Who: Darcy K.
What: Student of the month
When: This month
Where: Bowie High School
Why: Over achiever in school
This month, because of her hard work and devotion, Darcy Kanneman was awarded student of the month here at bowie high school. "My grades have been really good all year, so it made me possible to win." says Darcy.
"I feel very honored because I feel proud that i am smart enough to win," says Darcy. Darcy is a hard worker, and she believes because of her devotion and hard work she has won this. This award has made her feel successful in her schooling, because to her it is saying she has been doing well.
Newspaper asked Darcy's english teacher, Ms. Wolfe about how she felt about Darcy winning this award. "She is a very hard working student," explains Ms. Wolfe. "She is always on top of her work, when she is confused she asks questions, and she comes to me outside of class if she needs extra help." Darcy has really put in work to earning this award.
Although Darcy put in a lot of work herself, she did not win this award alone. "My friends have helped me reach high grades," explains Darcy. "I'm grateful for my best friend for helping me be validated." We asked Darcy's best friend, Austyn Keelty how she felt about her best friend winning student of the month.
"I'm very excited and happy for her!" Austyn explains. "Yes for sure [she deserves the award]. She works hard all the time even when none of us are." Darcy received a lot of help and support from all of her friends, but she was also a lot of help to her friends.
"I'm proud of her, and I can look up to her. She's my go to for help because she knows everything." explains Austyn. Darcy's leadership holds her up in her friend group, and everyone knows to go to her. Her leadership has helped her with this award.
Darcy doesn't think highly of herself because of this award. "I don't think it make me different, because there are other students with grades just as good as mine," Darcy exclaims. She feels like just another student, and she knows that many people are good and smart enough to win the award.
"It hasn't changed at all, because I'm still doing the same thing, I just have a different reputation," Darcy tells Bowie Newspaper. She feels honored and proud of herself, but knows that she is still herself. She's not a different person. She is very happy about it, however.
"I'm very happy, because it means I'm the best student I can be," says Darcy. This award has helped her reach her goal, and it reminds her that she is a good and hardworking student. She believes she deserved to win the award for student of the month.
Darcy's celebration didn't stop at winning the award, her friends celebrated with her. "They gave me a cake," Darcy explains. They all had a fun party celebrating Darcy, and her award of student of the month. She thanked them all for their help with winning the award, and for being such great friends.
Tuesday, September 29, 2015
Additional Student of the Month Interview
Subject: English Teacher
1) Do you agree with the newspaper's decision to select your student for Student Of the Month?
Yes, I do. She deserved this award.
2) Why do you feel that way?
She is a very hard working student, and she is always on top of her work. When she is confused she asks questions, and she coms to me outside of class if she needs extra help.
3) Is the student of the month one of your over achieving students?
Yes, she is. Like I said, she is always on top of things in my class.
4) Do you think your teaching has affected their chances of winning?
I do, but its also up to her, because I'm going to put forth my effort in teaching, but then t comes down to her and if she's going to work and learn from my teaching.
Subject: Best Friend
1) How do you feel about your best friend winning this award?
I'm very excited and happy for her!
2) Do you think she deserved it?
Yeah for sure. She works really hard all the time, and she's always super focused even when all of us aren't.
3) Do you look at her differently because of winning the award?
Not much because she's still her, but I'm proud of her and I can look up to her. She's my go to for help because she knows everything.
4) Are you more interested in winning the award now?
Yeah I guess. It'd be pretty cool to get it, but I mean I'm not really gonna go out of my way to get it.
1) Do you agree with the newspaper's decision to select your student for Student Of the Month?
Yes, I do. She deserved this award.
2) Why do you feel that way?
She is a very hard working student, and she is always on top of her work. When she is confused she asks questions, and she coms to me outside of class if she needs extra help.
3) Is the student of the month one of your over achieving students?
Yes, she is. Like I said, she is always on top of things in my class.
4) Do you think your teaching has affected their chances of winning?
I do, but its also up to her, because I'm going to put forth my effort in teaching, but then t comes down to her and if she's going to work and learn from my teaching.
Subject: Best Friend
1) How do you feel about your best friend winning this award?
I'm very excited and happy for her!
2) Do you think she deserved it?
