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Hello, my name is Alex Hopkins. I am new to Wikipedia.

Early Life

I was born in Leesburg, Virginia in 1988 and was raised in nearby Reston, Virginia for most of my life. For the most part, I was introverted, yet extremely energetic. My life took an unexpected turn when my parents divorced in 1993.

Armstrong Elementary School

I began Elementary School at Armstrong Elementary School in Reston, Virginia in September 1993. My first year in school was often hectic. I would often throw tantrums and was nearly sent to a special school for the mentally disturbed. My mother had a choice to either enroll me in the alternate school or repeat Kindergarten. I ended up repeating Kindergarten

My second year of Kindergarten was a much better year for me. Although I was technically the oldest in my class, that didn't seem to bother me or anyone else. It was the crucial year that I befriended many new people who would become my best friends until the end

St. Joseph's Catholic School and 9/11

I began the 7th grade and Middle School at St. Joseph's Catholic School in Herndon, Virginia. My time there was tense. For one, wearing a school uniform was completely new to me. Also, none of my friends in elementary school went to this school, so I felt "lost" most of the time.

A week after my first day, 9/11 occurred, which caused me great emotional distress. Although I didn't know anybody who perished in the attacks, I felt the great loss that everyone in our country felt as well. The school principal came on the loudspeaker and announced that we were leaving school early. Of course, to a thirteen year old kid, this was great! Of course, when I got home, seeing the replays of planes striking the World Trade Center towers in New York City, New York was unbelievable

Move to California

John Adams Middle School

Santa Monica High

In Sepetmber 2003, I began High School the ninth grade at Santa Monica High in Santa Monica, California. Overall, my time there was a bit better than my time at John Adams. For one, since the school was so big, I no longer had to worry about bullie or gangs picking on me. Although there was a thriving student drug and music scene, I never participated in either.

Return to my Mother

El Camino Real Senior High

Return to Virginia

Paul VI Catholic High

In September 2004, I began the tenth grade at Paul VI Catholic High School in Fairfax, Virginia. It felt good to be back in Virginia. However, like Catholic Middle School, I still felt "lost" most of the time. The one good thing about it was that the girls suddenly became prettier, to my delight I knew no one and

Death of Pope John Paul II and Election of Pope Benedict XVI

Baptism

On April 15, 2006, I became a Roman Catholic. I was baptized, confirmed, and received my first holy communion at the church where I attended as a seventh grader. It was a very moving, beautiful experience for me and all of my guests. My mother, godmother, and school chaplain were there to see me for my special day. I took the baptismal name of "Alexnader" in honor of St. Alexander and the confirmation name "John Paul" in honor of Pope John Paul II], who died the previous year.

Cardinal McCarrick's Farewell Mass

On June 18, 2006, I was fortunate enough to attend the farewell mass of the Archbishop of Washington Theodore Cardinal McCarrick at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington D.C.

Lyme Disease Diagnosis

About a week before my high school graduation ceremony in May 2007, I was diagnosed with Lyme Disease. For a few years prior, I had complained of constantly being tired, unable to do simple tasks. Often, I would sleep for sixteen hours a day, hibernating during the weekends. As a result, my grades in high school were poor, I never had the energy to apply to colleges or scholarships, and my social life suffered

Northern Virginia Community College

In August 2007, I began my first day in college at Northern Virginia Community College at the Loudoun Campus in Sterling, Virginia. Although I carried 13 credits, which is a full-time load, I had great difficulty in completing my work.

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 ==Cardinal McCarrick's Farewell Mass==
+[[Image:Cardinal_McCarrick_june_18_06.jpg|thumb|
+× 230|left|Cardinal McCarrick's Final Homily as Cardinal Archbishop of Washington on June 18, 2006]]
+On June 18, 2006, I was fortunate enough to attend the farewell mass of the [[Archbishop of Washington]] [[Theodore Cardinal McCarrick]] at the [[Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception]] in [[Washington D.C.]]
 ==Lyme Disease Diagnosis==