Three essays about the Most Excellent Essay
Erika Archussachat
5/08/06
"Determination"
An essay written in Ms. Alam's English class describing the MEE project in Mr. Johnson's history class.
“Today, you are
going to start your Most Excellent Essay,” Mr. Johnson reported. That
was when I got to finally experience what he had been telling us about
since the beginning of the year, writing an essay about the Age
of Exploration. When we were all on our own after the group work,
I began to struggle with the Most Excellent Essay. I made a commitment
to myself that Iwould try everyday and finish this essay.
On the first day of working on my Most Excellent Essay, Mr. Johnson assigned us into groups that would help us learn about the Age of Exploration. After working together for the whole period, everyone was on their own. I felt like I could not get any air into my stomach because of all the butterflies squished together inside. The Age of Exploration had to deal with many technological advances that helped explorers on their journeys, or the unforgettable voyages, which discovered different routes or places, but more importantly, the famous people, who created a time of adventure, courage, and accomplishment. Technological advances were keys to opening the door for the explorers. Important journeys were experiences that allowed people to discover a new world. Memorable individuals created a time that many people would always remember.
On my first try, I could not even get past the first sentence! At the beginning, I struggled and had a lot of trouble just getting past the first sentence, but loved the challenge of this Most Excellent Essay and I continued trying. Everyday when I came to Mr. Johnson to get my essay checked, he would always find something wrong about it. My third paragraph was very hard to pass, and I soon felt like it would take me a year to pass it, but I was still determined and kept checking my essay everyday. I knew that if I was determined to finish this essay, I would finish it. By the time I got to my fifteenth try, I decided to check my essay twice a day because I really wanted to pass it, also knowing if I didn’t, it would drop my grade ten percent. The last sentence then came along when I was about on my nineteenth or twentieth try and on my twenty first try, Mr. Johnson told me that if I would just fix the final error I would get past the last sentence, which got me jumpy.
After school, I nervously walked up to Mr. Johnson to get my essay corrected. As I stood there, I was so nervous, I felt like I was going to faint. I was a nervous wreck. Mr. Johnson read my last sentence over and I was through with my last sentence, but I could not be so cocky because he had to do one last review over the whole essay. In my mind I began to remember the first time I got my essay checked, how much I tried everyday, and how much effort I put into doing this essay. Just standing there as still as the door, I waited and watched his pen being used as a pointer. The next thing I know, Mr. Johnson turns to me, while his hand moved toward me and he said aloud, “Congratulations. this is a Most Excellent Essay.” Once those heavenly words came out of his mouth, I was so happy and relieved, I felt like I had accomplished the hardest task I have ever had in my life. My spear was finally sharp enough to slay the dragon.
The challenge of writing a perfect essay on the Age of Exploration got me excited. Although it was very hard, I never quit. As a result, I accomplished my goal and was the first girl to finish. Passing the Most Excellent Essay was an event that changed me greatly because I learned that determination leads to accomplishment.
On the first day of working on my Most Excellent Essay, Mr. Johnson assigned us into groups that would help us learn about the Age of Exploration. After working together for the whole period, everyone was on their own. I felt like I could not get any air into my stomach because of all the butterflies squished together inside. The Age of Exploration had to deal with many technological advances that helped explorers on their journeys, or the unforgettable voyages, which discovered different routes or places, but more importantly, the famous people, who created a time of adventure, courage, and accomplishment. Technological advances were keys to opening the door for the explorers. Important journeys were experiences that allowed people to discover a new world. Memorable individuals created a time that many people would always remember.
On my first try, I could not even get past the first sentence! At the beginning, I struggled and had a lot of trouble just getting past the first sentence, but loved the challenge of this Most Excellent Essay and I continued trying. Everyday when I came to Mr. Johnson to get my essay checked, he would always find something wrong about it. My third paragraph was very hard to pass, and I soon felt like it would take me a year to pass it, but I was still determined and kept checking my essay everyday. I knew that if I was determined to finish this essay, I would finish it. By the time I got to my fifteenth try, I decided to check my essay twice a day because I really wanted to pass it, also knowing if I didn’t, it would drop my grade ten percent. The last sentence then came along when I was about on my nineteenth or twentieth try and on my twenty first try, Mr. Johnson told me that if I would just fix the final error I would get past the last sentence, which got me jumpy.
