Is Your Life Really Average?  
By: Bridgit Bowden              

               One of the most popular entertainment websites among Franklin Road Academy students is MLIA, or My Life Is Average.  On this site, average people post the average things that happen to them on average days, and other average people laugh at them.  FRA students enjoy reading these average posts for many different reasons.  Senior Jackson Taylor says, “It makes me feel less average,” and according to senior Walker Boyd, “It’s not depressing.”  Some of the FRA seniors even write their own MLIA posts.  Here are a few examples:

Recently, I've broken my ankle so I am in a wheel chair.  One day my friend and I got out of band early and the halls were clear.  So, he ran and I made racecar noises as I went through the hallways and avoided freshmen. Best. Thing. Ever. MLIA
Austin Davis

Today, my friend and I were bored so we decided to bake. I said, "Hey, let's make muffins and put them in a cake pan and call it a muffin cake." My friend replied with, "Or, we could make cake and put it in muffin tins and call them cake muffins." I think those are called cupcakes. MLIA
Jennifer Crouch

Today, I was riding my moped in the rain. All of the sudden, I heard a grinding noise and the chain broke. I sat on the side of the road in the rain, wet, toiling for an hour to fix the chain only to find out I had made it too short. I had to call a friend for a ride. MLIA.
Ryan Schimmel

Today in government my partner and I presented the third and fourth amendments using a puppet show and Barbie dolls. For the fourth amendment my Scary Spice Barbie doll represented Michael Vick. Ken then proceeded to pat him down. MLIA
Allison Grant

              But, are these seniors REALLY average? Looking at each person individually, we find that they are not.  Austin Davis made the 2009 All-District softball team.  Jennifer Crouch was selected for Tennessee All-State Women’s Chorus in 2008, and is an alternate for the Tennessee All-State Mixed Chorus this year.  Ryan Schimmel is an extremely successful Model United Nations participant.  Allison Grant was voted Best All Around Senior of the class of 2010.  So, although these seniors think their lives are average, in reality their lives are outstanding.  Here at FRA, it is hard to find a truly average student; all are distinguished in their personal area of expertise and balance.  So, I advise you to closely examine your life and accomplishments.  Your life may not be as average as you think it is.