Interview with Darry Curtis

We sat down for an interview with Ponyboy's brother and guardian, Darry Curtis.

Q: How did you react when you heard your brother, Ponyboy, had been in a fire? 
A: To be honest I was very scared. But we greasers can't show emotion show I tried to hide it. I guess the guys could tell though because we're now here. 

Q: Does being a greaser effect how you think and act, when it comes to family? 
A: No. I will protect my kid brothers no matter what. I don't think that would change if I wasn't a greaser. 

Q: Does your parents being gone effect how you raise Ponyboy and Sodapop?
A: I think it does. I try not to let them get in any trouble. I think I care more about Pony's grades than Mom and Pop did. 

Q: Do you ever think about life as a non-greaser?
A: I do, I have been told many times that I could be. But I'm not anything but a greaser. I'm not going to change myself for society. 

Q: How did Ponyboy running away effect how you treat him?
A: I realized I need to show him I love him more and not be so hard on him. 

Q: Do you think you changed yourself to be a greaser?
A: Not at all, I know I am a greaser at heart and in the mind. I believe no one should change themselves. 

Playlist

                                                             Playlist 
Ben E. King, Stand By Me

This song shows that no matter what you have done or where you are you are always going to need someone to help you, even if you tell yourself otherwise. 

Meghan Trainor, Close Your Eyes

This song talks about how you should not change yourself for others and become what they want but be instead who you truly are. 

Sara Bareilles, Brave 

This song teaches the listener to not cave under societal pressure but instead become a new being and stand up for yourself. 

P!nk, Raise Your Glass 

This song is an upbeat song telling the listener that you do not have to form to society's idea of 'a good kid' to be yourself. 

CHURCH BURNS DOWN

CHURCH BURNS DOWN!

The church on Jay Mountain burned down yesterday afternoon while the local school class was having a picnic. Three boys, Dallas Winston, Ponyboy Curtis , and Johnny Cade saved unlucky children who were playing around in the back of the church and almost died.

The three boys are all in the hospital at this moment. Dally is seventeen years old and sacrificed his life to save Johnny and Ponyboy who were stuck in the church after saving the school children. He is suffering burns along his arm from a burning beam falling on top of it. Johnny had stayed in the church to save on last child, his best friend Ponyboy who had gone in with Johnny to save the children. Johnny’s back is broken and he has been paralyzed from the waist down. He is in critical condition and may not survive. Ponyboy has suffered a minor concussion and has no other injuries.

The police have said that the fire was started most likely by a still burning cigarette left on the backstep of the abandoned church. No one knows where this cigarette could of come from since no one has been using the church since 1945. A local farmer says he saw a couple young boys playing two days ago but it is unlikely they are the cause of the fire. We will be investigating the source further to find the cause of this tragic fire.

The Jay Mountain Church has been in Windrixville since 1924. The church was last in full time use in 1939. And was last used in 1945. Besides for school picnics and little outings. Our town has created many conspiracies on how this precious church burned down. One resident, Michael Hanks, says “The church most likely burned down because of the dead brush out back. Its been awful hot lately.” Another resident, Tina Landon, says “It must of been someone with a lighter a match.” Either of these scenarios are very likely but the police have not identified one cause of fire. One firefighter, Howard Epps, says that the fire could of started with one source then light the brush. Epps says him and his team are working to find the direct source. He also tells us that during the investigation no one needs to overreact and jump to conclusions. “It is vital we stay calm and collected. This case doesn’t need rumors flying around.” He tells us.

Overall, the fire was a tragedy to our town but we must be thankful. For, our children were saved from death by three amazing teenagers. They risked their lives to save others. Although we don’t know the cause of the fire What happened to being the kind people our town used to be. So let us not cruel people only focusing on ourselves and instead focus on these selfless boys.

Ms. Blake Advice

      MS. BLAKE ADVICE COLUMN

    Dear Ms. Blake,

                      I am fourteen years old and go to Jackson High School. Recently my friends have been acting weird and different. My best friend , Maria, has started cheerleading, She’s really good. But she doesn’t hang out with me anymore.. Do you think I should try out for cheerleading too?

Lisa

Dear Lisa,

Don’t change yourself just because others are changing. If Maria doesn’t spend time with you anymore maybe its because you two have grown apart. Or maybe she thinks you’re fine with this change in relationship. Try inviting her for a fun hangout. Drive-In’s are my personal favorite.

Ms. Blake

Dear Ms. Blake,

My name is Michel and I’m seventeen years old. I grew up as a greaser in a bad neighborhood. But I always did good in school and got offered a scholarship. I don’t know if I should take it though. All my friends aren’t going to college and think its just for Socs and rich spoiled kids. But I enjoy school and have worked hard for this. I don’t know what I should do.

Michel

Dear Michel,

Don’t let your friends pressure you into not going to college. It sounds like a wonderful opportunity. It is also a life changing decision. With a college degree you will get better job offers. I hope you choose what you think is best. Don’t let your friends stand in your way.

Ms. Blake

Dear Ms. Blake,

My name is.. Well I can’t tell you my name because I’m on the run. I’m a  greaser. And in my town greaser and soc’s we don’t get along too well. And this Soc hurt my friend so I hurt him. Killed him actually. My friend and I had to leave our hometown and go on the run. I feel awful guilty and feel bad for dragging my friend, he’s thirteen, on the run with me.. I’m thinking about turning myself in to save my friends. I don’t want nothing to happen to him.

Dear Greaser,

I’m sorry you are filled with guilt. If I were you I would turn myself in and explain to the police that it was all in self defense. That way you can save your friend and will not have to be on the run all your life. I wish you well in whatever you decide.

