Two student loggers (伐木者) each held an end of a saw (锯子). They set the 1of the blade (刀片) on top of an 8-by 8-inch square piece of timber (木材) and began to 2it back and forth.

    They began slowly and3 worked to a faster pace.4the piece of wood fell to the ground, the students passed the saw to the second half of their relay team, who then began to saw.

    When Nate Letarte, Julian Baldinelli, Allan Theriault and David Merrill from School of Applied Technology in Mexico, Maine, US finished the relay, people 5 applause.

    It was like that with each event at the 38th Annual Loggers Meet early this month at a field across from the Mt Blue Campus.

    About 50 students from nearby areas in forestry programs took part in the event. The programs 6 students to the many aspects of forestry-related 7, from cutting wood to using heavy equipment to managing a small business and 8wood products.

    At the annual competition, students had a chance to show their9 at using axes, operating logging equipment such as a forwarder (传送装置) and knowing 10 trees, among other things. They can also share their 11of chainsaws (链锯).

    Kyle Holman, a senior, said the event lets students see what they are 12in the forestry field.

     “Some of us didn't know how to run a forwarder and other kids did,” he said.

    During the 13event, students used a forwarder to pick up wood and move it.

    The event 14out the strengths in student loggers, and shows them the qualities and15they have, junior Matt Given said.

     “We're all one big community with the same 16” senior Christopher Cook said. “This event just gives us a chance to show what we have 17at school.”

    Marshal Elwell, a senior, said he and his friends travelled over three hours 18 the event.

     “I think I'm going to 19 in the woods for a while,” Elwell said, talking about his post-graduation plan. “I enjoy 20 equipment. I like being in the woods.”

    It was raining outside and I was preparing my breakfast at home. 1, a bottle of orange juice slid (滑) from my hand and fell to the floor. Glass and juice 2 everywhere. I looked at the 3. Then my eyes were filled with tears. They came from a(n) 4 acceptance that “Today is just not my day”.

    It was a bad day for me 5 things had to be done. I drove into town. In the few minutes it took to the bank, I made a 6. Though I had a bad day, I would be 7 not to pass it to anyone else. I would be happy and 8.

    Standing in line, I was silently talking to myself. For the 9 time that day my eyes were filled with tears as I 10 how disconnected (隔离的) I felt from others. Then a 11 drew my attention. “Young lady,” she was saying.

    I 12 and saw the bank teller, an old lady with a gentle smile. Her eyes showed 13 as she softly said, “I don't 14 what is happening inside of you, but please believe me when I tell you that everything will be okay.”

    And then she did something quite 15. My hands were resting on the counter and she placed her hands 16 on top of mine. The 17 was quick but electric. And in that moment my world changed.

    In the moment of her touch my self-doubt 18. I found understanding and acceptance. I knew that 19 was being passed through the heart of this old lady directly into my heart. Then I 20.

    On Dyec. 13, 2014, Nubia Wilson turned 16. But instead of 1with an exciting Sweet 16 birthday party, the California teen devoted this milestone to 2the lives of orphans in Ethiopia.

    Through several summers of volunteer work at an Ethiopia orphanage, Nubia learned firsthand the severe poverty so many children3. In an email to The Huffington Post, Nubia said that she was 4struck by the children's lack of access to 5— their school only went through the fourth grade.

    Over the course of her volunteer work, Nubia became interested in one 6, Hermela. She writes:

    Out of the many students in the kindergarten class, Hermela became 7and attached to me to a point where it was becoming 8for both of us to leave each other. She is now in the second grade. The thought of Hermela not being able to have her meal and 9education after the fourth grade became 10and I knew I had to do something.

    That's when Nubia decided that she didn't want a traditional Sweet 16.11, she wanted to use the money her parents would have spent on a party to establish 12grade class for Hermela and other kids.

    "The money could provide a(n) 13solution that will serve for many years compared to the one-day 14of my party," Nubia wrote to Huffpost Live. In short, I want Hermela to continue 15. "

    After telling friends and family her 16, Nubia set up a(n) 17page "Keep Hermela Smiling" on CrowdRise. Her 18will raise funds for the Fregenet Foundation, which funds education and community services in Ethiopia.

    So far, Nubia has 19＄2,781 of her ＄10,000 goal.  Nubia says that her parents have been extremely 20; they're selling most of their Ethiopian artifacts to help raise funds.