Yeah for sure. She works really hard all the time, and she's always super focused even when all of us aren't.
3) Do you look at her differently because of winning the award?
Not much because she's still her, but I'm proud of her and I can look up to her. She's my go to for help because she knows everything.
4) Are you more interested in winning the award now?
Yeah I guess. It'd be pretty cool to get it, but I mean I'm not really gonna go out of my way to get it.
Student of the Month
1) I feel great and successful.
2) I think my good grades won me this award.
3) I think my reputation in the school has changed.
4) It hasn't changed at all because I'm still doing the same thing, I just have a different reputation.
5) I think I was elected this award for my school work.
6) School is easy except at some points it can be hard.
7) My favorite class is english because I think its fun to write, and my least favorite class is science because I think its hard.
8) Yes, because Bowie has really good teachers.
9) Because all the teachers are very helpful and supportive of our work, and they help us when we need help.
10) I feel very honored because I feel very proud about being smart enough to win it.
11) I wasn't even really thinking about it, I just got picked.
12) My grades have been really good all year, so it made it possible for me to win this.
13) Yeah my friends have helped me reach my high grades by helping me out with homework.
14) I'm grateful for my best friend for helping me be validated for student of the month.
15) Yes, they gave me a cake.
16) Yes, minus the cake.
17) No, its just because I have good grades.
18) I don't think anything makes me different, because there are other students with grades just as god as mine.
19) A responsibility I have now is I have to have good grades to keep up my reputation.
20) I am happy because it means I'm the best student I can be.
2) I think my good grades won me this award.
3) I think my reputation in the school has changed.
4) It hasn't changed at all because I'm still doing the same thing, I just have a different reputation.
5) I think I was elected this award for my school work.
6) School is easy except at some points it can be hard.
7) My favorite class is english because I think its fun to write, and my least favorite class is science because I think its hard.
8) Yes, because Bowie has really good teachers.
9) Because all the teachers are very helpful and supportive of our work, and they help us when we need help.
10) I feel very honored because I feel very proud about being smart enough to win it.
11) I wasn't even really thinking about it, I just got picked.
12) My grades have been really good all year, so it made it possible for me to win this.
13) Yeah my friends have helped me reach my high grades by helping me out with homework.
14) I'm grateful for my best friend for helping me be validated for student of the month.
15) Yes, they gave me a cake.
16) Yes, minus the cake.
17) No, its just because I have good grades.
18) I don't think anything makes me different, because there are other students with grades just as god as mine.
19) A responsibility I have now is I have to have good grades to keep up my reputation.
20) I am happy because it means I'm the best student I can be.
Wednesday, September 23, 2015
Current Events Quiz
1) 6 days in Philadelphia and at the White House
2) no more than six unrelated guests, no more than 10 guests total, no more than 2 people per bedroom, no assemblies of more than 6 outside and no gatherings out after 10
3) some of the German carmakers diesel vehicles contain software that contain emission control that violates the clean air act
4) Matt Cassel
5) capital area council of government and chip fabricator samsung
In this story, students wrote to the Supreme Court a complaint letter about the amount of money that schools are given. They explain different situations that schools are in where they need more money. One of the stories talks about how they've had to cut so many classes that are actually needed for students even though they're not core classes. In the end the students tell the Supreme Court that students need hope, and their hope is gong to cmd from what the do and learn at school.
I think those students were very brave and that they thought a lot about the subject. I think they're thinking for all of the students and tat they're speaking for all of us. That is inspirational.
2) no more than six unrelated guests, no more than 10 guests total, no more than 2 people per bedroom, no assemblies of more than 6 outside and no gatherings out after 10
3) some of the German carmakers diesel vehicles contain software that contain emission control that violates the clean air act
4) Matt Cassel
5) capital area council of government and chip fabricator samsung
In this story, students wrote to the Supreme Court a complaint letter about the amount of money that schools are given. They explain different situations that schools are in where they need more money. One of the stories talks about how they've had to cut so many classes that are actually needed for students even though they're not core classes. In the end the students tell the Supreme Court that students need hope, and their hope is gong to cmd from what the do and learn at school.
I think those students were very brave and that they thought a lot about the subject. I think they're thinking for all of the students and tat they're speaking for all of us. That is inspirational.
