Letter From OU

To all Seniors at Keller High! Do not let this year be your blow off! High school doesn't prepare you enough for college. Make sure you stay on top of your studies and seriously take at least 1-2 hours a day reading. If not you will not do well in college. Take advantage of the "free classes" you are in right now because for the next 4-6 years you will be paying and wanting to study to be able to stay in school. All the preparation is worth it and don't fall into too much partying. Join the greek life, it is a great way to broaden your social network. There will always be people who are in your major too and it's a great help! Other than that you will love college no matter where you go, but especially OU :)

Bystander Behavior

     I am usually not the person to be a bystander, in fact I always feel as though I need to put my "two sense" in. Although that is not always the best idea, I can't help it!
     One night I was driving home from a Student Council meeting and I saw a girl about 15 years old walking home and it was reaching about 8:30 so it was beginning to get dark. As I was driving closer to her I thought about just pulling over and picking her up because I wasn't sure what might happen if she kept walking later in the dark. However, that quick instant slipped on by and I for some odd reason kept on driving. I thought about it the rest of the night in hopes that she got home safe. I felt bad so the next week I offered a ride home to a younger stuco member.
     Last summer I was walking out of Walmart and I heard an older man "call out" to me but I didn't respond. He continuously kept on talking and following me. I hopped into my car and locked the door. He ran into his car and backed out as fast as he could to get up behind mine. He followed me all the way down the main street as he made faces I could see in my rear view mirror. The weird thing is was that there were multiple families walking around and saw all of this happen and no one said or did anything. I called my dad and he told me to pull into a random neighborhood and luckily I lost him and was able to get back home.
      I think people at this age are still in their "cool mode" where they feel as though if they step in they will look stupid. Everyone wants to leave drama back at highschool so if they intervene then they are immature or are told to mind their own business. People need to get over this image because if not many bad things will continue to happen, with just one person stepping in they could save a life!

Priorities

It seems as though I have brought all of my priorities with me to OU. I had to focus on school and maintain straight A's, do laundry, wash dishes, teach dance classes, and plan for student council events.  Not much has changed except for the fact that my dad says he is "paying me to go to school" and so that is my new job. Currently USING takes up most of my time and when I am not practicing I am studying at any place I find that is quiet. I happen to love having my priorities figured out, it keeps me on track as well as organized.

Influences

    My mother has been the most influential person by far throughout my life.  I look up to her and her amazing qualities. She is strong willed, grounded and extremely positive even during the toughest of situations. I can only hope that one day I will possess all of those. 

    Observing everyday life influences me. It is hard to focus just on yourself, when you step into someone else's life you can really get a good view of the world. 

    Since high school I have realized who is honest and who to depend on when facing hard times. You cannot always look to your first immediate reaction and go to your best friend or even a family member. Only being at OU for a month has helped me see what I really need and want in life. I want that person to continue influencing me in a positive way, however, I know now that everywhere you look you are getting influenced negatively as well. 

Who am I?

My name is Ellery Victoria Long. I was born in Upland, California and have lived in many different cities among CA. My favorite being San Jose in Northern CA; I lived there for 9 years. I moved to Texas at the age of twelve and began ballroom dancing. It quickly became my passion and now takes up most of my time. I love to travel, fortunately my dad travels out of the country weekly so my family and I get to take advantage of those trips and join him! My favorite place I have visited was definitely be the Palace of Versailles in France.

I chose the name "Cellery Ellery" because that is what I have to introduce myself as when I meet people because some how they just can't say "Ellery" haha. It is quite entertaining especially when people think that they are original for saying it. I have been called it my whole life and so far it hasn't gotten old! :)