Effective Collaborator
For effective collaboration, I was performing in the MUN opening (violin), and while participating in the school t-shirt voting event, I learned what an effective collaborator is. In MUN, I performed on the violin, which was more than just playing my part, and was also learning about teamwork. We didn’t have any rehearsals, but we managed to play together. Those turned into bonding sessions where we shared ideas about the emotions we wanted to express through our performance. I was enjoying seeing how each of us brought something different to the table, and we learned to listen to one another and adapt our playing based on feedback.
Similarly, during the t-shirt voting process, collaboration was needed. We had some brainstorming sessions to come up with designs that truly represented our school’s spirit. Everyone had the chance to pitch ideas, and it led to some lively discussions. When it came time to vote, we made sure every voice was heard, which made the process feel fair and inclusive. Through these experiences, I realized that effective collaboration isn’t just about working together; it’s about building trust, valuing different perspectives, and creating an environment where everyone feels they belong. These lessons have stayed with me, shaping how I approach teamwork in all areas of my life.
Skillful Communicator
For skillful communicator, I had the opportunity to create a BuzzFeed quiz focused on testing personality traits and to work on a Celebrity AI project that transformed my writing into a style reminiscent of Barack Obama. Designing the quiz was an engaging process that required me to think deeply about how to articulate complex ideas in a relatable way. I crafted questions that not only assessed personality but also encouraged participants to reflect on their own traits.
In the Celebrity AI project, I had to convey my thoughts in a style that used Obama’s eloquence and charisma. This required a skill to understand language, tone, and the nuances that make his speeches so impactful. I studied his speeches, identifying key phrases and rhetorical devices, and applied them to my writing. The process of adapting my style challenged me to enhance my communication skills further, as I learned to convey messages with both authority and warmth. Overall, these experiences taught me that effective communication is not just about the words we choose but also about how we connect with our audience on a deeper level.
Resilient
Reflecting on the book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens has helped me understand resilience better. One habit that really stood out was “Be Proactive.” This habit is all about taking charge of my actions, which is especially important in sports. To live this habit, I’ve set personal fitness goals and promised myself to stick to my training routine. This proactive attitude not only helps me get better physically but also builds my mental strength, as I learn to overcome challenges.
Another habit that I found meaningful is “Begin with the End in Mind.” This encourages me to think about what I want to achieve in my athletic journey, like entering competitions or improving my skills. By creating a clear plan to reach these goals, I can stay focused and motivated, even when things get tough. Talking about these habits with my friend William made me realize they apply to all areas of life, not just sports.
Alongside these reflections, I took part in a Gratitude Activity, where I answered daily questions about my experiences over a week. This helped me appreciate the little wins every day. For instance, on Day 1, I celebrated doing well on a math test and working together nicely on a science project, which made me feel good. Day 2 included a fun family dinner and an interesting history discussion, reminding me that resilience is also about enjoying relationships.
Critical Thinker
Reflecting on my experiences with critical thinking, I realized that working on the survival game and playing gomoku really helped me improve my skills. In the survival game, I had to rank items I would take to an uninhabited tropical island. This made me think carefully about what was most important for staying alive. I considered things like food, shelter, and tools, and how each item could help me in different situations. This process taught me how to prioritize and make smart choices based on what I needed most.
Playing gomoku, a strategic board game, also helped me develop my critical thinking. I had to think ahead about my moves and predict what my opponent might do. This required me to understand the game’s patterns and possible outcomes. Each match pushed me to plan two steps ahead, adjusting my strategy based on my opponent’s actions. Together, these activities showed me how important logical thinking and problem-solving are in everyday life. I learned that critical thinking isn’t just about making decisions; it’s also about being flexible and open to new ideas as things change, a skill I can use in many areas of my life.
