Niki Nguyen, ASB Vice President 2019-2020
The Initial Letter
Overwhelming. Life determining. Relentless. These three words truly embodied my initial emotions as I walked the halls of Ripon High once again, only this year as a junior. Asking multiple people around me on their opinions of this grueling school year, the majority of the responses seemed somewhere between, “Yikes it’s your junior year? Good luck hun” to, “Say goodbye to your mental state! This year’s gonna be a rough one.” With this already negative mindset in my head, I was truly dreading junior year and wanted to stay away from school for as long as possible. However, it wasn’t until I watched a Ted Talk by Tabatha Coffey when I changed this negative mindset of mine, to a more positive and growth mindset. Would junior year be challenging? Of course! However if I could perhaps change the approach that I had on certain obstacles and remain as organized as possible, the end results may not be as demanding.
This year, I expect myself to struggle and fail. However, after learning from Core Camp and my previous years of being a part of leadership, failing and making mistakes is part of the learning process and life. These mistakes are what makes us human and stimulates the growth in us. I hope to analyze my failures, learning from them so that I am able to do and be better the next time.
Ultimately, my goal this year in leadership is to not only grow in my role, but to increase my overall mindfulness and remain in a somewhat healthy mindset. It is extremely easy to get caught up in school work, extracurriculars, and other stressors, but we must remind ourselves that you comes before anyone else and you can’t give someone the best version of you if you aren’t feeling the best version of yourself. In addition, my goal as ASB Vice President this year is to learn as much as I can through the ASB President and to make mistakes now rather than later so that I can fix and learn from them.
Although this year will be rigorous, with the right mindset I am ready to begin my vigorous climb to the summit of the mountain.
This year, I expect myself to struggle and fail. However, after learning from Core Camp and my previous years of being a part of leadership, failing and making mistakes is part of the learning process and life. These mistakes are what makes us human and stimulates the growth in us. I hope to analyze my failures, learning from them so that I am able to do and be better the next time.
Ultimately, my goal this year in leadership is to not only grow in my role, but to increase my overall mindfulness and remain in a somewhat healthy mindset. It is extremely easy to get caught up in school work, extracurriculars, and other stressors, but we must remind ourselves that you comes before anyone else and you can’t give someone the best version of you if you aren’t feeling the best version of yourself. In addition, my goal as ASB Vice President this year is to learn as much as I can through the ASB President and to make mistakes now rather than later so that I can fix and learn from them.
Although this year will be rigorous, with the right mindset I am ready to begin my vigorous climb to the summit of the mountain.
Part I: Favorite Quotes
“Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.” -Buddha
Often times, it seems as if us teenagers lose sight of the fact that we only get one high school experience. We get overly caught up in planning ahead for future exams, colleges, jobs, and overlook the present. Similarly, dwelling on the past results in regret and overall unhappiness. For me, everything revolves around being accepted into a university to fulfill and continue my education. It’s easy to be swept up on details for the future and disregard the lessons and memories being made in the present. However, this is where remaining mindful is imperative to living in the moment. By remaining self aware of your present feelings and emotions, you are almost forced to live and concentrate on the present.
“There is no path to happiness. Happiness is the path.” -Buddha
I refer to this quote regularly when I wonder about the purpose of life and whether the end goal is “worth it”. We seem to forget that the path to our ultimate goal is filled with relentless laughs and memories which cause our happiness. Referring to this quote in my day to day life, during homecoming, the leadership students all share a common goal: to create an amazing float and lip sync skit. However, it isn’t the float or even the quirky dance moves we perform that bring us the most happiness, but the time we spend together laboring and stressing over the projects. It’s these precious memories that create connections between people and make us the happiest whether or not we realize it at the time.
“Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength.” -Gandhi
Although it may not seem like it, struggling is all part of growth which in turn develops into strength. By struggling through hardships and persevering to overcome failure, you become stronger as a person and increase your overall knowledge of the issue. This quote is especially relevant this year as I am taking multiple AP classes and am bound to struggle in at least one. With Junior year also comes California state testing, SAT’s, ACT’s, and other extracurriculars. The quote acts as a constant reminder that struggle is not weakness, but results in overall strength. Everyone is capable of accepting failure, however it is how you choose to address it and how you're willing to overcome failure that builds strength in you're personality and in you as a whole.
Often times, it seems as if us teenagers lose sight of the fact that we only get one high school experience. We get overly caught up in planning ahead for future exams, colleges, jobs, and overlook the present. Similarly, dwelling on the past results in regret and overall unhappiness. For me, everything revolves around being accepted into a university to fulfill and continue my education. It’s easy to be swept up on details for the future and disregard the lessons and memories being made in the present. However, this is where remaining mindful is imperative to living in the moment. By remaining self aware of your present feelings and emotions, you are almost forced to live and concentrate on the present.
“There is no path to happiness. Happiness is the path.” -Buddha
I refer to this quote regularly when I wonder about the purpose of life and whether the end goal is “worth it”. We seem to forget that the path to our ultimate goal is filled with relentless laughs and memories which cause our happiness. Referring to this quote in my day to day life, during homecoming, the leadership students all share a common goal: to create an amazing float and lip sync skit. However, it isn’t the float or even the quirky dance moves we perform that bring us the most happiness, but the time we spend together laboring and stressing over the projects. It’s these precious memories that create connections between people and make us the happiest whether or not we realize it at the time.
“Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength.” -Gandhi
Although it may not seem like it, struggling is all part of growth which in turn develops into strength. By struggling through hardships and persevering to overcome failure, you become stronger as a person and increase your overall knowledge of the issue. This quote is especially relevant this year as I am taking multiple AP classes and am bound to struggle in at least one. With Junior year also comes California state testing, SAT’s, ACT’s, and other extracurriculars. The quote acts as a constant reminder that struggle is not weakness, but results in overall strength. Everyone is capable of accepting failure, however it is how you choose to address it and how you're willing to overcome failure that builds strength in you're personality and in you as a whole.