Monday, September 21, 2015
Student of the Month Interview
1) How do you feel about winning student of the month?
2) What do you think won you this award?
3) How have things changed since you won this award?
4) Has it been easier for you or harder or changed at all? Why?
5) Do you think you were elected the award because of your school work?
6) Is school easy for you?
7) What are your favorite and least favorite class? Why?
8) Do you think bowie is a good learning environment?
9) Why do you feel the way you do about that?
10) Are you honored about winning this award?
11) Have you been wanting to win this award?
12) If so, what have you done to make that possible?
13) Have you gotten help from others to make this possible?
14) Are there any individuals you are really grateful for helping you?
15) Have your friends rewarded and congratulated you for winning this?
16) Did your parents react the same way?
17)Do you consider yourself a leader to others?
18) What makes you different from the other students?
19) What responsibilities do you have now that you have earned this role?
20) Are you happy about this reward?
2) What do you think won you this award?
3) How have things changed since you won this award?
4) Has it been easier for you or harder or changed at all? Why?
5) Do you think you were elected the award because of your school work?
6) Is school easy for you?
7) What are your favorite and least favorite class? Why?
8) Do you think bowie is a good learning environment?
9) Why do you feel the way you do about that?
10) Are you honored about winning this award?
11) Have you been wanting to win this award?
12) If so, what have you done to make that possible?
13) Have you gotten help from others to make this possible?
14) Are there any individuals you are really grateful for helping you?
15) Have your friends rewarded and congratulated you for winning this?
16) Did your parents react the same way?
17)Do you consider yourself a leader to others?
18) What makes you different from the other students?
19) What responsibilities do you have now that you have earned this role?
20) Are you happy about this reward?
School Uniforms
1) You could interview people from the board, the school principal, the district headquarters, or the counselors.
1) What is your opinion on dress code?
2) Do you think it can effect children's learning experience? How?
3) What is the complete dress code for the school?
4) How do you come to the conclusion that it is inappropriate for kids to be wearing at school?
5) What is the reason and purpose for dress code?
6) Do you have a vote on whether or not something is dress code appropriate?
7) Do you get lots of complaints about dress code from students?
8) If so, what are majority of the complaints about?
9) If you get enough parent and student complaints on a topic and good arguments on the topic, would you change it?
10) If so, does it depend on what clothing item it is?
11) If so, what subject are majority of the complaints about?
12) What would happen if majority of students showed up to school all out of dress code together?
13) Would you dress code them all or just let it slide for that day.
14) Are you more strict about certain rules of dress code than others?
15) If so, why are some more important than others?
16) What would happen if a teacher were to not follow dress code?
17) Would you care and make them follow the same rules as the students?
18) Would you care at all to tell them, or let it go?
19) What would happen if teachers had complaints about dress code?
20) How do you deal with students that are constantly breaking dress code, even after you have alerted them about it?
1) What is your opinion on dress code?
2) Do you think it can effect children's learning experience? How?
3) What is the complete dress code for the school?
4) How do you come to the conclusion that it is inappropriate for kids to be wearing at school?
5) What is the reason and purpose for dress code?
6) Do you have a vote on whether or not something is dress code appropriate?
7) Do you get lots of complaints about dress code from students?
8) If so, what are majority of the complaints about?
9) If you get enough parent and student complaints on a topic and good arguments on the topic, would you change it?
10) If so, does it depend on what clothing item it is?
11) If so, what subject are majority of the complaints about?
12) What would happen if majority of students showed up to school all out of dress code together?
13) Would you dress code them all or just let it slide for that day.
14) Are you more strict about certain rules of dress code than others?
15) If so, why are some more important than others?
16) What would happen if a teacher were to not follow dress code?
17) Would you care and make them follow the same rules as the students?
18) Would you care at all to tell them, or let it go?
19) What would happen if teachers had complaints about dress code?
20) How do you deal with students that are constantly breaking dress code, even after you have alerted them about it?
Thursday, September 17, 2015
Current Events Quiz
1) Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum
2) The buses schedule: 6am to midnight
3) nearly one in three trips start or end in east austin and more driers are needed in that area
4) To DOs for perrin, embrace the coaches, say thank you, keep the trains moving, and finish the nike deal
5) they "come alive" at night
1) I think this story is kind of sad honestly, because these people are so paranoid about everything that has happened in the years. They would blame high school student just because he had something creative. I feel bad for the kid too because all he wanted to do was show off his invention and his love for inventing. It also makes me mad at the teacher for just assuming that because of his race though.
