If you won $100,000 today and could only spend that money on people other than yourself, who would you spend it on, what would you buy them and what would the reason be for?

The first thing I would do if I won $100,000 is to help my mom and dad. For instance my dad has big plans for our simple home in Valley Stream. He renovated our old basement by himself you know? He also renovated my room and put wooden flooring in the upstairs hallway. He did all of these things with no help from anyone else because he refused to add another pair of hands. Why? Maybe because knowing he did it on his own helped him know he can achieve anything he set his mind to! It killed me to see him work to the bone just to make our house look so much better. I would hire a professional decorator and a building team to help my dad just so I wouldn’t have to see him collapse on the couch completely breathless and panting. My dad also dreamed of starting a new business so I want to provide him with the money to finance a new company, hire workers and rent office space.

My mom always has to deal with bills and payments and taking care of me and my little sister that she never has or had any time to take a day off and do what she loves the most! Shop! Just like every girl and woman…! So I would buy her a mall just for herself and no one else!

My grandma has helped raise me all my life when my mom was working. She has been there for me the minute I first blinked my eyes. She deserves so much! She works so hard taking care of kids. I think… no I know she deserves the best present ever. I would by her the biggest house they have in the nicest neighborhood in the Philippines. I will also buy her the furniture she could have never afforded when she came to the U.S.

My friends are also another part of my life that I need to have in order to survive the indescribable days of Junior High. Some of my friends like Tonisea, Natally, Juan, Kostas, Sanjay, Courtney and Kristin are the people I come to the most for anything in my way. I know that all of my friends, even the ones I didn’t name in this blog (which by the way I’m sorry if you guys are reading this) are such great friends and I know that I can count on them for anything. They help me through any problem. They have my back through thick and thin and I am SO proud to call them my best friends.

They always told me to keep my head up like my nose is dripping blood. Basically they know exactly what to say or do to make me feel better when I’m just not in the mood. Anyone who has friends who care so much about them is someone I would call lucky. There are not a lot of people in this world that would be called a true friend. Just to say thanks to all of them, I would probably take them out for a whole day, pay is on me. I would rent a stretch limo and take them to the beach, then after that I would take them to Dave and Busters to hang out and relax and play some games. After Dave and Busters I would take them to our old elementary school (Clearstream Avenue) just to remember the memories we’ve had there and when the day is done I would tell them thank you so much for everything you’ve ever done for me!

Half of the leftover money, I would give to Mr. McCarthy and his son. Mr. McCarthy is my 4th grade teacher’s husband. Now you’re probably wondering why I would give it to him and his son. Well you see Mrs. McCarthy (my 4th grade teacher that I love with all my heart) had passed away in May. When I heard this I bursts into immediate sobs because she meant so much to me and all the kids that had her class before. We had just seen her the day before she passed away, looking healthy and smiling her usual bright smile. But a letter went home the next day addressed to our parents. Now you may know how kids get really anxious to see what is inside letters that go home, so many kids had opened the letter only to be shocked by what it had said. My 4th grade teacher had died due to a heart problem. I am not completely over her death and I never will be and her family is in my prayers, but I always seem to wonder about her son’s life. Now I cry when I think of her, remembering all she had done for me and my classmates, seeing how she would have been so proud to see me say a speech in front of 500 people knowing that she had been a mentor to help me achieve such a great thing. But I think of how her son is feeling, to grow up without his mom right there next to him. And then I think of her husband, how he is feeling knowing she is not there anymore. Their pain is twice the pain my classmates and me had when we first found out.

I would be honored to give Mr. McCarthy and his son half of the money I have left, but I know that money can NEVER replace the place of a loving mother, wife and beloved teacher. She will always be remembered.

The rest of the money from my $100,000 that I have left would be given to the army and Peace Corps. I believe Peace is one of the most important things in life because when you think about it, what is life without peace? The world would be violent, filled with so much hate that elderly people would be afraid to walk the streets knowing so much violence is outside their door. The army, marines and every single soldier risking their lives to make our lives better is just another reason why money should be donated to them.

This is what I would do if I won $100,000 today. Thank you for your time to read this blog. Don’t forget to vote for me Samantha S. as the next Green Acres Mallstar!

If you won $100,000 today and could only spend that money on people other than yourself, who would you spend it on, what would you buy them and what would the reason be for?

If I won $100,000 today, I would give it to my family. Its the least i could do for all the things they have done for me. They always gets me great things and they are always nice to me. I would buy them a new laptop, a cruise to  anywhere they wanted to go, a whole new wardrobe for them, new furniture for the house, and a new car. If there was still money left over, I would give it to a childrens hospital charity to help fight cancer. Cancer is serious problem in the United States and think how good I would feel to know my money helped find a cure.