Part II: Quote
“Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength.” -Gandhi
This quote has truly represented me as a leader this following leadership year. Applying to my academic, social, and leadership life, a common theme of overcoming obstacles and developing strengths through those hardships has been evident.
I have interpreted this quote as overcoming obstacles and barriers by channeling those lessons into becoming a newer, more mature leader. This year, I have taken part in immense personal growth, in which much of my preconceived thoughts and outlook on life has changed. This quote has significant value in my life as it also coincides with one of the core principles in leadership this year: failing forward. As a leader, we must acknowledge that there will be mishaps in our events, or perhaps a deadline was not made. However, it is essential to “decide not to surrender” and improve the next time.
This moving Gandhi quote can be applied to all leaders within the leadership program. Students in leadership understand the value of having a growth mindset and “doing better the next time, every time.” This concept is one of the major reasons as to why our program and the events we hold are so successful. Throughout the year, students may stumble upon a few bumps in the road, however my persevering through these challenges, they ultimately become stronger leaders.
Reflecting on this quote on a daily basis has taught me that everyone makes mistakes and not everyone can be the ideal student. It’s the way that we react to these negative scenarios and learn from them that improves our character. Life is all about making mistakes as that is what makes people human. We must remember that these struggles are only temporary and by overcoming them, we only become better leaders.
This quote has truly represented me as a leader this following leadership year. Applying to my academic, social, and leadership life, a common theme of overcoming obstacles and developing strengths through those hardships has been evident.
I have interpreted this quote as overcoming obstacles and barriers by channeling those lessons into becoming a newer, more mature leader. This year, I have taken part in immense personal growth, in which much of my preconceived thoughts and outlook on life has changed. This quote has significant value in my life as it also coincides with one of the core principles in leadership this year: failing forward. As a leader, we must acknowledge that there will be mishaps in our events, or perhaps a deadline was not made. However, it is essential to “decide not to surrender” and improve the next time.
This moving Gandhi quote can be applied to all leaders within the leadership program. Students in leadership understand the value of having a growth mindset and “doing better the next time, every time.” This concept is one of the major reasons as to why our program and the events we hold are so successful. Throughout the year, students may stumble upon a few bumps in the road, however my persevering through these challenges, they ultimately become stronger leaders.
Reflecting on this quote on a daily basis has taught me that everyone makes mistakes and not everyone can be the ideal student. It’s the way that we react to these negative scenarios and learn from them that improves our character. Life is all about making mistakes as that is what makes people human. We must remember that these struggles are only temporary and by overcoming them, we only become better leaders.
Part I: Goals
Leadership Goals: To put on a successful tri tip fundraiser and to help the classes in any way I can during homecoming.
As homecoming rapidly approaches us, my short term goal for this month is to be a reliable source for class officers to go to if any difficulties emerge or if the officers are in need of any assistance. Although ASB is not directly in charge of class homecoming activities, I aim to assist any of the classes by providing advice or clarifying uncertainties. In addition to homecoming, a successful tri tip fundraiser is imperative for leadership as it funds the majority of leadership activities on campus. My goal is to sell the maximum tickets possible and encourage other students in the leadership class to do so as well. In previous years, the tri tip fundraiser failed to be as successful as it potentially could be. With a new system of motivating leadership students to sell as many tickets as possible, this goal seems highly attainable.
Short Term Goals: To make the class of 2021 more spirited and unified! To maintain good grades in school.
My goal in high school is to make an impact on the lives of the students at Ripon High whether it’s through an inclusive attitude, or by creating events that result in amazing memories being made. Clearly, it is extremely difficult attempting to make your class more spirited, however I believe with the right attitude and publicity, our class could be one of the best at Ripon High. Another short term goal I wish to achieve is to obtain relatively high grades throughout my multiple years of schooling. Being taught at a young age the true value of education, I hope to leave a legacy in my family and continue into higher education. However this goal cannot be possible without an early foundation of high grades and great work ethic.
Long Term Goals: Stay mindful and acknowledge that it’s ok to not be ok.
Two goals that I hope to take with me throughout my life include staying mindful and accepting that it’s to not be ok. At times I find myself struggling with mental health and the reasons behind the emotions I have. By staying mindful, I will be forced to embrace the way I feel and understand the reasoning behind it. In addition to staying mindful, my goal is to acknowledge and accept that bad days exist and it’s ok to feel down or not be perfect. Portraying a fake version of yourself and pushing the negative emotions aside begin to build up and are toxic to your mental health.
As homecoming rapidly approaches us, my short term goal for this month is to be a reliable source for class officers to go to if any difficulties emerge or if the officers are in need of any assistance. Although ASB is not directly in charge of class homecoming activities, I aim to assist any of the classes by providing advice or clarifying uncertainties. In addition to homecoming, a successful tri tip fundraiser is imperative for leadership as it funds the majority of leadership activities on campus. My goal is to sell the maximum tickets possible and encourage other students in the leadership class to do so as well. In previous years, the tri tip fundraiser failed to be as successful as it potentially could be. With a new system of motivating leadership students to sell as many tickets as possible, this goal seems highly attainable.
Short Term Goals: To make the class of 2021 more spirited and unified! To maintain good grades in school.
My goal in high school is to make an impact on the lives of the students at Ripon High whether it’s through an inclusive attitude, or by creating events that result in amazing memories being made. Clearly, it is extremely difficult attempting to make your class more spirited, however I believe with the right attitude and publicity, our class could be one of the best at Ripon High. Another short term goal I wish to achieve is to obtain relatively high grades throughout my multiple years of schooling. Being taught at a young age the true value of education, I hope to leave a legacy in my family and continue into higher education. However this goal cannot be possible without an early foundation of high grades and great work ethic.
Long Term Goals: Stay mindful and acknowledge that it’s ok to not be ok.
