The Struggle is Real

So in about 3 days, we’ll be saying buy to the year 2012, and hello to 2013. For us Haitians out there, that means T minus 3 days until we feast on some soup joumou! I digress. For me, the year 2012 has been a year that I will never forget. I remember checking my email early April 11^th. I was ready to see the words “We’re sorry…” Instead, I saw the message, “Your application for MITES has been given a decision. Please log in to the application website to see it.” I thought, great, they’re just prolonging the inevitable.  Logging into the application website was one of the most difficult things I’ve ever had to do, but I was fortunate enough to be one of the 80 students chosen to participate in the MITES program.

If you’ve read any of the other blogs, you already know that MITES has been a life changing experience for all of the participants. If you haven’t read any of the blogs yet, go read them first, then continue with mine. I’ll even wait for you………………..Alight, let’s continue. MITES left me with a desire to make a difference, a change in my community. I had the warm feeling inside, kind of like after you watch Wall-E, and I wanted to share that with others. I told myself that once school started, I was going to ignite some inspiration!

The funny thing is, saying you’re going to do something is much more difficult than actually doing it. For example, I had this really good idea to organize a career fair for the local middle schools in my area. I wanted to inform them about many different careers in the STEM areas and inspire them to dream big. As NHS president, I thought it would be no sweat to get people to make presentations about certain careers. However, I faced an unmotivated chapter who only did the bare minimum in terms of community service just to put NHS on their applications. After only a few volunteered to assist me, I felt discouraged. I began to feel like a failure. I couldn’t even inspire my own chapter. How could I inspire anyone else?

I think God was listening in, because he answered my question. A few months later, December 15^th rolled around and I was accepted to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Class of 2017. I was in shock and disbelief. Was I being punked? No, this was real life. After notifying my guidance counselor, she told me that I would be the first student from Sussex Central High School to attend MIT. Most normally end up going to state universities (I live in Delaware, not impressive). She told me that I was a role model for others to follow. Many of the underclassmen looked up to me, and I was their inspiration. Not only that, but I was on my way to becoming my high school’s first black valedictorian.

I was really motivated by what my guidance counselor told me. Through my success, I was igniting inspiration. This has caused me to push myself to work harder as to not let those who look up to me down. It has given me the motivation to do things that I had previously set off. Right now, I am working on the Gates Millennium Scholarship aka the Mac Daddy of scholarships. This scholarship gives you 5 months to write 8 essays. The reward is basically a full ride through graduate school. At the moment, I have 19 days to write 5 essays. Yeah, I know. I should probably go work on those. Procrastination is a ditch.   

Stay Classy

-Rosemond “RowZay” Dorleans

Nervousness

Do you ever get really nervous?

For the opening of the big show, a first date, or before the results of an exam? Trust me, I have been there. Many times. This week seems to take the cake, though.

This past weekend was my robotics team's hosting of a FIRST Lego League tournament. What is FLL? Well, if you click the link, you can check out what FLL is all about. Personally, I am in love with the program. It introduces kids to problem solving with a little bit of engineering and science mixed in there, too. I totally wish I was on one of these teams when I was little. Anywho, I've mentored a couple teams and it's totally rewarding and I'd recommend everyone and anyone to get involved! Even though this wasn't going to be my first time exposed to this. Still, I was nervous. 

This tournament was entirely student run, and our tournament director was starting to feel the heat. Additionally, I was going to be Emceeing the tournament. Now, if you haven't met me, I am a really shy, quiet person. Sure, I can talk in front of people when I need to, but these types of situations....I usually steer clear away from completely. Emcees typically dance, interview teams, sing, jump around, etc. They also officiate the opening ceremonies. To be honest, this wasn't my cup of tea. Sadly, I'd do anything to keep kids excited about robotics. Looking back, I think I filled my position very nicely (except for the part when one boy almost started crying due to robot malfunction, I almost cried with him it was so sad) and I was sore and exhausted the next day to prove it. The tournament went awesome and the kids had a great time. Can't wait to do it again soon!

As always, check out my team by visiting our website here. We're always doing cool things with the community, spreading STEM and other exciting things like that. That's one reason I can't stay away.

