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Kara Titus
Webster, 4th
English II
May 3, 2014

Write an essay about the TGPLAN experience

highlighting the importance of your topic and reflecting
upon your experience.

TGPLAN Reflection
Trudging through the rainforest with an indigenous person of Costa Rica
is no ordinary thing for a 16-year-old high school student from Austin, Texas.
But I got to do exactly that. The warm tropical air that kissed my skin that day
felt as refreshing as a cold pool in the middle of an unbearably hot Texas
summer. I didnt care that there was sweat running down every inch of my body
from the humidity in the air. Sounds
of
the rainforest like those from a
white noise machine filled my ears
as
I made a difference in the world.
Moist brown soil slid through my
fingers as I dug a home to place my
tree seedling in. It was at that
moment that I saw the real
importance of each and every living
thing. I was making a difference.
This tree, no matter how small, was going to not only help the community of
the people who lived in the rainforest, but also the world. No longer was I
confined to my desk and classroom in the United States, but I was in a whole
new country lending a hand to help a community in need. I had made a
difference and now I wanted others to do the same.
The first step I took to helping the world was researching the worldwide
issue of deforestation. Deforestation is the permanent loss of trees in order to
make land available for human needs (Deforestation: Facts). My goal was to
advocate about the slowing of deforestation in my community as well as make
an impact on the world. I found that deforestation results in many of the
worlds major problems. Deforestation results in climate change, loss of
biodiversity, destruction of homelands, and it also leads to soil erosion and
flooding (Effects of Deforestation). Deforestation connects to everything on
our Earth. If we want to protect our Earth, we must first start small. Each and
every thing that people do daily affects the earth on a huge scale. People must
realize that deforestation is a huge problem and that their actions are only
adding to it. In fact, if people knew that every second an area the size of a
football field is cleared away somewhere in the world, maybe they wouldnt
make all of the same choices that they do today(Rain-forest Facts).
Next, to become even more informed about the issue, I found an
expert on the topic in Austin so that I would have the chance to learn even
more about deforestation. I was lucky to interview the founder of an
organization called Rainforest Partnership. I interviewed a woman named
Niyanta Spelman. I am so thankful that I was able to meet and speak with this

extraordinary woman. Her organization is nonprofit and one of their many

offices is conveniently located in downtown Austin, Texas. We work not at the
national level, but at the community level and help rainforest communities get
their incomes in a way that is not harmful to the forest, said Niyanta Spelman
about how her organization operates. Niyanta started the organization because
of her love of the rainforest. She wanted to protect it and found that one of
the main causes of the rainforest being destroyed today is deforestation. I
learned many things from Niyanta, and the information I learned from her
helped lead me to some great ideas for how I would advocate.
After becoming well informed on the issue I began to ask myself, How
can I connect this problem locally in Austin? My group that worked on the
deforestation project thought long and hard about that question until we
finally came up with an idea. In 2011, Bastrop, a city only 45 minutes away
from Austin, had a horrible forest fire scorch acres of trees in the area
(Peckham). I continued my research in order to find more information out
about the fire and how my group could possibly help the community. We came
up with the idea to help one of the local homeowners who lost many of their
trees and almost their house in the fire. We ended up taking a trip to Bastrop
and planting their native loblolly pine which they lost so many of from the fire.
From traveling to Bastrop I learned that not only does this issue affect people
in other countries, it affects people right here in Texas as well.
This project has taught me so many valuable life lessons. First of all, I
learned how much every little thing around me adds up to a big picture. The
earth is important to our survival. I learned that if we want generations and
generations in the future to enjoy it, we must learn to take care of it.
Deforestation is not helping our earth grow in any way. As one person, I will
help to slow it, but not stop it. In order to stop it we must work as a team.
Everyone around me must do his or her little part in order to make a
difference. First, each and every person must consider his or her consumptions.
People must be aware of the things they consume and the effects of them on
the environment. Secondly, we must help our neighbors. If there are people in
need, we must begin to care. Just as my group helped the people in need in
Bastrop, others should do the same if they find people in need in and around
their own community.
At Stephen F. Austin High School in Austin, Texas there is a program
called the Academy of Global Studies, well known as AGS. This small program
does their best to make their own impact on the world. In this program not
only is the Texas state-mandated curriculum taught, but international
curriculum is studied also. Students in this program learn to view the world
from multiple perspectives and are immersed in the worlds many cultures
through the adventure of traveling both here and abroad. Being a part of this
academy means being a part of a family. The students involved in AGS not only
learn together, but they also take on the world and its many challenges
together. As a part of the AGS experience, students of the class of 2016 took
part in a project called TGPLAN. TGPLAN stands for think globally, problem
solve locally, and act neighborly. My group thought globally about