Two goals that I hope to take with me throughout my life include staying mindful and accepting that it’s to not be ok. At times I find myself struggling with mental health and the reasons behind the emotions I have. By staying mindful, I will be forced to embrace the way I feel and understand the reasoning behind it. In addition to staying mindful, my goal is to acknowledge and accept that bad days exist and it’s ok to feel down or not be perfect. Portraying a fake version of yourself and pushing the negative emotions aside begin to build up and are toxic to your mental health.
Part II: Goals
Leadership Goals: To put on a successful tri tip fundraiser and to help the classes in any way I can during homecoming.
To be completely honest, I do not think that I managed to accomplish this goal during the first tri tip fundraiser. Initially, we had a goal to sell a set amount of tickets, however we failed to sell all of them. In addition, we had an incentive for students to sell as many tickets as possible and the team that sold the most would win a prize. This was not as successful as we could have hoped and ended up leading to more problems amongst students. That being said, it was our first time being in charge of a tri tip fundraiser so we were hoping to do better the next time and fail forward. Our hopes were unfortunately cut short due to the coronavirus and the next tri tip fundraiser being cancelled. This is extremely detrimental to our leadership program as we rely on those funds to purchase our yearly supplies and pay for certain events. It is now up to the ASB team next year and I to improve our tri tip fundraiser and earn more money so that our leadership program is financially stable.
Short Term Goals: To make the class of 2021 more spirited and unified! To maintain good grades in school.
WE ARE #1 CLASS OF 21! This year has been the most unified our class has been throughout my highschool career. During homecoming, we went above and beyond in terms of spirit at the rallies, dress up days, and our class competitions. I enjoyed leading cheers and spreading the word via our various group chats, consistently updating the class on any school events or dress up days. Based on our trend of success and spirit, I can already tell that Senior year is going to be one to remember.
In terms of grades, this year has definitely been a struggle for me. My grades have actually hit an all-time low as I have never received anything lower than a B on a progress or quarter grade. Towards the end of first semester, I “grinded” extremely hard to ensure that I pulled up my grades and ended up with all A’s and a few A-’s. Currently, I have 2 B’s and 4 A’s however at the beginning of the third quarter I had an F and two C’s. I hope to bring all my grades back up to solid A’s by the time the second semester is over, however this may be difficult as we don’t really go to school due to the Coronavirus.
Long Term Goals: Stay mindful and acknowledge that it’s ok to not be ok.
I can confidently say that I have been consistently enforcing this goal this year. Leadership has taught me that emotions should be normalized and bad days do not make you a bad person. I used to just shut my emotions out and had the mindset that I, “don’t have time to be worrying about this” or “you don’t have time to be sad. Just study.” Instead, I find myself writing about how I’m feeling or actually talking to people regarding my emotions as opposed to concealing my emotions. This has overall made me a more content and cheerful person. My empathy towards others has also improved as I can now be in tune with my own emotions, therefore allowing myself to be vulnerable towards others.
To be completely honest, I do not think that I managed to accomplish this goal during the first tri tip fundraiser. Initially, we had a goal to sell a set amount of tickets, however we failed to sell all of them. In addition, we had an incentive for students to sell as many tickets as possible and the team that sold the most would win a prize. This was not as successful as we could have hoped and ended up leading to more problems amongst students. That being said, it was our first time being in charge of a tri tip fundraiser so we were hoping to do better the next time and fail forward. Our hopes were unfortunately cut short due to the coronavirus and the next tri tip fundraiser being cancelled. This is extremely detrimental to our leadership program as we rely on those funds to purchase our yearly supplies and pay for certain events. It is now up to the ASB team next year and I to improve our tri tip fundraiser and earn more money so that our leadership program is financially stable.
Short Term Goals: To make the class of 2021 more spirited and unified! To maintain good grades in school.
WE ARE #1 CLASS OF 21! This year has been the most unified our class has been throughout my highschool career. During homecoming, we went above and beyond in terms of spirit at the rallies, dress up days, and our class competitions. I enjoyed leading cheers and spreading the word via our various group chats, consistently updating the class on any school events or dress up days. Based on our trend of success and spirit, I can already tell that Senior year is going to be one to remember.
In terms of grades, this year has definitely been a struggle for me. My grades have actually hit an all-time low as I have never received anything lower than a B on a progress or quarter grade. Towards the end of first semester, I “grinded” extremely hard to ensure that I pulled up my grades and ended up with all A’s and a few A-’s. Currently, I have 2 B’s and 4 A’s however at the beginning of the third quarter I had an F and two C’s. I hope to bring all my grades back up to solid A’s by the time the second semester is over, however this may be difficult as we don’t really go to school due to the Coronavirus.
Long Term Goals: Stay mindful and acknowledge that it’s ok to not be ok.
I can confidently say that I have been consistently enforcing this goal this year. Leadership has taught me that emotions should be normalized and bad days do not make you a bad person. I used to just shut my emotions out and had the mindset that I, “don’t have time to be worrying about this” or “you don’t have time to be sad. Just study.” Instead, I find myself writing about how I’m feeling or actually talking to people regarding my emotions as opposed to concealing my emotions. This has overall made me a more content and cheerful person. My empathy towards others has also improved as I can now be in tune with my own emotions, therefore allowing myself to be vulnerable towards others.
Part I: People Magazine Cover
Part II: People Magazine Article
A junior at Ripon High, Niki Nguyen has great plans for her future. Beginning the year with four AP classes, Nguyen gives a nervous chuckle as she states, “Yeah I’m ready for those mental breakdowns this year but I have a feeling that junior year is going to be a memorable one either way!” Nguyen’s goal this year is to balance her studies with academics as well as possible so she can get the most out of her highschool experience. Elected the ASB Vice President, Nguyen’s strives to create an environment of inclusivity and acceptance. By being an active individual in clubs such as being the Korean Culture Club vice president, a part of multicultural club, and science olympiad, Nguyen is given the opportunity to make a positive impact on Ripon High and it’s students.