I was also nervous due to the fact that a certain school's Early Action results (a school in which I REALLY would like to attend) were coming out on Saturday (at 12:15, to be precise). And I pretty much got the case of "ItotallyknowI'mnotgettinginsoIshouldjustgiveupandnothopeandbecomeabumorapplytomoresafeties" disease. I guess, I got way more than nervous because I pretty much shut down and watched Entertainment television all day yesterday instead of studying for my AP Physics test on Angular Momentum, which I am sooo behind on! Now, as much as I love doing physics problems, there was a HUGE part of me that just wanted to give up. 6 AP classes this semester was a lot for me. I definitely have had no such thing as a break. My friends and I would hang out and talk about the amounts of work we'd just have to do later on. It just felt monotonous and bleh. Plus, my grades are not looking too hot because there are a lot of assignments I am behind on and a couple tests I still have to take. Of course this only adds to my nervousness (and borderline anxiety).

But, then I realized that I was a survivor. Of MITES. One of the most difficult courseloads ever. Not to mention, I actually did really well in all my classes. So, I really don't know why I was complaining. At all. So, my solution was to tell myself to suck it up, deal with it, and use the strategies I learned at Mit to make the best of what I have. First, I will start off by prioritizing. ASAP. I will see where that goes.

I also need to buy my Secret Snowman gift (The MITES 2012 version of Secret Santa, which is going to be pretty awesome because I have the perfect person.) Also, Saturdayat12:15 needs to get here quicker. So that my latent nerves that want to resurface can dissipate!

Until luego,

Eunice

p.s. I'm doing some name analysis

Eu: Greek for good, well

Nice: nice...

Definition: Victory.

I wonder how that was decided. What about your name?

Pantsers and Plotters

MITES was the most inspirational six weeks of my life.  Such a simple sentence that tells a truth, but does not convey enough.  It does not convey that my MITES 2012 family continues to inspire me.  It's in every Google+ hangout that lasts into the wee hours of the morning.  It's in every Facebook post about completing college applications or a scholarship/award won.  Igniting inspiration?  Definitely.

This past Sunday I was inspired at and attended, for the final time, the Connecticut Children's Book Fair. Going to the Book Fair has been a tradition for my mother and me for at least 8 years.  Every year, authors for children and young adult come to the Fair to present (~20 minutes each) and autograph books for young fans.  This year, during the Q&A session of the teen panel, a boy around my age asked if they (the authors) outlined the story before actually writing a novel.  One of the panelists, Kim Harrington, stated that there are "pantsers" and "plotters," but many times it depends on the novel.  Overall, she believed herself to be somewhere in between.  

The comment resonated with me and I started thinking about my life.  I used to plan things to the extreme.  I would outline my night's homework, even including approximate durations of time for each assignment.  Sometimes my plans went haywire, but after those numerous hiccups, I would go back to my old planning ways.

At MITES, my perspective changed.  I loved being able to go on a spur-of-the-moment 10:40 PM LaVerde's run with a friend.  Or even being able to text a friend about meeting for a vanilla-coffee coolatta in 10 minutes.  As for PSets?  If I understood the idea, then maybe it would only take 4 hours or so.  Many times, I would THINK I mostly understood, go to Office Hours and finally finish about when the TA was going to call it quits for the night.  Humanities?  I don't even want to think about how many times I revised a thesis statement.  A thesis statement is not just any sentence.  Trust me.

I'm still a little neurotic at times (who isn't?), but I've found the balance between obsessively outlining and living.  There are still many things I need to plan for including college application deadlines, but it is in every break from work that I realize how wonderful life is.  These breaks are spent with friends.  They are spent on the couch reading my new (autographed even!) book with a mug of coffee precariously perched on the nearby table.  They are spent embracing life and all forms of inspiration.

Until next time,

Katie

I've returned!

I know I haven't talked to you guys in a while so here I am again! School has been really stressful. my school's homecoming game was a couple of weeks ago and I made the mistake of enrolling in the class that would make me hate it. My Leadership teacher, a perfectionist, made my life a living hell because the game is such a big deal and he's an ass.


So he stressed me out way too much all of October (when I was trying to get some college apps done). But I got through it and now he should be easier to deal with.

I've missed you guys. It has been way too long since I last attended a hangout. I always talk about you guys. People are so tired of me saying  "Oh yea this reminds me of MITES" but I can't stop telling people about you amazing people <3. Whenever I wear my MIT sweater, I remember Kaelyn saying that woman told her she was voting for Mitt Romney. I got my evals on Friday. It brought all the memories back of how hard yet fun MITES was.

Well I hope you guys receive good news from the colleges you applied early to. Hopefully, we can talk more  because I don't want to lose touch.

