Dryden Students Write...

Featuring celebrities and their must-haves, The New York Times-published "My Ten" columns provide an insight into the everyday lives and current obsessions of famous people.

Dryden High School students, concurrently enrolled in Ferris State University's ENGL 150, wrote their own versions. Here is the first of two collections!

The high school student shares some of her favorite things, but mostly about her

obsession with pajama pants.

Fans and friends know that Caila Fitchett is a very open person, but few actually know her favorites in life. Enrolled at Dryden Schools for about eight years now, she has a collection of close friends who have shared the joy and privilege of meeting her all those years ago.

She is an outstanding student and a dedicated athlete who has changed the community

through her various volunteer hours and countless team victories. Fitchett has managed to balance a successful academic career, all while flourishing in extracurricular activities that are bound to catch a multitude of colleges' eyes.

Involved in the National Honor Society, track and field, cross country, soccer, and youth

group, her packed schedule may be difficult to balance. But Fitchett has mentioned in previous interviews that her family and friends help her survive every challenge she may face.

Through her various life experiences, she has narrowed down her favorite things in life to a select number of ten. Overheard in a phone call with her manager, these are the following excerpts from her conversation.

1. God

I wouldn’t be where I am today without God sheltering me, helping me, and answering my prayers. He has introduced me to some of my closest friends and receives me with open arms every time I make mistakes, which is often. Also, he sent his only son to die on the cross because he loved us, which makes it really hard not to love him.

2. Books

I’ve found that books are an amazing way to disconnect from the world and drown out your siblings’ voices. The ability to read small letters on a page that can transport you to entire new worlds is beyond me and I plan to never stop reading, even when I’m old and graying. Romance books are my first choice but I also enjoy fantasy, mystery, and fiction, just never non-fiction. Books also help me escape from reality which can be very unbearable sometimes.

3. Steak

When it comes to my favorite food, steak is at the top of my list. Every bite is a flavorful experience that leaves a heavenly taste in my mouth. For me, nothing can compare to the satisfaction that comes with a perfectly cooked steak.

4. My Bed

Sleep. The one thing I can never get enough of and am always lacking. When balancing a life of sports, school, and homework, sleep is something I seem to always be missing. But oh, my bed, with its warm blanket, silk pillowcase, and cloud-like mattress, it’s pretty much my idea of heaven.

5. Family

Knowing that I’ll always have loving family members who will support me and love me through everything I face is reassuring. No matter how annoying they may be, or all the times I’ve wanted to smash my head through a wall, they are my family and I love them to pieces.

6. Running

Most people are going to read this and either roll their eyes or physically gag but it is on my list of ten for a reason. Although it can be painful and feel terrible, the ability to defy our limits is incredible. To know you are doing something positive for your body and pushing through however many miles you have is something to be proud of.

7. Skincare

I am all about self-care and skincare is a big part of that. Keeping my skin clean and hair well cared for is just a way for me to feel clean and improved. Although some people may say it’s vain, at least I don’t look or smell like a seventh-grade boy who doesn’t shower.

8. New Zealand

Traveling is one of my favorite things to do in the entire world and if you're looking for a life-altering adventure, I’d recommend New Zealand. Mountains, waterfalls, jungles, oceans, black beaches, and glow worm caves are all right at your fingertips once you arrive. Honestly, every person needs to go there at least once in their lifetime.

9. Pajama Pants

Finally. To the topic we’ve all been waiting for, pajama pants. These versatile pants feature soft fabric and a variety of designs all suitable for any occasion and terrain. Homecoming? Pajama pants. First date? Pajama Pants. Funeral? Pajama pan- okay maybe not that one, but you get the idea.

10. Friends

To have a loving, supportive friend group you can surround yourself with is super important to me. People can influence you, negatively or positively, so to find one or two close friends who will bring you up and be there for you is an incredible thing to experience. My mom always likes to say, “Show me your friends, and I’ll show you your future.”

He has made a list of them. Here is that list.

Liam N. is a high school student without anything to his name besides that. In this list, he
discusses his ten favorite things.

1. Music
I’ve had the most personal connection with music growing up, between listening to it and making it. My favorite genre of music is hip-hop.

2. Movies
When I have an excessive amount of leisure time, I watch movies to fulfill it. My favorite genres of movies are comedy and horror.

3. YouTube Videos
If there’s anything that I want to learn or if I want to try multitasking when I’m doing school-related activities, I use YouTube. On YouTube, I mainly watch music-related videos.