    Nubia's birthday may not have been a party, but it's truly a celebration.

A chance encounter left both inspired about the country

    Anthony Maggert knew just about everything about Colin Powell. He'd read all of his books. He'd watched him on television, awed by the1 he showed even in the hardest times. And then, he got into the military, 2 23 years in Afghanistan, where he lost one3. It had been Powell whom he'd thought of 4. He was an ideal to strive toward.

    On Tuesday, Maggert was driving on the Capital Beltway. When he noticed a tall man5down beside his car, trying to fix a flat front tire, Maggert immediately thought he 6him.

    But no, it couldn't be. Out here? Thinking he'd help the trapped driver7way, he8his car, and with an artificial leg, walked toward the man. That was when he realised that he'd been9. A few miles away, in Washington, the government had shut down, two sides shouting at each other.  But out here, the matter at hand was 10, a flat tire. The two of them11about Afghanistan while fixing the tire.

    "Such a gentleman,"Maggert said of the former U. S. secretary of state, now 81, 12whom he again saw that effortless calm. "I hope when I'm that13, I'm as energetic as he is." All that day, Maggert thought about what happened.

    Later that day, Maggert wrote him a14:"General Powell,I hope I never forget today because I'll never forget reading your books," he said.  "You were always a(n)15, a leader and statesman. You were the giant whose shoulders we stood upon to carry the torch to16the way and now it is tomorrow's generation that must do the same. "

    Powell then17in kind: "Thanks, Anthony," he wrote in a public Facebook post. "You touched my soul and18me about why this country is so great. Let's stop19at each other. Let's just take care of each other. You made my 20."

    When I was a kid, I kept using a bike with training wheels. And I didn't1much, so, of course, I didn't learn how to2. One day I observed that my younger sister was getting closer to3 how to get rid of the assistance than I was. I couldn't let her4 me! Like an out­of­control mad man, I grabbed(抓住) my bike, 5the training wheels, pushed it out, and pedaled(踩踏板) all over the neighborhood. I tried to stay near the6 as close as I could, so when I fell, I'd7 crash onto the lawn(草坪) instead of the street. After many short­lived8, I finally learned how to balance!

    The process seemed9, since I was afraid of falling. I10 the fear which held me back and gathered the11 instead. I tried my best to fall as much as I might have to, to12 getting hurt, and to quickly get back on the bike and try again. There might be some pain and13, and if so, I'd get hurt and bleed and keep going. It took me probably less than an hour to master the basic skill.

    What14 pushed me to set aside the fear and take action? Nothing but the feeling that I was15. My sister could ride without the training wheels while I couldn't. This feeling of 16 gave me a much needed kick. Using such pressure to motivate(激励) progress is 17. Go take action. Make the attempt. Fall. Get hurt. Get up and try again18 the very moment you create the19 results. Everything can be as 20 as riding a bike.

    My first job was at a local restaurant, where I worked for seven years and learned so many lessons, especially from a fellow1.

    Helen was in her 30s and had extraordinary self-confidence, something I was really 2. I looked up to Helen 3 she was doing what she loved— 4people better. She always made everyone, customers and co-workers,5and feel good.

    Being a waitress changed my life. One of my6customers was Fred Hasbrook. He always ate an omelet(炒蛋), and when I saw him7, I tried to have it on his table as soon as he sat down.

    Thanks to the newfound confidence I 8from Helen, I dreamed of having my own9. But when I called my parents to ask for a loan(贷款), they said, "We just don't have the money."

    The next day, Fred saw me and asked, "What's 10? You're not smiling today." I 11my dream with him and said, "Fred, I know I can do more if somebody12just have faith in me."

    Before long he handed me checks13$50,000—along with a note that I have to this day. It reads, "The only collateral(抵押品)on this loan is my trust in your14as a person. Good people with a dream should have 15to make that dream come true."

    I took the checks to Merrill Lynch, where the money was provided for me. I16working at the restaurant, making17 for the restaurant I would open. My plans soured, though, and I lost the 18.

    Later I decided to apply for a job at Merill Lynch. Even though I had no experience, I was 19and ended up becoming a pretty good agent. 20. I paid back Fred the $50,000, plus 14-percent annual interest. Five years later, I was able to open my own firm.