Ms. Blake.

A NOTE FROM MS. BLAKE

From all the letters I received this week I saw one thing in common. The message of don’t fall under peer pressure, don’t change yourself for others, and defend what you stand for can be applied to every child I heard from this week. I wish you all well. And remember to never lie to yourself.

Youth Gangs

“Did you hear about the gang fight, at lunch today?” A direct quote from a fellow middle schooler. This is not the first time I have heard remarks in this style. Gangs and gang fights are relevant in today’s neighborhoods and even schools. Are gangs really an issue? Yes, for children safety reasons and and societal issues.

Children are often recruited into gangs at a very young age. Children are still vulnerable and weak. By taking part in ‘gang fights’ are at the risk of being seriously injured. According to The National Crime Prevention Council ‘gangs claim territory (turf) to make money by illegal activities. Such as drug trafficking.’ By having children take part in illegal activities at a young age they are taught to defy authority and safety. Drug dealing and other prohibited activities are unsafe and often results in injuries, jail time, or in some cases death.  The council also says ‘gangs recruit most heavily in public schools.Schools are meant to be safe for all children and staff. With felonious acts happening on the school grounds all forms of safety are retracted. Gangs populating schools are not only physically unsafe but also mentally.

Gangs cause many sociological issues in children and adults. When children are faced with the pressure of their peers to join a gang to ‘be cool or tough’ they will most likely cave. With children’s willpower being destroyed by the social pressure to be cool they are more likely to underage drink, smoke, and commit other crimes. Studies have shown children almost always join gangs to be accepted. I asked fellow eighth graders what they thought the word identity meant some said “who you are.” While others said “how someone is portrayed.” While one student said “Identity is how you look, act, dress, speak, think, and who you hang out with all put together to make one big label.” Are gangs influencing a child’s identity, most definitely. Gangs have a strict protocol on how to dress, speak, and present yourself. Gangs often restrict outside communications also. By the eighth graders definition of identity gangs form children’s identity from the moment they join. Gangs are often seen as uniformed children who act tough and appear that way to. Sometimes the charade of being a big macho man is not what a child necessarily is.  

Although gangs are a danger to children and adults some disagree. Some say gangs are just little cliques that do no harm. However, cliques are small social groups who share common interests while gangs are organized groups of criminals. Gangs follow leaders, someone who conducts their every move. While cliques are just a group of friends who follow each other and act on their own.

Overall, gangs in schools and society are physically and mentally damaging to humans of all ages.

Dear Journal by Sodapop Curtis edited by Sophia Kittell

Dear Journal, 
       I normally don't write in stuff like this. It ain't tuff. But with Ponyboy gone I don't know how else to get my emotions out. So here I am.  Maybe I can be able to compose my thoughts and that will make it easier to tell Pony what happened when he was gone if he ever comes back.
       Alright, Pony and Johnny left for I don't know where. What I do know is Darry blames himself for Pony leaving. The whole gang tells him that its not his fault. I try to make him believe but sometimes I don't believe my self. I mean I lie to myself all the time. But I never believe me. What if this is one of those times. Maybe I was the reason he left. Could that be? Maybe if I had got him away from Darry. Maybe he would be here. But he's not and I have to get to work. So goodbye little piece of paper. I don't know if I'm going to do this. 
                                                    Sodapop Curtis
Dear Journal,

                 I don’t know why I’m writing again. I told myself I wasn’t going to the guys will think I’m a baby. But after everything with Sandy and Pony this is somewhat I don’t know how to put it, relaxing. Dally says that he is going to see Pony and Johnny Cake. I ‘m going to give him a letter to give to Pony. I only want to tell him I love him and what’s going on around here. Well Steve wants to go out to the movies so bye.

            Sodapop Curtis

Dear Journal,

      Dally, Pony, and Johnny are in the hospital. Apparently Pony ran in a burning building to save some kids. That’s just like Pony, put others first. Darry and I are on our way to the hospital in Windrixville. I am scared. I don’t know how I’ll live if Pony doesn’t. Darry is also scared, I can tell because he’s crying. I’ve never seen Darry cry, not even when Mom and Pop died.

Sodapop

Dear Journal,

                 Pony is fine. Thank God. Johnny and Dally are still in the hospital though. Although Dally is in a pretty rough shape they say he’ll be fine.  I don’t think Johnny’s going to make it. Physically at least. And if Johnny doesn’t make it neither will Dally.  We can’t go see them because I had work then we have to come home to get ready. Which I should go do. Wish us luck the rumble is tonight.

Soda

Dear Journal,

       WE WON THE RUMBLE! Those Socs didn’t even give us a challenge. You you should've seen the one that tried to go after Darry,it was funny. Pony and Dally are on their way to tell Johnny,he’s still in the hospital poor baby. I hope he’s happy.

                                                              Soda

 Dear Journal,

                          Johnny and Dally are dead.Johnny died from a broken back and Dally died from a broken heart. I told you it would happen. One goes they both go. And Ponyboy is sick in the hospital he passed out when Dally died.  If Pony got sick and hurt because of the rumble he’s going to have to be sent to a boys home. I don’t want him sent away.Sometimes I just wish things would just stop happening to my family.

                                                              Soda

Dear Journal,

       Pony is better, thank the Lord. Well, he’s awake we don’t know if he’ll fully recover but the doctor says he should. And I guess a doctor’s guess is better than mine. Now that Pony’s back I won’t be able to write in you. Pony’s very observant. He knows when I’m hiding something. I guess writing in here did help keep me from going crazy though. Well goodbye I have to get to work.

                  Thank you,

                                                        Sodapop Curtis