Picture Collage

Melinda needs to speak up about what happened at the party.


Here is two teenagers drinking. At the party Melinda went to they were drinking. If she wasn't drunk, she could have said no to Andy.


This shows Melinda's first day of high school. 9th grade was a hard time for her.

\
Teachers play a huge role in Melinda's life. Mr. Freeman was her favorite and helped her out a lot, while Mr. Neck made her stronger by being mean to her.


The tree represents Melinda's growth throughout the book. As she progressed with the tree, she was also getting better.


Melinda found an old janitors closet and made it her hangout during school to escape people.


On Thanksgiving Melinda's family order pizza instead of having a turkey dinner because her mother was to into her work and forgot to thaw the turkey.


Melinda's old clique the "Plain Janes" all split up and now Melinda has nobody.

\
When Andy tried attacking Melinda again, she held up a piece of glass to him and said no.


One day when Melinda skipped school she went to the hospital. She realized everyone there was actually sick.


In gym class one day Melinda was shooting foul shots and she was very good. Another day she was very good at tennis. I think one of her talents is sports but she didn't give it a try.


At Christmas time, her parents bought her a drawling pad and she almost told them about the party.


Picasso inspired Melinda to work on her tree more, which also made her want to improve her life.


Here's a picture of friends. Melinda is starting to be friends with Ivy now.

During a science lab Melinda bites into the apple they were supposed to cut open.


While she was home sick one day watching tv shows, she finally decided that she was raped.


Art got Melinda through the whole school year. The last day of school Melinda tells Mr. Freeman everything that happened to her.


This is how Melinda feels after she told someone what happened.

picture of tree that represents Melinda

Tree that represents Melinda

Date Rape by Kyra Mieczkowski

A huge problem in the world is date rape. Most people think date rape means while you're on a date with the person, but it can be by a someone you know or a stranger. Date rape is not about sex, it's about the power the person has over the victim. Most times, the rapist will try using "date rape" drugs by slipping them into your drink. If you go to a party, club, or bar, here are some tips to stay safe.

• Don't accept drinks from strangers. '
• Go with somebody you trust, like a friend or sibling. 
• Keep your drink with you at all times. 

If you are raped, make sure to tell someone you trust right away. Melinda didn't tell anyone and kept it bottled up inside which isn't healthy.

http://www.rainn.org/get-help/national-sexual-assault-online-hotline

Melinda's Online Diary

September
I don't want to go to school. Everybody hates me there. At lunch the other day someone threw mashed potatoes at me. It was really embarassing. I have a friend named Heather but I'm not sure if I can trust her.

October
Nothing has really changed. Everybody still hates me. My friends and I used to go trick or treating together, but now they all have different friends. I'm too old to go trick or treating anyway, so I'll just stay at home.


November
Heather's trying to join a group called the Marthas. They're just really nice people who do a lot of charity work. Yuck. I'm not really into that kind of stuff. She asked me to help decorate the faultily room and I said yes.

December 
For Christmas my parents got me a drawling pad. Have they really been paying attention to me? They had to be, otherwise they wouldn't of known I started drawling. I think I should tell them about the party now...but I just can't find the words.


January
I missed the bus one day and my mom made me walk. I decided to walk to the mall instead. Ever since then I been skipping school a lot. 


February 
I hate Valentines day. I never get a Valentines from anyone. I got a note on my locker today, but it's probably just a joke. A few days later I open it and it's a "sorry" note from Heather for her ditching me. It came with a necklace too. I'm not going to wear it.

March 
Tonight I had flashbacks about the party. I never want to think about it again. 


April
Ivy is in my Art class. We never really talked before, but she talked to my friends. I saw her at the mall one day and I started talking to her. She was working on her Art project. She told me that Rachel is dating Andy Evans. I want to throw up.


May
I talked to Rachel today. It was nice at first, I felt like we were going to be friends again. Then I told her I got raped. It felt good to get it off my chest. She was really worried about it and she asked who did it. When I told her it was Andy Evans, she got mad and left.


June
I was cleaning out my closet today when Andy Evans came in. He tried attacking me again, but I finally said NO. The lacrosse team heard all the noise and came over to the closet. Now everyone knows that Andy raped me and tried to again. On the last day of school, I told Mr. Freeman about everything that happened to me. It feels good to talk.

Youtube Videos.

Perfect by Simple Plan;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUi54JTgL5s

Before I forget by Slipknot;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_09wFxoaeQ&ob=av2n

We Are Broken by Paramore;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQujGKp1sGw&feature=related

Graveyard Dancing by Destroy Rebuild Until God Shows;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qw32ElQp9EM

Without The Bitter The Sweet Isn't As Sweet by Mayday Parade;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ky6aXXd_7s

Teen Drinking by Kristina Delikat

Teenage drinking is very common in this generation..there's teens who think it's the coolest thing to do and teens who are totally against it. Truth is, your body can be very effected by the alcohol or liquor you consume. It can damage your heart, liver, pancrease, etc. Many teens drink to deal with stress, depression and anxiety, which is very common. If you're having issues, don't jump right to drinking, try to get some help from someone like a friend, family member or teacher. 11% of alcohol is consumed by teenagers in the United States, that percentage really needs to come down.
Ways we can find that solution would be:
* http://www.madd.org/underage-drinking/the-power-of-parents/high-school-parents/highschool-teensafe2.html
* http://underagedrinking.samhsa.gov/

For help and stories of other kids:
* http://www.teenbreaks.com/confidence/peerpressure.cfm

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder by Jessica

   Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is an illness that people can get from different terrible events. People who are or were living through or experiencing a traumatic event would have this. You feel stressed and you don’t want to do anything. People with past traumatic stress disorder may have flashbacks, can’t sleep, feeling alone, have angry outbursts, and have different feelings. You can be any age and have post traumatic stress disorder. They avoid people and other things that might make them remember the event.