Niki Nguyen hopes to eventually become ASB president her senior year. Nguyen constantly makes an effort to retain the information she learns from previous ASB presidents, so she has the chance to apply it if possible. In an interview she exclaims, “Becoming ASB president would actually be a dream. Leadership has made such a major impact on my life and has truly shaped my insight on life.” Nguyen hopes to share the valuable lessons she has learned over the years in leadership to others in the school such as the importance of vulnerability, mindfulness, and connection.
In the future, Nguyen dreams of attending a four year university majoring in pre dentistry. Her hope is to attend UCLA, UCI or any university in southern California to have a change in environment and expand her knowledge of the world. In college, Nguyen wants to meet new people and join clubs that share her interests such as the Buddhism club and the Environmental Cleaning Club. After obtaining her Bachelor’s Degree, Nguyen plans on applying to dental schools such as UOP, where she will learn the art of dentistry and pursue her passion as a dentist.
With the certification of a DDS degree under her belt, Niki Nguyen hopes to open up her own private practice, practicing in general dentistry. By opening up her own private practice, Nguyen believes she can use the skills she has learned in leadership and apply it to business. Ultimately, she wants to make a positive impact on the community around her and believes that by becoming a dentist, she can improve the self confidence of people by assisting them in attaining a gleaming smile.
Niki Nguyen hopes to eventually become ASB president her senior year. Nguyen constantly makes an effort to retain the information she learns from previous ASB presidents, so she has the chance to apply it if possible. In an interview she exclaims, “Becoming ASB president would actually be a dream. Leadership has made such a major impact on my life and has truly shaped my insight on life.” Nguyen hopes to share the valuable lessons she has learned over the years in leadership to others in the school such as the importance of vulnerability, mindfulness, and connection.
In the future, Nguyen dreams of attending a four year university majoring in pre dentistry. Her hope is to attend UCLA, UCI or any university in southern California to have a change in environment and expand her knowledge of the world. In college, Nguyen wants to meet new people and join clubs that share her interests such as the Buddhism club and the Environmental Cleaning Club. After obtaining her Bachelor’s Degree, Nguyen plans on applying to dental schools such as UOP, where she will learn the art of dentistry and pursue her passion as a dentist.
With the certification of a DDS degree under her belt, Niki Nguyen hopes to open up her own private practice, practicing in general dentistry. By opening up her own private practice, Nguyen believes she can use the skills she has learned in leadership and apply it to business. Ultimately, she wants to make a positive impact on the community around her and believes that by becoming a dentist, she can improve the self confidence of people by assisting them in attaining a gleaming smile.
Role Model
From teaching me how to walk, how to ride a bike, and finally how to drive, my dad has been through it all with me. The most influential person in my life at the moment is the one, the only, father goose.
As a younger child, I have always had some kind of a connection with my dad. However, these past couple of months was when we truly became close and began sharing with one another the things happening within our lives. I am beyond grateful to have someone to talk and vent to when I’m either stressed or upset. Although my dad pushes me to be the best I could be, at times excessively, I know it’s purely because he wants me to succeed in the future.
My dad has gone through thick and thin throughout his life. After being divorced and laid off, my dad continued to persevere and work through the hardships. He went back to school and ended up opening his own dental practice in which he was the manager and owner. My dad is wise beyond his years and has experienced more than the average person ever could. Not to mention, he was a Vietnamese immigrant and was forced to learn not just a completely different language, but a completely different culture. My dad will forever be my superhero and has inspired me to persevere through hardships and hurdles through my life.
As a younger child, I have always had some kind of a connection with my dad. However, these past couple of months was when we truly became close and began sharing with one another the things happening within our lives. I am beyond grateful to have someone to talk and vent to when I’m either stressed or upset. Although my dad pushes me to be the best I could be, at times excessively, I know it’s purely because he wants me to succeed in the future.
My dad has gone through thick and thin throughout his life. After being divorced and laid off, my dad continued to persevere and work through the hardships. He went back to school and ended up opening his own dental practice in which he was the manager and owner. My dad is wise beyond his years and has experienced more than the average person ever could. Not to mention, he was a Vietnamese immigrant and was forced to learn not just a completely different language, but a completely different culture. My dad will forever be my superhero and has inspired me to persevere through hardships and hurdles through my life.
Inner Animal
My inner animal that I find embodies my personality at the moment is the owl. Similar to the owl, I am more productive at night and find myself being more active as well as having more fun at night. This year, I have taken a step back to focus on myself and my mental health, just like how an owl is an independent creature. Because I am a junior at Ripon High this year, finally considered an upperclassmen, I feel as though my experiences have shaped me into a wise elder, just like the owl. In leadership this year, I have noticed that I’ve become more observant and aware of the activities occurring around me. This may be because I have more room to breathe as I am a vice president and survey others in the classroom. With upcoming SAT’s and state testing, my nose is constantly in a book or on a computer. Studying has almost become something like an extracurricular activity on top of the countless projects and homework assignments for school. However just like the owl, I plan on being a part of this journey for the long run and am willing to make sacrifices to succeed.
