This I Believe

In May, the junior literature students did a project in my class that took on a life of it’s own. I asked them to write a one page essay on what they believe. They spent a month going through the writing process based on a fleeting idea I had for the project. We used prompts from the NPR radio program, "This I Believe" where people share their most valued beliefs about life in simple stories. Students who didn’t do work all year put their whole heart into their essay, and other student’s eyes lite up with excitement from the challenge. The last day of class we gathered and the students shared their essays aloud and spoke with conviction about ideas which became real through exposure. English is their second language, and the students are in high school, so many of their essays revolved around simple love, friends, family, and honesty. Still, to establish these beliefs in a solid way seemed to empower them. So, I would like to present some of the essays that the students wrote, and I would encourage you to consider writing a "This I Believe" essay after I saw how productive the exercise was for the students. The essays are in their original form despite potentially confusing sections in order to maintain the translation of their ideas.

I Believe in a Special Friendship
by Brandson Refilong

I once came to understand myself by being alone. I did everything by myself, even easiest and hardest issues, I take care of them by myself alone. I started my journey of exploring the life of the earth alone by myself.
As I proceed on, I faced many difficulties that made me want to escape the world, but I stopped for some minutes and thought about it. An idea came to mind immediately that I needed someone to talk it over with, to relax my mind.
I believe in a special friendship as I took some time to understand what a special friendship meant, nothing, no words can express how special, how important and how wonderful a friendship is.
Without friendship, I wouldn’t fully understand who I am. I learned a lot by living out the life of a special friendship. At many times I felt lonely and deeply down during times of sadness, sufferness and mourning. As true friendship, friend are the one who cheer me up and lead me out of any troubles coming my way.
When times of happiness come as true friendship, friend and I enjoy together and this I believe in a special friendship. Without friends of this special friendship I wouldn’t smile at the happy moments of our friendship.
When I couldn’t find my way out of the maze of difficulties I face, I called upon friends to help me find my way out. I believe in a special friendship we seek help in each others, we find comfort out of each others as well as we enjoy happiness from each others. Friends and I belong together, we remember each others and we live in each others by heart. This I believe in a special friendship.

Brandson James Refilong was born in Guam and raised in Chuuk. He graduated from Iras Demo school and went to SCA. He’s still attending SCA and he’s a senior to be, class of 2009.



I Believe in Always Being There
by Nelly Seluaina Killion

Never before in my life have I started a new school year and a new experience. During my junior year I only started off the 2nd semester which wasn’t enough. But even then, I believed in the moon for always being there. It watches over us even in times that we are apart, like when I’m in someplace else. The moon is always there constantly watching over us in times when falling and starting new things all over and over again, it leads you out of nowhere. The moon always being there watches us as we start a new life when growing up. Although, beginning of something is more like a coconut. Evaluating your life to starts off with a fresh start. A young coconut grows old, dies out , and falls to the ground. Yet at the same time it begins to live again as the roots shoot out and there it goes "starts something new". Looking down on you as life grows older and overcome the obstacles that try to brother you. Nevertheless, like th moon that is always there watching us both day and night. Seemingly a portion of cloud come and cover us as it shatters down blessings upon us, somehow felt overwhelmed by joy and never realizing it looking down on you. But as soon as daylight falls moon rises we fall in the hands of dream, when it is the time to be recognized but yet being ignored. It watches us as we sleep the night away like it never exists. I always wander every time I walk my journey and new things rise up my way. When trials come my way I try to put my human nature down. I see it shining, and it keeps me warm as life grows older and colder, it makes me to think and ponder beyond my life. I’ve rarely felt alone, but somehow I felt like being loved by my family, relative, and friends. Just as how we get new blessings in every days of our lives from God. And it is how we deliberate on life further more. Always being there as you start something never before seen, herd, or known that you are always loved and loved by others. For it is better to be loved and loose love rather than not to love and be loved at all. For this I believe, in always being there and starting something new.

Nelly Seluaina is from Fiji, half cast Micronesian FSM, Chuuk. Currently attending Saramen Chuuk Academy. Grew up in Chuuk and is best known as one of the ten sisters in her junior year.