Creative Learner
Reflecting on my experiences as a creative learner, I found that creating a “disturbing goal” and designing a t-shirt really pushed me to think outside the box. For my disturbing goal, I focused on how I could avoid distractions while working on important tasks. This involved brainstorming various techniques, such as setting specific time limits, creating a dedicated workspace, and using apps to block distractions on my phone. I wrote down my goals in a creative way, making them visually appealing and memorable. This task helped me not only clarify my intentions but also reinforced my commitment to staying focused.
Designing the t-shirt was another exciting challenge that allowed my creativity to shine. I wanted to create a design that reflected my personality and message. I sketched different ideas, experimented with colors, and considered how the design would resonate with others. This process taught me about the importance of visual communication and how a simple image can convey powerful messages. Overall, these tasks encouraged me to explore my creativity while also teaching me practical skills for maintaining focus and expressing myself. I learned that being a creative learner means combining imagination with purpose, and I look forward to applying these lessons in future projects.
My writing: The passage indicates how excited Waverly is to play chess in different situations. She watched a game of Vincent and Winston playing chess during the Christmas week, and she felt like the chessboard was hiding a secret and was waiting to be untangled by her. If you are not interested or excited about something, you won’t feel the feeling of being willing to make a move or to engage with it. But in the passage, it said that when she was watching the game, she had the feeling of wanting to start learning it. She was begging to play whenever someone between Vincent and Winston wins and the game ends. First Vincent did not let her play but when she offered her Life Savers to him, he let her play together and have a game. People won’t ask if they can do something or join something when they don’t want to or are not interested. She also offered a snack to play with them, which leads to the point of the thought that she is eager to try playing.
Barack Obama’s Version by AI: You see, Waverly’s excitement for chess is palpable. During Christmas, as she watched Vincent and Winston play, she felt a magnetic pull to the game—like it was a secret waiting to be uncovered. When you’re genuinely interested in something, you want to engage, to make a move. That’s exactly what she did. Despite Vincent’s initial reluctance, her determination shone through when she offered her Life Savers. It was that eagerness, that willingness to connect, that ultimately brought her to the board. Because when you’re passionate about something, you find a way to be part of it.
Day 1: Today went well because I got a high score on my math test; it made my day. My group worked together nicely on our science project, and I had lunch with my friends. Tomorrow, I’m looking forward to our school assembly since I heard there will be a performance.
Day 2: Today was good because we had an interesting discussion in my history class outside of school. I helped my sister with their homework, and we had a family dinner outside. Tomorrow, I will be going to Suzhou for the weekend, and I plan to go visit some famous places there.
Day 3: I finally learned how to make a dried radish leaf soup. My teacher complimented my presentation skills, and I started reading a new book that I liked. Tomorrow, I’m looking forward to hanging out with my friends after school to play football.
Day 4: Today, I played a game for 2 hours, which was relaxing, hung out with my friends, and played football. Tomorrow, I am going to the hospital, so I am looking forward for the result.
Day 5: I went to the hospital to check my body, and it was okay; I finished reading a book and just relaxed. I am going to church to perform violin stuff tomorrow.
Day 6: Today I performed violin in front of people in my church; I went to a beach, and I played football there. Tomorrow, I am leaving Korea.
Day 7: Today I went for a bike ride with my cousins, ate my favorite dish from my hometown, and left Korea. I am looking forward to going to my class that wasn’t open for 5 months.
In reflecting on the habits from “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens,” one stood out, especially because I like sports and being active, the first habit, “Be Proactive,” is about taking charge of my actions, which is important in sports. To really live this habit, I plan to set personal fitness goals and stick to my training routine. The second habit, “Begin with the End in Mind,” encourages me to think about what I want to achieve in my athletic life, like entering a competition or improving my skills. I’ll make a clear plan to reach those goals. I also discussed with William how these habits can help us not just in sports but in all areas of life, and that made me think about how I can apply them daily.
I was picked to play in a performance during the MUN opening. I was late a bit so I had to run up to the stage when all the people were ready.