Reflective Essay
Introduction
Before I even came to ACLC, I thought of myself as a very confident person, but I didn't realize how the pressure of high school could really affect how I see myself. There were so many moments when I felt so alone in school that I really didn't know what I was doing or who I was. Spending most of my education catching up or in isolation made it hard for me to see my achievements. I am really thankful to ACLC. Even though I complained, they gave me an opportunity that had been closed to me before. Without ACLC, I would have never taken a college class or formed unique relationships with my teachers. I have been so blessed to have a family and school willing to support me. That has helped prepare me for college and helped me get my Associate in Science and my high school diploma at the same time. They are why I am now more confident than ever in my education and the direction I am going in college. My self-worth is so heavily connected to my academics. I am an intelligent black girl who can read with a high GPA and will succeed no matter what.
Personal Qualities, Work Habits, and Attitudes
My favorite quote is by author Angie Thomas in the book The Hate You Give. She says, "What's the point of having a voice if you're gonna be silent in those moments you shouldn't be?". If you know me, you know I don't believe in sitting by and letting things that are wrong or disagree with go by. Part of my time at ACLC has been learning that it is okay to be disliked sometimes because being the most liked often means sacrificing your own beliefs. Growing up, my mom made it clear that as a black woman, showing excellence in whatever you do was important. From a very young age, all the black women in my family have made it clear to me that as a black girl and a young lady, I will have to work twice as hard as everyone else. Hundreds of other black girls have heard the same thing from a young age, even though that is spoken to so many of us. It's hard to keep that promise to yourself when you are thrown out there with people wanting nothing more than to break you down. When I think about my attitude toward my work and the qualities I want it to show for me, that means demonstrating excellence in all I do and not being scared to stand up for what I want because no matter what anyone thinks, I am more than capable of doing whatever I put my mind to.
When you find something you want to do as a black girl, you'll always have to go that extra mile, and that takes commitment and an understanding that even though you may not see how it will ultimately come together, you must know it's happening for you. Having spent the last seven years of my mental, educational, and physical development at ACLC, I have learned to find my own footing, and when I look back at who I was and who I am becoming, I am proud. It has shown me not to let the negative attitudes and actions of others affect my goals and that I don't have to follow anyone's expectations but my own. And that I can do it. It's okay to go the extra mile and not let others affect achieving your goals or how you see yourself. You must rise above the expectations of others and not allow those expectations or people to undermine you or the work you put in. You can do whatever you want to do. As a black girl, I can be as successful and make the same mark on the world as anyone else.
New Basics
A little fun fact: I never took a high school math course. Since I started taking college classes in middle school, I just kept taking them there by the time I got to high school. With science, I took physics and biology at ACLC and all my other science classes at the Peralta College system. I didn't do this because the class was easy. If anything, it was a lot harder because I was usually the only kid compared to other students, and studying in isolation was difficult. I honestly think I did so well during COVID because I was used to working alone, and this time, I had more time to do that and the things that made me happy like dressing up but still being able to sleep in. Coming back to ACLC was more challenging than when I left. I had to not only reintroduce myself to these people that I knew yet didn't but also do so while developing new skills for a more mature environment. I can honestly say that having a teacher and a school that does project-based learning and really gives you a constructive, organized space to learn how to problem solve and use different technology helped me to build skills many kids don't know until college. I got to read amazing books and learn about discussion and how these stories, combined with our views, help us to grow. Listening to others while not being scared to stand up for myself. I am grateful that ACLC allowed me to take college classes and have free periods. For everything I have been able to do, the teacher, counselor, and administration have been so supportive. They gave me a new way to learn about myself and explore the world to know what I want to do and the world I want in the future.
Thinking and Reasoning Skills
I recently talked to a teacher whom I really admire. We talked about how some students feel about their school environment. As one of the students within the same demographic who has been in this environment for a long time, I have been able to develop ways of approaching these issues without putting my peace in the crossfire. Attending ACLC helps me no longer feel like something is wrong with me. I don't believe in sugar-coated secrets or words. I don't think everything has to sound nice, and people don't need hard truths. Not in the real world because in the real world, people have problems, and if some people have been blessed not to see them, that's fine, but I know ignorance is not how change is made. Part of my journey at ACLC has been learning that not everyone can see what you see and how to be the people and change you want to see without displacing others and their feelings. Part of that is deciding and saying "I am not okay with this or I will think about it" but also know when and where to take action and when to sit back.