After school, I nervously walked up to Mr. Johnson to get my essay corrected. As I stood there, I was so nervous, I felt like I was going to faint. I was a nervous wreck. Mr. Johnson read my last sentence over and I was through with my last sentence, but I could not be so cocky because he had to do one last review over the whole essay. In my mind I began to remember the first time I got my essay checked, how much I tried everyday, and how much effort I put into doing this essay. Just standing there as still as the door, I waited and watched his pen being used as a pointer. The next thing I know, Mr. Johnson turns to me, while his hand moved toward me and he said aloud, “Congratulations. this is a Most Excellent Essay.” Once those heavenly words came out of his mouth, I was so happy and relieved, I felt like I had accomplished the hardest task I have ever had in my life. My spear was finally sharp enough to slay the dragon.
The challenge of writing a perfect essay on the Age of Exploration got me excited. Although it was very hard, I never quit. As a result, I accomplished my goal and was the first girl to finish. Passing the Most Excellent Essay was an event that changed me greatly because I learned that determination leads to accomplishment.
Brenda Salazar
5/10/08
"Worth the Effort"
An essay written in Mrs. Wilken's English class describing the MEE project in Mr. Johnson's history class.
“Remember, it’s my job to fail you, and what is yours, Brenda?” asked my seventh grade world history teacher, Mr. Johnson.
“To pass it,” I replied. I had memorized the answer to the question he’d asked so many times before. He loved to challenge his students, and if it weren’t for this one assignment, I would never have the confidence or willingness to be the center of attention I posses now.
It all began one warm spring morning as I stepped inside the history classroom, one of my favorite places to be on campus. Everyone sat in their seats, and we took attendance. After concluding that each student was present, Mr. Johnson assigned the class what he called the Most Excellent Essay. “You can either receive an A or an F on it, and any more than a mistake will automatically give you an F.” Everyone gasped. He further explained that the topic of the essay would be the Age of Exploration and that wrinkles and crooked staples would count as mistakes. I was slightly relieved to hear that we would have as many chances to pass the Most Excellent Essay as we could fit into a period of nine weeks. Still, I was extremely overwhelmed, for it took the student who passed it in the least amount of times three tries before he got it perfectly. Then I wondered if maybe I could be the one to beat that astounding record.
A few days later in that same classroom, some students had already written and typed out their essays, and as they handed them to Mr. Johnson, I wondered whether or not it was wise of me to not have finished my own. However when I did turn it in, which was a couple of days later, I was feeling fairly confident. That confidence wore away when Mr. Johnson called out, “Brenda,” a sign for me to rise from my seat and make my way over to where he was sitting. He began to read as I stood there next to him. An enormous lump invaded my throat. Without warning, I heard, “You have made it through the first paragraph of the essay, mistake-free,” and later, “I have read through the first four paragraphs without finding a single error.” My excitement could hardly be contained. I was so saddened when two mistakes were found in the end.
I was expecting the next day at school to be an ordinary one until someone in my math class said, “I heard you made it to paragraph four of your Most Excellent Essay.” I nodded, not feeling extremely comfortable with the attention. Shortly after, another twelve people confronted me, either to praise me for getting so far on the first attempt, or to ask if they had permission to borrow my essay to use when writing theirs. I got more and more used to hearing these words, but all too soon, the day when I’d try to pass and break the record, came, and I was as nervous as nervous could be when Mr. Johnson said my name. “Okay, I need complete silence while I read Brenda’s Most Excellent Essay,” he said, which, as you can imagine, made me even more terrified! He started reading from the fifth and last paragraph and found nothing. In a low and somewhat disappointed tone of voice he said, “You are on final review.” My heart skipped a beat. I wanted so badly to fast-forward time because the tension was simply unbearable. Then POOF! My hopes burst up into flames. “You need to capitalize “captain”. Oh, and replace “found” with a better word.” His words, though not harsh, were like a slap in the face. I had come so close.
