The quote I chose this year is “it takes grace to be kind in cruel situations” by Rupi Kaur. These words may sound simple, but they have a huge impact to me. This year has not been kind to anyone, and the circumstances have been extremely difficult for many people. However, every single person is going through the same thing. This year in leadership I had to learn that the difficulty of our circumstances isn’t an excuse, because everyone is going to the same thing. I learned to step up to the challenge and choose to be kind to others and work hard even though things are not anywhere near ideal. Rupi Kaur has always inspired me, and her words are short but meaningful. Reading her books this past year have helped me get through a lot.
Page 4- Quotes
Quotes that are important to me:
“If you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain”- Dolly Parton This means alot to me, because when I am going through something, it is hard to see the silver lining. This reminds me to think of the end and what I want most.
“We rise by lifting others”- Robert Ingersoll This is important to me because it reminds me that helping others will help you more than anything else.
“You don’t have to be perfect, but you do have to be 100% committed.”- AOC This helps me because I am often a perfectionist and this reminds me its okay not to be perfect.
Page 5- Goals
My Goals: My goals for leadership for this year are to
Make meaningful connections with the freshman and those adjusting in this difficult environment. This is important to me not only because of my position, but because I see how truly difficult it is. My brother is a transfer and a freshman and I remember how hard it was for me in person and interacting with people every day, and he doesn’t have that.
I want to encourage academic success for everyone. This time of distance learning is so difficult and there is a lack of motivation for everyone, including myself, so I want to help alleviate this through my position.
My short term goals are to
Finish my 6 week program. This is a big time commitment for me and I have to make sacrifices for it but I want to continue to improve my mental health.
I want to get my grades up to the best of my ability.
My long term goals are
Improve my mental health. This has been a large struggle for me recently and i want to work on this.
Improve my work ethic. I have an issue with procrastination and this is something I need to work on.
Goals Pt. II
In reflecting on my goals for this year, I realize how much I have grown as a person in the past school year. These past months have not been easy, but they have changed me for the better.
My first goal was to make meaningful connections with freshmen in adjusting to this difficult environment. I feel like I have achieved this goal through link crew. Although we have not been able to do our regular events and activities, I feel like I have connected with more freshmen than I have in the past. When we returned onto campus, I showed the freshmen on my cross country team around. I've also made connections with my little brother and his friend group.
My second goal was to encourage academic success for everyone. I achieved this even though we were not able to do our regular Renaissance rewards program, through reaching out to others, helping each other out, and being there for people I was able to encourage academic success.
My next goal was to finish my 6 week program. I completed 4 out of 6 weeks of this program because I felt that I was not progressing any more, and I got the skills out of it that I needed. I did not achieve this goal, but I was able to get long-term benefits from what I did.
My next goal was to get my grades up to the best of my ability. this one is a little bit harder, because it's hard to know what your ability is. Although I always feel like I could have worked more and studied more, I feel like I achieved this goal because I never gave up.
My first long-term goal was to improve my mental health. Without a doubt I can say that I achieved this goal this past year. I went through some extremely rough patches, but I reached out, got the help I needed, and was able to turn things around for myself and for my mental health
My final goal was to improve my work ethic. This past year I have not had a lot of
opportunities to complete projects in Leadership. However, this past year and the events we have done my work ethic was much better than sophomore year, so I would say I achieved this goal.
Overall, this past year has been difficult. Many of my goals were subjective and one can always say they could have done more, but I am satisfied with my efforts in the end results.
Page 6- Cover
Article Lydia Waters
Lydia Waters tries to be an imperfect example. She says,
“I’m not put together all the time. I struggle. I do my best, and most importantly, I want to show others that it is okay not to be perfect.”
Lydia says her biggest struggles are mental health and being her true self. In this difficult time, it is more important than ever to know when to reach out and try to heal.
“I want people to know that there is no shame in getting treatment for physical health, the same as mental. It’s important and there are always people there. Destigmatizing this is crucial to saving lives. It’s okay to be vulnerable, it’s okay to not be okay. The sooner we stop hiding our imperfect sides of ourselves the sooner we will be able to help our peers and find support.”
Lydia has been involved in Leadership, Cross Country, Track, Girls League, Josh Harder Campaign, and Planned Parenthood Action. She is willing to put her time and effort into what matters most to her.
She has big plans for the future. She wants to live in a city like Chicago or on the east coast, study Political Science, go to law school, and become a legislator after established in her career.
“Success is important to be, but it is multi-faceted. I want to be a successful person in work, in family, but most importantly, I want to make a difference in the world. For me, that is through politics.”