For me, that comes easily, taking the lead and saying if I'm doing it, it's going to be big but understanding not every problem is meant for me to solve. The other part is that I am no longer willing to let problems rule my life. Part of my growth has been understanding that we are all a part of something and that somethings are not meant for us. That is not bad because it teaches you about solving problems and setting up your boundaries, which I have had to learn and will continue to use in the future.
Interpersonal Abilities
My dad has always told me a chief doesn't just become a chief. They must be a tribe member first, and I think that mentality has stuck with me throughout most of my academic and personal life. I am a leader, and in many areas where I have a leadership role, I put myself there and said, "What needs to get done? How can I hear other leader's ideas? What are the nuances that are not spoken? Who do I know to help?". Many teens want to become leaders to build resumes and want and sometimes need opportunities for others to listen to them. However, I shine best by executing ideas and moving groups away from brainstorming to implementing and managing projects. In fact, because of this mindset, I am the co-head of the dance committee, assistant editor of the yearbook, senior class project organizer, and one of the main organizers for my debutante cohort's community service project, and this has been only for the past seven months.
I am reliable and responsible to the point where someone is comfortable handing off projects to me and feeling confident in my work. Seniors at my school are required to complete a community service project. We all wanted to have a winter dance before leaving high school. Although a student stepped up to lead after several months in a senior seminar, I noticed they were over their head with college applications and school work. I simply asked if they needed help and became the co-head organizer for the event. I organized the entire budget and theme and delegated responsibilities. Helping people with solutions when they need support solving problems because of life's variables is part of the job. Some leadership roles I covered included designing the posters, photo step, and repeat, advertising to social media and surrounding schools, ordering food, organizing food donations, setting up the dessert table, securing the DJ contract and ticket sales, organizing parent chaperones, and setting up and cleaning up. When things need to get done, my team gets them done.
As a leader, finding ways to get people involved who, even though they want to help, may need to learn how to enable or succeed is challenging. However, there should never be an event or project you wouldn't want to attend. In many ways, everyone is learning and growing on a team. I would like to join teams that are community service-focused, fun, innovative, and efficient.
Technology
If there has been one MVP for my entire high school career, it would be technology. These last four years of my success and the amount of time I have sat in front of my computer, on Google, or crying over my bad/good wifi connection needs to be studied. I am so grateful that I was blessed with a parent and a school that also understands and believes in the value of technology because, without it, I know the goals I have accomplished would not have been possible. From the very start of my time at ACLC, we had a lot of exposure to technology, and I can easily say it was all for the better. In a world where there was still a lot of debate on the level of technology that should be used in a classroom setting, I am so grateful that my school, even in middle school, made sure we got to learn and practice all the skills I would come to need in the future. This early experience with tech is something that I am even more grateful for because, as it would turn out, I had to start my high school career entirely online due to COVID.
On top of that, my computer was always not working, which only made that year hard, but because ACLC had taken the time to teach and prepare me for working with technology, I figured it out. The tools given to me have also been something that I have greatly benefited from over the years. On a scholastic and professional level, Jupiter and other tools helped me to communicate with my teachers and has been something that I have been able to take to school and as I have started to building my professional relationships.
I am so grateful I could gain confidence in my ability to work with technology. Going to a school that understands and is willing to focus on tech has helped me succeed so much in high school, and I know I will continue to do so in the future.
Conclusion
Maya Angelou once famously said “I can be changed by what happens to me. But I refuse to be reduced by it.”. That is how I look at my time at ACLC. Not every moment was perfect but without ACLC teacher and staff support I would not be the student you see today nor would I be able to achieve some of the amazing things that I am so proud of. There have been moments of fear and feeling lonely but the last 7 years have allowed me to grow and mature so I am a better person, stronger academically then I have ever been. I am ready for my next step no matter what because as Maya Angelou also said…
Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
I rise
Into a daybreak that’s wondrously clear
I rise
Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
I rise
I rise
I rise.