Investigate the World:For our GO Night project this year, we had to create a posterboard with research about two countries. Our purpose was to compare and contrast two countries based on the United Nations Sustainability Goals. We researched everything we could about the countries, making us well educated about them. This project was presented for thirty minutes at GO Night, then we switched with our partners. This presentation helped my understanding of how different countries prioritize United Nations goals and how they are implemented differently in each country.

• I have always liked learning about different countries, but this project chose a country that I had almost no knowledge about. My GO Night project helped me investigate the world by my group and I researching all about Iraq. Without this project I would not have known almost anything about Iraq, but this project broadened my perspective of countries outside of the U.S especially Middle Eastern countries which I had less knowledge on.

Recognize perspectives: This year, my class was introduced to our Genius Hour Project. Our instructions were to create a presentation about an interest we would like to explore further in school. I chose to explore the mental Health of athletes and how it impacted their playing ability. I saw that often, when a solution is proposed, it does not help everyone because, for this problem, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. This project allowed me to truly learn the perspectives of student athletes while creating awareness about the topic. 

• The Genius Hour project corresponds to the recognized perspective pillar of JAGS. This project helped me learn how athletes' perspectives on how mental health impacting their sport differ from person to person. Through surveying and being an athlete myself, this project opened my eyes to a different side of these athletes. This project really showed me the different athletes' perspectives on mental health.

Communicate Ideas:Our last lab in Biology was dissecting a frog. This lab was exciting to me because I wish to continue in the future with the anatomy and Physiology class. This lab required us to follow the steps and with our lab partner work to remove certain parts of the frog. My partner and I agreed that I would take the lead in this Lab because she was a little disgusted by the frogs. However, I quite enjoyed the lab, and it ended up being my favorite lab of that year.

• This lab connected with the communicate ideas pillar of JAGS. I had to constantly talk with my lab partner to make sure we were removing the right body parts and that we were following the instructions carefully. My lab partner and I had to communicate a lot with this lab making my communication skills with my peers stronger.

Investigate the World: For this project, I went to Fiesta Acapulco and got Flan and Churros to try out. While I have had churros in the past, the ones I had here were different and a lot tastier than the other ones I have had. The flan was amazing. I have only had it a couple of times, and I have never really liked it until I tried it here, and it really made me want to try more Spanish food.

• Through this project, I investigated the world because I tried a new food that I didn't know if I would like, and I really wanted to go back and try other foods there because my experience was so good. I felt very immersed in the culture when I went, and I think it definitely helped me get fully immersed in Spanish.

Communicate Ideas: The documentary project had been the big talk of past Jags sophomores and teachers, from being told to make sure we had a good group to hearing that we would spend a lot of late nights working on the project. None of us really knew how hard it was going to be. For the documentary, our group of four had to pick a question that we would answer through our documentary.  We had to have two other perspectives outside of the U.S and it had to be a majority of our own photos and videos. My group chose to do the question of "What is Pretty?" There were some ups and downs, but in the end we managed to make it work and give a successful documentary.

• The documentary correlates with the pillars of communicating ideas and investigating the world. In my group, there are some slight problems with our group, especially with people not pulling their weight on our project. However, by communicating with each other and our teacher, we were able to solve our problem. This documentary also opened our eyes to Kenya and Ecuador's beauty standards because we had to interview each of them and have lots of research about the difference in each country. While this Documentary might have been difficult, it was worth it to improve our skills in the long run.

Take Action: For our Thank You project, we had to pick a group of people who do not get appreciated as much and find a way to get people to say thank you to them. My group chose healthcare workers, as my friend's dad is one, and they do not receive as much thanks as they should. We made a poster and encouraged students to write handwritten notes to the Healthcare workers. It was not required, and kids would do it with their own free time. 

• The take action pillar worked best with our project because we had all of the thank you letters made, and we also made a giant gift basket that we handed out to the nursing home employees, showing our gratitude for all that they do for everyone. By taking action, we really helped the healthcare workers feel great about what they're doing, and we helped put a smile on their faces.

