Special Issue: SUCCESS

MOVIE REVIEWS

| ADVICE COLUMN

|

INTERVIEW OF THE MONTH | THE ART OF SUCCESS

S P E C I A L

I S S U E

SUCCESS

Success needs brains, courage, and a heart.

Because the yellow brick road leading us there is always under construction.

APRIL 2018 WHAT’S SUCCESS TO YOU? #IDefineSuccess

CONTENTS A P R I L 2 0 1 8 • V O L . 1 • N O . 1 • O F F I C I A L J O U R N A L O F T H E N AT I O N A L A P L A N G U A G E S O C I E T Y

THE DEFINITION OF SUCCESS To m a r k t h e e n d o f a s u c c e s s f u l j u n i o r y e a r o f h e r h i g h s c h o o l c a r e e r, a u t h o r M a r g a u x A u g i e r e x p l o r e s w h a t s u c c e s s t r u l y m e a n s i n t h e 2 1 s t c e n t u r y.

4 | MOVIE REVIEWS

3 | ADVICE COLUMN

Where do we see success?

Losing motivation is much

Our culture displays subtle

easier than finding it. How

hints of it everywhere.

can we push ourselves to

Yo u j u s t h a v e t o l o o k f o r i t .

become more efficient?

B y M a r g a u x A u g i e r

By Margaux Augier

Photograph by Parabola Magazine

O N T H E C O V E R P e n n y We i d n e r ( 7 5 ) ( l e f t ) a n d P e t e r We i d n e r ( 7 8 ) s a y

s u c c e s s d o e s n o t c o m e e a s y.

H o n e s t y, i n t e g r i t y, a n d

support are necessities to

achieving our goals. See

more about these

individuals on page 5.

Photo by Margaux Augier

#IDefineSuccess Society defines success by your net worth.

Morality defines success by the person inside.

How do you define success?

INSPIRATION & DEFEAT: THE ART OF SUCCESS Cavemen carved art, the founders of our country made art, and today, artists around the world still produce different types of visually-appealing artistry for society. Whether it’s vintage, mass produced, or handcrafted, art comes in many different mediums: painting and drawing, sculptures, photography, and even literature. Art appears in our everyday lives without even noticing it, all thanks to subtle marketing design techniques and

creative architects with a knack for their job.

To many, art can feel drastically defeating for those who attempt it and extremely inspiring to those who observe it.

Firstly, individuals who do not fully understand art and its uplifting effects on society might often degrade its concept. Art has never been fully accepted by society.

For example, sculpture and installation artists around the world today celebrate Yayoi Kusama, a Japanese contemporary artist born in 1929 (Zwirner). Although Kusama has produced art since she was four years old, she was not always praised for her abilities. As a young girl, her mother forbade her from painting.

Yet, Kusama persevered. She stole paints to continue her passion anyways. Her artwork which mostly focuses on recurring patterns and hallucinatory designs - help Kusama overcome her mental illnesses. By achieving this personal goal in the face of difficulty,

Kusama accurately demonstrates what really defines success: determination. Subsequently, Art historians regard Kusama as the most-likely inspiration for 1

Andy Warhol and his art - another artist who accurately portrayed success. Within Warhol’s colorful prints of author Truman Capote, he conveys a sense of Capote’s accomplishments despite his failures.

After dropping out of school for a copy boy job at the New Yorker, Capote’s boss unfortunately fired him two years later. As of today, Capote successfully sold over 40+ novels worldwide, earning him a net worth of over 10 million dollars (“Truman Capote"). Two of his most famous novels - some of which were also produced into movies - include In Cold Blood and Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

Capote accurately depicts how an individual can become successful, despite experiencing failure.

around the world today, including myself. Over the past three years, I experienced the positive effects of my hard work in art. I attribute my hard work to my strong determination and will. As I become an increasingly better artist, I become more successful as well. I believe success is all relative to hard work. After continuously putting hours upon hours of work into my art each week, it all payed off. Within the past four months, I received a Gold Key in the Chagrin Falls Art Show, a Gold Key in the Scholastics Art and Writing Competition, and placed in the top 300 out of 12,500+ entries in the Ohio Governor’s State Art Show. Overall, although society can easily reject artists and their work, art

serves as a unifying way to inspire success in our society.

Artists like Kusama, Warhol, and Capote inspire millions of artists 2

THE ART OF SUCCESS

ASK M.J.

Dear MJ, Recently, I’ve felt incapable of balancing all of my after school activities and simultaneously completing work in school with 100% effort. I

Dear MJ, So, I’ve started my college applications. My

feel swamped with my studies and overwhelmed

dream school has very selective admissions,

with extracurriculars. I don’t want to disappoint

especially for out-of-state students, and may

my teachers and coaches, but I lost a lot of

prove too far out of my reach. Both my parents

motivation to succeed. What should I do?

attended this university, and they’re expecting the

~Unmotivated Molly

same of me. I’m afraid I will disappoint them if I’m not admitted. Help! ~Hopeless in Houston

Dear Molly, You’re not alone. It’s not uncommon to lose a

Hello Hopeless in Houston, I’m sorry to hear that the thought of college admissions are unnerving for you, but please don’t lose hope. Every high schooler experiences this same stress so, I recommend that you talk to your college counselor about your worries.