Part I: The Best Things About Me
Part II: The Best Things About Me
I'm On Top of The World
by: Imagine Dragons
If you love somebody
Better tell them why they're here 'cause
They just may run away from you
You'll never know what went well
Then again it just depends on
How long of time is left for you
I've had the highest mountains
I've had the deepest rivers
You can have it all but not til you move it
Now take it in but don't look down
'Cause I'm on top of the world, 'ey
I'm on top of the world, 'ey
Waiting on this for a while now
Paying my dues to the dirt
I've been waiting to smile, 'ey
Been holding it in for a while, 'ey
Take it with me if I can
Been dreaming of this since a child
I'm on top of the world
I've tried to cut these corners
Try to take the easy way out
I kept on falling short of something
I coulda gave up then but
Then again I couldn't have 'cause
I've traveled all this way for something
Now take it in but don't look down
'Cause I'm on top of the world, 'ey
I'm on top of the world, 'ey
Waiting on this for a while now
Paying my dues to the dirt
I've been waiting to smile, 'ey
Been holding it in for a while, 'ey
Take it with me if I can
Been dreaming of this since a child
I'm on top of the world
'Cause I'm on top of the world, 'ey
I'm on top of the world, 'ey
Waiting on this for a while now
Paying my dues to the dirt
I've been waiting to smile, 'ey
Been holding it in for a while, 'ey
Take it with me if I can
Been dreaming of this since a child
And I know it's hard when you're falling down
And it's a long way up when you hit the ground
Get up now, get up, get up now
And I know it's hard when you're falling down
And it's a long way up when you hit the ground
Get up now, get up, get up now
'Cause I'm on top of the world, 'ey
I'm on top of the world, 'ey
Waiting on this for a while now
Paying my dues to the dirt
I've been waiting to smile, 'ey
Been holding it in for a while, 'ey
Take it with me if I can
Been dreaming of this since a child
I'm on top of the world
by: Imagine Dragons
If you love somebody
Better tell them why they're here 'cause
They just may run away from you
You'll never know what went well
Then again it just depends on
How long of time is left for you
I've had the highest mountains
I've had the deepest rivers
You can have it all but not til you move it
Now take it in but don't look down
'Cause I'm on top of the world, 'ey
I'm on top of the world, 'ey
Waiting on this for a while now
Paying my dues to the dirt
I've been waiting to smile, 'ey
Been holding it in for a while, 'ey
Take it with me if I can
Been dreaming of this since a child
I'm on top of the world
I've tried to cut these corners
Try to take the easy way out
I kept on falling short of something
I coulda gave up then but
Then again I couldn't have 'cause
I've traveled all this way for something
Now take it in but don't look down
'Cause I'm on top of the world, 'ey
I'm on top of the world, 'ey
Waiting on this for a while now
Paying my dues to the dirt
I've been waiting to smile, 'ey
Been holding it in for a while, 'ey
Take it with me if I can
Been dreaming of this since a child
I'm on top of the world
'Cause I'm on top of the world, 'ey
I'm on top of the world, 'ey
Waiting on this for a while now
Paying my dues to the dirt
I've been waiting to smile, 'ey
Been holding it in for a while, 'ey
Take it with me if I can
Been dreaming of this since a child
And I know it's hard when you're falling down
And it's a long way up when you hit the ground
Get up now, get up, get up now
And I know it's hard when you're falling down
And it's a long way up when you hit the ground
Get up now, get up, get up now
'Cause I'm on top of the world, 'ey
I'm on top of the world, 'ey
Waiting on this for a while now
Paying my dues to the dirt
I've been waiting to smile, 'ey
Been holding it in for a while, 'ey
Take it with me if I can
Been dreaming of this since a child
I'm on top of the world
"I'm On Top of the World" is the ideal song to describe my personality currently. The song comes off as incredibly positive and demonstrates how we are "on top of the world". I can relate to this because I truly feel as if I'm living my best high school life at the moment. I have never been so happy socially, academically, and emotionally. However, this is always subject to change due to the immense pressure of crucial tests and high school drama. Towards the end of the song, the lyric, "and I know it's hard when you're falling down and it's a long way up when you hit the ground get up now, get up, get up now" is repeated. I interpreted this through the struggles of high school and despite getting low scores on tests or being incredibly stressed, you must pick yourself up and continue forward. This song to me represents perseverance and happiness. Being content with who you are and understanding that mistakes will be made, however you must dust off the dirt and "get up".
Part I: Homecoming Activities
Part II: Homecoming Activities Continued
Part I: What I Like Best About Being a Member of Leadership
Leadership is a family that possesses a vast amount of memories, laughs, and events throughout the year. Some of the most highlighted times for me throughout the 2019-2020 leadership school year included Core Camp, homecoming, and Winterfest.
Core camp is always an exciting experience. A chance to bond with fellow classmates, time away from parents, an infinite amount of food at dinner time. However, this year it felt as if my prior knowledge of leadership helped me become more outgoing and come out of my shell much faster than normal. This year, I wasn’t afraid to share ideas or answer a question out loud. I enjoyed Core Camp because I finally felt like I understood the reason why I was there and the information provided to us. Overall, the amount of people I bonded with was astonishing and I was grateful to share my leadership experience with others as well.
A couple months later, one of the biggest events leadership puts on occurred, also known as HOMECOMING! This year, us Juniors took the win for homecoming! Although it was stressful, we managed to pull through. With our hard work and dedication, we practically poured our hearts and souls into the various parts of the competition. The front of the school and rally decorations were a hit and our lip sync performance was extremely creative. Our Junior class really bonded this year and were extremely into dressing up and being spirited! We can’t wait to take the win next year as it’ll be our Senior Season!!
The most recent event leadership has out on has been our Winterfest Week. Similar to Homecoming, Winterfest is a competition between classes however instead of a float, we use shopping carts. Winterfest is essentially just a smaller version of Homecoming and less demanding towards the leadership class. Either way it was still a highlight of the year for me as Juniors took first on rally decorations and the shopping cart. Our shopping cart blew the judges away as it had a fully functioning water fountain within it.
Between all of these events, the common theme between the three was the interactions and connections that I was capable of making with others. This human interaction is essential to building a strong leadership class and becoming a strong leader yourself. I hope to continue creating these highlighted moments throughout the year and am ecstatic for what is yet to come.
Core camp is always an exciting experience. A chance to bond with fellow classmates, time away from parents, an infinite amount of food at dinner time. However, this year it felt as if my prior knowledge of leadership helped me become more outgoing and come out of my shell much faster than normal. This year, I wasn’t afraid to share ideas or answer a question out loud. I enjoyed Core Camp because I finally felt like I understood the reason why I was there and the information provided to us. Overall, the amount of people I bonded with was astonishing and I was grateful to share my leadership experience with others as well.