deforestation. We problem solved locally by advocating for the slowing of

deforestation, and lastly we acted neighborly by helping our neighbors in
Bastrop.
I encourage you to do your part to slow deforestation. One thing that
you could do is to start being more aware of your consumptions. Palm oil comes
from a tree that is grown at expense of rainforest biodiversity and ecosystems
in the country that it is produced (Palm Oil). Consumption of palm oil
promotes the product therefore encouraging more trees to be cleared in order
to grow more palm trees. Do your best to buy foods that are palm oil free.
Yet another thing you can do to slow deforestation is to eat locally. The Amazon
Rainforest is one of the most highly deforested areas in the world. Of the land
that is deforested in the Amazon, 80% of it is used for cattle ranching
(Amazon). The cattle that are raised there end up in our grocery stores.
There is absolutely no point in buying food that has traveled thousands of miles
when you can buy even better meat in your city that has been grown locally. Do
your part and dont encourage this form of deforestation. Its not that hard!
Lastly, I want to ask you to advocate. This problem will only be slowed and
stopped if people know about it. Spread the word and let people know what
deforestation is and how their actions are affecting it indirectly. Make a
difference today. Take action now.

"Amazon." WorldWildlife.org. World Wildlife Fund. 22 Apr. 2014.

"Effects of Deforestation | The Pachamama Alliance." The Pachamama Alliance. 23 Apr.
2014.
"Palm Oil." Say No To. 230 Interactive. 25 Apr. 2014.
Peckham, Matt. "Disastrous Texas Wildfire Now Worst in States History | TIME.com."
TIME.06 Sept. 2011. Time Inc. 24 Apr. 2014
"Rainforests Facts | The Nature Conservancy." Rainforests Facts | The Nature
Conservancy. The Nature Conservancy. May 2014.
Szalay, Jessie. "Deforestation: Facts, Causes & Effects." LiveScience. 06 Mar. 2013.
TechMedia Network. 19 Apr. 2014.

Kara Titus
Tierney, 6th
World History
May 6, 2014

Write about your experiences as if you are a French soldier

in World War I and experienced the trenches on the western
front.

In the Trenches: A diary account of a fallen soldier

Day 1:
We have been sent to the trenches to defend our land from the
Germans. I am beginning my first day in a trench somewhere on the western
front. I am 16 years old. My mother and father sent me off to the war so that I
may bring honor to my family and defend our country. The ground is dry and
the trenches are small. Luckily, I am not claustrophobic like my mother, but I
can tell that some of the other men in here are. The tight quarters make it
hard to do anything. It is my first day and I have already become bored. There
is nothing to do in here. I have started to dig away at the edge of our trench to
see if I can find anything of value. Who am I kidding? We are in the middle of
nowhere. I will find no such thing.
Day 5:
Life has been so unlike anything I have ever witnessed.
Yesterday there was a brutal attack. Bullets flew in every direction I looked. I
am not as brave as the other boys and men. I hid down as deep as I could in the
trench and waited it out. As I was waiting out the attack all that I could think
of were the bombs that could fall atop me if a bullet did not get to me first.
While waiting, I did not care that I was crouched amongst my peers feces and
was sinking down in the moist, contaminated sewage formed mud. My luck has
gotten me to where I am today. I see men die daily. Whether it is from gunshot
wound, bomb, or disease, there is no stopping the unfortunate future that lies
ahead for so many of us.
Day 7:
Ive grown close to many men these past few days. I cannot
believe that it has only been a week that has gone by. I feel like these men are
my brothers. I have grown especially close to a boy, also my age, named Ansel.
Ansel is different than I am. He is not afraid. Ansel is the bravest one in our
trench. Just yesterday, he risked his life to mend our barbed wire posts and
entered a land known as No Mans Land. No Mans Land is the area that lies just
outside our trench, but is visible to the opposing forces; therefore it is highly
dangerous to be seen in this area because it is likely that you will be shot down
on the spot. This trek was highly dangerous and all in our trench are thankful
that Ansel is still alive.
Day 17:
Life only grows harder for me in the trenches. War is hard. I have
seen so many men die now that I do not know if I will ever be the same boy I
was before I had seen the extreme gore of war. The trenches are repulsive.
Men are going down like flies in the trenches. Disease is everywhere. I have
done my best to stay clean, but in these harsh conditions it is particularly
difficult.
Day 19:
Rats. I never again want to see another of these vile creatures.
Rats have absolutely no benefit whatsoever. They eat your food. They defecate