I Believe in the Old Traditional Beliefs
by Jessicalyn Hartman

A long time ago there were powerful, well-respected beliefs such as; black magic, spells, ghosts, dark spirits, etc...The people of long time ago believed in what they can do with their bare hands. One local medicine is one of the most powerful things they can do with both bands and their chants, magical old wise words, and by the purification of faith in their works.
When I was in 5th grade one of my cousins had a skin rash that was seriously hurting and very painful. My aunties took here to the hospital, and the doctors gave her medicines but it took a while to cure the skin rash and she suffered more. My mom decided to teach me the local medicine that are taken and made by the roots of a particular plant in Chuuk.
I learned it, believed in it, and it’s a gift from my mom. Then I use it to help my cousin, I got the medicine, the local medicine and cured the skin rash. I tried it on and just within 6 days or so, the skin rash was gone. I was shocked that it really worked. I’ve learned a lesson from this, which is; if we have faith and always believe in something it will happen just as you wish for.
These are the gifts rooted in places all over the world from God. It is a knowledgeable gift for us to use. In order to use these particular kinds of gifts, we have to respect the gods and goddesses who own the trees or else we will get sick. Use them respectively and wisely only when needed or asked. For I believe in the old traditional beliefs and I’m very much thankful. Accept life, for you never know the time. Life is God’s novel so let him write it for you. You’ve got to keep your mind wide open to all the possibilities, and you’ve got to live with your eyes open, believe in what you see.
Traditional beliefs get me through daily life by keeping up my faith in God and the old wise elderly words. They’re powerful and very helpful to the understanding of respect to our daily life’s complex situations (problems). God with the flow, and the flow will take you very low. For this I believe in the old traditional beliefs. APW UU!!

Jessicalyn Hartman is the first born daughter of Mr. And Mrs. Julian Hartman. Born asa dual citizen. She was elected as one of the local close-up students in the year 2008. She is now currently attending SCA as a junior student in 2007-2008.

I Believe in Nature
by T.J. Sappa

The nature that God has given us on this island of no where now we called the world. For the praise and glory of our father he gave us everything that we need for our lives. For examples: God created the world and created the nature of the world.
I believe, nature is one the things that God made. God also made the beauty of the world nature. And God also made the beauty of your own nature and gave you everything that you need. For these reason I believe that the Saramen Chuuk girls are ugly when they don’t smile, but if they do, I believe that they see and feel it that there is a beautiful nature around them. Therefore, I believe that we the students of SCA should exercise how to take good care of our nature but not to destroy it.
Girls, look around you see the things are gone the respect of you r own nature. Boys, look around see the tears are falling and remember to protect the promise of the future. I believe if we put our hearts and minds together we will see love and peace through the nature of God has given us all.

T.J. Sappa is a junior at SCA and plays on the basketball, volleyball, and track team. He is from Fefen, the farming island in the lagoon.

Why We Should Believe in Sisters
by Lelani Noporu

I believe that having a sister is a great big thing. I myself believe in my sister, and in my life I trusther very much. She is the only one whom I’ve ever been with and I have trusted her in my whole life. She is nice and kind to me and to others. We’ve been together ever since we were little and we shared a lot in common. I loved her very much and I treasure her the most. She confided in me when she is down and needed help as I have with her. The more our love grows it is like when a plant fertilizes. As sisters we share things in life. Sharing secrets is one things sisters always do. They confide in each other and that’s what brings them closer to each other. The relationship my sister and I have is an unbreakable relationship and it defines us as loving, caring sisters. Sharing with one another builds a bond between us and I can assure you if you have this kind of bond with your sister, you will feel what I have felt now. Being so close with your sister will be difficult to separate the two you.
So, neither we trust each other nor hate each other we still love each other and always patient with one another because we know each other well. I was thinking that my sister is my angel. I’m too close with her; I’m not even that close with my parents or my brother, only her. First, what is the reason why I have trust in her? It is because she is the only person that could calm me down from pains and sympathy in our family or in what I have thought of too much.
Likewise, when my mom and dad scold me she is the only one who stopped them from scolding me. She is so calm in every way she makes peace in our family and always put some sense in to our heads. Even when I cry she calms me down and finds something will make me smile and lough. When I do every wrongdoing she is always there by my side to tell me not to do it because it is not good. Every time I am down or depress, she is always there to enlighten me, to encourage me, and to lift me. She is always the only one to stand in my footsteps and to explain to my parents what I have done wrong and she will always try to make them understand and know why I did it even when she knew it was not good.

