Why Me?

When the school administration makes a decision you don’t agree with, you’re the one writing editorials for the school newspaper and gathering names on a petition.
Yes	This is me to a T. I don’t hide the fact that there are a lot of things I dislike about my high school. But I don’t just sit around and mope about it. I am always coming to the authority figures at BLS with ideas about a school rule I feel is unfounded, a need among the students that is not being met, or an idea I have for improving the school. I even worked with an AP writing professor and wrote up a draft for a proposed Creative Writing course. I also spoke with the headmistress to argue for the case of having two AP art courses when I discovered that there would literally be more prospective students than chairs in the classroom. (The headmistress, having not known of these issues, was surprised and open to my suggestions). Whether I like the school I’m in or not doesn’t matter. In either case, I am very passionate about affecting change where I see the need, and for advocating for my fellow students.
You always carry a book, notebook, drawing pad, or laptop with you. Everywhere. Just in case.
Yes	My agenda book is the heart and soul of all of my creative thoughts. When a wild new idea pops into my head, I will immediately grab my agenda book and write my poem, invention concept, killer first line of an essay, or idea for a book in the margins of some page on library conduct procedures.
When you see something you admire, you think, “Hey, I could do that.” And then you try.
No	My thought process runs more along the lines of “Boy, I wish I could do that!” and then I go off and practice so that I can someday raise myself to a level where I could achieve that which I admire.
When a teacher gives you an assignment, you ask if there is a different, more creative way in which you could complete it. You consistently find ways to incorporate your “non-academic” interests into your academics.
Yes	Most teachers at BLS aren’t very open to these sorts of leniencies within a project, but that doesn’t stop me from asking. If I can take a project in my own direction, I usually do, and if I don’t, it’s because I know in my gut that I can produce the best product by following what’s been set out for me, and then I create something stellar.
When asked for a book recommendation, you are able to rattle off the names of several recent reads (offering your critique of each).
Sort of	Sadly, the workload at BLS doesn’t leave much time for pleasure reading. I look fondly back on the days when I could read 800 page epic fantasies without breaking a sweat thinking about the five page research proposal due the next day. I used to read a lot, and look forward to a time when I can not only make time for pleasure reading, but somehow incorporate what I love to read into my assignments as I study to become an amazing fantasy novelist.
You’re not afraid of having unpopular viewpoints; in fact you welcome debate. You’ve found that conflict can be productive.
Yes	I am highly biocentric. I will throw a fit if someone makes a move to stomp on a bug (even though I am deathly afraid of insects). I believe that no one should kill another living, feeling thing casually and without reason, and I will suffer the embarrassment of shouting out in the middle of class to advocate for an unsuspecting ant on the brink of death at the hands of a shoe. I don’t mind if a few people think I’m weird. If I can save that one life, it’s worth it a thousand times over.
You’re actively committed to social justice. You don’t just talk about ending world hunger, you volunteer to head a food drive. You want to make a difference. Change the world. Starting with yourself.
Yes	I volunteer at my local MSPCA animal shelter and through the organization Teen Voices, I have written full length articles on both the international water crises and young girls in Chinese sweatshops. I would love to be even more fully and practically involved in social justice advocacy.
Your life’s ambition is something that no one else has ever heard of. And you have three of them.
Sort of	Before I decided I wanted to write stories and paint, I wanted to work on Leonardo the Robot, create real flying pigs by combing swine and avian DNA, and invent levitating boots.
When there is a class debate, you show up (without flashcards) and argue passionately and persuasively.
Yes	That’s me! When I am confident in and passionate about a topic, I prefer to go into the discussion with a few major ideas in my head of what I’m going to say and no written material. I have been told that I am very concise and persuasive during these types of discussions.
You’re disappointed to receive a paper back with no comments other than the common “good job!” You seek out (and respond well to) constructive criticism.
Yes	I feed and breathe off of feedback. I need to understand what I did and didn’t do well in order to feel like I have accomplished anything after having finished a project. Otherwise, the next time I go to do that same sort of project, it is very terrifying to start because I have no idea which of the methods I originally employed I should repeat and which I should amend.
You’ve always wanted to learn to ride a unicycle. So you start a unicycling club at your school.
No	But I’d always wanted to learn how to animate. So I took classes. (Not because I had to take them, but because I wanted to.) I’ve tried to start my own club at school several times but have always had trouble moving forward with my plans. At Hampshire, where starting a club is extremely easy, I hope to push myself and become more of a leader. P.S. y brother rides a unicycle. I’ll get him to teach you.
You are interested in several seemingly unrelated subjects (maybe physics, philosophy, and music?) You see connections between them. You don’t think you should have to narrow them down to one major in college.
Yes	I want to combine my story telling and art into one thing. I don’t want to have to take, say, a foreign literature course, just because it is a requirement in my major, when I have no interest in foreign literature and could be much more effectively using my time learning how to make concrete poetry with actual concrete.
If scheduling issues prevent you from taking an interesting course, you create an independent study or find a course in the subject at a local college.
Yes	When I really want to learn something that school doesn't offer me, I take a class elsewhere or teach myself. That's how I learned the programming language "Scratch," TI-Basic, and a little bit of Html and that's how I learned to draw and animate.
You spend long nights in diners, getting free coffee refills and having “philosophical” discussions with your friends (and random strangers).
No	But that sounds awesome! Find me a diner and some strangers and I’ll get right to it!
You are the most persuasive person you know. When you want something, you know how to get it. (But you use these powers for good, not evil).
Yes	Ask Beth (Szemela) to tell you the story about how I got my rats.
You are not satisfied with simply knowing how something is done. You always ask why. You tend to turn mandatory assignments into a personal quest for Truth.
Yes	To the point where I have driven some teachers mad. They really don't get it here.
You make up new words. You get people to actually use these words.
Yes	But I’m still working on the getting people to use them part.
You are willing to take risks—to make new friends, to get your voice heard, to do what you think needs to be done. You are not afraid to get a little loud now and then.
Yes	CAN YOU HEAR ME NOOOOW??
You don’t believe there is just one definition of success. You really seem to get that life is bigger than a GPA. Bigger than college even. This is all just leading you towards a satisfying life.
Absolutely	That’s my view about education in a nutshell.