My Hero

    What does it mean to be a hero? I think a hero is someone who goes out of his way to make others happy. My hero is Mr. Wright, my chorus(合唱队) teacher.

    When I was 12 years old, my grandparents passed away. I was really close to them, and losing them was the hardest thing I've ever had to1through. I couldn't eat, sleep, or think; I felt like I couldn't even breathe. It was as if my whole world had fallen down from under me, and I2into this huge hole of depression(抑郁).

    3I was battling depression, I was determined to make my high school years the best of my life. It was difficult to be 4, but I had to try. I joined Women's Choir. Mr. Wright was the choral director and he was so funny that the first day, I just knew I had made the best5of my life. As the year progressed, I loved chorus more and more. I began to smile again and really enjoy 6.

    Then one day that all changed. My friends—or those that I thought were my friends—started talking about me behind my back. I was7 , and I sat by myself. Mr. Wright came over and asked what was wrong. The look in his eyes told me that I could8him. Trying hard to9 back tears, I told him the whole story.

    When I finished, he nodded and told me, “If you never learn anything from me, learn this: No one is worth 10 your joy.” What Mr. Wright said really11a chord (心弦) in my heart. He 12 cared about me and what was going on. I'll never be able to thank him enough, because he not only saved me but has13every day of it since. Any time I feel like giving 14, I remember Mr. Wright's words and push forward.

    I'm proud to say that I 15 my depression, and I'm now a senior. I'm still a16of chorus, and now I'm also in the best choir at my school.

Mr. Wright is a hero 17 everyone he meets. He cares about every single person who walks through his door, and he loves what he does more than any other teacher I've known. That's18  he deserves to be Educator of the Year. He deserves the19 not just this year but every year.

    I'm glad I had the opportunity to meet you, Mr. Wright. You are an 20teacher, and I hope you realize that. You're my hero.

    My son Kevin loved wrestling when he was growing up. When he 1  high school, he was blessed with a lot of 2 ability. Even as a freshman wrestler he showed promise, and he continued to 3 each year. As a senior, he was captain of a team that set a(n)4 record, and he went into the state tournament ranked number one. He had 5 four matches. Here we were, in the finals of the state tournament, ready to claim our championship. 6, his last match didn't go well, and we didn't have a state championship7 his high school career was over. I felt 8, and I was unwilling to9 what had just happened, and unable to believe it. I painfully 10 Kevin as he shook hands with his opponent (对手), and stood calmly as the referee(裁判员) 11 his opponent's hand in victory. Then he quietly walked out of the gymnasium.

    A few weeks later I received a 12 from Kevin's school's principal. In the long letter, the principal 13 Kevin's respectful approach to peers, his devotion to his friends, his 14 manners and his spirit of cooperation. After I read this, I cried. For years, I had watched every single match Kevin had wrestled in high school,15 I hadn't noticed all the outstanding 16 that his principal recognized. I 17 the wins. And when he didn't get that final win, I was especially hurt and disappointed. I'd failed to18 that Kevin was working hard to achieve victories ,but always performing with character in spite of 19 he won or lost. At that moment, my son became my mentor (导师). He 20 me that the pursuit(追求) of victory is a noble goal, but that winners in life appreciate the pursuit more than the victory itself.

    A young man was getting ready to graduate from college. For many months he had 1 a beautiful sports car in a dealer's showroom, and 2his father could well 3it, he told him that was all he wanted.

    On the morning of his graduation day his father called him into his own study and told him how 4he was to have such a fine son. He handed his son a beautiful gift box.5but slightly disappointed, the young man6 the box and found a lovely book. 7, he raised his voice at his father and said."8all your money you give me a book？"and rushed out of the house, 9the book in the study.

    He did not contact his father for a whole year10 one day he saw in the street an old man who looked like his father. He 11he had to go back home and see his father.

    When he arrived at his father's house, he was told that his father had been in hospital for a week. The moment he was about to 12the hospital, he saw on the desk the 13new book, just as he had left it one 14ago. He opened it and began to15the pages. Suddenly, a car key16from an envelope taped behind the book. It had a tag(标签)with the dealer's name, the 17dealer who had the sports car he had 18.On the tag was the 19of his graduation, and the 20 PAID IN FULL.

