This year I completed a Genius Project, a 10-week long project in English with the purpose of helping me to learn something new or develop a new skill. I did activities with my neighbors and not only did I have to step out of my comfort zone, I had to communictate with multiple people, young and old, to properly complete this project. This project was significant for my freshman year because it showed the start of something new, and involved me getting involved with the people around me.

My Genius Project connects to the JAGS Pillar, Take Action. During the near 3 months working on this project, I took action in setting up activities each week to try to get my neighbors out of their comfort zone and to try to help them learn new skills. This is my best work from my English 9 class as I put much effort into making this something that they would remember for years to come.

I completed a witness statement in March of 2022 for a trial we were running during our lessons of the Russian Revolution. This assignment put me into the perspective of someone living during this era, and allowed me to immerse myself in the learning of the topic. I played the role of a mother who lost her family to starvation during the Bolshevik’s seizure of grain during the Russian Civil War.

This assignment connects me to the pillar of Communicate Ideas, as I had to commuicate to the rest of my class the experience I was playing, and had to put myself in the shoes as a mother during the Russian Civil War. Not only is this the best work in my World History class because it allowed me to understand this time frame, but I commuicated with my peers to get my opinion and story out to everyone.

In May of 2023 I completed a partner project on India, looking at multiple different aspects of the country. This was a significant part of my Biology experience as I had never truly looked into the culture of India and the issues that they face throughout their country. By completeing this project, I not only learned how to work better with my partner, but I learned the importance of understanding other countries and how they can differ from life in the United States.

Throughout my research, this connects to the pillar, Investigate The World, as I was trying to learn anything and everything about India as a whole. I learned how the people live there, the issues they face, and even endangered species of animals that live there. My Summit Night Project is a example of my best work in this class throughout the year as without it I would have never been able to understand the perspective of others livng outside of  what I am used to.

In September of 2022, I completed a Spanish Heritage Project, in which I created little Guatemlan Worry Dolls and Pupusas. I learned about important, life-long traditions and interesting food throughout Spanish speaking countries. Through the making of my own Worry Dolls, I learned the significance that they have in the day-to-day lives of those using them. While making the Pupusas, I immersed myself in the food culture of these countries throughout the world.

I connected to the JAGS Pillar, Communicate Ideas, as I presented my work to my peers to show them what I had accomplished and learned throughout working on my project. I was proud of what I had done as I taught them all something new, and as I myself learned new things in the process. This was a significant part of my Spanish 1 class as I had to leave my comfort zone and understand the interesting lives that many experience daily.

Not only was Heifer the best experience of my freshman year, I learned so many new facts and information about countries all throughout the world. I experienced Harper's Ferry which was amazing becuase of the historical significance it held. On night 2 I took part in the simulation where I was immersed in the food and living culture of each country for a night. Personally, I ate Kenyan food, and slept in an Upper-Mozambique house. Throughout the trip I also connected with people I never thought I would have, creating new friendships and living every moment to the fullest, trying to experience everything.

Throughout the trip, I connected with the Investigate The World pillar, as I learned that different countries can have very different living conditions and that not everything is glamorous. On the day trip to Harper's Ferry, I saw old battle grounds and towns, and connected to Recongize Perspectives, as I was truly realizng what it was like to live back then. I saw how things were run, and why they were run the way that they were. If I had to pick the most influencial and significant part of my freshman year, it would be my Heifer trip for the experiences and friendships I made along the way.