2) Yes, I do think he was singled out because of the color of his skin. I think if it were to have just been a white blond kid that had it the thought wouldn't have even had that thought in her head. Its really sad honestly, because thats so much judging and school is supposed to be a place where you can show your knowledge and be yourself.
3) I think they could get charged for assuming that. Thats a very big and embarrassing assumption to say. They didn't even check the clock or anything before wrongly accusing him, and i don't think thats okay.
4) I don't really think he needs praising or anything, because its not that he did anything amazing its just that people did awful stuff to him. I just think that he needs some awfully good apologies.
2) The buses schedule: 6am to midnight
3) nearly one in three trips start or end in east austin and more driers are needed in that area
4) To DOs for perrin, embrace the coaches, say thank you, keep the trains moving, and finish the nike deal
5) they "come alive" at night
2) Yes, I do think he was singled out because of the color of his skin. I think if it were to have just been a white blond kid that had it the thought wouldn't have even had that thought in her head. Its really sad honestly, because thats so much judging and school is supposed to be a place where you can show your knowledge and be yourself.
3) I think they could get charged for assuming that. Thats a very big and embarrassing assumption to say. They didn't even check the clock or anything before wrongly accusing him, and i don't think thats okay.
4) I don't really think he needs praising or anything, because its not that he did anything amazing its just that people did awful stuff to him. I just think that he needs some awfully good apologies.
Friday, September 11, 2015
Headlines, Links, and Photos
1) top stories- Crane Crashes into Saudi Mosque, Killing Dozens
2) news near you-Texas responds to bands having to buy tickets at UT games
3) world- Cuba to Release 3522 Prisoners Before Pope Francis' Visit
4) U.S.- Police: Man Stabs Woman, Is Shot by Guard at DC Station
5) Business- Donald Trump announces he now owns all of Miss Universe Organization
6) Technology- What stylus-lovers need to know about Apple Pencil and iPad Pro
7) entertainment- Designer Tadashi Shoji honors Japan at NY Fashion Week
8) sports- Serena Williams upset by Roberta Vinci in US Open semifinal
9) science- NASA just released the clearest ever picture of Nix, Pluto's tiny moon
10) health- UPDATE 1-Aggressive blood-pressure reduction cuts death, heart problems -study
11) spotlight-Ronda Rousey on embracing her celebrity status, dealing with paparazzi and her ...
4) U.S.- Police: Man Stabs Woman, Is Shot by Guard at DC Station
5) Business- Donald Trump announces he now owns all of Miss Universe Organization
6) Technology- What stylus-lovers need to know about Apple Pencil and iPad Pro
7) entertainment- Designer Tadashi Shoji honors Japan at NY Fashion Week
8) sports- Serena Williams upset by Roberta Vinci in US Open semifinal
9) science- NASA just released the clearest ever picture of Nix, Pluto's tiny moon
10) health- UPDATE 1-Aggressive blood-pressure reduction cuts death, heart problems -study
11) spotlight-Ronda Rousey on embracing her celebrity status, dealing with paparazzi and her ...
Current Events
1) $14
2) walked upright and have the same hands and feet
3) I think it's really cool and inspiring. Especially because he's doing it for his dad and raising money for cancer research.
4) camera improvements and new sensors that enable quicker access to tasks
5) I'd want to own flying cars, flying cameras, and a hoverboard.
No, I don't really think he deserved the money he got. Police are aloud to do all of that if you refuse arrest. Yes, he did get hurt and treated badly, but it was his fault because he refused. I think it first of all depends on how shady they are. If they're just a tin bit suspicious, I don't think it would matter that much because everyone is suspicious to an extent. Also it depends a lot on the actions they make towards them. If they're very harmful and unnecessary I think they deserve the money. If their family wasn't killed I think they should maybe get the amount i guess that they got. If they're family was killed I think they deserve much more money. Yes, he was refusing , but that doesn't mean yu kill him. They should get a ton of money and the police man should be like sent to jail. I think were seeing more, because people get more suspicious and scared about things because of the news they hear around about these people and movies they watch which makes them more suspicious.