My name is Lelani Noporu. I was born in March fourteen nineteen ninety- two. I was born in Chuuk State Hospital located in Weno, Nantaku. I was raised in the hand of my mother and father who are pure Chuukese. I am from the island of Fono and was raised there. At age four I attened St. Cecilia, and then got accepted into SCA, one of the best schools in the nation. Now, as a junior I aim to finish high school and to a valuable college that will contribute more to her. She is majoring in traveling and business. These are her goals she has hoped to fulfill. Hopefully she will graduate from SCA in two thousand nine. She had hope to walk out of the SCDC with a whole load of knowledge that will guide her and help her throughout her journey into the new world waiting for her days to come.


My Journal that had Come True
by Elua Hiromy Mori

I believe in writing journal. I believe that the writings in our journals such as: dreams, wishes, feelings and desires will slowly come to reality if you are being patient.
It was on a school day that I come to believe, that the writings in our journal can really come to reality. I was roaming around on campus during lunch, when they called me in into principal’s office. I went in fearfully and sat down. Instead of him saying the school regulations, he said, "You’ve been chosen to represent our school to a school program at Washington, D.C.." From there one of my dreams spoke out. November 31, 2007 I went off to Washington. December 1st, I arrived at George Bush International Airport. Starting at the place where I was standing and seeing the surroundings I could not believe where I was, for I felt nervous, excited, missing my friends and lonely being away. It was my first time being away far away from my home and my beloved friends, and family. Along with me, I had my journal. The journal was always there for me to write my emotional sensations. I wrote everything , the excitments, the feeling and that includes the dream that I ever wanted. December 11th, I came back to where I belong. As seen as I stepped off the plane, looking out to the people I had a proud feeling of being back home safe and sound. A few days later I experienced a feeling, a feeling that I never thought I will only dreamt of it. A feeling that I have been attracted to, cannot forget, been happy with it and never can do I let go, like a tree rooted to the ground, cannot let go of the ground unless it dies out. The feeling that I had was love. I have love a person and in return the person loves me back. To flashback, this has already been written in my journal. It was my dream I ever wanted written in my journal, now has come true.

Elua Hiromy Mori is from the Mortlocks Islands, Oneop; grew up in Weno, Chuuk in the village of Iras, Kurassa. She won the scholarship of the whole school year of 2006-2007, and had been awarded the student of the year. She is now attending SCA and will be a senior next year.


I Believe in the Good in the Worst Night I’ve Ever Had


One night I was with my two sisters getting ready to go to bed. While we were in our room, my cousin came in and told me that I had a phone call. I went out and picked up the phone, my best friend was crying, I was confused. I asked her over and over and then finally she said that the boy I went out with passed away. I was shocked, I didn’t know what to do or what to say at all, and I didn’t even cry too. My best friend asked me if she can come pick up so that we can go to the hospital, but I told her that it is not a good time to go somewhere at night, but can be the next day. I hung up the phone and cried. I was thinking what I’ve done wrong that made him kill himself. The next day I called up my friends and they were all feeling sorry for me. All I said to them, is that I’m okay and they don’t have to worry too much. The boy that I going out with had a sister who is older than him. She called my house and talked to me, she said for me to go to the funeral. I was all messed up, because my mom didn’t want me to go. I was down for about one month or so. He died during the summer of 2007. I cried so much for this boy because I’ve known that he respected , care, and love me. I can’t let him out of my mind and can’t forget the things that he did for me. I was hoping that I could have another person like him and it will last forever. I believe that all the respect, cares, and loves he did were all send from above and I’m so thanksful for it. This I believe.