A couple months later, one of the biggest events leadership puts on occurred, also known as HOMECOMING! This year, us Juniors took the win for homecoming! Although it was stressful, we managed to pull through. With our hard work and dedication, we practically poured our hearts and souls into the various parts of the competition. The front of the school and rally decorations were a hit and our lip sync performance was extremely creative. Our Junior class really bonded this year and were extremely into dressing up and being spirited! We can’t wait to take the win next year as it’ll be our Senior Season!!
The most recent event leadership has out on has been our Winterfest Week. Similar to Homecoming, Winterfest is a competition between classes however instead of a float, we use shopping carts. Winterfest is essentially just a smaller version of Homecoming and less demanding towards the leadership class. Either way it was still a highlight of the year for me as Juniors took first on rally decorations and the shopping cart. Our shopping cart blew the judges away as it had a fully functioning water fountain within it.
Between all of these events, the common theme between the three was the interactions and connections that I was capable of making with others. This human interaction is essential to building a strong leadership class and becoming a strong leader yourself. I hope to continue creating these highlighted moments throughout the year and am ecstatic for what is yet to come.
Part II: A Reflection of a Peer in Leadership
A peer that I have looked up to from the very beginning and strived to become is Natalie Betoshana. Natalie is what the true definition of leader is: a person who is able to motivate, inspire, and lead her peers. Although she did not have her desired outcome, Natalie continues to remain one of the most influential students in leadership. She is actively involved in all leadership events and does more than most students do in the class. Natalie has proven that the title that you hold isn’t what matters in leadership, but how involved and committed you are to the program. She is a veteran in leadership and many students such as myself can always count on her for her honest feedback and advice. One experience especially that I have had with Nataie was working together with her for coronation. With my extensive knowledge of coronation, I was able to step back and watch Natalie take charge and organize the entire event. Everything ran smoothly, communication was efficient, and at the end of the day, coronation turned out amazing. In addition, Natalie exceeds the expectations of her job description and is constantly implementing new ideas for the program and communication with Morty with regards to leadership. As the future ASB President, I want to implement the skills that I have learned from Natalie including organization, communication, and passion towards the leadership program in order to have the best year possible.
Part I: RHS Pride
Part II: RHS Pride
Part I: What I Love to do
Throughout the course of my life, music has played a prevalent part of my character. One of my favorite hobbies is playing the piano. Beginning at the age of six years old, my piano journey has fluctuated throughout the years. At first, practice was an immense pain and I found playing the piano frustrating. However, after years of practice, I finally understood how to play and was able to turn my frustrations, anxiety, and stress into music. Piano allows me to forget about reality, and dive deep into the soul of music.
In addition to piano, I have also discovered my love for pole vaulting. Last year was my first time doing track and field and I ended up enjoying pole vaulting the most. At first, it was extremely difficult due to my unconditioned body and weak upper body strength. After days of conditioning and training though, I built my endurance and slowly got better. I ended up getting 6th overall at TVL Finals and could not be happier. I hope to continue my pole vaulting journey throughout high school and become a better track athlete.
In addition to piano, I have also discovered my love for pole vaulting. Last year was my first time doing track and field and I ended up enjoying pole vaulting the most. At first, it was extremely difficult due to my unconditioned body and weak upper body strength. After days of conditioning and training though, I built my endurance and slowly got better. I ended up getting 6th overall at TVL Finals and could not be happier. I hope to continue my pole vaulting journey throughout high school and become a better track athlete.
Part II: Letter to Parents
Dear Mom and Dad,
I cannot begin to express the degree of gratitude I have towards the both of you. You are two of the most significant influencers and motivators in my life. I appreciate you for encouraging me to be my best while withholding strong moral virtues and discipline. (Ok let’s be honest, this is my third, or probably more than that, time that I’ve written a thank you letter to you guys so I’m not going to repeat the same boring: “you’ve been there for me so much, number one fans, etc.”)
This past year has been one of the roughest for all of us. A plethora of family tension, financial issues, and of course teen girl mood swings. However, we always got through them and found common ground amongst us as a family. This year, I believe that I have undergone great mental growth and maturity. Thank you for giving me the privileges and freedoms needed to fulfill this pivotal part in my life. I realize that I may have even taken these things for granted, however they shaped me into the person I am today, and I am fully appreciative of the opportunities that came with them. Freedom and trust are two of the most poignant aspects a teenager can ask for. As a result of some minor missteps and fumbles, a lot of that freedom was taken away and the trust with it.
I’ve learned this year, with your guidance and helping hands, how to be independent and interpret the surroundings around me with my own perspective. In just a brief 12 months, I will be off living on my own, the world at my finger-tips. Don’t get me wrong. It’s not like I’m just going to ride into the sunset, all the worries behind me. But, in this stage of life the amount of independence and trust will just be immense, until eventually I begin another stage of life. Along the way, I’m going to make mistakes and hit a few bumps in the road. However, like one of my most favorite quotes by Gandhi he says, “Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength.” Thank you for making me stronger. The good: family bonding, vacations, the smiles. The bad: fighting, screaming, crying. All of it shapes me into the person I am today and has developed my strength as a person. I know this letter ended up being more about me, but at the same time it shows how much of an impact that you ended up having on my life. Thank you for an amazing 16 years. I know it gets turbulent at times but the struggles that we endure just make us stronger as a family. I love you guys so much.
Your Daughter,
Niki Nguyen
I cannot begin to express the degree of gratitude I have towards the both of you. You are two of the most significant influencers and motivators in my life. I appreciate you for encouraging me to be my best while withholding strong moral virtues and discipline. (Ok let’s be honest, this is my third, or probably more than that, time that I’ve written a thank you letter to you guys so I’m not going to repeat the same boring: “you’ve been there for me so much, number one fans, etc.”)
This past year has been one of the roughest for all of us. A plethora of family tension, financial issues, and of course teen girl mood swings. However, we always got through them and found common ground amongst us as a family. This year, I believe that I have undergone great mental growth and maturity. Thank you for giving me the privileges and freedoms needed to fulfill this pivotal part in my life. I realize that I may have even taken these things for granted, however they shaped me into the person I am today, and I am fully appreciative of the opportunities that came with them. Freedom and trust are two of the most poignant aspects a teenager can ask for. As a result of some minor missteps and fumbles, a lot of that freedom was taken away and the trust with it.
