Bloomington High School South, The Gothic, 2003, Page 16

Description:	C o n t e m p I a tiri^FaithBy Claire RivronFaith. Religion. Belief. Students have many different extracurricular commitments, but one of the most significant-theirfaith-often goes unrecognized in school. Beyond organizedservices and individual prayer, students religion often affectstheir everyday life.Sophomore Emily Lukens, a member of the Church of Latter-Day Saints was greatly affected by her faith. The stuff [theChurch] tells you: dont smoke, dont do drugs...its [a] prettybig [part of my life]. Lukens went to church each Sunday, inaddition to attending a scripture study class before schooleveryday.As a Muslim, junior Jamil Ortoleva celebrated Ramadan, anIslamic holy month when believers fast during the day. .. .Atlunch [during Ramadan] I usually go to the library, because Idont like to watch people eat when I cant, Ortoleva said.Basically the point of Ramadan is to suffer a bit so youunderstand how the poor feel. Youre also supposed to helppeople more than normal, Ortoleva said.In contrast to many students, freshman Veronica Corsarotook a different course from her parents when she analyzedher spirituality. She is of a self-defined religion, in which shebelieves in a higher power but does not agree with all aspectsof specific religions. Instead of attending organized religiousservices, Corsaro thought about what the meaning of life is,what I need to do to make my life better.. .to make the lives ofthose around me better.Freshman Leah Solomon, who is Jewish, goes to Sundayschool and synagogue on holidays. Solomon compared herideas to those in the movie Monty Python: Life of Bryan,taking a more humorous approach to religion.Asked if her religion made her feel different from others, Lukenssaid, It doesnt really set me apart that often...l just feel likeeverybody else regardless of my religion.Areyoureligious? Whyor why not?Sweeping, sophomore Laura Sears helps prepare for a youth rally the nextday. Sears, a member of the Cornerstone Apostolic Church of Oolitic was thesong leader, childrens choir director and co-youth leader of the church.16 ^rUDFNTLIFF[1 have] experienced]m^.»Wfe --jj\|different viewpoints and.J........Wk *~ mm\cant be religious afterbeing so informed, -juniorMichelle Smith
Source:	http://cdm17129.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/hs-bloomsouth/id/6793
Collection:	Bloomington High School South

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