The Word3March 2016FEATURES

thekennedyword.com

by Cynthia Sanchez

Experiencing Your Future EarlyThe effect student internships have on scholars

Staff Writer

Choosing a career may be dif-ficult for some; however, student internships provide an insight for students to be able to navigate their interests with opportuni-ties to experience the work field. Internships offer an in depth look at careers for students. Aside from this, students adapt to a more professional environ-ment, and they exposed to, as some would say, “the real world.” Students are given the chance to build social skills, increase their self-confidence, and supply themselves with self-motivation. College counselor Lorrin Abarr added that internships benefit stu-dents academically and socially. When students join these intern-ships or even apply for them, it is recommended that scholars add it to their college applica-tion and their resume. “Students have to start somewhere, and an internship can be a helpful start for many. Even if these intern-ships aren’t paid, students can add these to their college ap-plication as a way of showing

Kennedy junior speaking to college counselor Mr. Abarr about summer interships

their experience in a certain field or their intentions of pursuing a certain career,”explained Abarr. Having a practical experi-

ence in any given career al-lows students to become aware of the environment they may

or may not choose to work in. Quintcareers.com states,“95 percent of employers said can-didate experience is a factor in hiring decisions; according to an annual survey by the National Association of Colleges and Em-

ployers (NACE), nearly half of surveyed employers wanted new-grad experience to come from

internships or co-op programs.” Senior Samantha Crende par-ticipated in an internship over the 2015 summer. “I was a part of The Intern Project with the LA Fund and interned at Stray Angel Films in west Los Angeles,” stat-

ed Crende. She applied for the internship to get a head start on working in the film industry, and

it has helped her immensely. She was able to build stronger con-nections with employees and stu-dents who share similar interests. Another senior, John Parks, worked as an intern over the summer, but at Kaiser Perman-ente. He joined the internship to get a feel for what it’s like work-ing at a hospital. “The internship has prepared me for the medical field, I have learned various skills to aid me in my dream of becom-ing a doctor,” expressed Parks. Before entering college, some students have an idea of what ca-reer path they are planning to take while others change their minds. According to Career.arizona.edu, “Exploring is a very important part of the academic process, and gaining a work experience is a great way for students to acquaint themselves with a field they are looking to learn about.” Parks and Crende recommend that students apply for intern-ships, whether they are paid for or not. The internships that these two students joined encouraged them to seek new opportunities. There are multiple options avail-able for students, and applying for internships is just another step towards one’s academic success.

From attaining high academic grades, participating in clubs or extracurriculars, competing in speech contests, and being a typi-cal teenager, Academic Decath-lon (Acadeca) decathlete Paul Gudiel excels in his expectations and continues to push himself out of his comfort zone to ex-pand the options of his future.

by Valerie Bonoan

Taking It beyond the LimitsJunior Paul Gudiel’s experience with Acadeca

Photo Editorby Sebastian Quesada

The Loss of InnocenceHow some children are being forced to fight

Staff Writer

An eleven year old boy who was praised as a hero was re-cently killed by two men from a Taliban group in Afghanistan. Wasil Ahmad had recently start-ed school again in a new town after being transported out of the battlefield, and it was only a few weeks later when he was specifically targeted and shot to death while walking around with his mother and sisters. Ahmad had commanded an Afghan police unit for forty-three days and helped to end a long seventy one day siege against the Taliban. The young boy didn’t think of ever being a part of the war; it was not until the death of his father that he decided to learn how to use ma-chine guns and fight. “I asked him why he wanted to learn. He told me that he wanted to take revenge on those who had killed his father,” states Ahmad’s uncle. After some time, Ahmad’s father was killed alongside other eighteen men in a bat-tle against Taliban members. His uncle, Mullah Samad, had trained him on how to use differ-ent weapons such as the AK-47 and PK machine guns. Ahmad was “a very intelligent boy,” states his uncle who watched him learn different techniques rather quickly when it came to reading satellite phones and other tactics. When Samad and some other men got injured due to heavy fire by a Taliban siege, Ahmad would be the one who would take control of his uncle’s police squadron for forty-three days. He would fire his gun at every target in sight and bring them down; he was not only protecting him-

