YCMS Counseling through Connections
May Newsletter - 2019
Endurance - Let Your Dreams Set Sail
So what is your dream? What were you born to do?
Want to be a successful musician? Or a novelist? Or maybe you just want to do well on your end of grade tests? Everyone has dreams, big or small – but not everyone makes them come true.
Whatever your dreams and goals are, when you become relentless and decide that you’ll walk through any obstacle and endure any pain to get what you’re in pursuit of, no matter how long it takes, you WILL get what you want.
For a moment, think back to your favorite fairy tale. In that story the main character may be a princess or a peasant; she might be a mermaid or a milkmaid, a ruler or a servant. You will find one thing all have in common: they must endure and overcome some type of adversity.
Cinderella has to endure her wicked stepmother and evil stepsisters. She wants more, strives to get more if she can, but she makes the best out of her bad situation. She is never bitter, angry, or ugly. What is not to like? Endurance will produce greatness and Cinderella endures.
In “Beauty and the Beast,” Belle becomes a captive to a frightful-looking beast in order to save her father. She sacrifices her home and family, all she holds dear, to spend several months in the beast’s castle. She finds true love because she endures.
In each of these stories, Cinderella and Belle have to experience sadness and many trials before they can reach their “happily ever after.” Think about it. Has there ever been a person who did not have to go through his or her own disappointments?
If everything worked out perfectly all the time, we would not be learning! Some of my greatest "a-ha!" moments have come out of a disappointment. It is so important for us to focus on the journey (and all that it contains), and not just on the end result.
If you’re committed to pursuing your dreams, you’re bound to face disappointment.
Embrace it and let your dreams set sail.
Seas the Day
If you can dream it, you can achieve it.
What’s your strongest ambition in life? Think hard about your response because that’s the thing you should really be doing. And you can! You have the power to achieve great things. All you need is a dash of determination and a clear direction. Here are some steps to help you figure out how to achieve your dreams.
Dream
If you can dream it, you definitely can achieve it. Allow yourself to ask, “What if?” Then you should make a list of just the one thing, that always makes you smile, fills your heart with joy and makes you think that’s too much to ask for. That’s your dream!
Believe in yourself
Believe in your dream and have faith in yourself. With hard work, determination and some smart planning, you can do much more than you think.
There will be a lot of negative thoughts pulling your plan down. Recognize them for what they are and do not allow those thoughts to become your reality.
Set goals
Start with setting smaller, more attainable goals for yourself. You are more likely to stick with whatever you are trying to achieve by setting small goals because you can consistently see progress. Celebrate any milestone you achieve because that will keep you moving forward to the next stage.
Get the right support
It’s absolutely important that you surround yourself with people who will constantly push you and support you. The more positive influences you have around when working towards these goals, the more motivated you will be.
Go for it!
Simply wanting something is not enough. You have to push yourself to get things done. Do everything you can to achieve your goals. If the overall task seems hard, break it down and do something small each day. Taking baby steps consistently over time will eventually lead you to reaching your goals.
You won’t achieve your dreams overnight. It will take time and effort but once you conquer all the obstacles and finally reach your goals, you will feel energized and accomplished.
Never be afraid to say “I can” because you CAN do it!
Believe in the Beauty of YOUR Dreams
Students of the Month for May
A Salute to the Eighth Grade Class of 2023
Best & Brightest
Front Row - Leslie Jimenez Lopez, Juliet Yasmina Garcia, Kamari Sheppard, Neftali Carrillo-Angel
Not pictured - Jayla Hughes
Jade Skipper
Plans: To attend Hunter Huss High School and would like to attend the University of Alabama. She plans to be a nurse.
Favorite Memory of YCMS: Getting awards at Awards Day for 6th and 7th grade
Zakiyah Evans
Plans: To attend Hunter Huss High School and would like to attend Southern University. She plans to an architect.
Favorite Memory of YCMS: Being in Ms. Woods' class
Juliet Yasmina Garcia
Plans: To attend Highland School of Technology and would like to attend the University of Miami. She plans to be a physical therapist.
Favorite Memory of YCMS: Spending time with friends
Perla Reyes Ramirez
Plans: To attend Hunter Huss High School and would like to attend the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She plans to be a lawyer.
Favorite Memory of YCMS: When I made Honor Roll
Angie Rueda Torres
Plans: To attend Hunter Huss High School. She would like to a career with the FBI or police officer.
Favorite Memory of YCMS: Pi Day Celebration at YCMS
Jasmine Boulware
Plans: To attend Hunter Huss High School and would like to attend UNC Chapel Hill. She plans to be a nurse.
Favorite Memory of YCMS: Student vs Teacher basketball game
Devonte' Dawkins
Plans: To attend Hunter Huss High School and would like to attend Alabama State University. He would like to be a pro athlete.
