whenever I think of Oneness all I can think of is how friendly, happy, encouraging, and fun everyone is. I think Oneness had taught me all that I need to know to succeed in the next stage in my life, and I can't wait to get started!