Fall fest photo gallery
Role Model
My biggest role model is my brother Dallas. He has made a huge impact on my life and has made me the person I am. Growing up, we had an interesting relationship, in which we fought a lot but at the end of the day, we had fun together. In high school, we became so much closer and were inseparable. My favorite day of the week during freshman year was mondays when we would eat lunch together in his car. He was my role model and my built in best friend. The past 14 months he has been on a mission, first in Veracruz Mexico, and now in Hughston Texas.
Inner Animal
With reflecting on myself and what animal I am, I thought about my personality traits. I chose a bird because it represents the type of person I am. I have a hard time staying in one place at once. I feel like I fly around in every situation. I have a hard time concentrating on one thing. I also can’t stand the cold and I like spending Christmas break somewhere warm. I compare this to birds migrating south. I also love running because it makes me feel like I’m flying. I would consider myself a free spirit. I strive to always have a positive and cheerful attitude.
Winter Final
For my winter final this semester, I decided to do the giving tree option. Usually during the holidays, I have many opportunities to serve others at holiday events and volunteering at the Salvation Army and at the Boys and Girls club, but because of Covid, I did not have nearly as many opportunities. Through this project, I was able to do the service that I didn’t realize I had been lacking in the past few months.
The process that I went through was I first had to go to many places to find a tag. Once I got one, I went to Target to purchase the gift. I wasn’t familiar with the toy she wanted so I had to look it up online and look for it all over the store. I picked it out, paid for it, and delivered it to the school the next day.
The emotional impact for me was being able to give back. I remember having certain gifts picked out as a kid that I didn't get because they were too expensive. I always wanted an American Girl doll, but I knew that we couldn’t afford it. I like living by the quote “be the person you wish you had when you were younger”, so it felt good to me that I got to do this for someone else.
This assignment was valuable to me because I got to give back during this time of hardship for everyone. This has inspired me to give back more, not just during the holiday season. This made a difference for me during this holiday season when we so easily become wrapped up in logistics, presents, budgets, and what we are getting. I got to focus on what we are giving rather than what I am getting and it reminded me how amazing doing things for others is to your mental health.
Best things about me
Thrifting is one of my favorite hobbies. I go with my brother or my friends. This is one of my favorite things to do because it is like a scavenger hunt, it’s good for the environment, and it is economical.
I love going hiking with my siblings. Being in nature is so relaxing. Hiking for me is taking a break from the internet and stress and connecting with nature and with my siblings.
Another one of my favorite things is baking. I love baking because it is my way to destress and focus on something with a good outcome. I also bake with my mom so it is a fun way to spend time with her.
What I Like Best About Being a Member of Leadership
Leadership to me is so important because it is part of my core values for myself. Channeling the core values of leadership, being part of a team, and working to help the student body helps me find purpose and meaning throughout the crazy of high school. Being an example to others, being behind the scenes doing the right thing, is always how i strive to be. Leadership is the best way for me to use my skills in high school while developing professional skills. This past year has been a challenge mentally for everyone. Although we did not have leadership events in the same way, the same skills and values have prevailed. My class especially has used this situation to unite us and become closer. Returning to school has been difficult, but our leadership class has preservered and continued to work together. Being in leadership is so important to me because it is my channel on campus to make a difference. Even throughout covid, our roles are the same in uniting the student body.
Homecoming spread
Homecoming recap
In this adapted homecoming, my favorite part was having less events we could really focus on and make great. We saw this through the homecoming dance night rally. All of the dances were amazing, everyone who attended wanted to be there, and it looked polished and not rushed. Although the circumstances were not ideal, we were able to make great memories and we learned how we can improve if and we return to the normal non Covid homecoming.
What I Love to Do
My favorite hobby is thrifting and selling on depop. I care about the impact of fast fashion on the environment. Thrifting and reselling helps ease this impact. I love fashion and thrifting helps me not feel guilty environmentally. This hobby helps me save money for my own clothes as well as make money. This has helped me get out of the house during Covid and learn how to be professional when selling. This has also helped me with my social media skills when I am listing clothes on instagram or depop. I have shifted from shopping from places like Shein, Forever 21, and H&M to more reliable and sustainable sources. Everything I resell is something that didn’t fit me or I wore and got sick of. I don’t consider it ethical to purge thrift stores of good clothes and upsell them.
Letter to my mom
madre,
When I was little, Jaynell Mora came home with a bunch of cuss words people had called her. She told me all of them and asked me if I knew what they meant. I said no and told her to ask her mom. She told me that her mom would ground her if she said any bad words. I then asked you and you told me. I realized that day how much you had taught me, with no hesitations of if it was inappropriate or “too mature”. So many of my friends asked me if I was sheltered from not going to public school. I told them that I had learned so much I didn’t even need it. Your openness, the way you don’t judge me, and the patience you have has made a huge impact on my life.