4. TV Shows
Much like for movies, I watch TV shows when I’m not doing anything. My favorite genre of TV shows is comedy.

5. My Macbook/iPhone

My MacBook and iPhone are on this list because I worked hard to pay for them myself. I use my MacBook to produce music on FL Studio and I use my iPhone to listen to music on Spotify and SoundCloud.

6. FL Studio
I use FL Studio on my MacBook as my main DAW (digital audio workstation). I switched to it from Logic Pro last year after training myself on how to use it.

7. Spotify/SoundCloud
Spotify and SoundCloud are the platforms that I use for streaming music and, for SoundCloud, to upload music.

8. My Job
It has been, and will be, mentioned in this list and that isn’t without a purpose. My job gives me a source of income, socialization, and work experience. Not only that but I have fun doing it at times!

9. Food
Working in the fast-food industry, it is my job to like food and regardless, I wouldn’t be alive without it. My favorite foods are chicken and pasta.

10. Drinks
Last and therefore least, and in addition to food, drinks are a part of my work. My favorite drinks are orange juice and strawberry milk, or Shirley Temples when they’re available to me.

The Dryden High School student shares his feelings about Frank Ocean, other artists,

and other things that are not music.

During his childhood, he would walk around late at night with his friends listening to music. It never mattered what song, music was music to him. Except when Frank Ocean turned on, everyone went silent. Emotion swept over them.

Frank Ocean was a member of the infamous Odd Future, a collection of misfits and troublemakers that have heavy social media presence to this day. Ryan found himself entranced by Frank Ocean’s deep and thought-provoking lyrics. His words resonated with him. In many ways, they are alike.

“Frank Ocean is the only member of Odd Future I actively try to listen to every day,” said Conn.
“He has a message to spread, even if watered with overindulgence and shaky language.”

Here is the list of Ryan's top ten things:

1. ‘Frank Ocean'

Throughout my whole life, even if I didn’t know it yet, Frank Ocean has been an artist I’ve listened to and respected. I encourage everyone to listen to at least one song by him, especially Lost, which resonated with me the most. Some of the music I make has hints of Frank Ocean in it, at least lyrics-wise.

2. Hyperpop music
A lot of people hate hyperpop because of its industrial sound, which is very reasonable. The only reason I got into this kind of music was because I was dating a girl who loved it. After the relationship ended, I still found myself enjoying the loud, ear-splitting sounds. In my opinion, any kind of music is still music.

3. YouTube
YouTube’s appeal is pretty self-explanatory. Every person on planet Earth can find something on the platform that they want to watch. I grew up watching Minecraft videos, comedy channels, and so much more. These kids nowadays are way worse than I was, though. The content has gone from education and entertainment to paid promotion and mindless screen.

4. Humor

While incredibly vague, humor can apply to anything and everything. Imagine a world without
humor: you can’t, can you? If I was to live without humor, I would be so depressed that I
wouldn’t want to live on this earth. To people who take life seriously, read a book. A funny one.

5. Friendship
My friends have stayed the same throughout the years, although I’ve made many new ones. One of the messages I live by is to never give up on your day ones, or “leave them in the gutter” as Denzel Curry would say. Without friendship, whether acquaintances or brothers, we are living a sad, sad life.

6. Film
As my career choice, I instinctively love film. By that, I don’t mean going to the movies and relaxing. I want to be in writing rooms, directing movies or TV shows, or even animating. The whole creative process is something I have been in love with ever since I was a kid, and I plan to take that into adulthood.

7. ‘Oldie’ by Odd Future
This song used to be something I would hate every time my friends put it on. Present day, it is a blessing when it comes on aux. Running over ten minutes long, this masterpiece has all major members from Odd Future (including Frank Ocean) lay bars over a simple yet creative instrumental. I know most of the lyrics of the song now, and I’m glad I came around to liking it.

8. Food
Since everyone needs it to survive and our culinary skills evolved, food is something that nearly every person loves (there are of course exceptions). When asked what my favorite food is I have to think long and hard about it. This is due to the fact that I love all food equally and cannot pick just one thing. Except seafood.

9. Fashion
I love to create new outfit ideas and bring them to life. Some days, I’ll keep it simple, a gray/black outfit with no brands or graphics. Other days, I’ll look like a fashion model getting paid $60 an hour to wear extravagant jackets and graphic jeans. Either way, I love expressing myself, and clothing is one of the best ways to do that.

10. Sleep
While I rarely get enough of it, sleep is still something I love and always will. Naps are terrible though. Oh, random fun fact: I don’t dream. Maybe once in a blue moon, but I’m almost always dead asleep when I’m asleep: no REM activity. If you’ll let me get philosophical and optimistic, maybe it’s because I like to see my dreams in real life when I wake up.

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