where we sleep. And worst of all, they carry all of the diseases that are
infecting and killing us on them.
Day 20:
I have acquired the worst itch. I believe it is from the poor
hygiene that I know I and almost every other soldier stuck in here face. I have
witnessed men develop a high fever and severe pain after acquiring this itch
and I am hopeful that I do not have the same. As well as this horrible itch, I
have witnessed men get many kinds of fungal infections. Life is hard here.
Socks get wet and our feet become cold, we also have little ways to bathe
ourselves. Eventually, something is going to happen to our feet. And it most
certainly has. In the worst cases I have seen men who have had to have their
feet amputated. This will not happen to me. I have been more careful than
usual and I have been fortunate enough so far to not have anything too bad
come upon me.

Kara Titus
Tierney, 6th
World History
April 2, 2014

Explain how the Neolithic, Industrial, and Digital Revolutions have

changed the way people live. Persuade your audience which
revolution has had the most far-reaching impact.

Its Time for Improvement

History changes everyday. It is constantly repeating itself
and constantly writing new entries in the worlds diary. Our society of
humans has been most greatly impacted, so far, through three
different revolutions. Each revolution with its own distinguishing
characteristics which have impacted the life of the human race forever.
The neolithic revolution has impacted humans with the invention of
farming, the industrial revolution with the introduction to machinery,
and our current digital revolution that is changing ever so fast daily.
Although all of the revolutions have impacted us in their own unique
way, the industrial revolution has had the most impact of them all.
It all started when some clever mind introduced the concept of
farming. This concept, that may have seemed so simple and
unimportant at the time, ended up being something that has and will
continue to affect the lives of human beings forever. Next came the
concept of a simple machine, the steam engine. After the steam
engine, there has been no end to the array of possibilities that our
species can create using machinery. In fact, we are in the middle of the
industrial revolution this very moment. The industrial revolution is what
makes our Earth function. Take a moment to think what life would be
like without a thing such as electricity. The introduction to machinery
has forever changed our world and it is only getting to be more and
more complex, therefore leading to a second industrial revolution.
Over the past couple of decades historians have titled our third
industrial revolution the digital revolution. This revolution revolves
solely around our televisions, cellular communication devices, and
extremely advanced computers. Our people have now seen that there
really is no limit to the things that we can accomplish. After all, we
have sent a man to the moon, created a portable computer (that no
one ever dreamed plausible), and now there is even a machine that
will print out food. All of these things have been accomplished in just
one century. But, as the technologies of our societies advance, do our
people progress with them? John McCarron of the Chicago Tribune
seems to think otherwise. He believes that our rapid advances in
technology are making it unnecessary for our children to have the
need to know as much basic knowledge. He even made the point that
the widespread use of calculators and spread-sheet programs has
dimmed students understanding of fundamental concepts of math.
(McCarron) The gap between understanding what is actually happening

and knowing the answer because it appeared on a calculator is but one

crucial factor that makes the digital revolution either the most
extraordinary or the most harmful of the revolutions to our society.
Life became simpler after the introduction to the industrial
revolution. Jobs were easier to learn and required less physical labor
than those of the neolithic revolution. People earned more money and
this, in time, led to economic growth for many societies. Daily life
became simpler. In fact, the industrial revolution has changed just
about every aspect of daily life to the standards we live by today. The
industrial revolution led to comfort. From the moment that Thomas
Edison invented the light bulb our world has not been the same. People
may now walk into a room without windows letting in sunlight or a
room at night and are able to see perfectly well. The air conditioner is
also something cherished to anyone who has the privilege to own one.
The television, stove, and refrigerator are but a few more of the
countless number of things that make our lives so easy to live. The
good life led by all after this revolution caused populations soar. It has
since then has decreased, but we would not be at the population we
are today if not for the industrial revolution. Today, the industrial
revolution is still making every aspect of our lives more manageable.
Humans are a breathtakingly unique and advanced species.
Thanks to our brilliant ancestors we have made advancements to the
world that will be beneficial to all those who live on Earth. The three
revolutions have each made our lives as humans even better. The
industrial revolution continues to be the one that primarily impacts all
peoples lives daily. Someday the digital revolution may far surpass the
industrial revolution, but for now our lives would not be the same if it
were not for the industrial revolution.

