Exploration Two: Andrew Balsiger

     My name is Andrew Balsiger and I am a Freshman. I am currently majoring in chemistry but I don't know exactly what I want to do when I graduate. My fun fact I shared in class is that I have been volunteering with dog rescues for about four years. My family and I began doing this when our golden retriever died. At the time we had another golden retriever who was having trouble dealing with his death. While we were looking for another dog we began talking with a dog rescue and have been volunteering ever since. Currently at my house we have nine dogs of our and one foster dog up for adoption. I have played golf my entire life and played four years on my high school golf team. I have an older brother named Rob who is now a junior Ohio State's main campus. Before both me and my brother were born our parents bought a timeshare at a condo on Sanibel Island in Florida. Every year in may we go there for two weeks, however during high we were unable to go because of AP testing.

This is a picture of my family and I 

on the Sanibel Island Beach.

     I decided to research Frederick Douglass who was a stand out supporter for equal opportunity for everyone. I found it interesting that he not only believed in equality for all african americans he was also an undeniable supporter for women's rights. He wasn't one that just wanted african americans to be free and equal he believed that every person in America should not be viewed poorly and given less rights based on their race or gender. Here is a link to a short biography of Frederick Douglass  http://www.frederickdouglass.org/douglass_bio.html

     The poem I enjoyed reading the most was Bury Me in a Free Land by Frances E. W. Harper. I liked this poem the best because the message was clear to me and I like poems that rhyme. Her language stood out with her use and choice of adjectives and her use of similies and metaphors. I didn't have any questions about the poem itself however it would be interesting to see what people thought of it at the time it was written. 

     The book Scratch Beginnings by Adam W. Shepard is a true story where Adam set out to prove there was still an American Dream. He set out with only $25 dollars in a completely new city away from his home in North Carolina and set a goal to establish himself within a year. This book had an impact on me because it wasn't just about proving that the American Dream is still a real thing but it showed just how hard someone has to work to accomplish their goals. He lived in a homeless shelter while doing dead end jobs until he was able to move out and basically restart his life. It is an inspiring story because it proves to anybody that if you work hard and put your mind to whatever your goal is, then you can accomplish it.