Cultural Artifact and

Autobiography Project
By: Holly McAvoy
My H ometown: Long Beach, New York
I am from Long Island, specifically, Long Beach.
Being from Long Beach has shaped who I am.
Long Beach is a close knit small town and we all
share a long island accent. The beach is a safe
place for my family and I. Going to the beach
each day in the summer and spending time with
one another was a priority for my family. I have
lots of childhood memories from the beach. I
learned how to swim and surf at a very young
age and that was important to my parents. The
Long Beach Boardwalk has lots of different
benches along it, one of the benches is
dedicated to my family and the strong
connection we have with God, and the Beach.
Beliefs
My mother and father both grew up in
homes where catholic faith was a priority. My
parents instilled that in my siblings and I.
Going to church every sunday and praying
at night are things I have done my whole life
and are extremely important to me. I am
beyond blessed to have my faith and my
relationship with god. Our faith is something
that connects my family and helps us get
through hard times together. I made my
communion and confirmation which are two
important sacraments in the catholic faith.
My parents were married in the catholic
church and continue to attend that same
church. P
My holy communion with Cultural artifact in my Making my holy confirmation
fathers family, our family where we are sealed with the
my twin sister
crucifix representing our gift of the holy spirit for
First time accepting the
service to the body of christ
eucharist strong faith
 Family Values
My mother and father are both one of seven
children. They have brought four of their own
children into the world. I have two sisters, and one
brother. My siblings and I are very close. Love,
Respect, and Faith are just some of the extremely
important values we share as a family. Respecting
your elders and being kind to one another is very
important to us all. Saying I love you is something
very normal and is constantly said to my
immediate family and extended family.
Unconditional love is something we all have for
one another. Being respectful to adults and people
no matter where they came from was instilled in
my siblings and I. We share a strong bond as a
family in our faith, love and respect for ourselves,
one another, and others.
Artifacts and Identity
Traditions in my family are mostly related to my irish
background, my catholic faith, and spending time as
an immediate family. One important tradition is
placing a cross on one another’s forehead when we
say goodnight or goodbye. English is my family and
I’s first and only language. Our family crest and cross
are two artifacts that reflect our traditions. We
learned to love one another as god has loved us and
to be accepting of all people. I will carry this with me
into my future career in education because it is
extremely important that all students are viewed as
equals, no matter their background. My background
impacts my future career and the way that I live my
life. I will treat each student with respect, love, and
believe in them in good faith.
 The concept of team in hockey is how my family and I are. We
are a team that loves one another. Hockey is something that has
H ockey
been a huge part of my family life. My siblings and I learned to
skate the second we could walk. My brother is a professional
hockey player and my sister is a strength and conditioning
coach for a professional hockey team. My twin also plays
division 1 college hockey. Hockey is a diverse sport and my
family is a representation of how hockey is open to different
genders as well. My family's values are carried out in their
careers just like mine will be carried out in my future. An
example is, My brother blesses himself on the ice before each
game. Also, after he won a gold medal while the team was
celebrating he searched the crowd and pointed up to us in the
stands showing our love and strong connection we all share. My
parents and extended family supports each one of my siblings
in every single game. We all carry our values with us each and
every day.