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Why didnt the American Dream cross the road? Because it died halfway across! Is there a
shred of truth to this horrendous joke?
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I am Dustin Mai.
I am Simon Griggs
I am Matt Short
And I am Josh Coady.

We were tasked with determining the status of the American Dream and we found that the
Dream was not only alive but thriving! There are three main themes that were found across
many interviews with many people in the microenvironment of Apex, NC.
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The concept that hard work is pertinent to the American Dream is still prevalent in the belief of
today. To go along with hard work it is believed that education is also required for the American
Dream to become a reality. However there was one evident discrepancy amongst the age
groups, the definition of the American Dream. They younger people had a more materialistic
view of the Dream however the older people had a more idealistic view of the Dream.
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Hard work is required for the success of the American Dream. People across all generations,
races, and sexes unanimously believed that the American Dream was attainable if hard work
was put in. Neal Patel, a 16 year old student of Indian heritage at Apex High School said:

Its not easy at all. Even in High School, people think you can rage quit, its not like that.
You have to your effort in, 110% every day, get a good education and get good grades.

He highlights that there is a belief, even amongst the youngest americans, that hard work is a
requirement for the American Dream to be realized. The youth of Neal Patel is crucial because it
highlights how far down the American age scale the belief of hard work permeates. This belief is
one which does not die out we venture up the age scale. Sam Griggs said that

There are opportunities for you to make it if you put the effort in.

Sam is a 42 year old male mechanical engineer. He is in the middle of his career and still
believes that hard work is a key to success. His definition of the american dream was one of
success, and in order to make it as he said, youve got to put the effort in order to achieve the
dream of success. Education is often a good example of hard work,it is considered in the
minds of the people we interviewed another crucial aspect for people who wish to achieve the
American Dream.
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Education is the type of property that can never be revoked.
Get as much additional education as possible bc that's something people cant take from you,
you can lose your house, you can lose a lot of things, you cant lose your education, you can
always rebuild from your education

This phrase was uttered by Mrs. Cooper, a homeowner in Castlewood (a neighborhood in Apex
NC). She has the firm belief that your education is an irrevocable ticket to social mobility. The
point she is making is that you can lose everything because of financial failure, natural disaster,
fire, or other through other causes. However, education can't be taken away from you. In order
to have success hard work is always required, and a education is the product of that hard work
which can be used to generate success.
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Many different people have varying definitions of success. Some say it will help you get
a great job and open many more opportunities in life. Others say success is the amount of
money that you could have. Matt Amaniampong, an African American at Apex High School said:

Success is making a lot of money, having a nice house.

Matt A. is a sophomore at Apex High School wants to be a business owner when he grows up.
Matt wants to have money and be able to live a wealthy lifestyle. On the other hand, some
people think the definition of the American Dream is to be with family and support any children
or grandchildren that they may have. Anh Truong says that:

My ambition is very simple, which is like a family like where I can feed my children, I dont leave
my children hungry, I have to have time to spend with my children. Thats my dream, thats my
happiness. I dont ask for more than that.

These are both very valid viewpoints but they are differing and contrasting.

After all that we have seen, the American dream is still thriving after its creation in 1931. While
there are still many challenges and changes to it the dream itself is still obtainable with some
hard work and effort. But it also includes making sure you get a good education because it is
nearly impossible to take from you, even if someone else takes your American Dream, you can
always rebuild.
Was there a shred of truth to this joke? - Possibly, but its certainly not evident in Apex NC.
Thanks to our hard working editor Josh Coady, Our script writers Simon Griggs, and Matt
Short, and our reporter Dustin Mai.