Welcome to my portfolio! I hope you enjoy learning about me while you look at my works, both past and present, and through looking at the things that interest me. During elementary school, I practiced my creative writing skills, which helped me to expand my mind and think outside of the box. In middle school, I focused on research papers and learned how to cite sources correctly through parenthetical citations and works cited pages. Once I got to high school, my teachers challenged me to write on an analytical level. Over the years, I have come to enjoy writing and now use a combination of everything I have learned throughout elementary, middle, and high school.

Jessica

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Betsey Johnson

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Reminiscence

•Go to college

•Get a degree

•Go skydiving

•Go to space

•Drive across the country

•Travel around Europe

•Ride in a gondola in Venice

•Ride the world’s tallest roller coaster

•Learn to snowboard

•Go to fashion weeks around the world-New York, Milan, London, Paris

•Have a Christmas wedding

•Have kids

•Swim with dolphins

•Learn to surf

•Learn how to salsa dance

•Be in two places at once

•Visit the Grand Canyon

•Go snorkeling

•Visit a private island resort

•Write a book

•Go on a cruise

•See Phantom of the Opera on Broadway

•View Paris from the Eiffel Tower at sunset

•Start my own business

•Learn to hang glide

I ran through the houseScreaming as if I had just seen a mouse

Yet it was something with 18 kneesYou can call it a roach if you please

My face turns white sheet paleAs I pray the roach is not female

Since she can reproduce at the speed of lightOh bring on the fight

I instinctively stomp the critterBut it lives on…I am so bitter

So I grab the Raid and hold down the knobExpecting the roach to turn to a blob

I begin to cry as I see it crawlAnd realize this is a full on brawl

I try to remain placidAs I grab the boric acid

The powdery substance coversThat nasty bug while I hover

Watching its protective outer shellFalling off its body well…

It is too humid hereThe acid won’t work I fear

The roach must be dryFor the stupid thing to die

Giving up I slowly grabA sticky trap that is fab

I put the trap against the wallThis will surely be a ball

I watch as the roach goesGood–bye little foeInto the sticky goo

Forever stuck like the morning dew

I have won!It has been oh so fun

I’ve destroyed a thing that can surviveEven if a nuclear war were to thrive

The Cockroach

Cockroaches are some of the most disgusting animals on the planet, yet there are several interesting facts that also make them some of the most interesting creatures. From the number of knees they have to how

to kill them, the roaches are apart from all others. Most creatures have two legs, including humans, yet the cockroach

has six legs and at least eighteen knees (“Amazing”). An average human being in good health can hold his/her breath for about two minutes. The

world record for a human holding their breath is 17 minutes and 4.4 seconds (Sharples). A cockroach can last up to over two times that,

holding its breath for forty minutes at one time (“Amazing”). The human heart is a vital organ that is needed for mere survival. However, “the

heart of a cockroach comprises of a simple tube with valves. It can stop moving anytime, without harming the roach” (“Facts”). “Female cockroaches attract males by producing pheromones, a

type of scent” (“Facts”). Too bad for the males, females only have to mate once and will be pregnant for the rest of their lives (“Amazing”). Unlike

Americans, the “cockroach once served as the guest of honor in European homes. In fact, it was customary to release them in new homes” (“Facts”). Another interesting fact about the cockroach is that it can live without its head for up to a week because its brain is scattered throughout its body,

instead of in its head (“Facts”). Cockroaches tend to roam at night, searching for food, water, and

mates. They love warm, humid places and eat a variety of foods: starches, sweets, grease, meat products, cheese, beer, bakery products, glue, hair,

flakes of dried skin, dead animals and PAGE 2 3 4

plant materials. The shape of a cockroach is familiar to everyone, with its long, flat body, and spiny legs. A cockroach can run rapidly over most

surfaces and is able to crawl across glass windows or walk on the ceiling with the help of specialized pads in its tarsi. Cockroaches are also famous for “hitchhiking” across people’s homes or even across states. Because

they hide in cracks and crevices, the roaches travel by individual people or in products shipped around the country. One must carefully inspect

deliveries of furniture, clothing, or other goods in case a roach is hiding in the cracks.” (“Cockroaches”).

