Final Reflection - Sturgis Tennis

This year I played for the Sturgis Boy's Tennis team as a half of the first doubles team with Aidan Arnault. This year was an excellent and successful season for me and my team because for the first time we made it to the State Tournament. My biggest win was against Cape Cod Tech, to whom we've lost for the last two years really badly.

This activity helped meet LO4. In tennis this was an unique experience because in other activities in which I've met this outcome I had to work with a group of people (meaning more than one). In tennis, I was able to work with only one person: Aidan Arnault. This experience took this learning outcome to whole new level because not only did we work well together but we were able to develop a bond. The chemistry between Aidan and I allowed me to see the significance of a partnership and how I can achieve things when working with one individual rather than with a group. In the end I found that I enjoyed working with one person and allowing us to become closer instead of working with multiple people. Although with the latter I can accomplish more things, the personal gain when working with one person, personally, is better for me.

I was also able to meet LO1. I knew my good qualities in tennis which was playing consistently and most importantly keeping my head cool and stressing out when I make a mistake. However I also learned how to improve my forehand and backhand and my serving improved a lot. I also learned more strategies in doubles playing that helped improve my playing skills and helped me win more games.

Final Reflection - Sturgis Strings

This year I participated in the Sturgis String Ensemble as the cello player. As part of a group I had to work or in this case play collaboratively with the other players because at times our melodies or hamonies were the same and we had to make sure that we were playing at the same time. This helped me achieve LO4. This activity also helped achieve LO5. Most people who join Strings Ensemble end up leaving and I am one of the few who has remained until the end of the year, and I am one of the only who has lasted three years.

At the end of this activity I can say that I reached my personal goal which was to be 100% ready and play the music perfectly for the concert. Although this seems like a really high goal, I knew that it was attainable for me and this is why I set it for myself. This year I worked harder to make sure that I achieved this goal and I am proud and satisfied to say that as a result of my extra effort that I made for this year I was able to play all the notes perfectly at the concert.

Final Reflection - Student Council

This year I served as the Junior Representative for the school's student council. My job included voicing the questions and concerns of my class and organizing the school functions. But in the end I did more than just that. I ended up planning, coordinating, and organizing almost entirely by myself every Student Council function, a responsibility that was not originally awarded to me but rather I had to step up and take charge.

I learned many things from Student Council. I learned that no matter how good one person may be at leading, there's always room for help. I realized this when everytime I planned an event I ended up doing it by myself and if I had a little help then maybe the functions would have turned out better. I also learned the powers of poor leadership. In situations like student council, strong and able leaders make all the difference. This year it did not turn out as such. Following their example, I learned what I could improve on and what I am doing well so that in the future I can be better.

This activity helped me meet LO2 because I had to undertake new challenges by representing my class and my organizing functions that I have never done before. It also helped me meet LO3 because I had to initiate activities and plan them (mostly by myself).

Final Reflection: Prom Committee

This year I participated in the Sturgis Prom Committee. I planned this year to raise money for Prom and help decide decorations and other details and actually be there to set up for the event. This year I helped at the chili sale by selling chili and washing the dishes. I also promoted the Sturgis Prom at the student-faculty basketball game by dressing up in a tuxedo and selling raffle tickets for a free prom ticket and a free tuxedo. In addition I helped make the candle votives and I sold prom and raffle tickets. On the day prior to the event, I went to the venue to set up the decorations. On Prom Night, I announced the winners for Prom King and Queen. The outcome of my work and others resulted in a wonderful night of eating, dancing, and fun.

This activity helped me meet LO5 because I particpated all year long and even though the event was in May I entered in September because I needed to stay all year long in order to plan for Prom. This activity also helped me LO3 because I ended up planning this event. Although most of the planning and the initiating was done by my advisor and in collaboration with others, I did come up with the idea to raffle a free prom ticket as a means to earn some money and I took charge in selling those raffles. In the end it became a successful raffle.

I truly enjoyed my experience at Prom Commitee, not necessarily because I was doing it, but because of the feeling of satisfaction I came out with. The fact that others enjoyed an event that I helped plan for also gave me a feeling of satisfaction and acccomplishment that made me realize that what I had done contributed to something important for those in my school.