I Believe in an Unexpected Relationship
by Jollet Suda

They started a special friendship with so much caring, respect, and not to mention the important of all is "love". It was such a pleasure to start this special friendship; that she didn’t even realize how wonderful that moment was.
As time went on, they built up their friendship with so much love, caring, understanding, and happiness as true friendship should be. Eventually it put pressure to push that someone and her together. All she knew about was the friendship alone and nothing else beside that.
Joking is her favorite part of having their special friendship. She never fell the loneliness of the world, because the laughter of all the best moment of telling stories and jokes cheer them up and lighten up all their dark times together.
Eventually, telling stories together becomes another favorite part of having the special friendship for them. They may have had times of difficulties that made them keep quiet for some minutes, wanting to break up their friendship, but remembering the best moments they had together and the importance of their special friendship becomes a fear for both of them to escape their friendship.
Unexpected, unbelievable, and unwanted; all of a sudden, there were no jokes, no stories and no sharing at all. That closeness seems to fade away. All she saw was a beautiful smile, glimpse of looks. Hellos and byes; afraid of losing her special friendship, she paused for a second and asked "what have I done wrong."
As she thought back to the past times, so far they were both doing fine, so she believed there was nothing she did to offend him. For some days, she was left alone mingling with a confused mind, thinking about what the hell makes that friend ignore and why giving her glimpse of looks.
Afer she had been left with that current problem all alone by herself, she king of realized what it was all about. She remembered that face, the smile, and the glimpse of looks and the hellos and byes. She believes they symbolize something and that something was nothing but a "REASONABLE LOVE".
Looking around by her side, day dreaming and thinking about all the past times they’ve spent together for their friendship, nothing left but a big "change". The special friendship fades into the darkness of an afternoon, realizing that the friendship itself wasn’t real. It was just a way of expressing his feeling.
That was an unexpected moment for her, surprisingly she deserved it, and at the same time she was worried if it is going to be a fake relationship again. I believe in an unexpected relationship and this I believe.

Jerleen Jollet Suda from Onei Faichuk was born in 1991 at Weno Chuuk Hospital on April 26. She was raised on the island of Weno and started her first grade year at St. Cecilia school where she fully accomplish her elementary year and received an award for being an honor student. She’s now continuing her education at SCA and known for being one of the good volleyball players of SCA.


The Emmause Retreat
by Gloria Rikat

I believe in friends and family. I believe they are the only ingredients for a perfect soul. During the Emmause retreat, I believed that my family was praying for me. I also believed that they really loved me, even though I was not with them, They still remembered me in their prayers, heart, and minds. I believe that they really care about me, because everything that I needed at the Emmause Retreat, they provided for me, because she really helps me with everything and she always encourages me to do good deeds and not do bad things. So, I believe that they really love me very much.
For my friends, I believe that they love me very much too. They also care about me, they love me very much and they also respect me as their real sister. They trust me and they open their hearts to me. I believe that they really care about me, because they speak with honesty to me and they also gave some advice to me, for good things, but not the bad things. I also believe that they really love m, because they are good and king to me. Everything that they do is really good and that’s always remember me in everything they do. This is what I believe.

Gloria Koia Rikat is a Chuukese citizen in the Federated State of Micronesia. She came from a Chuukese family of Rikat and attended SCA, and she now is a 11th grade at SCA school.


I Believe in Basketball
by Shawn Mori

Basketball has been a sport I love to play ever since I was a young boy. Makes me feel happy when I play it and it’s fun as well. From my experience of basketball, well as I mentioned earlier makes me feel happy and it’s fun to play. I games for example I feel nervous most of the times, but I try not to be. Sometimes I can’t stop my nervousness, but then as I keep on playing later my nervousness goes away and then I can play better. I used to be really short tempered when I was a little younger, when I play basketball. Most especially when I lose. Still am now but not as much as before, later I learned from my family, friends, and relatives that basketball is just basketball, a game for you to have fun. So I thank them all for that, they helped me become a better person in life and in basketball.
Basketball is just like a family, the basketball team for example you need all the players on the team to make it strong and a good team. In order to do this, they must work together and help one another, then the team will succeed in what they want to accomplish. Just the same in a family you need all the family member s to work and help one another to make it a strong, good and happy family. This I believe in basketball.

Shawn Mori is a 17 year old boy, he’s a junior at SCA and he live in Chuuk, Weno with his mom and grandparents. He was on the basketball team, which won the championship for 2007-2008.