Since the cockroach has evolved overGerman cockroaches have been known to sneak into facilities like hospitals, zoos, restaurants, and

supermarkets through this “hitchhiking millions of years (“Kill”), one probably wonders how it survived a nuclear war when millions of humans

died. Well, a lethal dose of 800 rems of radiation will kill a human being (“a "rem" is the dosage of radiation that will cause a specific, measured amount of injury to human tissue”) and a cockroach can handle up to 67, 500 rems

of radiation (“Amazing”)! A cockroach is a very difficult creature to kill, causing many people

to get frustrated when the can of Raid does not do the trick. Rather, it takes several steps and large amounts of patience to kill the seemingly immortal bug. The first step is the easiest and least toxic: petroleum jelly. Take a

deep bowl and place petroleum jelly around the sides to prevent the roach from climbing back out. Build a paper ramp for the roach to get into the

bowl to get to the food. Once it is in the bowl, the roach is stuck because of the jelly. To dispose of the roaches in a sanitary manner, flush them down

the toilet (“Kill”).

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If the simple, homemade trap is unsuccessful, bring in the acid. Boric acid is a powdery insecticide designed to strip the roach of its protective outer shell.

Once the bug loses its shell, it will dry out and die from dehydration. While this is a more successful tactic, it may not work as quickly in a humid environment

because it will take the roach longer to dry out (“Kill”). Since a roach prefers tight, dark spaces, a bait station is another good

solution to a cockroach problem. The station is similar to a live trap, yet incorporates deadly mold into the bait. Luckily, the mold is only damaging to

roaches, not to humans or pets. Sprays also prove to be a good agent for killing the nasty bugs. However, it is not a good idea to use the sprays and the bait stations simultaneously. The spray will cause the bait to be less attractive

and enticing to the roach (“Kill”). A gel or “sticky trap” catches a cockroach on their way in and out of a

house. This sticky substance helps define where the roach lives and moves inside a home, helping one to eliminate the pest more aggressively. However, one must note, “cockroaches prefer to walk so that the sides or tops of their

bodies are touching another object, like a wall or the bottom of a piece of furniture.” So, place the sticky trap along the wall or under low furniture for the

best chance of success (“Kill”).Insect growth regulators (IGR) eliminate current roach problems, and

prevent future outbursts as well. An IGR sterilizes immature cockroaches so they will not be able to reproduce. Since cockroaches reproduce like the speed

of light, adding an IGR supplement to a treatment plan takes care of the present and future (“Kill”).

A cockroach is an annoying little insect that will make anyone’s face go from grin to grim. With all of its legs and knees and long, skinny body, a

roach is definitely nasty. PAGE 2 3 4

However, after looking at all the facts, one must admit that a roach is an amazing creature. So, before grabbing the can of Raid, read up on the steps on how to kill a roach successfully to save an enormous amount of frustration and headaches. Also, remember that the key is to not only kill the current roach problem, but also take steps of prevention to avoid further nests.

Growing up, I learned that intellect goes beyond the philosophies of Aristotle or Socrates. While these men are known for their genius minds and profound

studies, my intellectual curiosity takes on a broader range of topics. I am versed in the sciences and mathematics, yet as a visual learner, I appreciate art, music,

and design, and more specifically fashion. Many people do not realize how much fashion affects our day-to-day lives,

yet it is everywhere. During my junior and senior years, I was a part of putting together a school fashion show. As a junior, I was a “worker bee” who did what I

was told. I learned the dances for the scenes and I logged countless hours to make the show perfect. My senior year, however, I received the privilege of

creating my own scene for the show. I directed, choreographed, and chose props for the scene. I did not do this alone, however, and had to work on the scene with

two other girls. That was the epitome of learning how to work with others, compromising ideas and setting aside opinions about each other. It was not easy,

but I discovered that working with others is a beneficial aspect of putting on a project of that size. The art of a fashion show is fascinating, taking months of preparation, hard work, and time. Then, in one night, it is over in a few hours. Even though the show was gone in a fleeting moment, the lessons I learned working on it will stay with me forever, especially as I enter the work force.

Edith Hamilton was right when she said, “To be able to be caught up in a world of thought- that is to be educated.” With my love of fashion, I am

constantly lost in thought of new trends and ideas. Although Aristotle and his theories provided much to the academic world, intellectual curiosity does not

have to stop at classical philosophers; it can go so far beyond. I have ventured beyond the “academic” intellect and have discovered a world full of so much

more.