I’ve learned this year, with your guidance and helping hands, how to be independent and interpret the surroundings around me with my own perspective. In just a brief 12 months, I will be off living on my own, the world at my finger-tips. Don’t get me wrong. It’s not like I’m just going to ride into the sunset, all the worries behind me. But, in this stage of life the amount of independence and trust will just be immense, until eventually I begin another stage of life. Along the way, I’m going to make mistakes and hit a few bumps in the road. However, like one of my most favorite quotes by Gandhi he says, “Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength.” Thank you for making me stronger. The good: family bonding, vacations, the smiles. The bad: fighting, screaming, crying. All of it shapes me into the person I am today and has developed my strength as a person. I know this letter ended up being more about me, but at the same time it shows how much of an impact that you ended up having on my life. Thank you for an amazing 16 years. I know it gets turbulent at times but the struggles that we endure just make us stronger as a family. I love you guys so much.
Your Daughter,
Niki Nguyen
Your True Legacy
Dear Kate,
First of all I am SO EXCITED to be working with you again. Sophomore year was amazing and I am eager to have to as my partner once again as we navigate the unchartered waters of ASB together. This year was only a test run, but now the leadership program is in our hands. Some things to know as ASB Vice President: Remember to get waters donated. Try to be as involved as possible throughout the class and your support group. Be aware of deadlines. And understand that you are stepping forward by stepping back. Coming from me, it was extremely difficult stepping back and not being directly in charge of anything as that was the ASB president's job. I found that sometimes I would take that for granted and drift away from projects. I want you to know that you can still be active in the program and involved without being directly in charge. You may find yourself wondering, "What should I do now. I feel like I have nothing else to contribute. Am I doing enough? Am I being the best leader I can possibly be?" I know for me, I often found myself asking these questions. During the times when I didn't have a direct project I was working on, I would walk around class and ask the commissioners about their projects they were working on and whether I could do anything to contribute. Because we've had a history of working well together, I have no doubt that we will achieve great things as an ASB team. As long as we stay focused, are positive, and organized, I believe that we can accomplish anything and hopefully make our final year memorable.
First of all I am SO EXCITED to be working with you again. Sophomore year was amazing and I am eager to have to as my partner once again as we navigate the unchartered waters of ASB together. This year was only a test run, but now the leadership program is in our hands. Some things to know as ASB Vice President: Remember to get waters donated. Try to be as involved as possible throughout the class and your support group. Be aware of deadlines. And understand that you are stepping forward by stepping back. Coming from me, it was extremely difficult stepping back and not being directly in charge of anything as that was the ASB president's job. I found that sometimes I would take that for granted and drift away from projects. I want you to know that you can still be active in the program and involved without being directly in charge. You may find yourself wondering, "What should I do now. I feel like I have nothing else to contribute. Am I doing enough? Am I being the best leader I can possibly be?" I know for me, I often found myself asking these questions. During the times when I didn't have a direct project I was working on, I would walk around class and ask the commissioners about their projects they were working on and whether I could do anything to contribute. Because we've had a history of working well together, I have no doubt that we will achieve great things as an ASB team. As long as we stay focused, are positive, and organized, I believe that we can accomplish anything and hopefully make our final year memorable.
Do's and Don'ts List
Do’s:
Don’ts:
- Plan publicity for at least ONE week prior to an event
- Dress for the occasion!
- Stay organized even if everything around you isn’t
- Be spirited and actually dress up for spirit days: above and beyond what’s expected
- Understand that deadlines come quicker than expected
- Create memories in leadership and try to make new friends!
- LISTEN TO MORTY
- When asked to do something, do it
- Write things down in a journal/agenda to remind yourself
- Learn from your mistakes
- Persevere through the challenge
- Communicate clearly with peers
Don’ts:
- Wait last minute
- Not do your journal
- Be afraid to put yourself out there with your spirit!
- Sit around and do nothing...You have a purpose in the class!! Find something to do
- Wait for others to do a job for you
- Forget about deadlines
- Set a bad reputation for yourself outside of the class
- Be unfriendly to others
- Be unaware of upcoming events
- Forget to communicate with the people you work with
- Be too eager for the year to end, try and live in the moment
The Contact List
Mrs. Mortensen Activities Director
- Phone: (209) 541-6907
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: (209) 968-2754
- Phone: (209) 596-2920
- Email: [email protected]
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: (209) 522-5999
The Professional
Two essential aspects of leadership that I’ve been able to polish throughout this high school year included developing public speaking skills and broadening my knowledge of professional cover letters and resumes. By improving these professional attributes, students can grow as leaders and apply these skills into the professional world.
Throughout leadership, students have various opportunities to develop their public speaking skills through speeches and social activities. In the beginning of the second semester, students are tasked with writing a speech appropriate to their given prompt. Execution is what we are primarily graded on in which students must portray themselves as professional. Students are graded on their professional dress, fluidity of speech, time, and fidgeting as they deliver the speech to the class. By having an assigned public speech, students are able to practice developing their confidence by watching their peers and being fully submerged in the public speaking world. This also helps to prepare for other public speaking events in the upcoming year such as student elections.
Another significant professional skill practiced included writing our cover letters and resumes. Cover letters and resumes are essential in the professional world as it is how employers hire their employees and what an applicant would use to apply for any job or position. They are used to highlight your character and abilities that make you qualified for said position. By practicing how to write a resume, students are forced to compile all their positive attributes such as volunteer work, extracurricular activities, and awards into a single document. This can be an eye opener for students as it allows them to see what they have succeeded in and what they can contribute to their employer.
