Short Response Two: Vincent Tinto

          After being a community college student for 2 years, I agree with Tinto's theory. I have finally become an active member in the International Honor Society at CCBC. I just joined last semester and I became an officer. Joining Phi Theta Kappa has given me an opportunity become much more involved with interacting at school and wanting to be more successful with my academics. The first two years I was here I really just took classes and was lost as to what I was doing for my future, after I joined and met new people I have found out so much more opportunities there are at the finger tips of all students at CCBC. Joining PTK is where I learned about honors classes, student ambassador, student life and many more clubs.
           Once I joined and became Vice President of Chapter History a lot more of my time became involved with being at school, meetings, activities, and events. I went to a few during the summer, but when the school semester started as a full time college student that is when the separation process started. I got completely separated from work. I would work 5-7 days a week and doubles, now I literally have gone down to 1-3 days a week. I am transitioning into becoming an involved student rather than a worker. I am now going through the incorporation process where I am getting used to coming to school 6 days a week, twice on Tuesday and spending an extra 8 hours with homework and an extra 4-6 hours doing things at school getting involved with meetings or doing things for Phi Theta Kappa.

A picture of me at the Get Involved Fair
with other CCBC Essex Phi Theta Kappa Officers.
Phi Theta Kappa Website ptk.org

         I agree with Tinto because before I really established myself with school the way that I am now I was just an average student. Being involved and around others that also have those same academic standards is a great influence I did the basics, now after being involved I feel like I am getting more out of school and put more effort into it and I am always trying to find new ways to be more successful with my academics. I feel like an actually college student, not just a girl with the label "student" that goes to school and just takes classes. Establishing myself this semester has made college my absolute number one priority, though it has always been I now look at it as a job and key responsibility that I want to strive to put in my best effort and try to rise to the top. 

Short Response One Name Game

     Katherine Marie Filippetti is my name. Katherine is a Greek name which is derived from different Greek names and goddesses. I have always looked up my name and I always seen that the meaning was pure. I don't hate my name because I respect the fact that my dad named me. He named me after a lady who would take care of him his brothers and two friends after class when they would walk home from school. Everyday she had juices out for them because it was a long hot walk in the mountains of Puerto Rico. She would also have fresh cut fruits, ham and cheese sandwiches, and sometimes even rice with beans for them to eat. He said she was the sweetest lady he ever met and one day she passed away he said that day that he wanted his daughter to be named after her and he will never forget her. So my name is special because it does have meaning and I respect the lady even though I have never met her and I do like the meaning is pure. I do not favor my name though for the sole reason that I do not think I look like a Katherine or a Kathy, which is what I am called by most. I would rather my name have been something with a little more flavor, or exotic. My middle almost everyone has, but I do not mind it kind of rolls in well when saying my name.
     My last name Filippetti I do not know much about. I know that it is an Italian last name and my grandfather was Italian. My father does not know anything about its origin also and my grandfather passed away. The latest I could track back someone with that last name was Egisto Filippetti born April 8, 1880. His last residence was known the be in San Francisco, CA. I love my last name, the way its sound how it is spelled, how I write it in cursive and how good it looks and mainly for how unique it is. I have never seen anyone with the last in the United States name except anyone was family. I know there is a lot of people in Italy with that last name, but that is the orgin I am not sure if they are related to me or not. Overall I would say my name is not too bad. I do not hate it, it could be worse and with the meaning and love for my last name I can learn to love it.