    Once upon a time there were two brothers who lived near each other. One day, they had a 1 because of some small things. And neither was willing to 2 each other.

    One morning, there was a knock at door of the elder brother. He 3 it and found a man standing beside the door. "I'm a carpenter (木匠). I'm 4 a few days' work. Perhaps you would have a few small jobs I could help with."

    "Yes," said the elder brother. "I do have a job for you. 5 at that farm across the small river. It is my younger brother's. We had a quarrel, so I won't like to see his 6 anymore. I want you to build me a 8-foot 7." The man said, "I think I understand the situation. Don't worry. I'll be able to do a job that makes you 8." So the elder brother was very glad and left for the town nearby.

    In the evening, the carpenter had just 9 his job when the elder brother returned. But he was 10 to find, instead of a fence, before him, stood a 11, which went from one side of the river 12 the other! On the other 13 of bridge, was his younger brother.

    "Do you know the name of the bridge?" The carpenter asked.

    "No," the elder brother was 14.

    "OK, I can tell you. Its name is understanding and 15," the carpenter smiled.

    Suddenly they began to understand 16. Surely, between two brothers there should be a bridge rather than a 17. Standing on the bridge, they 18 each other's hands with 19 in their eyes.

    "Could you stay another few days? I've a lot of other work for you," said the elder brother. "I'd love to 20 on," the carpenter said. "But I have many more bridges to build."

    When I settled(定居) in Chicago，my new city seemed so big and unfriendly. Then I had a 1 problem and had to go to hospital for a 2examination.

    It seemed a small 3 compared to the one I was about to face, but things started to go 4 right from the beginning , not having a car or5 the city, I was depending on the buses to get me from A to B, 6I'd left myself plenty of time, soon it was 7. I was going to be late, because I had mistakenly boarded a bus that was taking me in the 8 direction.

    I 9 the bus and stood on the road not knowing what to do, I looked into the eyes of a 10 , who was trying to get past me, 11 , instead of moving on, she stopped to ask if I was 12. After I explained my 13to her, she pointed to a bus stop across the street, where a bus would take me back into the city to my 14. Sitting there waiting, I felt 15that someone had been willing to help. 16, hearing a horn(喇叭)nearby, I looked up to see a car with my new friend 17 at me to get in. She had returned to offer me a 18 to the hospital.

    Such unexpected 19 from a passer-by was a lovely gift to receive. As I climbed out of the car at the hospital and turned to thank her, she smiled and told me not to lose  20, for all things are possible.

Day Camp

Our Day Camp is more than a place where children simply play. We are a group of devoted educators who long to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children. 

Sailfish

Entering 3rd & 4th Grades

Sailfish groups are separated by gender(性别) and enjoy intramural(校内的) sports with a greater emphasis placed on teamwork and sportsmanship. Sailfish group also enjoy all of the aquatic(水生的) activities our waterfront campus has to offer, along with a daily schedule of activities that enrich the mind and body. 

Tadpoles

Entering Kindergarten

This group of campers have their own learning facility(设施) and take part in age-appropriate specials throughout the day. The Tadpoles swim twice daily in our in-ground swimming pool. A certified teacher and counselorsc指导老师) arganize and monitor the day's activities, helping the Tadpoles to prepare for the fun of the upcoming school year. 

Minnows

Entering lst & 2nd Grades

These campers are grouped by gender and have the chance to play sports-centered games, explore art and saence and become acquainted with the excitement of sailing on Stony Brook Harbor. Daily swimming lessons are also included, and trips to the beach are a favorite of the Minnows. Both certified teachers and senior counselors work with these campers to provide a safe and enriching experience. 

Dolphins

Entering 5th & 6th Grades

These campers participate in a wide variety of sports and activities. Same-gendered grouping allows flexibility for the groups to choose their favorite games during meeting times. Dolphins also spend time sailing on the Harbor, swimming in our in-ground swimming pool and participating in adventurous activities.