Letters / Formal Letter to my local council [3]

Lucena, Córdoba
10th November 2015

Town Planning Department
Town Hall

Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writing to complain about the conditions of my street (Benamejí). It has not been repaired for years and all the neighbours are disappointed with this situation.

First of all, some years ago, all the streets around the block were fixed and their conditions improved. My street, which was getting worse by the constructions, did not get any improvement.

To make matters worse, during these years, most of the streets around mine have been closed and the vehicles have been crossing by my street. This has damaged even more the conditions of the street and the wheels of the vehicles. In addition, by the conditions, it is really annoying hearing the sound of the vehicles.

I strongly urge you to reconsider the idea of fixing my street. I trust you will deal with this issue and I look forward to your reply.

Yours faithfully,
Juan García.

Speeches / MICHAEL OHER - a homeless person and example of an extraordinary professional sport career. [2]

[This essay is for an oral presentation]

MICHAEL OHER - Speech

Is it possible to have a professional sport career if you have not even home to live? Maybe our protagonist never thought about that because he was just worried about getting food. His name is Michael Oher and that's it's his family.

Michael Jerome Oher, whose real name was Michael Jerome Williams, Jr., was born in Memphis, Tennessee, on May 28th, 1986. He was one of 12 children born to Denise Oher, who was alcoholic and crack addict. His father abandoned them and died in prison. After being in some foster homes, he became a homelessness. He attended 11 schools during his first 9 years of student, and repeated 2 grades.

Michael started playing American football in a public school in Memphis. Meanwhile he was living temporarily with Tony, a mechanic. Finally he got playing for a private school because Tony applied for a scholarship, together with his son. Although he didn't achieve some requirements, the team coach saw he could be perfect for the team so they decided to give him a chance.

Despite everything, Michael was poor and hadn't enough academic level for that school, so his beginnings were very hard. A white family, which had two children studying in the same school, allowed Oher to live with them and eventually adopted him. To help him studying, the family hired a tutor. Finally all his needs were attended.

During his years in the school, Michael won several awards, and he was always included in the best team of the season. Some people were already sure he would be one of the American football star. In addition, he played for the basketball team, where he got the best average of the team, and was also an athlete in the discus.

In the last year Michael improved his marks so he could play in the Division I of the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association, an association which regulates and organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities). He finally decided playing for the Ole Miss Rebels, in the University of Mississippi. This decision was under investigation because he maybe hadn't the required marks, and could have been under pressure to choice that team.

In 2008, Michael was ready to play professional American football. He had been chosen as All-American, the best athlete, twice, and also he had played whit his Conference. But he decided to complete his studies. So, in 2009 he got his degree in criminal justice and the professional team Ravens picked him on the Draft (process where the teams choose junior players).

After 4 years in the team, he won the Super Bowl, one the main sporting event of the year. But in the next 2 years he has changed twice of team, due to an injury.

To conclude I would like to answer my first question. As you have seen, yes, it's possible, but it's really difficult. You'll have to work harder, overcome all the problems in your life and necessarily, luck.