11th Grade 2025

This year my first large project in AP Language and Composition was to film a podcast about any topic that my group chose. After a conversation with our teacher, we identified an interesting and unsettling case near our area about the criminal Eddie Lee Sexton. This case ended up becoming multi-state and nationally recognized in the media, and we thought it was incredibly interesting that it happened so near where we lived. After extensive research, we were able to put together a 10 Minute Podcast detailing the events that happened.

Through an interview with a detective on the case, we were able to gain specific and relevant information to our topic.  This podcast reflects the communicating ideas pillar because we were using this podcast to teach our classmates and our teacher about the details of a very relevant event to our area. It was very intriguing to investigate the long-term effects of this case and share these results with our class. 

In AP Seminar, my final project was to put together a research paper and presentation on a topic of my choosing. I chose to research the impact of the fallibility of memory on the legal process and its long-term implications. I was able to dive into the history of this subject and see how the legal system has evolved to fit this issue. I was also able to propose solutions to this problem such as scientific integration within the legal system.

This research paper exemplifies the recognizing perspectives pillar of Jags because in my paper I was required to use three different perspectives to go about explaining my topic. I chose historical, scientific, and political perspectives. These lenses helped me attack this issue from every avenue instead of just focusing on a tunnel vision view of the subject. At the end of the year, I was able to successfully deliver an informational presentation. 

This year I had my third season of Speech and Debate, which was one of the first school related extracurriculars I took part in. It combined some of my favorite things: performing and competing. I've always been involved with theater, but being able to utilize acting for both academic achievement and competition has been one of my favorite parts of this activity. In my category, I've always chosen to perform speeches that reflected real world issues that I cared about. This year I was able to use my speech to communicate the ongoing crisis of unfair treatment of immigrants in the United States. 

This activity reflects both the recognizing perspectives and taking action pillars of JAGS because not only am I able to inform people of current events, I'm also actively spreading an  important message. I placed 6th at States and qualified to Nationals in WorldSchools Debate  and am incredibly grateful and excited for the next season to come! 

This year I started my third year in the Chinese program, by taking Chinese IIII. I became a part of the Chinese National Honor Society and also passed my STAMPS test, earning the sale of biliteracy. Taking Chinese has been a way for me to connect with my culture and learn more about myself. This activity recognizes the investigate the world pillar of JAGS  because I'm able to learn the language as well as learn more about the culture.

In the class, I'm able to contribute and take part in group projects and presentations, improving my language skills and public speaking skills. I look forward to taking AP Chinese next year and want to continue challenging myself by learning new things about this language because there is always room to improve

This year as a part of my AP Environmental Science class, I put together a presentation about the most globally sustainable resources for Farmers to use when manufacturing crops. Informational pamphlet was presented to my class as a way to communicate ideas about the importance of putting the environment first and thinking about Manufacturing processes. Through research and help from peers and teachers, I found information about specific types of farming that I was able to present to my class.

This project helped me shape my worldview and put the environment first when making personal decisions as well, and has contributed to my growth as a member of society. I have now made it a priority to spread the message that our Earth must be prioritized and our previous mistakes must be fixed before we can move forward.