   There are three different types of therapy solutions. One way is a behavior therapy which teaches you to relax and how to cope with the event that occurred. The second is a group therapy which gives people the chance to talk to other people that know what it’s like and they know what they are talking about. It helps more people with their problems then any of the other therapies. You can talk with other people that have problems similar to you. The final way is cognitive therapy which helps people to learn how to think positive and not negative thoughts.

   People with PTSD have a hard time getting through life. It's harder for them because it was something terrible that they went through and once it's done you can't take it back. It is also harder for them because it would be hard for them to get along with people because they don't want to remember what happened to them. Finally people with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder have more difficulties then people that don't have it.

You can find more information at :
http://helpguide.org/mental/post_traumatic_stress_disorder_symptoms_treatment.htm

Jessica's Poem

by Tabitha Houghton-Smith

My world is starting to die.
and I slowly start to cry.
People talking smack,
right behind my back.


The childish games they play
need to end this very day.
I don’t think they realize,
the tears coming out my eyes.


I hate how they get to me,
and how they don’t see,
that my heart is bleeding,
and that my tears have meaning.


They mean I am hurt.
and I want them to stop talking dirt.
They mean that I can’t take it.
and that there’s stuff they just don’t get.


There’s more to me than they know.
I just don’t let it show.
I hide the things inside.
But I wish I could speak my mind.


I wish they knew the real me.
Than they could leave me be.
I’m just so scared of rejection,
that I can’t even stand my own reflection.


People just don’t understand,
I want to show who I really am.
There are so many things I need to say.
but even if I could they won’t give me the time of day


If only I could say it all.
Than I wouldn’t easily fall.
They just don’t comprehend.
That I could be a great friend.


I hate how they view me,
as small and week.
Inside me I am learning to be tough,
I am able to fight through the rough.


I just wish that was who I could be,
on the outside that is I mean.
My world would be so much easier,
if I could be a little happier.


Like I had said,
their childish games need to end.
and they need to realize,
that there is truth beyond these eyes.

Kyra's Poem

I cry myself to sleep at night
Just wishing it would stop
Maybe tomorrow it will cease
Then again, maybe not


You push me and you poke me
You call me hurtful name
To me it's like a prison
To you it's fun and games


Your heart is made of ice
But it doesn't even deserve that
Mine was once a rainbow
But you have moulded it to darkest black


I hate you, I hate everyone
There is no one I can trust
Are you proud of what you've done?
You've turned my soul into dust


If there was a door I could open
A simple path I could tread
I don't want to be stuck here forever
In this endless spiral of dread.

Kristina's Poem

Date Rape by Candy Lemons




She's in a lonely corner
Trying to stand on her feet
But it seems impossible;
The black river of tears running down her powdered cheeks
Deep cracks in her heels
Hair in a tangled mess
Along with the crooked rips in her stunning black dress


She dreamed of this day for so long
But he ruined everything for her
He had to do it tonight
It was supposed to be a once in a lifetime thing
The beautiful view;
Slow, peaceful music;
Bodies swaying together from side to side
But he messed it all up


Raped her of her innocence
And left her with nothing,
But blood dripping from her legs
Her life has been taken from her;
All the smiles and laughs
Stripped from happiness and anger
Emotions are no longer there
Just a blank pained expression


Death is her best friend
And she wants it to overcome her
Love no longer exists within her

Maya Angelou by Jessica Ragan

  Maya Angelou is hailed as a global renaissance woman, poet, novelist, memoirist, educator, dramatist, producer, historian, actress, filmmaker, and civil rights activist. She was born in St. Louis, Missouri on April 4th, 1928. She was raised in St. Louis and Stamps Arkansas. She experienced the brutality of racial discrimination in Stamps. She also absorbed the unshakable faith and values of traditional African-American families, communities, and culture.
 In 1954 and 1955 she toured Europe with a production called Porgy and Bess. She studied dance with Martha Grahamm, danced with Alvin Ailey on television. Calypso Lady was her first album in 1957. The University of Ghana's School of Music and Drama is where she taught. In 1964 when she lived in Ghana's she met Malcome X. She came with him to help him build the Organization of African American Unity. After she arrived Malcome X was assasinated ant the organization dissolved. After the assination she was asked to serve as the Northern Coordinator for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Then he was assasinated on her birthday in 1968. Maya Angelou was mentioned in Speak because she was an important figure in history. Melinda and Maya Angelou have things in common. They both experienced things that will probably stress them for life. Maya Angelou fought for civil rights. Melinda fought with out speaking. Maya had some problems in life just like Melinda does.
  In conclusion, Maya Angelou helped fight for civil rights. Melinda fought for her civil rights by not speaking. Maya Angelou was mentioned in the book because she was imporant to history and had problems but not as bad as Melinda.Thats why she was mentioned in the book Speak. Also what she has to do with the book.

The Suffragettes by Kyra Mieczkowski

        Back in the day, women did not have as many rights as we do today. One of the rights that we have today is that we can vote. Only men were allowed and in 1897, a group of women wanted to change this. The group of women were called the Suffragettes.
        Millicent Fawcett founded the National of Women's Suffrage. The word "suffrage" means the right to vote. Millicent did not believe in violence and protested with patience and logical arguements. In 1903 the Women's Social and Political Union was founded by Emmeline Pankhurst. They were tired of being patience and started using violence to get what they wanted.
         The Suffragettes thought it was important to speak up about what they thought was right. Melinda needed to speak up about what happened. They fought for what was right and were victorious in the end. At the end of Speak, Melinda fought Andy Evans and spoke up. In that way, Melinda was like the Suffragettes and shows it's important to speak up.