Bittersweet SmilesI was four-years-old when it happened. Although I cannot remember exactly

what the doctor said, I imagine it went something like this, “Mr. and Mrs. Liverman, your daughter has a mild form of a condition known as Ectodermal Dysplasia.” I see my

parents staring back at my pediatrician with faces full of questions and concerns, while I sat anxiously awaiting the end of the appointment when I could explore the treasure box

of “treats.” Little did I know how greatly the condition would impact my future. Ectodermal Dysplasia is a rare condition that affects many parts of the body:

hair, nails, teeth, and sweat glands. In my case, my hair and nails grow very slow, I don’t perspire as much as I should, causing me to overheat, and I am missing five adult

teeth. Cosmetically, my biggest issue has been my teeth.When I was young, my smile never bothered me; everyone was going through

“awkward” stages in life, particularly with teeth (e.g. braces). At thirteen-years-old, having abnormal teeth was the norm, so I didn’t think much about them. I still had about fours years to go before I could have any major changes done to my smile. As a young

girl, four years seemed like a lifetime away. So, I pushed the thought of fixing my teeth to the back of my mind.

All of those thoughts resurfaced, however, when I entered my freshman year of high school. For the second time in my life, I had braces. They were tiny scraps of metal that made me feel ugly and not “up to par” on the world’s standard of beauty.

When I finally got my braces off at the end of my sophomore year, my teeth still didn’t measure up. They were small and uneven like pieces of chalk after it hits the ground,

tiny, pointy, jagged. PAGE 2 3

I remember my dentist’s promise of dental implants as soon as my jaw stopped growing. “Dental implants,” he said, “are metal screws that are placed into the bones in your

mouth with a surgical procedure, and will eventually hold crowns in place.” I came to hate the word “eventually” because it just meant more waiting, and waiting is not the strong suit of a teenage girl. I desperately wanted a beautiful smile like the celebrities I saw on magazine covers. At fifteen years old, I didn’t want to wait two more years to have a “sensational” and “dazzling” smile as my dentist described. Fixing my smile seemed like an obstacle as big as

the ocean itself. After two agonizingly long years, my dentist and several specialists set the date of

the dental implant surgery for spring break of my junior year. As the date grew closer, my life became a non-stop dentist appointment, filled with last minute consults. The entire process of dental implants takes nearly two years and is broken down into the following steps: 1) surgery, 2) a three-month recovery, and patient must wear removable plastic retainer with fake teeth, 3) insertion of temporary crowns into implants, 4) a six month

waiting period, and 5) removal of the temporary crowns and replacement with permanent, porcelain crowns (currently, I am at step four and have to wait. Again!). On the morning of the surgery, my parents and I checked into Children’s Hospital of the

Kings Daughters and waited. Let me remind you, I despise the word “wait.” The noises of the waiting room were overwhelming, filled to the brim with screaming infants and running toddlers. I suddenly had a vivid understanding of the phrase, “terrible twos!” I was utterly

grateful when the nurse came into the waiting room and called my name, “Jessica Liverman?” She handed me the funny hospital gown and sent me off to change

into the most complicated garment I had ever put on. After a few attempts, I finally walked back into the room just to find out I put the gown on wrong. The nurse sighed in exasperation and showed me the proper way to wear the gown. Knowing

that my derriere could fall out of the gown at any given moment, I smiled a smug grin and thought to myself, “I have a ‘right to moon’ anyone who happens to be near me,” although I am grateful this did not happen. When the anesthesiologist came into the room shortly after, my moment of foolish humor dissolved into uncontrollable tears.

I could not get my mind around the fact that it was actually happening. After seventeen years of having five baby teeth mixed in with other adult teeth, I couldn’t

picture myself with a normal smile. The anesthesiologist saw my tears and gave me “happy juice” to calm down.

The only thing I remember from the surgery is waking up to the surgeon asking me to smile for my parents. I was so livid that he would wake me up for such a ridiculous request. Anyone who has ever undergone surgery would agree with me that those drugs will keep someone unconscious for days. As I blurrily looked from the surgeon to my parents, I focused all of my energy on lifting the corners of my mouth. It wasn’t a huge smile, but enough to please those who were around me. After a few moments, the surgeon nodded his approval and I succumbed to my

droopy eyes and fell back to sleep. Fast forward five months. I received my temporary crowns two months ago and I

am delighted with the success of the procedure. I still have about four months to go until I am rewarded with the final, permanent crowns; however, I am content because the temporary crowns look just like the permanent ones. I look back on the surgery

as a blessing, giving me much more confidence in myself and the courage to flash a bright smile to the people around me. “Sensational” and “dazzling” used to be out of my arms’ reach, and now, they are right at my fingertips.

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