Reflective Essay
Johnny Mendoza
I know that my days in high school are counted, I try to make the most out of everything I do; someday I'll look back to these days and contemplate how two years at ACLC greatly changed me. I will soon realize the vast amount of change I have undergone once I move on from this place, and those days will come to pass. I will ask myself if I am truly ready for the trials and tribulations I soon face. Maybe it's because I'm trying to brace myself for the impending wind of change coming my way--a strong gust approaches. I realize this wind comes for everyone, some will find it easy to glide through, some may be blown away out of their place. However, I know that with the days passing, each day at ACLC prepares me for the hurricane of life.
With a new season in my life approaching, this has never been more evident than ever. To me, basking in the now involved being apart of the Leadership class, participating in leading a new student orientation, and leading a homeroom of students weekly. Within the classroom I have my academic career by taking advantage of college-leveled courses offered to high school students. Savouring the moment at hand for me not only involved me widening my academic understanding, it also involved on leaving a legacy; impacting positively those who will come after you.
I came to this school because of all the good things my mother and I heard about ACLC. From starting high school at an independent school, and then transferring to a public school, I was anxious to see what a charter school would be like. To my surprise, I fit in greatly at ACLC. As I walked down the hallway I saw the number of College Pennants draped down from the walls, I knew that once I left this place my ultimate goal was to be a first-generation college student, and ACLC was preparing myself just accordingly. Although it took me some time to adapt to the school’s unique way of life, I would have not done it as quickly if it weren’t for the large friend group I had quickly acquired in the past year. ACLC has ignited my sense of urgency, facilitated my productivity, and has enriched my learning. My knowledge amongst all subjects have been enriched greatly.
As a senior now, I still can’t believe how far I’ve come. From Geography to Government, Algebra to Precalculus and every subject in between, these past two years have allowed me to grow not only as a person but as a scholar. It's still feels alien to me to be able to even call myself a Senior. I know for a fact that in college, I'm going to reminisce the simpler days of my life, and I know that I'll never feel the joy of it again, but time heals all wounds. I know that one day I will not be the same, but it will be for the better. I must constantly remind myself that life will move on to bigger and better things, but what possibly can best the environment of ACLC?
Academically, ACLC has facilitated my learning greatly. In under a year, I have been able to bring my GPA from a 2.6 to a 3.0. Although a 3.0 isn’t the biggest GPA, ACLC has served a testament to my progression as a person with a developing sense of urgency. ACLC showed me how to get my work down quickly and to the best of my ability. Because of my experiences at ACLC, I've learned that we are here for a good time, not a long time. I personally believe that This school has truly shaped me to become a leader of tomorrow, and the night soon crawls to an end…
By the beginning of the 2nd semester of the 2016-2017 school year I grew fully accustomed to my new life at ACLC
To conclude, my time at Aclc was short, however it has felt like I had been here for years. Due to the very friendly and kind environment of the school, I was able to adjust myself in adequate time. I will always remember ACLC, out of all three schools I’ve attended in my high school career, ACLC has benefitted me the most. I truly feel like I am well on track in becoming a leader of tomorrow!
I know that my days in high school are counted, I try to make the most out of everything I do; someday I'll look back to these days and contemplate how two years at ACLC greatly changed me. I will soon realize the vast amount of change I have undergone once I move on from this place, and those days will come to pass. I will ask myself if I am truly ready for the trials and tribulations I soon face. Maybe it's because I'm trying to brace myself for the impending wind of change coming my way--a strong gust approaches. I realize this wind comes for everyone, some will find it easy to glide through, some may be blown away out of their place. However, I know that with the days passing, each day at ACLC prepares me for the hurricane of life.
With a new season in my life approaching, this has never been more evident than ever. To me, basking in the now involved being apart of the Leadership class, participating in leading a new student orientation, and leading a homeroom of students weekly. Within the classroom I have my academic career by taking advantage of college-leveled courses offered to high school students. Savouring the moment at hand for me not only involved me widening my academic understanding, it also involved on leaving a legacy; impacting positively those who will come after you.
I came to this school because of all the good things my mother and I heard about ACLC. From starting high school at an independent school, and then transferring to a public school, I was anxious to see what a charter school would be like. To my surprise, I fit in greatly at ACLC. As I walked down the hallway I saw the number of College Pennants draped down from the walls, I knew that once I left this place my ultimate goal was to be a first-generation college student, and ACLC was preparing myself just accordingly. Although it took me some time to adapt to the school’s unique way of life, I would have not done it as quickly if it weren’t for the large friend group I had quickly acquired in the past year. ACLC has ignited my sense of urgency, facilitated my productivity, and has enriched my learning. My knowledge amongst all subjects have been enriched greatly.
As a senior now, I still can’t believe how far I’ve come. From Geography to Government, Algebra to Precalculus and every subject in between, these past two years have allowed me to grow not only as a person but as a scholar. It's still feels alien to me to be able to even call myself a Senior. I know for a fact that in college, I'm going to reminisce the simpler days of my life, and I know that I'll never feel the joy of it again, but time heals all wounds. I know that one day I will not be the same, but it will be for the better. I must constantly remind myself that life will move on to bigger and better things, but what possibly can best the environment of ACLC?
Academically, ACLC has facilitated my learning greatly. In under a year, I have been able to bring my GPA from a 2.6 to a 3.0. Although a 3.0 isn’t the biggest GPA, ACLC has served a testament to my progression as a person with a developing sense of urgency. ACLC showed me how to get my work down quickly and to the best of my ability. Because of my experiences at ACLC, I've learned that we are here for a good time, not a long time. I personally believe that This school has truly shaped me to become a leader of tomorrow, and the night soon crawls to an end…
By the beginning of the 2nd semester of the 2016-2017 school year I grew fully accustomed to my new life at ACLC
To conclude, my time at Aclc was short, however it has felt like I had been here for years. Due to the very friendly and kind environment of the school, I was able to adjust myself in adequate time. I will always remember ACLC, out of all three schools I’ve attended in my high school career, ACLC has benefitted me the most. I truly feel like I am well on track in becoming a leader of tomorrow!