2) walked upright and have the same hands and feet
3) I think it's really cool and inspiring. Especially because he's doing it for his dad and raising money for cancer research.
4) camera improvements and new sensors that enable quicker access to tasks
5) I'd want to own flying cars, flying cameras, and a hoverboard.
No, I don't really think he deserved the money he got. Police are aloud to do all of that if you refuse arrest. Yes, he did get hurt and treated badly, but it was his fault because he refused. I think it first of all depends on how shady they are. If they're just a tin bit suspicious, I don't think it would matter that much because everyone is suspicious to an extent. Also it depends a lot on the actions they make towards them. If they're very harmful and unnecessary I think they deserve the money. If their family wasn't killed I think they should maybe get the amount i guess that they got. If they're family was killed I think they deserve much more money. Yes, he was refusing , but that doesn't mean yu kill him. They should get a ton of money and the police man should be like sent to jail. I think were seeing more, because people get more suspicious and scared about things because of the news they hear around about these people and movies they watch which makes them more suspicious.
Wednesday, September 9, 2015
Ethics
"Publishing Drunk Drivers' Photos"
In this article, it talks about a writer Don White and his policy with drunk drivers and showing their photos to the public. He posts these pictures and stories about drunk drivers dying, because he wants to keep people from driving drunk to prevent these accidents. He publishes unless the person was injured and got brought to the hospital.
IS THIS AN APPROPRIATE POLICY FOR THE NEWSPAPER?
Yes, I think this is a good policy, because I agree. I think posting these pictures will make people feel ashamed and embarrassed and not want to ever do that again, and others will not want to have that done to them. Its a big cause of unnecessary accidents and if we have ways to help prevent them, I say go right ahead. The only thing inappropriate are the people deciding to drive drunk.
"Naming Victims of Sex Names"
In this article, it names several different stories where children were taken and sexually abused. It tells their story and how they're found and taken home. It talks about what they do after, and the fact that their names are still mentioned along with there sex offenders name. Even after all of the story is complete.
SHOULD CHILDREN WHO ARE THOUGHT TO BE VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ABSUSE EVER BE NAMED IN THE MEDIA? WHAT SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT THE CONTINUED USE OF KIDNAP VICTIMS WHO ARE LATER FOUND TO E SEXUAL ASSAULT VICTIMS? SHOULD USE OF THEIR NAMES BE DISCONTINUED AT THAT POINT?
I think during the time they're missing for sure so that everyone can be looking for the victim. After they're found and the story is resolved, I think its up to the victim and their family. I think reporters should have to ask if the can write about them, because its a very scary and personal thing that happens to you so if you don't want it all over the intent it should be your cal. its about you.
"Using the 'Holocaust' Metaphor"
In this article, there is and organization that is trying to prevent the slaughter of animals for human use. They relate killing the animals to the holocaust. Some people were not okay with that and thought they dint have a right to relate it to such a horrible thing in time.
IS 'HOLOCAUST ON YOUR PLATE' ETHICALLY WRONG OR A TRUTHFUL COMPARISON?
I think it is a lot like the holocaust just not as important to people, because humans are the ruling living thing on this planet. They are who can communicate, and they're who we are so thats a lot more important to a lot of people. Some people though, think that animals are just as important in the world and that their deaths are just as sad and big of a loss. So, it really just depends on how people feel about animals. In my opinion, i think it is a smaller version of that just not as huge. But it is a small holocaust.
In this article, it talks about a writer Don White and his policy with drunk drivers and showing their photos to the public. He posts these pictures and stories about drunk drivers dying, because he wants to keep people from driving drunk to prevent these accidents. He publishes unless the person was injured and got brought to the hospital.
IS THIS AN APPROPRIATE POLICY FOR THE NEWSPAPER?
Yes, I think this is a good policy, because I agree. I think posting these pictures will make people feel ashamed and embarrassed and not want to ever do that again, and others will not want to have that done to them. Its a big cause of unnecessary accidents and if we have ways to help prevent them, I say go right ahead. The only thing inappropriate are the people deciding to drive drunk.
