My Future Is Bright

The saying 'when one door closes, another one opens' is pretty true. Today I experienced it first-hand. About a month ago I applied to Johnson & Wales University in Northern Florida. I chose that school because they offer culinary arts as a major. I love to cook and experiment with food, so I thought that it would be a good fit for me. My best friend in the whole wide world applied there too so that was an added plus. I've never been to Florida. I thought it would be nice to live down there for a while. But my world came crashing down and shattered into oodles of pieces last week. I received a letter from the school saying that I was denied. As soon as I read those horrible words, I began to get teary eyed. I felt bad. I didn't want to go to school anymore, or eat, or anything. I stayed in my room. However, today my confidence was restored a little. Allegheny University in Meadville, Pennsylvania contacted me. Their Chief Admissions Officer emailed me letting me know that all of my materials were submitted. Then he added that he has a "good feeling" that I'll become an Allegheny Gator really soon. Allegheny was one of my top schools. If I get accepted I'll be the happiest person ever.

Confessions of a Senior

Hello world! I am Jonae Hodge. Nobody usually calls me that though. I tend to go by Jon or Nae, but NEVER together. I am a current senior at good ol’ Thurgood. I am a fun kid. I love to laugh and play. People that think I’m always serious or mad OBVIOUSLY don’t know anything about me. I am a total goofball. My best friend is the most incredible person ever! When we get together, we can’t stop laughing. I am an honest person. A lot of my honesty is taken as being “mean,” but that’s never the case. I never try to intentionally hurt people. I am very trust worthy. I am loving and kind. And full of excitement. Smiling is probably my favorite thing to do (next to listen to music of course). In Computer Apps 2, we have to blog regularly. I hope that blogging will allow me to become a better writer, and offer people a look into my life through my big spectacles. I think that blogging will also keep me up-to-date with news and the happenings of the outside world. Blogging seems fun because it can become a new outlet when I’m stressed or need to talk. But then I think about whether people would want to read what I have to say.

Secret Meetings in Murder Trial

Chandra Levy was born in 1977 in Cleveland, Ohio. At some point in her life she moved to the Nation’s Capital. She worked at the Federal Bureau of Prisons here in DC. Levy was enjoyed jogging and visiting local parks. In 2001, she went missing. She was last seen exercising in Rock Creek Park. A whole year after she disappeared, Chandra Levy’s skeletal remains were found in a wooded area near the park. The case was determined to be a homicide.

In 2010 Ingmar Guandique was charged and convicted with Levy’s murder. There was no DNA evidence or witnesses that pinned Guandique with her death. However, Armando Morales, an inmate, testified at the trial saying that Guandique confessed to him that he killed Levy. The only thing the prosecution can use against Guandique is Morales’ testimony. But how credible is Mr. Morales? The prosecution also believes that Chandra’s death fit into the other attacks committed by Guadique.

The closed hearings show signs that there could be potential problems with the previous conviction. If Morales testimony proves to be false, Ingmar Guandique may have a chance to reduce his sentence. Levy’s father said that Guandique was a “convicted rapist and an illegal alien," but added, "if he's innocent of murder, he shouldn't be in jail for it."