EGC Celebration of Education essay winners announced

"So why am I studying this?..." was theme of the East Georgia College's "Celebration of Educaiton" essay contest. These are the winners:

Which school subjects will best prepare me for my future, and why?

By JOANNA BURKE, Jenkins County High School

To become a distinctive mechanic, I need to learn to become an independent thinker. How could I learn to do this? I believe that people who want to become a mechanic should study the subjects recommended for this career to become more '-confident in the decisions they make. Some of these subjects might include math, science, and agricultural mechanics. I might also need some home training, but it is not as important as the other subjects.

First of all, I would need math. Some of the lessons that math include are adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing. I need to know this stuff so that I can charge the customers the right amount. Also, to make the engine "float like a Cadillac", I need to know how to measure fluids, such as oil and gas. Measurements are the most important functions of any mechanic's life. Every decent mechanic should know that a car will run "fine as swine" if the car has the ideal amount of fluids.

Then I would need science, because I need to know the basic formulas for motion and other things that apply to engines and automobiles. I would need this formula that way I ca determine how fast a car was going or when it started to hit brakes or other useful information. If on my spare time, I wanted to invent a new type of oil that would make it easier on the engine, I would need the scientific method and knowledge to know how to collect and use research. I know that at my house we love to mix and match oils that are left over to see if they blend.

Finally, I would need Agricultural Mechanics. Ag. Mech. is what I like to believe to be the necessity to be a mechanic. In agricultural mechanics, I would gain the knowledge of engines. Any mechanic would need this if they were going to be one ofthe top mechanics. I would not even be able to tell the difference between a pipe wrench and

a monkey wrench. Another very crucial topic and thing to be a top mechanic is safety. If it were not for safety devices like gloves and glasses, some mechanics could be seriously injured. In agricultural mechanics, I learned that 35% of all accidents involve the arms and hands. So all safety devices serve some kind of purpose even if it is not much of one.

All of these subjects are important and they could boost my career. So, why am I studying this? I am studying this because I want to become a safer and better mechanic. Some people may agree with me and some may not. All, I have to say in defense is I believe in what I want, not in everyone else's beliefs. These few school subjects are very critical to my career if I am to become one of the best mechanics in the world.

Which School Subjects Will Best Prepare Me For My Future, and Why?

By GORDON NAIL, Swainsboro Middle School

Bill Beattie once said, "The aim of education should be to teach us rather how to think, than what to think - rather to improve our minds, so as to enable us to think for ourselves." Facts are important, but the abilities to reason and draw conclusions are the true goals of education. Mathematics, Language Arts, and History are subjects that help people improve not only their lives, but also the quality of life for others.

According to the United States Department of Labor - Bureau of Labor Statistics, a person's level of income is directly related to his/her level of education. Those with more education make more money - it is a simple mathematical equation. Using math, people have balanced checkbooks, doubled recipes, designed buildings, walked on the moon, and treated disease. The importance of a strong education in mathematics cannot be underestimated.

From the playground to the boardroom, people communicate their thoughts and ideas through the use of language. What good are revolutionary concepts and insights, if they remain trapped inside the mind? The ability to communicate effectively is the result of a strong education in language arts. Our country's educational system, itself, is based on strong communication skills - teachers in the classroom. Since no one succeeds alone, strong language skills are imperative.

The men who founded this country were educated and able to communicate their thoughts effectively - it was Thomas Jefferson who evolved a plan for educating every American citizen. Understanding the history of our country gives us a greater understanding of who we are. Our history is footed in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States which gives us the right to vote. Having a strong education in history encourages us to participate in the rights and responsibilities of American citizenship.

Education allows for the opportunity to understand ideas and develop opinions.

Having an education affects how we see the world, and more importantly, how we live within the world. Through mathematics, language arts, and history, we learn how to understand, communicate with, and contribute to our world in a way that allows our community, our state, and our country to be successful.

Which school subjects will best prepare me for my future, and why?

By JOHN WILSON, Twin City Elementary School

Education is very important. A person should learn new things all of his or her life. Knowledge gained will always be valuable. So why am I studying this? Which school subjects will best prepare me for my future and why?

It is very important for me to learn math. I need to understand math because it will always be helpful today and in the future. Math is used in daily life and in all jobs. All college students must take math classes. People need to know how to multiply, divide, add, and subtract to function in this world. Other math skills like measuring things, using decimals and percentages are used in many jobs too and in daily living.

I also need to learn Social Studies in school because it will help me to understand world events and world geography. In social studies, we learn the history of how other countries were formed, their religions, and different cultures of the past and cultures of today. Social studies also covers different types of governments. All of this is important to know and understand our world.

Another subject that will help prepare me for the future is English. I need to know and understand English because speaking and writing correctly are always important. What people think of my use of language may help me get a job or keep me from getting a job. Many people write books and articles or speak to groups of people for a living. Our language can make us look smart or it can show our ignorance.

Math, Social Studies, and English are three subjects that are all important to learn to prepare for my future. Other subjects are important too. No matter what the subject, the more I learn today, the better my future will be.

Reader Comments

No comments have been posted. Be the first!

Other Stories With Comments:
Article	Comments
Relay for Marie	1
Seedling Garden Club holds auction	1
Good teachers make a difference	1