"Naming Victims of Sex Names"
In this article, it names several different stories where children were taken and sexually abused. It tells their story and how they're found and taken home. It talks about what they do after, and the fact that their names are still mentioned along with there sex offenders name. Even after all of the story is complete.
SHOULD CHILDREN WHO ARE THOUGHT TO BE VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ABSUSE EVER BE NAMED IN THE MEDIA? WHAT SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT THE CONTINUED USE OF KIDNAP VICTIMS WHO ARE LATER FOUND TO E SEXUAL ASSAULT VICTIMS? SHOULD USE OF THEIR NAMES BE DISCONTINUED AT THAT POINT?
I think during the time they're missing for sure so that everyone can be looking for the victim. After they're found and the story is resolved, I think its up to the victim and their family. I think reporters should have to ask if the can write about them, because its a very scary and personal thing that happens to you so if you don't want it all over the intent it should be your cal. its about you.
"Using the 'Holocaust' Metaphor"
In this article, there is and organization that is trying to prevent the slaughter of animals for human use. They relate killing the animals to the holocaust. Some people were not okay with that and thought they dint have a right to relate it to such a horrible thing in time.
IS 'HOLOCAUST ON YOUR PLATE' ETHICALLY WRONG OR A TRUTHFUL COMPARISON?
I think it is a lot like the holocaust just not as important to people, because humans are the ruling living thing on this planet. They are who can communicate, and they're who we are so thats a lot more important to a lot of people. Some people though, think that animals are just as important in the world and that their deaths are just as sad and big of a loss. So, it really just depends on how people feel about animals. In my opinion, i think it is a smaller version of that just not as huge. But it is a small holocaust.
Friday, September 4, 2015
News Values
1) This article was created around human interest, because the shooting is very emotional for everyone.
SOUTH CAROLINA CHURCH SHOOTINGS
Shooting suspect to face death penalty
Killing of 9 people in a church called ‘the ultimate crime.’
CHARLESTON, S.C. — The white man accused of killing nine black churchgoers in what authorities said was a racially motivated crime during Bible study will face a death penalty trial, even though not all the victims’ families agree with capital punishment, a prosecutor said Thursday. FOUND AT THE AUSTIN AMERICAN STAESMAN
2)This story is written based on novelty, because this is a very sad and different event that draws peoples' attention.
ISTANBUL — The smugglers had promised Abdullah Kurdi a motorboat for the trip from Turkey to Greece, a step on the way to a new life in Canada. Instead, they showed up with a 15-foot rubber raft that flipped in high waves, dumping Mr. Kurdi, his wife and their two small sons into the sea.
Mr. Kurdi tried to keep the boys, Aylan and Ghalib, afloat, but one died as he pushed the other to his wife, Rehan, pleading, “Just keep his head above the water!”
Only Mr. Kurdi, 40, survived.
“Now I don’t want anything,” he said a day later, on Thursday, from Mugla, Turkey, after filling out forms at a morgue to claim the bodies of his family. “Even if you give me all the countries in the world, I don’t want them. What was precious is gone.”Rocketing across the world on social media, the photograph has forced Western nations to confront the consequence of a collective failure to help migrants fleeing the Middle East and Africa to Europe in search of hope, opportunity and safety. Aylan, perhaps more even than the anonymous, decomposing corpses found in the back of a truck in Austria that shocked Europe last week, has personalized the tragedy facing the 11 million Syrians displaced by more than four years of war.
The case of this young boy’s doomed journey has landed as a political bombshell across the Middle East and Europe, and even countries as far away as Canada, which has up to now not been a prominent player in the Syria crisis. Canadian officials were under intense pressure to explain why the Kurdi family was unable to get permission to immigrate legally, despite having relatives there who were willing to support and employ them. So far, the government has only cited incomplete documents, an explanation that has done little to quiet the outrage at home and abroad.
Mr. Kurdi, a Syrian Kurdish barber, and his brother Mohammad wanted to immigrate under the sponsorship of their sister, Tima Kurdi, 43, who lives in a suburb of Vancouver, British Columbia. She had invited Mr. Kurdi to live in her basement with his family and work in her hair salon.
“They can work with me, doing hair, I can find them a job, and then when they are financially O.K., they can move out and be their own,” she said by phone on Thursday.