What’s the number one thing that drives you crazy about adults?

The number 1 thing that drives me crazy about adults is they stay in your business. Adults in my family just stay in my business.  They’re always in my business they should know I don’t like it.  Actually no kid I know likes adults in their business.  Kids my age are starting to go through those stages.  We just want to be with our friends and not always have grown-ups in our business.   “To me I feel like you don’t trust me”. Kids my age would like a little privacy. Adults in my family are always asking questions like who was on the phone, where are you going, do you have a girlfriend and it goes on and on.   I feel like just leave me alone, just leave the subject alone.  I mean like gosh stay out of my business.  When they leave the room or something I’m like finally some peace and I can be Shane and not Shane and family with me all the time. Family is fun and good, but I need some time to spend with myself. I’ll even stay with my dog my dog doesn’t ask me questions. My dog just stares at me and listens.

I love my family and I hope they understand.

If you won $100,000 today and could only spend that money on people other than yourself,  who would you spend it on, what would you buy them and what would the reason be for?

It has been said that money can’t buy happiness, but I think it could definitely make life easier. I think if I were to win 100,000 dollars today I would spend most of it mainly on my family, friends and some amazing organizations for a needing cause. I know many would write this and be all about the charities, but I want to focus on my family and friends since they’ve always been there for me and were always selfless. Of course I would do the obvious and give enough money to pay off whatever loans my parents have and help to pay off my sister’s tuition for college, which is pretty expensive. They have always been there for me whether it is for school supplies or clothes; they have taken their time and money to make me happy so it’s only fair to return the favor. I really appreciate them so this is just one small way I can make it up to them. Then I think I would leave an amount dedicated just to gas money haha. The amount of times I’ve asked to be driven around and with these gas prices!

Hopefully, there will be enough of that money left to send to organizations such as St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. I swear every time I see their commercial or read one of their pamphlets, it tugs on my heart strings and makes me so upset for these little kids that are really scared and hopeless. Another organization I’d love to donate money to is the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation. I’m focusing mainly on the research for cures because I think that every person should have the ability to live a long and happy life without having to worry of being unfulfilled.

What is the number one issue today in schools that kids might feel peer pressure about? How do you deal with that pressure and can you give an example of that?

I’m sure that if you’re reading this you have probably have had an experience that changed your perspective on something in your life, whether it be your opinions or actions. This kind of particular event happened to me way back in the first grade, and I promise this won’t be a story about crayons or a classmate stealing my apple juice.

Well, on my first day as a first grade student, I didn’t speak a word of English. How could this be you may ask? Well I was born here in New York, but my family speaks Spanish at home, and therefore for the first five years of my life that is all I learned how to speak. Many of you may think that was unfair for them to do this, but looking back on it I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. Anyhow unless you have had to sit in a room with lots of people, all who speak a language different that yours, it is a pretty difficult to express the feelings of frustration and confusion that are involved. Regardless the day passed and when I came home from that first day I cried to my mom telling her I didn’t want to go back. But who wants to go back to a strange place with people who speak to you, but that you can’t understand?

As the year continued I improved with my English and eventually started to make friends. Although it was very difficult at times, this experience has allowed me to understand others when they are having communication problems. Knowing how it feels to be confused and frustrated, it has given me a lot of patience when trying to help other people. By living through and overcoming a language barrier, I have learned to appreciate people who may not be able to easily communicate with others. Needless to say I thank my family for allowing me the opportunity to learn two different languages and more importantly for a life lesson in understanding. So the next time you feel like a certain experience was negative, think of all the things you have learned from it and appreciate the new perspective it may have given you.

What’s the number one thing that drives you crazy about adults?

Being an “adult” really just means that your responsible, your able to support yourself and your more mature about certain things. What bugs me about Adults is the fact that they forget what it’s like being a kid and growing up. If they remember how it was for them growing up maybe they wouldn’t make some things difficult for kids. Like fitting in at school, going along with the new fashion, or being social with your friends (they think were being too social :/), they just think its all stupid and a waste of time. They’ve been through it all themselves, so why are they making such a big deal about us doing the same stuff? I understand that they don’t want us making dumb mistakes and going too wild but we have to live life our own way. When we’re adults we’ll be able to understand everything they did with us. They just don’t have a chance to go back and live life as a kid all over again. Adults may think we have it easy without a care in the world, we know other wise. No matter what age you are you always go though something either big or small. As a kid or a teenager we just want to have fun and have cool life experiences, and with those lessons we can become better adults.

If you were president of the United States, what’s the first thing you would do to change the Country and why?