Liz

Post-MITES Personal Reflection

Hello Everyone! I'm a new blogger on this page. Hopefully you'll get to know me better as I post more. Here's a small something to start with. I've undergone many changes since MITES, and here is one that I noticed recently. I hope you enjoy this personal reflection:

 I was in a damn hurry. I had lost my schedule and reprinted it, wasting valuable time I could've spent working out at the gym. As I rushed to the gate by the 700 building*, I was angry at myself and everyone around me because of my tardiness. But as I walked in the 700 building, I saw three girls wave hi to me. I didn't know them, but waved back politely. 

 As I got closer, one of them gave me this heart warming look, a look you only get from your younger sister, as if pleading me to talk to her. She extended her hand out to me, and asked me, "You're my friend right?"

 I replied "Of course I'm your friend!", And shook her hand amiably. 

 As I walked past she giggled and told her friends she had met her new best friend.

 All my anger was flushed somehow. When I reached the gate by the football stadium it had already been closed. I walked away gracefully however, not having the same frustration as before. 

 The girl I met left an incredible mark on me. In that short interaction she made me teary eyed with the way she gazed at me and asked for my friendship. I might have a 4.0 and this and that, but I learned something very special from that beautiful girl in the special education program. In that brief moment I saw the value in taking your time to be kind to others and not getting angry over the most trivial things. 

 The shortest "hi" can make a difference in your life. I encourage you to be more friendlier with everyone around you. No groups. We're all one. We all need to get along.

MITES 2012

-Miguel A. Garcia

*700 building is the building used for career counseling, drama class, and special education at Robert A. Millikan High School in Long Beach, California.

So many have been asking me how life has been after MITES. Here is a quick description of this Colombian's life so far!

So many have been asking me how life has been after MITES. Here is a quick description of this Colombian's life so far! 

        Time flies and I can't even believe it has been more than two months since I left MIT on that very depressing bus ride to the airport. (On a side note of the airport: I still can't believe they let me take that hammer on my carry on. I guess wearing a suit and having a diploma with the MIT logo makes it all okay.)
Senior year has been interesting to say the least. Well, most of it. My AP classes are not too bad. Sure AP literature makes me want to crawl in a hole, but at least the hole has pillows! Calculus has been such a breeze thanks to the amazing teachings of Mr. Craiginski at MITES. I am taking it online and my teacher gets annoyed at the speed I finish her lessons. I am just like " what can I say, I got the skills and I am not afraid to derive." Statistics hasn't been bad, just z-scoring every day you know? And then comes Chemistry. Lets not discuss Chemistry ( still doing good though ). But enough of Academics. I have been really busy with Cross-Country and my school's Beta Club.  I have been running miles upon miles daily since the day I got back from MITES. My shoes have the mileage of car now. This year we had a lot of new runners come in and I am happy to say that I have seen every single one of those runners grow. I remember in the beginning of the season when they all were like " 5 miles? Um my leg just exploded. Can't do it." Now they are all running the courses without stopping! I can't explain how happy it makes me to know that these new runners are now completing these distance courses. Originally I would have to run next to them and encourage them to run. They would stop of course, but as persistent ( and annoying ) as I am I would push them from behind and tell them that they can complete it. Now I see a transformation in these runners, not just in their running skills. They are now having confidence in their own abilities and they have built up their determination. Knowing that they are all growing is what makes this Captain position so worth it. Recently I was put in charge of a fund raiser for the American Heart Association for my school's National Beta Club. At first the fund raiser was going slow and we were making little to no process, but then we started to pick up the pace ( after a well played motivational pep talk) and we even managed to raise close to five hundred dollars! Needless to say it felt great to be able to donate money for a good cause. Lately I have been really busy tutoring and helping friends with their work. For some reason I am always drawn to help my fellow classmates even though my own homework resembles the rocky mountains. Let me just clarify, however, that I do not give my classmates the answer. I teach them the process to get the answer. I am basically teaching them one of the great MITES principles. On top of all these club activities, sports, and homework I have also been working my job at Red Lobster. Yes, I do "sea" food differently. Work isn't exactly the funnest thing in the world. I run more cleaning tables on one shift than I do at two cross-country practices. My co-workers are all at least double my age and I am the "baby" in the restaurant. Let's just say sometimes these conversations get weird. Now to the last part of my long post MITES story, college applications. I just recently finished my MIT essays and now I am revising and soon I shall click the suspenseful "submit" button. I have my hopes high, but I am applying to other good engineering schools as well just in case. These essays, however, are basically as demanding as another AP class. Alright, so what was the point of this long blog besides giving an insight on my life? Point is that MITES is basically in every part of my life. My coaches, co-workers, classmates, and friends all know about my MITES experience. I am constantly talking about it. I can't help it. I want to spread the great things I learned at MITES and try to inspire my friends to dream big and work hard. I have grown from it and now I am applying what I have learned to help my community. For now, that is the update on this Colombian's life.

