The short story “Fiona’s Lace“ by Patricia Polacco is a wonderful example of how Irish-American Heritage Month can bring family and friends together. This story illustrates how family traditions can have a profound impact during difficult times. In the story, the family is led back to each other by using their tradition of making lace to help them make it through a life-threatening situation. Making lace has a very strong impact on their family, since the parents have a special story of how they met, by using lace. The kids have carried that tradition down to another generation by getting them through a tough time.
One famous Irish-Scottish-American who has made a big impact on the music industry and in pop alone is Billie Eilish. Billie Eilish was born on December 18, 2001, in Los Angeles, California. She is the youngest artist to headline Glastonbury and is a two-time Oscar winner for best original song. She has won over ten Grammy Awards and has received 34 nominations. 31 MTV Video Music Awards, 4 Teen Choice Awards, and many more. Another famous person from Ireland who has changed the image and brand of the UFC is Conor McGregor. Conor McGregor was born on July 14, 1988, in Crumlin, Dublin, Ireland. He is an entrepreneur, a global business, and an athletic icon. Before his debut in the UFC, he was a plumber and worked hard. Conor made his debut on April 6, 2013, at 24 years old and defeated Marcus Brimage in the first round by knockout in just 67 seconds. With this match, Conor made a striking impression with his striking, and this would lead to the start of Conor’s career. After his first match, Conor became a fan favorite and was known for his trash talk in interviews and Pre-Fight Press Conference. Conor became the first fighter in UFC history to become a champion in two weight divisions, one of which was the featherweight champion in 2015, and the lightweight champion in 2016.
Some of our 8th-grade peers have certain traditions or skills that help them get through tough times, one being Annie Nitschke. One thing that helps Annie stay calm and grounded is meditation. Even though it just seems like some silly breathing, it is much more than that. In her own words, “Though it doesn’t sound like a difficult skill for one to acquire, it takes a lot to be able to calm yourself down like this in tough situations.” She says it perfectly by showing that sometimes all you need is to take a breath. Another student named Dylan Madara has a tradition with his dad that keeps him always looking forward. Dylan goes golfing with his dad at least twice a month so he can maintain a good connection with his dad while still having fun. He says it’s a good time to talk to him, but more importantly, he gets to spend time with his dad and strengthen their bond.