Favorite Memory of YCMS: Prom and Student vs Teacher dodgeball game
Kamari Sheppard
Plans: To attend Highland School of Technology and would like to attend Auburn University. He plans to be a nurse.
Favorite Memory of YCMS: Meeting my first friend
Aiden Wray
Plans: To attend Hunter Huss High School and would like to attend Gardner-Webb University. He plans to be a computer engineer.
Favorite Memory of YCMS: Meeting and getting closer with my friends
Leslie Jimenez Lopez
Plans:To attend Hunter Huss High School and would like to attend Duke University. She plans to be a veterinarian.
Favorite Memory of YCMS: Spending time with friends
Hector Bustilos Dircio
Plans: To attend Hunter Huss High School and would like to attend Appalachian State University. He plans to be a heart surgeon.
Favorite Memory of YCMS: Meeting friends and meeting a great math teacher
Eliot Barber
Plans: To attend Hunter Huss High School and NC State University. He plans to be a nurse.
Favorite Memory of YCMS: York Chester chicken sandwich
Katie Bell
Plans: To attend Hunter Huss High School and would like to attend Duke University. She plans to be a chef.
Favorite Memory of YCMS: Battle of Books competition
Neftali Carrillo-Angel
Plans: To attend Hunter Huss High School and would like to attend Appalachian State University. He plans to be a licensed contractor.
Favorite Memory of YCMS: Meeting friends and math class with Ms. Bullock
Jessica Sarkodie
Plans: To attend Hunter Huss High School and would like to attend the University of Southern California. She plans to be a pediatrician.
Favorite Memory of YCMS: Atlanta trip and Carowinds trip
Juliet Yasmina Garcia, York Chester Middle's Gastonia City Council's Eighth Grade Student Achievement Recognition Recipient!!!
Juliet Yasmina Garcia
At York Chester, Juliet serves as a Student Ambassador and is essentially the “face of York Chester Middle School” providing new students with an introduction to the school by giving them a tour of the school, helping them get to their classes, introducing them to their teachers and providing them with a familiar face.
Juliet is an extremely talented artist that has won multiple awards last year and this year. Her passion for what she does and creates is inspiring to everyone around her.
She is a well-rounded student ready to share her diverse talents and interests when called upon all the while remaining a fixture on the A Honor Roll.
After graduating from Highland School of Technology, Juliet is interested in pursuing a career in physical therapy at the University of Miami.
Moving Up! It’s Time to Start Thinking about Building a Winning High School Résumé for College Applications!
It may be difficult to believe, but the summer between eighth and ninth grade is the time to start planning for life after high school!
A résumé is an important part of your college application. The high school résumé is a snapshot of YOU, a concise summary!
Maybe you think a résumé is something that is only used for a job interview. Not so! A résumé is an important part of your college application. In fact, everyone should have a high school résumé.
A high school résumé summarizes your achievements, talents and interests. It is a great way to showcase what you have done during your high school years, who you are, and what you can contribute to a college campus.
Many colleges do want to see a “four-year commitment” to clubs, extracurricular activities, or athletic programs throughout high school.
We Heart Our Teachers - Happy Teacher Appreciation Week
How to Conquer End of Grade Tests!!!
Have a Positive Attitude
Approach the big test as you'd approach a giant jigsaw puzzle. It might be tough, but you can do it! A positive attitude goes a long way toward success.
The Night Before
Remember, your brain and body need sleep to function well, so don't stay up late!
The Morning of the Test
Did you know that you think better when you have a full stomach? So don't skip breakfast the morning of the test.
Multiple-Choice Questions
The process of elimination can help you choose the correct answer in a multiple-choice question. Start by crossing off the answers that couldn't be right. Then spend your time focusing on the possible correct choices before selecting your answer.
I'm Done!
Not so fast - when you complete the last item on the test, remember that you're not done yet. First, check the clock and go back to review your answers, making sure that you didn't make any careless mistakes (such as putting the right answer in the wrong place or skipping a question). Spend the last remaining minutes going over the hardest problems before you turn in your test.Testing Dates
EOG Reading -------- May 22
EOG Math -------- May 29
8th EOG Science -------- May 30
6th / 7th NC Final -------- May 30
Upcoming Events
Spring Spectacular Band Concert
York Chester Sunday at First ARP
Chorus Concert
8th Grade Dance
Athletic Awards Night
Student/Staff DodgeBall Game
Holiday (Memorial Day)
End of the Year Grade Level Celebrations
7th - June 3
8th - May 31
Awards Day / Early Dismissal
Tammy A. Hubbard MA NBCT
Website: https://www.sites.google.com/a/gaston.k12.nc.us/ycmscounseling/
Location: 601 S Clay St, Gastonia, NC, United States
Phone: 704-836-9609
Twitter: @YCMScounseling