RISE Above the Norm

I was sitting in the couch in the living room, looking forward to the typical Saturday morning for me. I signed into my email as I usually do, and there it was. I could barely believe it - I was reading an email

from an actual Google employee and it was addressed to me.

I've heard of the Google RISE Awards and how the grants are intended to promote STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) and CS (Computer Science) outreach programs. All the recipients, staff and other professionals were to come together to discuss current company projects and share information/ideas so that the attendees could improve their programs at the 2012 Google RISE Summit in New York City. Google was asking me to be one of the four students on their panel discussion; Google wanted to hear my thoughts and MIT's OEOP office thought I would do a good job representing the MITES program. The first time I read the email, I ran straight over the words and jumped out of my seat, running to my mom, shouting "Can I go? Mom, can I go please?!" and forgetting that she knew nothing of what I was asking. As soon as I read the email to my parents and sister, my family responded with a supportive "Let's do this." The door to an opportunity to speak before business professionals and network had been opened to me and I was not going to let it slide past me.

Around 6 am on the second day of the conference, September 14, my mother and I boarded the train to Penn Station (which was exciting in itself as it was my first time on a train). We finally arrived at the station between 8 and 9 am, grabbed some Dunkin' Donuts, and joined the long line of others waiting for a New York taxi. Wasn't that an experience! We eventually grabbed a ride and made our way to the Google NY building. If we had more foresight then, we might have just walked the distance instead of waited. When I arrived, the building was busy and people were everywhere, and I began to feel intimidated by the fact that these people were able to inspire so many others through their own dreams. After the last session finished the workshops, all eight of the panelists - one student and one professional for each program - took their places. In the beginning, all the students, including myself, were quiet and allowed the adults to address questions, but, after we received an invitation to share our thoughts, we instantly expressed the significance of our experiences.

One thing that MITES taught me is that you don't have to be "the best" to succeed. When a question about admitting students with potential versus students with developed skills in STEM, I had to speak up: even though I may not have the perfect SAT score or the highest GPA in my class, I am not defined by a few shortcomings. I would have never discovered how much I can become if someone didn't give me the opportunity to not "be the best" but to "do my best." I clearly remember the night of orientation, when I was informed - rather forewarned - that my successes would not carry me through MITES. I appreciate that aspect of MITES. If we only focus on igniting inspiration on those that would appear to become the most successful, we minimize the power of inspiration and alienate an entire world of possibility and of progress. There are plenty of teenagers like myself in this country who could have more drive, more obstacles or even more potential than I have, but, because someone could not think outside of the box and allow them the chance to develop themselves, it is possible that they may never fully experience their talents.

"Igniting Inspiration" is a challenge that I hope I helped fulfill at the conference. These professionals wanted to hear from the students in order to learn how to better their program, and I wanted to make sure that I shared what became most important to me. While I've already explained how someone's "risk" influenced me and others students so greatly, I cannot deny the importance of diversity and exposure, both of which go hand-in-hand with what I've stated. By taking a risk on a student who may not fit the norm, I believe the level of each student's experience is heightened. Why? It follows the statement "hard work beats talent, when talent doesn't work hard.." At MITES, we were all placed in environment where we couldn't rely on our own experiences from home, because the situation was entirely different. Where some of us succeeded in areas, others who were used to achievement did not, and, where some of us foresaw a struggle and despair in weaknesses, others found a strength where they had least expected it. We were all faced with academic and social diversity as well as an exposure to new ideas and new paths. Without someone taking the chance to "shake things up." how else would anyone discover that magnitude of success? We can only grow when we are forced to reach new heights; learning how to jump high means learning how to fall. I hope this inspired you.

Came out motivated to do greater things to "ignite inspiration"

Life (64.5 days) after MITES!