self but also his men and family. It was after those forty-three days when Ahmad and his men finally ended the siege against the Taliban and would reclaim a part of their town. Soon after, he would be air lifted along with his other men to a city called Tarin Kwot where Ahmad would en-roll back in school and resume a normal life. Ahmad and his uncle were recognized by authorities for their accomplishment and for their, “hard work, dedication, and bravery both men put out in the battlefield,” reports CNN. Sadly, Ahmad’s life was taken too soon, and he would leave be-hind his mother, three younger sisters, and three younger broth-ers. But Ahmad is not the only boy to have experienced such a rough life. In fact, it happens to many kids around the same region. Afghan police has stated that they never recruit any children for any battle and have been strict on that policy. Things have “improved in the Afghan police force, and they are serious when it comes to evaluating certain cases like child soldiers,” states Sediq Sediqqi, spokesman for Afghani-stan’s Ministry of Interior Affairs. Students like senior Sahir Yousef, strongly believe that the use of children in war “is totally immoral and a crude technique.” Thousands of children become part of the horror that is war ev-ery year in Afghanistan. They get to live it, experience it, and at the end, die because of it. Ahmad’s story reflects the lives many kids today go through and the misery and pain their fam-ily members have to experience. This is the tragic reality that is occurring and a topic that must end before more lives are taken.

“It was the end of my ninth grade year, and I received a let-ter from the Academic Decath-lon,” Gudiel shared. He ex-plained how that was the first time the Academic Decathlon actually approached him in the form of a letter. Since Gudiel received this letter the same day of the meeting, he wasn’t given enough time to think about it. At that age, he was less inclined to take a risk on something new. The door for Academic Decath-lon didn’t close on him there. “To-wards the end of my tenth grade year, I made the decision to be-come a part of the Acadeca for my junior year,” Gudiel continued, “I thought, ‘why not give it a shot?’”

This year, Gudiel had the privi-lege to meet with coaches like Kerry Sego, Acadeca adviser, who have pushed him “above and beyond” his limits. Gudiel in-stantly became “really intrigued” by the whole idea of Acadeca and knew that this was the place he was meant to be. “I’ve tried out for the basketball team and the track team,” Gudiel admitted, “but I didn’t make it.” As a re-

sult, Acadeca is the first team that Gudiel has ever been a part of, and he couldn’t be more glad about it. Growing up, Gudiel shared that his “whole life had been composed of people” telling him that he’s not good enough. However, Gudiel chose not to dwell on that idea and joined the team as “a chance to shine and show the world” who he is and what he is good at. Mak-ing himself step out of his com-fort zone helped him experience things that he never thought he would go through at all. His gift in speaking has devel-oped and grown as he learned to “use hand gestures, enunciate words clearer, and control the

tone” of his voice. Gudiel even shared that there’s something deeper that comes when he de-livers a speech. “Speech comes from within. It is coming within my soul and spirit, and I’m trans-lating that into the students.” He feels that delivering speeches in front of people and motivating them is something he is meant to do. “When I deliver a speech, I even motivate myself,” he stated. In early February, the Acadeca team participated in The Unit-ed States Academic Decathlon Competition, in which some students from Kennedy won medals. Gudiel didn’t win a medal that day, but he was able to maintain a positive attitude towards the decision of the win-ners. He shared, “Even though I didn’t win a medal, I know that I gave it my all and my best shot.” Gudiel also participated in the Rotary Contest where he com-peted against another student from Granada Hills Charter High School. “This student had gone to the nationals and was a semi-finalist. He was over-all more experienced than me,” Gudiel explained. “Knowing that, I felt like I had represent my Cougars.” Gudiel delivered his speech “enthusiastically and with passion.” As a result, Gudiel won first place and “was very glad to have beaten him.” By being part of Acadeca, Gud-iel realized that “it’s not easy do things excellently” because it re-quires hard work and dedication. This experience made Gudiel become a stronger person. He ex-pressed, “I pushed through, and I’m glad I have another opportu-nity to win a medal and to be a part of Acadeca next year.” He’s even more glad that he took a chance to try something new, a lesson he will always carry with him.

Gudiel delivering his speech in front of students