Mack, Pamela E. "British Industrial Revolution." British Industrial Revolution. Clemson

University, 3 Sept. 2012. 10 May 2014.
McCarron, John. "Some Clarity On The Fervor Of The Digital Revolution."Chicago
Tribune. Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 1997. 5 May 2014.

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Kara Titus
Whitted, 2nd
Chemistry
May 3, 2014

Write an informative essay describing the

history, development, chemistry, and
usage of napalm gas during war.
Scorched in a Matter of Minutes

The pain is excruciating. The child runs and runs but the red and
black flames of death crawl nearer and nearer. The smell of burning flesh
lingers in the air. She cant escape. Her clothes are gone. The sticky jelly
took them from her. Even though her clothes have gone, the gummy
petroleum residue still remains stuck to her skin. Clinging to anything it
can grasp, the napalm is deadly to everything it touches. This deadly
war weapon is something many believe should have never been
invented.

1942: In a secret research laboratory at Harvard University an

Napalm Girl picture taken by Nick Ut

infamous incendiary weapon was invented (Neer). While researching

synthetic rubbers in his the lab, Julius Fieser discovered the hair-raising
possibilities of the napalm compound (Hellfire). The word napalm
itself comes from the merging of its two original components,
naphthenic and palmitic acids (Thompson). Fieser made the sticky
substance out of 33 percent gasoline, 46 percent polystyrene, and 21
percent benzene (Hellfire). In simpler terms, Napalm is any form of
thickened petroleum (Thompson). These ingredients, although so
simple, form to create a horrific gel that is used as a deadly war
weapon. The U.S did not bother to try and keep the secret of napalm
from the world for long because of its incredibly simple chemistry
(Thompson). In fact, the ingredients to make napalm can be found
around your house and there are even tutorials on the internet to make
it.
Napalm was used most notably during World War II and the Vietnam

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War. On March 6, 1944 the debut of napalm was made as American

bombers dropped the weapon over Berlin (Hellfire). In the middle of
World War II, the weapon was intended to be used only as retaliatory
against the Nazis (Hellfire). It was again used in La Rochelle, France,
that at the time was in the hands of the Germans. Two weeks before
the fall of Berlin, the Allied aircrafts smothered German sites with
napalm. The deadly weapon inadvertently killed a great number of
French civilians as well. But soon, the weapons use became more
widespread. Napalm was a prominent part of the Pacific War. Allied
forces, including the U.S., dropped it onto Japanese defenses and home
islands which in time destroyed up to 40 percent of the countrys urban
areas (Hellfire). In fact, napalm exterminated more Japanese in
World War II then did the two atomic bombs (Coffey). 100,00 died in
Tokyo alone as the result of napalm. It was also used to area-bomb
sixty-six other Japanese cities as well. Fieser, after discovering the
tremendous amount of harm that his weapon had caused for people,
stated that he had only intended it being used on buildings and not
humans (Hellfire).
Napalm gained its horrifying fame after a picture by
photographer Nick Ut spread. The picture depicts girl running while
screaming in excruciating pain after being victimized by napalm. It
was taken in 1972 in Vietnam while a South Vietnamese pilot sprayed
napalm from a plane above (Morning Thread). The girl in the photo
gained widespread fame from the photo and was known as napalm
girl, later becoming an international war symbol.
Although it can be used to defeat enemies, there is no stopping it
from harming the good people as well as the bad. The most recent use
of the weapon by the U.S. was during the 2003 invasion of Iraq
(Thompson). Since then, it has not been as commonly used. Barack
Obama, the current U.S. president, even went as far as to sign a treaty
limiting its use. It is very difficult to think that something that is made
so easily is so destructive and harmful to the human race. MSNBC host
Lawrence ODonnell called napalm our cheapest weapon of mass
destruction (Morgenstern).The world must learn to use this weapon in
moderation or find a way to use it for advancements in society instead
of for the destruction of mankind. This weapon has a high capability of
going further out of control. It must be managed and used with great
care.