If I was president the first things I would try and change would be the perception and ideas that’s imbedded in many American’s heads for example;Many Americans say they won’t vote and especially for Barack because he is going to lose anyway because a change so big like having a bi-racial president will never happen in America. Also a lot of Hillary supporters aren’t going to vote because Hillary loosed and that’s why I commend Senator Clinton when she said at the National Democratic Convention “were you in it for me or the people who need the change and help.” These thoughts are just recent examples of perceptions that Americans have. We’re so used to the same old , same old its hard for us to change. As president I would think outside the box and hear the voices of everyone whether it be the homeless man on a Harlem street or the billionaire in the Hollywood Hills. I would also  end the war in Iraq. Knowing people in the military I know the fear of everyday hoping that your loved ones are safe. I would also help out military wives and children, I don’t think many realize that they too are fighting in a war along side their loved one only their battles are depression, loneliness and sadness. I remember my grandmother who’s a social worker tells me that  some of  her clients are military wives who severely suffer from depression and all sorts pain caused by this war.

If you won $100,000 today and could only spend that money on people other than yourself,  who would you spend it on, what would you buy them and what would the reason be for?

If I won $100,000 today, and could only spend it on people other than myself, I would have a really good time! I love giving things to other people, and I love making other people happy. I would give money to under privileged schools in places such as big cities like New York and rural areas like Appalachia. I would buy new textbooks and technology such as computers and televisions for the schools to use. I would give school supplies such as notebooks, pencils, pens, paper, and crayons to students who couldn’t afford them. I would also buy sports equipment such as kick-balls, soccer balls, footballs, and jump ropes for Physical Education class and after school programs, so that students could stay fit. I would also try and set up a scholarship program in high schools, for students to get to college. A college education would mean a lot for students whose families might not have that much money.

I would want to help these underprivileged schools, because I think that education is really important. I am fortunate enough to live in a good area and go to a good school. I also plan on going to college. I know that not everyone has this privilege. A good education is a base that these students could use their whole lives. There are so many people I wish I could help, but I feel like this is an important thing that could really help and change people’s lives! I wish I could do it for real, not just write about it!

If you were president of the United States, what’s the first thing you would do to change the Country and why?

If i were president of the United States, the first thing I would do to change the country is stop outsourcing jobs from the U.S to other countries. By doing this the rate of unemployment, poverty , people starving would not be on the rise. there are so many factories closed in the U.S currently that have moved to other countries just because they don’t want to pay the individuals what there work is worth. They go to other countries like China And India in order to pay less than minimum wage. Yet those individuals who make up the united states are working middle class. I would make sure that all jobs are left here to ensure that the rate of unemployment does not increase. With jobs available there would be less poverty. I would make it possible to achieve the “American Dream” . “A Piece of The Pie”. People who own homes would not have to worry about increased mortgage rates where they couldn’t pay and end up loosing their homes to foreclosure. The tax that president Bush tries to accommodate for the rich and the wealthy, I would not do because i believe everyone should  live comfortably depending on what they make as a salary for a living. Not everyone is lucky to be born with a silver spoon in their mouths or have a lucky break.

So if i were president of the U.S, I would make sure there are plenty of jobs available so the economy would be where it should be. I would also see that public schools are funded in order for every child to have a fair chance at education like private schools. Make learning more interesting so that kids don’t get bored and cause problems in the classrooms. These are the two things I would change if i were president of the United States.

Your President,
Brittany

If you won $100,000 today and could only spend that money on people other than yourself,  who would you spend it on, what would you buy them and what would the reason be for?

Hey it’s Ariann again also known as Ari. The question is what would I do with $100,000 and who would I give it to???$100,000??? Wow that’s a lot. Hmmm. If I had $100,000 I would first give $20,000 to my mom. Though she acts like she has everything in order, I know that this money would help ease her financial burdens.

I love Jamaica!!! That’s where my family is from. The problem in Jamaica is that some schools cannot afford textbooks for students. I would give at least $30,000 to a school in Jamaica to open a library where its students could access the textbooks they need. I believe that everyone should have a good education.

Oh my gosh!! By the time I finish the next paragraph, I won’t have any money to donate. (Laugh). It’s okay because I love giving. I would give $30,000 to local soup kitchens. The price of food (and everything else) has been rising. I know that these funds would help feed a few people who would be most grateful.

The last $20,000 would go to a local charity such as the Red Cross. I chose this charity because the money would go towards the people who had to suffer during the terrible hurricanes and disasters that happen in their countries such as Hurricane Katrina. A lot of people died, lost their families, homes, food, money, EVERTHING!! These victims need our help and this money would make a BIG difference in their lives. Just by giving makes a difference. Go out there, serve your community, and MAKE A CHANGE!!!!