JORDAN MARZKA

EDU 280
Artifact #1
CULTURAL BELONGING

• I am half Hispanic and German.

• My father gave me the Hispanic heritage while my mother gave me the German side.

• My father and his side of the family is not apart of my life in anyway so I have never been
able to learn Spanish. My mother has only ever spoken English and the same goes for my
grandparents.

• My family comes from Germany and after world war one moved to America to seek
better lives and found refuge in Pennsylvania. My grandpa and grandma later moved to
Nevada due to my grandfather being drafted for Vietnam. They themselves never have
been told much about a German history because their grandparents didn’t discuss it.

• Every year my family comes together for celebrations and every major holiday. No matter
what our family is always together.

• I identify as an American my Hispanic roots have never really been a factor as to what I
identify as when it comes to my culture.
LIFE EXPERIENCES

• I am proud to say I am born and raised in Nevada. The west coast influence is truly felt
here with our lingo and how we act to one another. Nevada is a swing state and I find it
funny as my family seems to be split down the middle with politics as well.

• I was raised in a post 9/11 world. I have always heard my parents and grandparents talk
about life before 9/11 with less worries and being able to do certain things such as walking
straight to an airport hanger without a boarding pass. There was definitely less restrictions
pre 9/11

• I am apart of the digital age being the first true generation to grow up with iPhone’s and
internet access in homes. I also face new social norms that weren’t there from previous
generations. With all kinds of social media apps available social norms seemed harder then
ever to keep up.

• I also have lived through the most heated debates in American politics it would seem
which would be guns or anything associated with guns.

• I am proud to say with Nevada’s growing population and sports teams we are coming back
to the map and not just for a taboo you'll indulge in for a weekend.

• I have also been able to say I feel I have been able to experience a mixture of rural and
urban experiences like being able to go to the desert and have massive bone fires, but also
be able to experience cool events like new years and watch the city light up with
fireworks.
WORLDVIEW

1. With all my morals I have always been instilled into me to treat other how
you wished to be treated. This follows me with everything I do and how I
act. I always try to take the most moderate approach I can to any situation.

• Being raised in. a post 9/11 world with a family in the military being sent
over seas It wasn’t uncommon to hear derogatory terms about people from
the middle eastern and people who practice Islam.

• I have always regardless of how someone looks or act given everyone the
respect they deserve. Even if I disagree with someone I always let them air
out their grievances before I explain my side.

• I believe that regardless of what happens we’ll all have to answer to who
ever we believe in and that being will judge you and your morals and see if
your were truly a good person or not.
CULTURAL
ARTIFACTS
• I have been blessed to do a lot of very cool things in my life here are just a few
things I cherish most.

• My vinyl collection would definitely be at the top of my list. It may not be the
biggest collection in the world, but it definitely has all the music I love. It ranges
from Primarily Hip-Hop to rock and even a Disney album. When you listen to an
album on vinyl vs a regular mp3 you can just tell the difference at least in my
opinion.

• My awards from wrestling are huge for me. I was able to accomplish so much in the
four years I wrestled. I love the sport so much and each medal reminds me of the
day I got it and all the events that lead up to it. My most personal valued medal
would have to be my fourth place medal at state because I was the first kid in
Coronado history to place at state. That medal just reminds me of all the long days
and hard work I had to put in to achieve that medal.

• My last artifact is my family heirlooms that were handed down to me from my

grandparents. I have been given a few lighters and pocket knifes from them, but the
thing I am most proud of is my grandmothers birth bracelet with her Maiden name
on it from the day she was born. I absolute love my grandmother and when she
gave me that it meant the world to me. Now I have a little piece of history to show
my kids when I get some.