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Coffey, Patrick. "Napalm in World War II: Invention, Test, the Bat-Bomb, and
Incinerating Japan." Center for Science Technology Medicine Society
RSS.17 Oct. 2012. Web. 8 May 2014.
"Hellfire A Brief History of Napalm." Military History Now. MH Mallett 2014, 25
Mar. 2013. Web. 9 May 2014.
Morgenstern, Madeleine. "MSNBC Host Reacts to Obamas Speech by Insinuating
Americas Past With Napalm Is Just as Bad as Syrias Use of Sarin." The
Blaze. The Blaze Inc., 11 Sept. 2013. 7 May 2014.
"Morning Open Thread: The Napalm Girl and Her Photographer - Then and
Now." Morning Open Thread: The Napalm Girl and Her Photographer Then and Now. Kos Media, LLC, 28 Apr. 2013. 5 May 2014.
Neer, Robert M. Napalm: An American Biography. Cambridge, MA: Belknap of
Harvard UP, 2013.
Thompson, Mark. "Napalm: A True American Tale | TIME.com." US Napalm A True
American Tale Comments. Time Inc., 11 Apr. 2013. 06 May 2014.

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Kara Titus
Webster, 4th
English II
May 6, 2014

Sketch a work of art at the San Antonio Museum of Art so that

you may accurately recreate it when you return home. Tell
about your method of making it, and the meaning of the
painting.

In the Jungle
Unfortunately, the painting that I chose I did not take a picture of the
name or artist who made it. But, I think that in a way it is great that I didnt. I
believe that this way I can tell my own interpretation of this unique painting.
The original art piece was a painting of a home at the edge of a rainforest. I
chose to use water colored pastels in order to interpret the painting how I saw
it. By using pastels, I livened up the painting, which gives it a happier vibe.
This painting tells so many different stories. The theme of the painting
seems to be upbeat, but gloomy. The way that the artist created a shadowy
look to the whole painting gave away a bit of a solemn mood. Although it could
just be that the painting is old, I do not believe that this is the case. This
painting shows what the daily life may have been like for a human living near
the jungle. After doing my TGPLAN project and research about the rainforest
and deforestation, I began to wonder if the way this person makes their living
is sustainable or not. With the rainforest so near, it is difficult to not disrupt it
and still earn a good living. I may be wrong, but it looks to me as if there are
palm trees to the right of the house. If this is so, that would most likely mean
that some rainforest was deforested in order to plant this species. I am

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guessing that the cultural influence may be somewhere in South or Latin

America based on the looks of the trees and the way the house is built.

Kara Titus
Webster, 4th
English II
May 9, 2014

Reflect over your year as an AGS

sophomore.

Unforgettable
I chose to title my art piece unforgettable because that is exactly what
this year was to me. I will never forget all of the extraordinary memories made
and people that I have met. As an AGS sophomore I have learned not only in a
classroom, but I had the privilege to travel to Costa Rica. On my canvas I chose
to put many pictures of our trip to Costa Rica because they made such a huge
impact on my life. I discovered so many things this year that I will carry on and
use for the rest of my life. In the middle of the world painting I put a picture of
one of my groups TGPLAN t-shirts. I learned so much from TGPLAN. I am now
more aware of the effects of my actions on the environment. Our slogan for
TGPLAN was act like you live here. I think that this was a really great quote
to remind people to take care of the environment and I will hold it in the back
of my mind to use forever.
Other treasures that I have gained during my sophomore year are many
friends. In the upper right corner of my canvas I put but a few pictures of the
many friends I have made this year. AGS has taught me to look at the world
through not only one perspective, but through many. I have had the opportunity
to become acquainted with people who are the exact opposite of me and with
people who I never thought that I would have the opportunity to get to know. I

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have realized this year that there are so many unique and interesting people to
get to know and there is so little time to do so. I wish that I had the chance to
speak to so many more people this year and I hope that I have the opportunity
to do so next year. Secondly, I have grown as a person. I have learned to be
more optimistic, open minded, and I have learned to balance my time. Idea
books have ended up teaching me many things. I am now a much more skilled
writer than I was when I entered sophomore year. I will take the writing
techniques and strategies I learned this year and carry them on for years to
come.
AGS, to me, means family. All of the people involved in this program are
each unique in their own special way. We come together and help each other
whenever we are in need. The orange portion of my painting shows all of the
things that AGS means to me and also all of the things that I have done so far
that have helped me to become the student and human being that I am today. I
know that by the end of senior year the triangle will be filled.