"Roar" at Lakewood High School

It's a great day to be a Lakewood Tiger!

Today, at 4:30 AM local time (Mountain Standard Time) Katy Perry performed a private concert for the student body at Lakewood High School, a high school outside of Denver, Colorado

Lakewood High won the Good Morning America "Roar" with Katy Perry Contest.

Katy Perry chose Lakewood High's video for it's school spirit and pride. Amazingly, over 2,000 students and staff came together to perform in the video. Everyone was outfitted in black and orange (their school colors) and lip dubbed the song. The video starts with the school mascot (perfectly fitting- a tiger) and walks through students lining the school from all areas of school life, including the lacrosse team, tennis, golf, boys swim team, the football team, cheer and poms, yearbook club, band, drama club, etc. 

Make sure you take the time and watch the full video!!!!
It is worth it!

(Isn't it cool?)

I was so excited to hear that Lakewood won the concert. Their video is amazing. 

But so are their students! I have had the opportunity to meet a handful of students at Lakewood. A couple months back, I went in to talk to the yearbook class about story line, word choice, and editing. I had a wonderful time. And thank goodness for the great students or I might have gotten lost in the huge school. (As you can see from the video the school is very big!)

Congrats to Lakewood!!!!

Hopefully you will get the change to check out the concert live on Good Morning America

The other 4 finalists for the GMA Katy Perry Roar Contest were

Verrado High School- from Buckeye, AZ

Spanish Springs High School- from Sparks, NE

Cooper High School- from Abilene, TX

Pickerington High School Central- from Pickerington, OH

If you have a chance please watch each school's video submissions. They are all amazing!

Have a great day!

Best to all-

Becca

A to Z Bookish Survey

 Every week my critique partner, Kendra Merritt, and I meet to catch up, write, edit, critique and share goals. A few weeks ago during one of our meet ups, we decided to do an A to Z book survey. The survey has been floating around on the internet for a while. Google it and you will find lots of author's answers. 

Here are my answers.

Click here to go say hi to Kendra and read her answers.

Author you’ve read the most books from:

Diane Chamberlain

Best Sequel Ever:

I don't know...I'm not a big sequel fan. I haven't really found one I love....not yet.

Currently Reading:

Drink of Choice While Reading:

Mango- Lemonade

E-reader or Physical Book?

Mostly E-book, but I still enjoy physical books, too.

Fictional Character You Probably Would Have Actually Dated In High School:

I totally  have a character crush on Walking Dead's Darrel Dixon...sadly he is not in the graphic novels. However, not so sure I would have dated him in high school...but I would want him around if there is ever a zombie apocalypse, that's for sure. :)

 Glad You Gave This Book A Chance:

Walking Dead. I'm not a big graphic novel reader, but I really loved the experience and the Walking Dead is so much more than a zombie tale...even in graphic novel form.

Hidden Gem Book:

Don't have an answer...sorry. I'll post back if I think of one. 

Important Moment in your Reading Life:

When I started teaching. 

Just Finished:

Beta reading Susan Oloier's Travel memoir and I loved it!

Kinds of Books You Won’t Read:

Bad ones

Longest Book You’ve Read:

There's been a few. But I enjoy the under 400 page books the best. The long ones seem to drag on and on.

Major book hangover because of:

Jodi Picoult's books. Regardless of if I liked the story line or not, her books always seem to provoke loads of emotion- good or bad- and sit with me long after I put them down.

Number of Bookcases You Own:

One huge one and a couple of small ones...but this doesn't include my virtual book shelf-- that one is growing and growing!

One Book You Have Read Multiple Times:

To Kill a Mocking Bird (There are many other books, too...)

Preferred Place To Read:

In bed under the covers

Quote that inspires you/gives you all the feels from a book you’ve read:

Don't have one...could scour the internet for a fun quote but that would be just as boring...

Reading Regret:

Wasting time on a bad book when there are so many other great books out there to read. I will always put a bad book down. 

Series You Started And Need To Finish(all books are out in series):

Not a big series fan. I will read the first couple books in a series but never care to finish. Too many other great books out there to read.

Three of your All-Time Favorite Books:

Don't really  have favorites....changes depends on mood, time, and place.

That being said, I really, really love all of Susan Oloier's books- if you haven't read them yet- do. She is an amazing story teller and her characters are well developed. Love her writing!

I also really enjoyed 13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher and have re-read multiple times.

Unapologetic Fangirl For:

The Walking Dead

Very Excited For This Release More Than All The Others:

Nothing right now.

Worst Bookish Habit:

I don't have any crazy habit...lol!

X Marks The Spot: Start at the top left of your shelf and pick the 27th book:

What bookshelf do you want me count?

Your latest book purchase:

Too many to write here because I just went to the local library used book sale and bought bags and bags of them. Some that made it in the bag are 11 Birthdays by Wendy Mass, 12 Finally by Wendy Mass, Ender's Game, A few Nancy Drews, Pretty Little Liars....

 ZZZ-snatcher book (last book that kept you up WAY late):

I'm up way too late every night- no matter what....

I would love to hear your answers. Leave a comment or link back and let me know!

Have a great day!

