Dissecting a frog in freshman biology was a hands-on experience that helped me better understand anatomy and the complexity of living systems. It was one of my first opportunities to apply classroom knowledge in a real-world setting, deepening my appreciation for science and the human impact on life and ecosystems. This experience helped me see biology not just as a subject but as a global field of study with ethical and environmental considerations, an important perspective to have as a member of JAGS

Through JAGS, I’ve learned that personal growth doesn’t always come from traditional academic success, sometimes it comes from following your curiosity. My pencil spinning project might seem simple, but it reflects the JAGS value of self-motivation and global creativity. Learning a skill, struggling, adapting, and pushing through procrastination taught me resilience. JAGS has shown me the importance of effort and persistence, and this project reminded me that even in small challenges, I’m capable of growing when I commit to learning something new.

Performing the “Snakes on a Plane” skit in Spanish was a fun way to build both language skills and cultural awareness as a student in JAGS. Using real-world vocabulary related to medicine and emergency response allowed me to apply Spanish in a practical, engaging context. Through collaboration with my classmates, I improved my communication and teamwork skills while gaining confidence in public speaking. Most importantly, the skit helped me connect language learning to global issues like healthcare access and emergency preparedness, which deepened my perspective as a globally-minded student.

I can confidently say that having my very first JAGS class being Mr. MarLett's world history was the perfect thing to introduce me to the program. This class wasn't just the best class of my freshman year but it was the best class of my life so far. Not only did we all learn in creative ways that involved us interacting with one another and our surroundings, this is also that class that really had me open up and be more confident with public speaking.