I am so grateful for all the sacrifices you have made for me, in things like packing lunches and buying tofu so I didn’t have to starve when dad makes dinner. The big things are obvious, teaching my stubborn elementary age self how to divide fractions and how the water cycle works, and supporting me in science olympiad, swim, grades, cross country, track, whatever thing I am pursuing. The way you raised all of us to be strong, independent, and high achieving is something that is not easy. You raised us aligned in the church, but also aligned in success and compassion, unlike many people. I am so proud to tell people what my siblings have accomplished, and I know you are even more proud of us.
With a huge family, you always made time for me whether it was a run to Winco where I’m sure you would have rather been alone or me telling you the drama while folding laundry (I wish I could say I help you but I usually just stand there in the doorway and talk, but I’ll try to be better and help). I love you so much and thank you for raising me.
Letter to Position Holders
To Jennaveve, Jenna, and Gabbi,
Congratulations on receiving this position. It gets the reputation of being easy, but every position in leadership has its own responsibilities and stresses. However, I am confident in your ability to get it all done.
Gabbi,
I’ve worked with you this past year and been so impressed with your work ethic, drive, and passion in this position. I’m sorry for slacking off a bit haha. This past year has been challenging with all things covid and trying our best to adapt, and you have persevered no matter what. I am so confident in your abilities although you trained yourself better than I could have ever trained you.
Jennaveve and Jenna,
Thank you so much for your continued help even though this isn’t your position just yet. You two have shown so much potential and have adapted incredibly well and incredibly quickly. One thing about this position is that it isn’t steady. Some days there is nothing to do and some days it’s all hands are needed and stressful, but I am confident that you two will be successful in the next year. From the time I have spent with you, you have shown incredible skill. I can confidently say that this position is in good hands with you, and although I am going to ASB, never be afraid to ask me for help in anything.
Do's and Don'ts
Do:
Get Renaissance going ASAP, every work day should be spent preparing for passouts Be creative! Come up with new ideas for rewards Don’t take special requests, if someone didn’t sign up tell them to sign up next quarter Check EVERYONE for eligibility, not just 4.0 Prepare link crew events ahead of time Hold link crew members to a high standard Set an example for link crew Don’t talk down on incoming freshman, treat them like a part of the school rather than like elementary school kids
Don’t:
Wait until the last minute to do Renaissance passouts Be unorganized Let link crew do whatever they want Rely on leadership members in link crew
The professional
Two professional aspects we focused on this year were resumes and public speaking. As link crew coordinator, you have to be able to speak in front of a group of link crew members or in front of freshmen. In class, we gave speeches on any topic to help prepare us for the future. I am a very confident speaker, however this proved to be a challenge for me with the freedom we were given without much direction. It is also difficult to stand in front of Morty and my peers who I know are looking at me with a critical eye. This is an important skill to develop because it will help not only with my position but with my entire future.
Another important professional aspect we worked on was resumes and getting our resumes picked apart by professionals in our mock interviews. This is a difficult skill because no one likes getting criticized, however it is important because it helps us grow as professionals.
My Change
This past year has been as difficult for me as the next person. I have had a lot of burnout, on zoom, in school, in motivation, and everything else. However, we have overcame challenges in our class. For me personally, I have worked on mental and spiritual growth. Burnout is inevitable, but we have to refocus and rebuild ourselves to deal with it. Through refocusing and recentering priorities, I was able to grow as a person and overcome many obstacles of mental health and home situation.
A large challenge for our class is a lack of unity. We never got much time to bond and make connections, which left us in isolated groups, and I could have personally done more to make connections with other students in our class, but overall there was a disconnect between the different grades in the class this year. One way we can overcome this in the future is focus on in person bonding. It would be a lie to say that zoom can effectively replace in person bonding. There are emotional connections that can only be made in person. Although we do not know the future, if we make good use of the time we have together as a class to bond instead of going right into event planning without creating the bonds we need. We learned about the need for relationships with Brene Brown last year, and I feel like we need to apply it this upcoming year in our leadership program. This will be as important as ever when next year, only the seniors will have experienced a full year of high school.
The Ideal Leader
At Ripon High, the ideal Leader is not an easy check off the boxes scroll to fill. the ideal leader steps out of their comfort zone everyday. You can see them doing this in many ways, like going all out for spirit days even if nobody else is, or getting in front of a crowd even though it's uncomfortable for them. being the ideal leader is not a one-size-fits-all personality type either. it's not about what you are like, it's about what you do.
The ideal leader makes connections with everyone, inside of outside of the leadership class. They see where help is needed and get to work, regardless of if it’s in their job description or not. They step up to the challenge everyday and put others first.