Although setting long term goals is important for improving your potential success, you need to remember to make realistic decisions. Do not limit yourself to one college. With an endless number of amazing colleges throughout the U.S., you’re bound to find more than one that fit your needs and likings. And lastly, don’t hesitate to talk to your parents. College admissions have become exponentially competitive. Your parents know best and will always understand your concerns better than anyone, especially the anxiety you feel while applying to their alma mater.

Sincerely,

M.J.

great deal of motivation late in the school year.

However, gaining back motivation is not as hard as it seems either. Pick a few activities that truly make you happy. Surrounding yourself with an abundance of extracurriculars that don’t make you feel fulfilled will only get in the way of your path to success. True success comes from passion. Limit your time to activities you enjoy.

If you struggle to find activities you enjoy, continue to immerse yourself in sports and hobbies until you find one or two that realistically suit you. Talk to your coaches and teachers. Conversation is a wonderful mediator, and chances are, they have been in a similar situation. I’m sure they’ll understand and be able to help you out of this slump.

Sincerely,

M.J.

3

MARGAUX’S MOVIES A SELECTION THAT DEMONSTRATES SUCCESS

THE IMITATION GAME Morten Tyldum’s 2014 major motion picture, The Imitation Game, combines, drama, history, and success all in one. It tells a true story about the British Secret Intelligence Service - also known as MI6 - attempting to crack the encrypted Nazi codes. MI6 recruits a team of the most intelligent minds of WWII Britain, including Cambridge mathematician Alan Turing (played by Benedict Cumberbatch) and a woman named Joan Clarke (played by Kiera Knightley). For years, the team of cryptanalysts spent long hours away from their families in order to help Britain win the war against Nazi Germany. They attempted to do so by understanding the Enigma Machine - the device the Nazi’s used to send their secret messages that made it nearly impossible for mathematicians alone to solve. Eventually, Turing builds a computer-like machine that can quickly decipher the Nazi codes. Although Turing solved the Enigma, the British Government decided to keep his accomplishments private. After the war, historians approximated that Turing’s efforts saved an estimated 14 million lives. Although Turing believed he was safe from harm after WWII ended, he wasn’t safe from his own British government. In 1952, Turing was sent to prison and publicly shamed as a criminal for his homosexuality, despite his accomplishments. The British government’s pure neglect and disgrace for human life left me disgusted. This movie vividly depicted such a bleak time period in our world’s history through strong acting. This movie successfully pulled its audience into the film and captured its wide range of viewers.

Director Morten Tyldum produced a flawless and emotionally-

stimulating movie that meticulously visualized society’s hindrances on an individual's success.

THE WIZARD OF OZ (1939) The charming cinematic production of L. Frank Baum’s Wizard of Oz infatuated the hearts of moviegoers everywhere. The film depicts a fictional story in which a young Kansas girl needs to find her way back home after a

ferocious tornado sweeps her away into a land of make believe. Viewers learn about the importance of knowing your true potential and always following your intuition. Main character Dorothy displays strong leadership in the face of difficulty, combining her goals with the goals of the rest of the team: Scarecrow, Lion, and Tin Man. The quartet, accompanied by Dorothy’s dog Toto, masters the ability to open their hearts to others and gain confidence through facing their fears, all while making new friends and meeting new enemies along the way. The Wizard of Oz accurately displays how to become a successful leader, despite its fairytale setting.

At 78 years old, Peter Weidner is a father of four and grandfather of eleven. Retired from a career of drag-racing and car-dealing over twenty years ago, Pete now lives in Marco Island, Florida, enjoying his free time fixing up vintage cars and spending quality time with his wife, Penny.

Photo by Margaux Augier

What does success look like to you?

To be successful means you have to be honest with people.

Did following your passions with cars help you to become more or less successful? More, definitely. Yes. I wouldn’t be where I am now if I wasn’t doing something I had a vested interest in. I wouldn’t have chosen any other career. [assuredly] I thoroughly enjoyed what I did.

“If you tell someone that a rooster will pull a freight train, you better hook ‘em up.”

Photo by Sophia Augier

What hardships did you face while pursuing your career?

I had difficulty in 1980 with the Democratic people who had the interest rate up to 24%, and I had 7 million dollars worth of cars on the ground, and we were only selling three to five, so I was going broke.

What happened after that? How did you overcome these hardships? After that I got busy, I brought cars in from Canada on the American exchange rate. The exchange rate on the dollar in Canada was worth more than theirs so, I imported a lot of cars from there to make money.

Who in your life made these hardships easier to deal with? Penny Weidner. Why? [matter-of-factly] Well, she was my wife. [smiles] Do you think your childhood and the environment you grew up in has a lasting impact on your success? Yes, very much so. I was taught to work hard, and be truthful with everybody.

Who has most influenced your perspective on success?