Best to all-

Becca

Following Fun

Follow Fest- a blogfest by Melissa Maygrove

The Follow Fest is a blogfest to get to know fellow bloggers and writers. The fest is through out the week of September 23-27 so it is not too late to sign up now! Click for more information and to sign up.

Follow Fest Information:

Purpose: A platform building opportunity for writers of all kinds. 

(Think, ‘cyber meet-and-greet with social media links for business cards.’)

When: September 23rd thru 27th.

How: Create a blog post using the guide provided and sign up on the Linky list for the day you plan to post. There will be a separate Linky list for each day. 

During the week of the fest, visit other blogs and connect with as many writers as you wish. Enter to win prizes, too!

Welcome to the Follow Fest!

Name:

Rebecca Green Gasper

Although you probably already know that,

but you might not know that growing up everyone called me Becki (yes, I spell it with an i-cool huh?)

some friends and family still call me Becki, and I also go by Becca, Bec, or just B

Fiction or nonfiction?

Fiction novels, but I write non-fiction on my blog and for Moxie Writers

What genres do you write?

Young Adult
mostly contemporary 

Are you published?

Yes

Here are the links:

Do you do anything in addition to writing?

I raise awareness on teen tough issues and advocate against teen violence.
I am also a speaker. I speak for other writers, at high schools, conferences, teen groups, etc. 
And first and foremost- I am a mom.

Where can people connect with you?

And here at my blog- of course. Feel free to follow me. I love to connect!!!!

Is there anything else you’d like us to know?

I'm outgoing and love to chat! Email me any time!!!

Make sure you check out all the other blogs involved in this blog fest. It is so much fun getting to know everyone!!! 

Click here for other blog links

Thanks for stopping by!

Best to all-

Becca

Colorado Flooding

I grew up here in Colorado. I've seen devastating wildfires. I've hunkered down while snow fell, reaching measurements of feet and not inches. I've been caught in a thunderstorm, seen flash flooding, and driven through urban street flooding. Hail is common. Drought is also common. But I have never seen this much rain fall in under a week.

Experts are calling this the 1,000 year flood. Why?

Because this just doesn't happen in Colorado. In their words "It is unprecedented."

Average yearly precipitation in Colorado is around 15 inches. That's including all our crazy snow storms. So to get a better perceptive on just why Colorado is under water right now...

Boulder (in one week) received between 15 and 20 inches of rain. Estes Park measured nearly 20 inches. And other areas across the front range measured anywhere from 5 to 15 inches. It's crazy to think that most areas in Colorado's front range received a years worth of rain in under a week.

All that water rushed down the river canyons, taking everything in it's path before pouring onto the plains and flooding towns along the South Platte and Big Thomson as it went. Water rose in areas far from river basins- in areas no one ever thought would flood.

And sadly, most people here in Colorado do not have flood insurance. And why should we. Floods like this just don't happen...or it's only a 0.1% that it might happen.

Colorado is a dry state. Humidity levels rarely hit 50%. And we have over 300 days of sunshine every year. Mountains receive more snow, and because it is cold, the snow sticks around, but in Denver, the snow may be gone in a day or two. Our ground is red clay, our mountains are not lush and green. We are at a higher chance for fires...not floods. At least not floods like this one. (Flash floods are very common in river canyons and urban streets when thunderstorms rush through the state in short periods of time. It is not common for entire front range towns to be under water because it has rained for nearly a week straight. Weather in Colorado changes quickly and is very unpredictable...it just doesn't rain and rain and rain for days on end.)

The flooding has been devastating. It has affected everyone who lives in and around our front range- from Colorado Springs to Fort Collins and reaching far east through Morgan and Sterling. We have lakes in areas that were just fields yesterday, streets that became rivers, and homes that are now underwater.

I am grateful that I am dry- that my home is dry. I can not say the same for others. Thousands of people are displaced. 8 are confirmed dead at the time of this writing. Hundreds are unaccounted for. And nearly 1,500 homes are destroyed or damaged.

It is going to take some time to clean up the state. Homes, roads, lives, will all have to be rebuilt.

 A field used to play soccer- now a pond...

The field w/o flooding

 My prayers and thoughts to all of those in this devastating time.

Today, the sun is shining!

Best to all,

Becca

You Cannot Be Replaced

90% of people who die by suicide have a 

diagnosable and treatable psychiatric disorder

at time of their death.

This week is National Suicide Prevention Week and today is World Suicide Prevention Day. 

This past weekend, I joined thousands to walk for prevention and awareness at the 

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

Out of the Darkness walk.

I wanted to share the pictures of the walk with you.

Suicide is preventable

Know the warning signs:

Talking about wanting to die or to kill oneself.

Looking for a way to kill oneself, such as searching online or buying a gun.

Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live.

Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain.

Talking about being a burden to others.

Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs.

Acting anxious or agitated; behaving recklessly.

Sleeping too little or too much.

Withdrawn or feeling isolated.

Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge.

Displaying extreme mood swings.

What to do if you know someone who is suicidal:

Take is seriously

Ask questions

Encourage professional help

Take action

Follow up

Great organizations:

Get your World Suicide Prevention Day Pack today from To Write Love on Her Arms

Take time today to remember those lost to suicide and a moment to help those in trouble.

Know the signs.

Best to all, 

Rebecca