1. Multigenre Project CASSIE ROWLES ELED 3226

2. About The Author My name is Cassie. I am 26 years old and from Lexington, N.C. I have been married to my husband Adam for almost 3 years now and we have two mini dachshunds which count as our children. I enjoy reading and music. Writing isn’t my strongest point but I really enjoyed making this project for my father Greg Curtiss. We didn’t have the best relationship when I was growing up, but now I can consider him as one of the most influential people in my life. This project is for him!

3. Narrative Piece: A Letter to my Dad  Dad, We didn’t have such a great start in life. You were barely there for the start of my life. As I grew a little older I realized it wasn’t all your fault. I didn’t understand at the time but now it all makes more sense. Things happen in life you have no control over. Some things are just not meant to be. We can sit around and waste out lives wondering why or we can pick up the pieces and move on. You picked up the pieces and moved forward. I am so happy we have the relationship we do now because if it wasn’t for you I’m not sure how I could have made it through some recent events. You are my inspiration to be strong, caring and above all else, forgiving. I love you. ~Baby Girl May 11 th, 2012

4. A Poem for you Dad When I was only a child you walked away from me. Not by choice but because you were forced to. I finally met you when I was 6 at one of your ball games. We slowly grew closer and you became the father you always wanted to be. As I grew older I lost my way and blamed you for many things that I shouldn't have. We fell apart again until my graduation. From then on we have been stronger than ever. You told me I needed to find myself a teammate. Someone that would always be by my side winning or losing. You have stood by me in all of my adventures. You have taught me there is more to life than what we see. I have had a teammate since the start and that’s you dad. This is only the beginning of a lifetime full of happiness. It is nice to know I will always have you on my team dad. November 20 th, 2011

5. Informational Piece: About Dad  Greg Curtiss was born June 27, 1966. He is originally from Chicago, Illinois. He moved to North Carolina in 1972 with his entire family. He is the youngest of three sisters, and moving from a big city to the small town of Lexington, North Carolina would prove to be a big change for his family. In 1983, he met my mother Sherry Lohr. They fell in love at 19th Green Putt-putt Golf Course. He joined the Army in 1986 at the age of 20. I was almost 6 month old in 1988 when my parents married on December 20th, 1988. They weren’t expecting it but my brother was born October 26th, 1990. My parents went through a rough divorce in 1991 that hindered the foundational relationship between us. My father met Janice in 1992 and their relationship would grow into something more than friendship. My father finished out his service in the Army in 1994. My father realized it was time to marry again and Janice and my father were married December 10 th, 1995. To this day, Janice is still my step-mother and they have been happily married for 20 years. My father has became a better person with Janice in his life. I know in my heart that my mother and father were not meant to be together. It took some time for a relationship to form. We had to overcome a lot of problems to form the bond we have now. I am so happy he has found the love of his life. If it wasn’t for all of the struggles we wouldn’t be as strong as we are today. October 3 rd, 2010

6. Family Tree

7. Persuasive Piece: A father’s role Is it well known that a father is an extremely influential person in a child’s life? This role has been underestimated because some will say the mother is the most influential person in a child’s life. Some will say that the role of a father doesn’t really matter because the child needs things that only the mother can give. The reasoning behind these people’s thoughts is because the attachment to a mother starts at birth. The child needs milk, love and affection. The father is often busy working and the children see him less so therefore the mother is more influential than the father. The mother is labeled to be the primary caregiver to the child so therefore the more important parent. Mother’s are guilty in contributing to this false assumption. Certain mothers don’t trust their husbands in taking care of the children without their supervision. They think that taking over the role of both parents is enough as long as the father goes to work and brings home what they need. They are sure that their husbands won’t be able to deal with the children and will do harm to them. Thus, they limit the amount of time fathers have for their children to almost nothing. Men start to think that it is right and that they are not responsible for their children. This can’t be more wrong. A father is extremely important in a child’s life especially in the early stages after birth. The father can teach his kids so much. The children want to receive knowledge from their father. They are always happy to hear what he has to teach them and the life lessons they can learn from him. It is important for mothers to encourage their husbands to spend as much time as they can with the children. She should encourage the time spent to be productive. I didn’t have the privilege of having my father in my life while growing up. I had my grandmother and mother who raised me but not my father. He did not come into the picture until late in my life and I wish things could have been different. I believe the mother and father have equally important roles in a child’s life. The father figure shouldn’t be so quickly dismissed because they play a vital role in the upbringing of a child.