Mr. Kurdi, too, said his sister had told Canadian authorities that she would be “responsible for our expenses,” but that “they didn’t agree.”
In fact, Ms. Kurdi said, she had applied at first only for Mohammad’s family, teaming up with friends and relatives to make bank deposits to prove she could support the familyBut in June, she said, Mohammad’s application was rejected for lack of a required document proving he had refugee status. But under Turkish refugee policies, such documents are nearly impossible for Syrians to come by. In any case, the experience persuaded the family that neither brother would ever get a Canadian visa.
That, Ms. Kurdi said, was when she offered to help her brothers finance the boat trip — something, she said through tears, “I really regret.”
Now, she said, “All what I really need is to stop the war. That’s all. I think the whole world has to step in and help those Syrian people. They are human beings.”
Aylan was named after a cousin, Ms. Kurdi’s son Alan, she said. She had never met Aylan or his brother Ghalib, 5, but saw and talked to them often on video chat. Aylan’s father grew up in Damascus, the Syrian capital, in the neighborhood of Rukineddine, but was originally from the Kurdish city of Kobani near the Turkish border. A year or so ago, he said in a telephone interview, he moved his family to Kobani because of increasing strains in Damascus. But he said it was not safe there either, with the Islamic State increasingly attacking the area.
The family eventually moved to Istanbul, but it was difficult for Mr. Kurdi to support himself, and he had to borrow money from his sister for rent.
Ms. Kurdi turned to her local member of Parliament, Fin Donnelly, who hand-delivered a letter appealing for help to Chris Alexander, the citizenship and immigration minister“We waited and waited, and we didn’t have any action,” he said.
In Canada, a country that has long prided itself on openness to refugees but has shifted that policy under a conservative government, this amounts to a campaign issue; Mr. Alexander had promised to admit 10,000 refugees from Syria, just over 1,000 had arrived by late August, and opposition parties like Mr. Donnelly’s say more should be welcomed. On Thursday, Mr. Alexander rushed back from the campaign trail to Ottawa, the capital, to deal with the family’s case, declaring that it “broke hearts around the world.”
Mr. Kurdi said he tried several times to cross to Europe on his own. He almost drowned trying to cross the river at Edirne, in Turkey, he said, “and once from the borders with Bulgaria and I got caught and sent back.”
Then he paid 4,000 euros, about $4,450, for the sea crossing — paying extra supposedly to avoid using a rubber raft.
“Of course we were afraid of drowning,” he said, “but the Turkish smuggler said it was going to be a yacht.”
Mr. Kurdi said the family had life jackets that were lost in the accident, but a senior Turkish security official said they were unavailable.
“Instead of focusing on the real issues, people blame the father for not putting a life jacket on his children,” the official said, noting that Turkish patrols have seen countless similar tragedies pass unnoticed. “Well, I’ll tell you this: Life jackets in sizes that small simply aren’t available here.” Indeed, many refugees buy plastic beach toys for flotation.
The voyage started in the middle of the night, around 3 a.m. in five-foot seas, he said. It is the season of the relentless Meltemi winds, when the waves can be 15 feet high.
Choking back emotion as he spoke, Mr. Kurdi described how he had flailed about while trying to find his children as his wife held on to the capsized boat.
“I started pushing them up to the surface so they could breathe,” he said. “I had to shift from one to another. I think we were in the water for three hours trying to survive.”
He watched helplessly as one exhausted child drowned, spitting up a white liquid, he said, then pushed the other toward the mother, “so he could at least keep his head up.”
Mr. Kurdi then apologized, saying he could no longer speak, and ended the conversation with one parting message.
“What I really want now is for the smuggling to stop, and to find a solution for those people who are paying the blood of their hearts just to leave,” he said.
“Yesterday I went to one of the smuggling points and told people trying to get smuggled at least not to take their kids on these boats. I told them my story, and some of them changed their minds.”
Volleyball team seeks fixes amid challenging start.
SAN MARCOS — Texas State’s volleyball team opens its home schedule this weekend with matches against UTSA, Indiana, Prairie View A&M and Lamar after starting 0-3 last week against No. 17 Arizona, the Big 12’s TCU and SMU, which is picked to finish second in the American Athletic Conference.
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