Friends
Every day here at JMS, you see small groups of students engaged in casual conversation. These groups are called friends. Why are these students actually together?
"I know that I can trust them," said 7th grader Derek Gilmore.
"Their cool, stick by my side, and they are the people I hang out with,"
stated Meghan Nye an eighth grader here at JMS.
Most people live by what is called the Ten Commandments of Friendship- 1.
Speak to people--there is nothing as nice as a cheerful word of greeting.
2. Smile at people-it takes seventy-two muscles to frown but only fourteen
to smile! 3. Call people by name--the sweetest music to anyone's ear is the
sound of their own name. 4. Be friendly and helpful--if you would have friend's,
be friendly. 5. Be cordial--speak and act as if everything you do were a real
pleasure. 6. Be genuinely interested in people--you can like everyone if you
try. 7. Be generous with praise, cautious with criticism. 8. Be considerate
of the feelings of others--it will be appreciated. 9. Be thoughtful of the
opinions of others. 10. Be alert to give service--life is not for receiving.
How much do you value your friendships? How much are friends a part of your
life? Eighty percent of people surveyed stated that they are very important.
"We have the same personality, a lot in common, and we make each other
laugh," are some of the reasons that Brittiany Griffin, Krissie Hickson,
Jessica Odom, and Lindsay Rogers all 7th graders here at JMS are friends.
It seems that most people float towards others of the same personality, taste
in style, and if they can make each other laugh. What are some of the other
reasons people are friends?
Alina Trump and Amber Martin agreed saying,
"I can trust them and I have known them for a long time."
An English publication offered a prize for the best definition of a friend,
and among the thousands of answers received were the following:"One who
multiplies joys, and divides grief.""One who understands our silence.""A
volume of sympathy bound in cloth.""A watch which beats true for
all time and never runs down."But here is the definition that won the
prize:" A friend--the one who comes in when the whole world has gone
out."
There are so many questions that everyone goes through when trying to decide
a friend. "Are they nice, can they be trusted, and will they accept me
for who I am?" are just some of the many things ask themselves
Parents are even worried when it come to their children making friends. They
are asking themselves things like : "Why are friends so important to
young teens, How do teens choose their friends, How can I influence my teen's
choice of friends, What are the typical ways teens this age socialize, and
What do I need to know about peer pressure?" So as you can tell kids
your not the only ones stressing about this topic; your parents are to because
they want you as safe as possible.
Kristin Kealaula thinks she is friends with the people because they are trustworthy
and they make her laugh.
It seems that each individual person has their own reasons for choosing friends.
Next time you sit down and talk to your friends think about what your reasons
are.
BY: KATELYN BAIRD & SARAH FOWLER