Throughout leadership, students have various opportunities to develop their public speaking skills through speeches and social activities. In the beginning of the second semester, students are tasked with writing a speech appropriate to their given prompt. Execution is what we are primarily graded on in which students must portray themselves as professional. Students are graded on their professional dress, fluidity of speech, time, and fidgeting as they deliver the speech to the class. By having an assigned public speech, students are able to practice developing their confidence by watching their peers and being fully submerged in the public speaking world. This also helps to prepare for other public speaking events in the upcoming year such as student elections.
Another significant professional skill practiced included writing our cover letters and resumes. Cover letters and resumes are essential in the professional world as it is how employers hire their employees and what an applicant would use to apply for any job or position. They are used to highlight your character and abilities that make you qualified for said position. By practicing how to write a resume, students are forced to compile all their positive attributes such as volunteer work, extracurricular activities, and awards into a single document. This can be an eye opener for students as it allows them to see what they have succeeded in and what they can contribute to their employer.
Change
This year has been a year of growth and self discovery in leadership for me. Initially, I was unsure of my purpose in the class. The transition from a position like the Sophomore Class President to ASB Vice President was not easy, and at times was extremely frustrating. There were times when I questioned whether or not I was contributing enough to the program and how I could improve as a leader.
Some areas that could have been improved this year included our annual tri-tip fundraiser. We had an amazing idea for it, however it failed in execution. Students were put into teams to give students who had a harder time selling tickets an opportunity to ask for help. In addition, we also had an incentive for the group who sold the most tri-tip tickets: $50 for each teammate to spend on any item(s) on Amazon. In the end, most groups did not end up collaborating and failed to sell all of their tickets. There were also a few money counting issues and organizational mishaps along the way. From this experience, we learned that we must check in with students consistently to see if they sold all of their tickets. Perhaps another method of collaboration can also be introduced, however it is crucial that we sell more tickets in the next tri-tip fundraisers. Unfortunately, our spring tri-tip fundraiser was cancelled due to the Coronavirus. My goal for next year is to be aware of our expenditures as we are limited in the funding we have.
One positive change that could be implemented towards next year's class may include doing more class bonding activities. I just want to have a leadership pool party and leadership girls sleepover. Imagine how fun and wild that would be. Our leadership class is a family and in order to work well together, we must establish vulnerable connections and bonds with one another.
Some areas that could have been improved this year included our annual tri-tip fundraiser. We had an amazing idea for it, however it failed in execution. Students were put into teams to give students who had a harder time selling tickets an opportunity to ask for help. In addition, we also had an incentive for the group who sold the most tri-tip tickets: $50 for each teammate to spend on any item(s) on Amazon. In the end, most groups did not end up collaborating and failed to sell all of their tickets. There were also a few money counting issues and organizational mishaps along the way. From this experience, we learned that we must check in with students consistently to see if they sold all of their tickets. Perhaps another method of collaboration can also be introduced, however it is crucial that we sell more tickets in the next tri-tip fundraisers. Unfortunately, our spring tri-tip fundraiser was cancelled due to the Coronavirus. My goal for next year is to be aware of our expenditures as we are limited in the funding we have.
One positive change that could be implemented towards next year's class may include doing more class bonding activities. I just want to have a leadership pool party and leadership girls sleepover. Imagine how fun and wild that would be. Our leadership class is a family and in order to work well together, we must establish vulnerable connections and bonds with one another.
The Ideal Leader
The definition of a leader is someone who leads or commands a group, organization, or country. However, I believe that the ideal leader is someone that is capable of much more than that. A leader should be able to effectively communicate their own ideas, take criticism, and listen to others. They should also invest in teamwork and be willing to make sacrifices for the greater good of their team.
A student in leadership should be expected to do the daily journals, be role models to other students outside of class, and respect one another inside of class. Students in leadership should go above and beyond expectations for spirit days to show Ripon High Pride in addition to exceeding expectations in involvement throughout the school. When planning any events, it is ideal to start thinking about it and discussing the event beforehand instead of procrastinating to the very last minute.
As students in the leadership program, we must set a positive example for others around us. This means that participating in illegal activities, having inappropriate social media platforms, and bullying or any time of harassment is absolutely unacceptable. Students in leadership should be role models for others. A student in the leadership class should have the school at best interest and be willing to make sacrifices for the good of the school. For example putting a school event first before anything or staying a couple hours after school to finish a project for the student body.
In addition to classroom and social media behaviors, leaders should pride themselves on investing in the relationships amongst their peers and team. This can be done by building positive connections amongst the student body and improving on communication throughout the team. After reflecting with author Brene Brown’s point of view in her book Dare to Lead, I have come to the conclusion that interacting with various people and being vulnerable is essential to building connections. I believe that by implementing this skill of vulnerability throughout the student body, we maximize our abilities as leaders. In sharing this valuable skill amongst our peers, we can set an example for the students around us and essentially improve the overall environment at Ripon High.
A student in leadership should be expected to do the daily journals, be role models to other students outside of class, and respect one another inside of class. Students in leadership should go above and beyond expectations for spirit days to show Ripon High Pride in addition to exceeding expectations in involvement throughout the school. When planning any events, it is ideal to start thinking about it and discussing the event beforehand instead of procrastinating to the very last minute.
As students in the leadership program, we must set a positive example for others around us. This means that participating in illegal activities, having inappropriate social media platforms, and bullying or any time of harassment is absolutely unacceptable. Students in leadership should be role models for others. A student in the leadership class should have the school at best interest and be willing to make sacrifices for the good of the school. For example putting a school event first before anything or staying a couple hours after school to finish a project for the student body.
In addition to classroom and social media behaviors, leaders should pride themselves on investing in the relationships amongst their peers and team. This can be done by building positive connections amongst the student body and improving on communication throughout the team. After reflecting with author Brene Brown’s point of view in her book Dare to Lead, I have come to the conclusion that interacting with various people and being vulnerable is essential to building connections. I believe that by implementing this skill of vulnerability throughout the student body, we maximize our abilities as leaders. In sharing this valuable skill amongst our peers, we can set an example for the students around us and essentially improve the overall environment at Ripon High.
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