[Whistles] My father. How so? My father told me, whenever you want to tell someone that you want to do something, whatever it is, you do it. If you tell someone that a rooster will pull a freight train, you better hook ‘em up. [chuckles] INTERVIEW OF THE MONTH | 5

People can Sports LEBRON “THE KING” JAMES: A find success Illustrated as a SUCCESS STORY through many high schooler different and after going ways: viral pro, dug his own internet fame, education, a silver spoon in family out of their financial rut at the their mouth, or simply just talent. Talent, mere age of eighteen. Furthermore, James when combined with hard work, acts as married his high school sweetheart, one of the most rewarding forms of Savannah Brinson, in 2013, and with her, achieving success. Often overlooked, founded the Lebron James Family athletes, self-made musicians, electricians Foundation. The foundation supports and other naturally talented pockets of the building schools in inner cities and population can succeed without a formal providing aid for poor, inner city families. education. An Akron, Ohio-native, Aside from his charity work, James LeBron Raymone James Sr., stands today supports activist causes such as the Black as a wonderful example for this exact Lives Matter campaign. Through James’ concept. Born to a sixteen year old continuous charity work and his activism mother, James struggled with financial for education, James displays what it stability as a child. takes to Therefore, James never become received a formal successful education past high while school, but instead, keeping his went immediately to family close. play for the Cleveland With his Cavaliers of the impressive National Basketball basketball Association. Today, statistics, James’ yearly salary James earned estimates at $30.96 million USD (“Lebron a name for himself as one of the best NBA James”). After quickly learning his players to go down in history. Overall, the natural-born talent for basketball at a possession of mere talent should not be young age, James used his talents to his undervalued when discovering an advantage. He appeared on the cover of individual’s potential for success.

MEET THE AUTHOR very difficult to accomplish.

Thespian of the International Although she struggles at Thespian Society. As shown, times, Augier never quits Augier demonstrates skills of a when work gets tough. natural born leader who What’s Augier’s biggest thrives on a busy schedule. roadblock? Time. With so When asked to define herself, many diverse interests, she Augier responded, stating sometimes finds it difficult to pursue them all at once, often prioritizing MARGAUX AUGIER was school and not born with a silver spoon in responsibilities her mouth. Augier achieves over sleep and success through hard work and physical perseverance. Born in 2001, health. Still, she grew up in a single-parent Augier Photo by Jim Hannah household in a small suburb attempts to on the outskirts of Cleveland, maintain a “Nothing. A definition Ohio. As a young girl, Augier healthy abundance of excludes the possibility for often looked up to her mother enjoyable extracurriculars. She change.” as a role model and teacher. stands as the Team Captain of Yet above all of this, After the diagnosis of her the Chagrin Falls Augier values family most. three brothers High School She attributes a large portion with severe Women’s Tennis A definition Team and as the of her success to their love and autism and support. In her future, Augier other Vice President and excludes hopes to receive a bachelor’s developmental Interpretation degree in communications or the disorders, Squad Leader of business, and pursue a career Augier strived the CFHS Speech possibility for in broadcast journalism or to succeed in and Debate team. marketing & design. With school and in change.

Year-round, Augier successful grades, supportive her commits herself to friends and family, and an extracurriculars. a part time job extremely zealous attitude, When asked what motivates everyday after school while Augier can conquer anything her drive to success, Augier still balancing her dedication she sets her mind to. Now, answered, “My mother.” as a Spanish tutor, the Vice while reflecting back on her Augier explained that she aims President of the life, Augier defines what she to make her hardworking Superintendent’s Advisory believes success really means. mother proud - a task often Committee, and a 4-Star

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Works Cited Augier, Margaux. “MARGAUX AUGIER ART.” MARGAUX AUGIER ART, Weebly, margauxaugierart.weebly.com/.

Hall, Douglas T., and Dawn E. Chandler. “Psychological Success: When the Career Is a Calling.” Journal of Organizational Behavior, vol. 26, no. 2, 2005, pp. 155–176. JSTOR, JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/4093976.

Hannah, Jim. “An Ocean of Love.” Wright State University Magazine, 2010, Fall, webapp2.wright.edu/web1/ community/2010/an-ocean-of-love/.

Hodin, Rachel. “35 Famous People Who Were Painfully Rejected Before Making It Big.” Thought Catalog, Thought Catalog, 22 Aug. 2017, thoughtcatalog.com/ rachel-hodin/2013/10/35-famous-people-who-were-painfully-rejected-beforemaking-it-big/ “LeBron James.” Biography.com, A&E Networks Television, 24 Jan. 2018, www.biography.com/people/lebronjames-399748.

Marine, Brooke, and Brooke Marine. “Instagrammers, There Are Two Brand New, Never-Before-Selfied Yayoi Kusama Infinity Rooms In New York.” W Magazine, 2 Nov. 2017, www.wmagazine.com/story/yayoi-kusama-infinityrooms-david-zwirner-new-york-instagram.

“Truman Capote.” Biography.com, A&E Networks Television, 28 Apr. 2017, www.biography.com/people/trumancapote-9237547.