Investigate the World: The Jags Europe trip was amazing and was one of my favorite trips of all time. We travelled to Germany, France, and Switzerland, and the differences of each place were so cool to see. The Europe trip really brought me closer to my friends and new ones, too. We got to see scenic views, learn about the unique history, and immerse ourselves in the different cultures. In France, we visited Notre Dame, the Palace of Versailles, and went up the Eiffel Tower. In Germany, we got to travel around freely in the square, and in Switzerland, we got to taste chocolate, fondue, and experience a torch walk all the way back to our hotel.

• This trip was about investigating the world, and it did just that. Without this trip, I most likely would have never gone on this trip, and it really helped me get a better perspective on life in Europe. I am so glad I chose to go on this trip, and I would 100% go again. 

Recognize perspectives: In forensics, we had to research and write a paper on an inmate who was convicted, but later the ruling was overturned because of the Innocence Project. When writing this paper, I had to research a lot about my assigned inmate and write a paper about how he was convicted, his journey with the Innocence Project, and how he was released.

• My paper helped me recognize perspectives because I had to research and see how the evidence was misused in his case, which led to his conviction. Through his perspective, I saw how much his life was negatively affected by his conviction. 

Communicate Ideas: In my Spanish 3 class, we were introduced to an all-year project which was to create our Spanish families with people in our class. We had to pick three other people with whom we would do projects for the whole school year. In my family, we had to create a menu for our imaginary restaurant, and later this year, we had to lead the class in a discussion about the book we are reading.

• My family helped with the pillar of communicating ideas because this project forced me to talk to people in my class that I would not typically talk to. My family and I have gotten a lot closer, and I have made some new friends from this project.

Take Action: For this project, we had to create a solution to a problem in the world. I chose to do How we can help fix students' mental health in schools. I chose to make a website educating people about how they can make a difference, what the situation is like now, and how they can get help. I believe that mental health is extremely important, and with my website, it really considers the part about how there is no one-size-fits-all solution, and I think that is the way the problem needs to be approached. 

• My website solution helps communicate my ideas and take action at the same time. The website speaks about all of the current problems with how student mental health is being handled. By creating this website, I am taking action on the problem. My solution might not solve the problem; however, it shows that I care a lot about this topic and how I took action and talked about my problem with how student mental health problems are handled.

Investigate the World: During my 2025-2026 season of marching band, we went to Disney World. We went to EPCOT, Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, and Universal. During the trip, we had multiple wonderful opportunities, such as a parade in EPCOT, and we got to work with a professional musician who works for Disney, and we were able to do a music workshop. This trip helped me develop stronger bonds with my friends, and we were able to experience new things.

• My favorite park was EPCOT because it was like investigating the world. In EPCOT, each section is split to represent differant culture and countries. I was able to experience different cuisines and architecture. Also, as someone who has gone to many of the places represented in EPCOT, it was interesting to see how they portray different countries.

Communicate Ideas: In my composition class, we were prompted to write multiple essays throughout the semester focusing on a social issue. The social issue I chose to write about was Youth Unemployment in the U.S. During this project, I struggled quite often because I was not very passionate about my topic, and there was not much research available. However, as the semester progressed, I became more comfortable with my topic, and my writing improved significantly.

• Writing my paper helped me communicate ideas. My paper speaks about all the background information and research on the problem of Youth Unemployment in the U.S. It also provides solutions that I think will work and what researchers think will work as well. Overall, my paper was very helpful in connecting my non-JAGS class to the JAGS pillars.

Take Action: For my capstone project, I decided to address the issue of a lack of individualized flute tutors by becoming one myself. I talked to my band directors about my idea, and we decided that every Friday, I could go to the middle school and help teach the 5th graders how to play the flute. Throughout the year, I helped two teachers, Ms. Iceman and Mrs. Sullivan. Every Friday, I assisted one of these teachers with their 12-18 5th graders by teaching half of the students. The goal for my capstone was to give the 5th graders more individual time with a teacher/tutor. 

• This project helped me take action in my community. By going to the middle school every Friday, I bonded with the students and made even stronger connections with my band directors. My project was very successful, and I would recommend it for others trying to have a capstone.