Thoughts and Reflections 🧐

 Hello Don,

The last ILC blog I wrote in 2015 encapsulated a “Mark” that was näive, innocent, and untouched by the reality of what so many young high

school students imagine as “adulting”. Since then, we, as a cohort, have done much growing much up- at this point we’ve all graduated from our undergraduate programs and have all gone on to set foot on the journey to create the underpinnings for our lives in the long term. 

Since our adventures in Columbia, it is safe to say that we have all carried with us important lessons learned that have helped to mold the people that we identify as now. It is my hope that the ILC will continue to pull students out of their comfort zones and place them in environments that force them to expand their viewpoint outside of the life of the typical student in West Contra Costa. With this, we can portray that the dreams we hope to accomplish are not just figments of our imagination but realities that we can absolutely achieve. 

So Glad its Over

      Throughout my high school experience I have always been told that Senior Year was the easiest. The last time experiencing high school events and making memories; that is what Senior Year was supposed to be. No one bothered to mention the stress of college apps. I never thought it would be so difficult to talk about myself but trying to make myself sound like a top pick in no more than 350 words was one of the most difficult things I've ever had to do.
      College Applications are a whole 'nother level of stress. Just knowing that these applications and essays play a large factor to where you will spend the next four years of your life is truly frightening. The worst part is that not only are you trying to focus on these essays but at the same time you have to try to balance schoolwork. For the first time in my whole high school experience, first quarter was hard as I found myself trying to find the balance between extracurricular activities,college apps, and school work and this was quite difficult.
     I know everyone says this but the best advice I could give is DO NOT PROCRASTINATE. For UC Applications the essay prompts release in August and the best thing I would suggest you do is start as soon as they come out. Do not be the person who barely starts two weeks before the applications are due (this was me). You will hate your life when everyone else is done and submitted and you are barely on your second prompt. Another handy tip would be to build a relationship with your teachers. Teachers offer so much support through this process. Not only will they support you but by building a relationship, when time comes you will have a great source for a college recommendation letter because you will be receiving it from a person who truly knows you. You will have a genuine letter rather than a generic "they are a hard worker." My last and final tip would be to take advantage of the college and career center. I can honestly say that without Ms. Jessica I would not have been able to finish these applications. She supported me throughout the whole process by checking for errors not only on my application but on my essays and I am truly grateful for all her help.
     Honestly just write what you know. This is the perfect time to reflect and finally brag about the hard work you have put in. Although this can be a very long and tedious process, do not forget to enjoy! This is your last year so do not forget to make the best out of it.

How to Reach Out to Lil, Tiny Freshies

         Truthfully, it is very difficult to reach out my fellow freshmen, especially if they don't know about our school resources. I've tried things such as social media and posters but not all of the freshmen use those to get information, so that rises the question, how do I effectively inform freshmen of our school resources and events?
          As a freshman entering an entirely different environment, it took me awhile to figure out the school and as i was going through that process, I finally realized every other freshman was going through the same thing. I grasped that maybe it wasn't on the top of everyones' list to reach out to their Pres. and leadership class and they may not understand leaderships role in the school so as the year started, even now, I tell my classmates about everything. I inform them of events and anything they can participate.
          In the future I hope my class can listen to their leadership and be a helping hand we can count on. I also hope out efforts of giving them information will succeed and actually provide them the resources they need. If all these acts are successful, I see a very bright future for my class because, as you know, we are the best class ever! Gooo co/ 2020!!!

MC Karii blog 1

           

           My first time MC'ing was my sophomore year when i had to fill in for joseph while he was marching in the parade at the Home coming Rally. I was very nervous and i didnt know what to do but i just went with the flow and was able too give my school a good, smooth flowing Rally which they said was my best one. From then on out ive wanted to be the Mc of the rest of my school Rally's.

This is my third year in leadership and now i am one of the permanent MC hosting the school rally's alongside with Maddie. One of the challenges ive faced this year and proud that i have faced is being able to host these rally's while making everyone feel welcomed and making sure that they are having the best time that i can offer. I feel as if its important to be able to entertain while interacting with the crowd, rather than just reading the schedule, and thats just what ive done. I did this by beginning to joke, hype and make the crowd have a good time. 

                 Another challenge that i had to face this year is being able to a share one mic with my co-MC. Especially when we're from both different classes, which means we'll be chearing on our classes. Me and maddie found a way to compromise and be able to share this mic with equal amount of mic time. We take turns cheering on our classes while also hyping the lower class men so they can get loud and excited  ( which they already always are). Me and maddie from now on will be making the De Anza High school rally's LITTTTTTT!!!

Goals...

I haven't been in leadership for a very long time but I would like for the junior class to have a successful senior year. No one wants their senior year with little activities. I`m glad that the Junior class has been fundraising since the start. We should continue fundraising and try to raise as much as we can. We should come up with new ideas to fundraise.

A school goal I have is to have a good GPA for the 2nd semester. Hopefully I get the chance to do my SAT this year. I would also like to visit a few colleges this year so I could get a feel of what campus I'm interested in. Also  I would like to play baseball this spring.

I would like to go to more school events this year since I haven't made many. I'm very excited to be a senior next year. However I don't wanna rush the rest of my high school experience. I'm gonna enjoy every second of it and being in leadership has made it fun.

Blog #2 - The Future

Its 2017! Isn't that crazy? One more year, and class of 2018 will be outta here! But before we leave, we have to leave a nice reputation. My class and I have many goals set for the next year and we are excited for the near future. But before we do that, we do have to change some things...

As a school overall, we're amazing. There's some things we can fix, but that's about it. During spirit week, we need to show some spirit and participate in activities that Leadership puts up. Also our reputation, has to stay how it is! That, in my opinion, is the main goal. Having a brand new school is a blessing so our students need to continue to keep the school clean and beautiful. 

My class and I have talked about many cool and fun things we can do during our senior year, but first we do need to fund raise to gain money to support those activities. As a class and as a school we do need to talk more different ways to fund raise.  Everything is top secret though so I'm not going to say too much...

Future Upcoming Quarter

Reflecting on Quarter 2, I would simply say it's been chill. Not too much was going on aside from doing work within our committees, but events like rallies or dances weren't something to stress so much about this quarter.

When speaking of the future and all that may happen next quarter, I see the leadership becoming more productive and busy with more events to prepare for. Also, for the junior class in particular, I think that we'll start selling food more and working as a group more often, compared to this quarter. A goal for the future would have to be to get my life together......Wait this isn't my journal; a goal for the future, when speaking of the leadership class, is to have well organized and more exciting rallies. Just well organized and more exciting things for all events actually, not solely rallies.

Although we will be more busy for Quarter 3, I believe that we will still be composed and everything will work out in the end. The future after Quarter 3 is something to be prepared for as well with the many events coming along with it, but if we start off the next quarter with a solid foundation, things will run smoothly when the time will come.