During MITES, I struggled to keep up with the demands of every class. Here in my senior year of high school, all but two of my classes are a math or science course, and I breeze past each one of them. In fact, I even tutor my peers in two of those classes: physics and calculus. I practically get my way this year! I spent my free time sleeping, socializing, drawing, playing with my graphing calculator, and copying notes from John's notebook. ;)

I still have one major opposing force to my success: laziness. As a result of slacking and being a little too full of myself, I am now a little behind in assessments and schoolwork. I hope to be able to use the experiences I've gained in MITES to help me not only catch up on my schoolwork, but also to make an impact this year.

Did I forget to mention college? I submitted my QuestBridge application this past Friday, but I am not too sure what colleges I want to rank just yet. Meanwhile, I will go into Columbia's CE2 program in two weeks. I have to thank my MITES peers for introducing me to flyout programs! ^_^

With my band and other commitments in mind, I sure hope to effectively manage my time. I also hope to have a great year. Same goes for you, the reader!
(>^__^)>♥<(^__^<)

Post-MITES College Tours

My first blog post, I'll try to keep it short and sweet.


Monday and Tuesday (September 17 & 18) were days off from school (Rosh Hashanah, Jewish new year). No school? Yes! I get to sleep in, play my PS3, watch some TV, basically chill. Nah, not about that life. What better way to spend a couple days off from school than by taking college tours! Monday I went to Dickinson College, and today I went to Lafayette College. Oh, by the way, I'm a Philadelphia Futures student, we do college tours all the time, I can't even count how many I've been on. But anyway, both colleges were pretty good, although I preferred Lafayette. Dickinson has a great study abroad program, and has a lot of languages. At Dickinson, I actually had the opportunity to sit in on a computer science class, and that was a really good experience. Lafayette is good for engineering, and is very high tech, and it has a LOT of study lounges, like everywhere. Both are small, liberal arts colleges. If I don't get into any of the colleges I really want to go to, Lafayette actually wouldn't be a bad consolation. But one thing I highly disliked about both schools was the diversity, or lack thereof. Dickinson is 77% White, 5% African-American, 5% Hispanic, 5% Asian American, and 6% International. Lafayette is pretty much the same. These numbers can't compare to Stanford, MIT, and Harvard. But, Dickinson and Lafayette are good schools nonetheless, just really homogeneous.

We each have a different story. But we all will Ignite Inspiration.

Throughout MITES, I figured out that we all have stories to tell. They come out in personal statements, family meetings, and late night confessions. As we learned more and more about each other in the MITES 2012 class, we grew as a class, a community, and as a family. Since our motto this year was "Igniting Inspiration" I would like to dedicate this blog to our stories and how we are shaping them after participating in MITES this summer. Some of us will actively try to Ignite the Inspiration that pushes us every day to our friends. Some to family. Hopefully, we will all spread the Inspiration throughout our communities. Using our newfound confidence after going through so much during those 6 weeks, I think we will ultimately touch our respective communities and change the outlook and attitudes toward success, STEM, community, personal responsibility, and leadership. Follow us along in this journey.

-MITES Class of 2012

Preparation and Procrastination

I'm pretty much in jitters after buying some final necessities for what will be the longest time away from my family. For 6 weeks, I will be among some of the brightest and most inspired from around the country (and Puerto Rico) at a program called MITES from June 15th to July 28th. The Facebook group is blowing up with questions about what to pack (Pokedex or no Pokedex?) and what things we will be allowed to do on campus. We will be staying at Simmons Hall, which is an engineering beauty. I appreciate anything built so such complexity yet so much simplicity.

Speaking of building things, I have been sending emails nonstop today regarding robotics. Not exactly non-stop, but I have a tendency to write labor-intensive emails. Hyper-linked, informative, spell/grammar-checked, worthwhile, and occasionally colorful: I pull out all the stops because I've figured out that details and presentation matters. I was recently appointed CEO of FIRST Team 1671, a First Robotics team of around 50 members, and the first batch of weekly summer lessons and training start on Thursday. Thing is, my flight leaves Thursday night and I'll be gone...for 6 weeks, so I'm pretty much scrambling all over the place. We have a record number of new members and I have almost no clue what to do with them all. Thankfully, I have a great leadership team with a tremendous amount of ability and potential, and I can confidently let them hold the fort for a little while.

For now, it's time for last minute packing and reviewing for the diagnostic tests in Calculus, Physics, Biology, and Chemistry; thinking about talent show acts; catching up on sleep (school was out last Friday and I have a red eye to Boston); procrastinating; CADding; learning Java with my Head First Java book; playing tennis; managing robotics business; and spending time with friends and family before I leave.

I can handle that in three days.... right?