Later that week, I became really determined to pass the Most Excellent Essay. A number of students had asked me if I had passed, and it hurt more and more each time I responded, “No.” So during history, Mr. Johnson once again collected the 10-or-so essays from his students. He went through them all and saved mine for last. I walked up to him, really expecting the worst. All eyes were on me as he scanned my paper for errors. It was the longest four minutes of my entire life. Mr. Johnson extended his hand, and I knew that could only mean one thing. “Congratulations. This is a Most Excellent Essay,” he announced. I shook his hand and wished the moment could have lasted just a bit longer when it was all over. The record still stood at three tries, but I felt just as proud of myself as I would have been if I had beaten it. Plus, I was the first student to pass that school year.
Looking back on the experience, I realize that there was much more to it than conquering an incredible feat. I couldn’t believe how many students came up to me and told me how stunned they were about the matter. “You know you love the attention!” teased my friend, and the truth is I did. My transformation in character was and still is shocking. Overall, Mr. Johnson and the Most Excellent Essay have changed my life for the better in so many different ways.
Clint Forster
5/11/10
"Lucky 108"
An essay written in Mrs. Wilken's English class describing the MEE project in Mr. Johnson's history class.
It was probably one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do, and I had no idea it was coming my way. He assigned it to his class every year. Every student coming into his class knew that the day would have to come. As months passed the tension grew and grew in each one of our body’s until that fateful day on February 23rd, 2010, it happened.
It was a gloomy cold Tuesday morning and the sun had just arisen from the dirty black horizon and I felt fantastic. I quickly got dressed, hopped in the car and went to school. My whole day was going just as I hoped it would until period 5. Period 5 was my history class and as I took my seat the adrenaline from playing football on the yard was still pumping through my veins. I rapidly scanned the board to see what was for homework, and then I froze as a cold chill went down my spine. It said, “Write first draft of Most Excellent Essay.” I didn’t know what to do so I stared at Mr. Johnson then I got lost in emptiness at my desk thinking of how I was going to get through the rest of the day. From then on I knew it was going to be a long week.
March 23rd, 2010, I got up in an awful mood, just like any other day. I got my back pack and packed the usual supplies, notebook, binder, homework, and then made my way to school. Period 5 was my first period that day and I wasn’t looking forward to getting criticism on my Most Excellent Essay. Just like the day before he called my name and I dragged myself over to him. Nothing, not a single thing happened and I was still on my first paragraph. Just as I was about to leave the classroom he called me over to him.
“Yes,” I said.
I was actually afraid at what he was going to answer back, but it was much worse than I had imagined.
“Prepare for disappointment,” he said softly.
I know he was just trying to prepare me for the worst, but I couldn’t help but feel sorry for myself. All I could do was swallow my sadness and try not to remember what he said.
April 3rd – 4th 2010, as I woke up from my sleepless night it was all too easy to be ashamed of myself for only being 2 paragraphs into my Most Excellent Essay. Almost 2 months in and today was the 2nd to last day to turn it in. It was an even day and even though I didn’t have Mr. Johnson’s class I stayed in until 4:30 waiting line after line for corrections to be made. First day of staying in was a success and a failure all at the same time. I managed to get a ton load of corrections but I still didn’t make it. The next day I woke up at 6:30 to get to school and get corrections for my Most Excellent Essay and all I could think about were the words, “prepare for disappointment”. Inch by inch and step by step I finally made it to the door before, BRRIINNGG!!! I had history last that day and as I stepped through the door I could feel greatness zooming into me. I couldn’t stop saying to myself, “you’ll pass Clint, you’ll pass.” Quickly right after that I wasn’t going to leave that classroom disappointed. It was too hard to walk away failing so I stayed until Mr. Johnson made me leave. As I walked into the classroom I knew this was my time. I went up to him determined to pass, and then he said, “You’re in final review.” I couldn’t believe it but it was already 4:18 and I only had ten minutes, so I dashed to the computer and fixed every one of my mistakes. I checked two, no, three times and I gave him my paper. I was staring right into his pupils waiting for an answer until he said,
“I found a mistake,” and my heart jumped like it was hooked to a cable box.
“I can’t find anything else wrong with your paper.” I couldn’t believe it. As I went to the board to write down my number and name I remembered my number, number 108.
