model UN project
Over the 3rd quarter, we took on the role of a United Nations delegated the Afghanistan crisis. My role was the country of Nicaragua.
reflection
After working under the rules and guidelines of the United Nations for almost the entirety of this project, I have found that although it is a fully formed, intricate problem solving body, there is still a lot to be desired. For example, the process of writing resolutions and amending them is very clear and thought out, but if no resolution is passed, there is nothing that can be done. As demonstrated in our exhibition, if a large issue is at hand and no resolution is passed, it could have serious consequences for whatever the resolution is aiming to fix.
Over the course of this project, I have grown as a learner by realizing a few key things. At the beginning of the project I was extremely disorganized and disengaged. However, as we got further in, I realized that the more engaged and on top of things I am, the more fun I can have with the content. I also came up with an organization strategy which I am using in many of my other classes. Also, ruing the actual exhibition I found myself fully immersed in my country's role, which is something I have rarely experienced during my education.
If I had a time machine and could go back to the beginning of this project, I would do almost everything differently. Pre researching and finding a country that I really can get into would go a long way in helping me enjoy the project more. Another thing that would absolutely help is managing my time better and not procrastinating. I could be so much more thorough and deep with my work if I wasn't rushing to get caught up all the time. Finally during the exhibition I would try to refine my resolution more before presenting it, and try to make it more unique and powerful.
If I had to give advice to future students about this project, my biggest point would be to stay caught up. If you use your class time, you can easily accomplish all of the work that needs to be done and even go above and beyond. Picking a country that you have some sort of external interest in also goes a long way towards a successful project. If you aren't interested in or engaged with your country, it is going to be much harder to find the motivation for this already challenging project. And finally, have fun with it! This is a project that you can really go in depth with and get into the role of a UN delegate. The more involved in your role you are, the more fun you will have.
adolescence project
Over the first semester of Humanities, we explored and went in depth into adolescence, its meaning, and its importance. We learned about the stages of development, discovered the importance of this life stage, and eventually, created a mask and essay that represent our unique adolescent experiences.
mask
I created a mask that symbolizes the most influential experiences I've had during adolescence. It shows a face, one side being grey and bleak, and the other vibrant and full of life.
essay
My essay elaborates upon the theme I tried to convey through my mask. It goes in depth about most influential experiences I have had and how they shaped who I am today.
Through A New Lens
Although adolescence is often portrayed as a dark, turbulent time, when viewed through the right lens, it can be one of the brightest and most positive stages in life. Many teens today dread the changes they face during this time, be it puberty, searching for colleges, relationships, or other hallmarks of this age. But when looked at in the right way, a negative can really be a positive in disguise.
I often fill my summers by skateboarding with my friends. In the heat of the day, we sojourn to a gas station or grocery store for some refreshments and a break from the activity. One of these particular days stood out to me, not because of any life changing event, but merely the words of a few individuals. Like any other day, we were at walgreens, perusing the aisles and joking amongst each other. As I was looking for a cold drink, I noticed an employee who seemed to be especially interested in what I was doing. I grabbed my beverage and proceeded to the snack aisle to find my friends, but as I glanced back over my shoulder, I came to realize that I was being followed.
I passed this off as just a coincidence or the boredom of a store worker during the slow afternoon hours. All went well, I paid for my items, and we were on our way. But as I left the store, I heard the employee mutter, “Thank you for not stealing.” To some this may just be a strange parting message, but as soon as I heard it I knew it was because of the clothes I was wearing, the friends I was with, and the skateboard I carried in my hand.
During my few years as a teenager thus far, I have experienced many injustices that I feel are directly related to the stereotypes surrounding kids, specifically boys, during this stage of life. This is just one of many times where I have felt looked down upon or discriminated against by individuals because of my age. Although that is not to say that their concerns are unwarranted. Adolescence is one of the biggest times for experimentation and risk taking. By pushing boundaries and testing the limits teens define what they can and can’t do and when they are comfortable with breaking those limits. It also helps to develop the moral compass of young adults. For example, children are taught at a young age that stealing is wrong, but someone may never fully understand why until they do it for themselves and experience the outcome, whatever it may be. In my experience, many things that you are told are wrong never really feel so until you experience the guilt, empathy, or other feelings attached to that action.
In times past I have taken significant risks that at first glance are regrettable and poor decisions. However, I firmly believe that all things happen for a reason, and these errors are no exception. Last year, my social and school life were in shambles due to covid, a new school, and other new changes in my life. When the turmoil and stress I was undergoing became too great of a burden, I turned to partying, drugs and drinking. Nights were filled with clandestine departures from my house, staying up until daylight most days, and half struggling half sleeping my way through the school days. The people surrounding me were the same. I was not judged by my character, but rather whether or not I had a twelve pack I was willing to share. During this time, depression took hold of my mind. My motivation to succeed in school slipped away, and a resignation of living out of my car and working minimum wage took its place. I found myself sitting on the hard plastic seat of a squad car, the small analog clock reading 3:32 AM. Shortly afterwards, I stood in the dim light of my porch with the devastated gaze of my parents weighing upon my shoulders like a ton of bricks. It was at this moment that I knew something had to change.
Over the following couple of months, I made a concerted effort to turn my life around. I started going to the gym, associating with those who valued me for myself, and abiding by law. I noticed that I stopped worrying so much about what people thought of me. I also noticed that I had more motivation to do the things I loved, and almost more importantly, I had the support to do so. Now, six months later, I am the happiest, most mentally stable I have ever been and I now feel that I am in a position to help people facing the same dilemma that I was. Looking back at my “bad phase” through a different lens, a lens of clarity and understanding, has helped me realize that a lesson can always be learned from a bad experience.