Mites '12 Alumnus to Study Abroad in Germany for a Year

As he jets off to Germany for a year through the prestigious CBYX Scholars Program, Yhan, '12, is going to be blogging about his once in a lifetime gap-year opportunity to study abroad on his new blog: Nur Alle Jubeljahre. Let's just hope that he doesn't only post 'once in a blue moon', as Germany seems like such an exciting place and we want to hear about it! Good luck, Yhan! He'll be heading to Columbia University in the fall of 2014.

Click here to read this article in La Prensa, a Floridian Spanish newspaper that features Yhan.

Coding Resolutions: What Will You Do?

Hey everyone. This one is going to be pretty short (relatively)! As February comes to an end, there comes a time when you sit back and reflect upon the year so far. It hasn't been too long since those New Years Resolutions, even though it definitely seems like it. Have you kept yours?

A resolution I had for this year was to become a better programmer. Thanks to some of the great friends I have, I received some Matlab books and software, but I really haven't started learning...anything. I remember starting to read and falling asleep promptly. I have my dusty Java book laying in my bookshelf as well. At least spring break is coming up!

Anywho, something interesting popped up on my Facebook wall. A video entitled "what most schools don't teach". I watched it and my face instantly brightened. Once I realized I was interested in "techy" things in high school, I instantly wanted to learn programming. Disappointed that there was no course at my school (or any school in our district), I sought to join our school's Computer Science Club (and, by association, the Robotics Team's programmers). We had a lot of fun, but I'm still not a very good programmer. Code.org is a non-profit organization that strives to give more students the opportunity to learn programming. I totally wish this was around 4 years ago when I started high school!

See the video here:

Go to Code.org and learn more about what you can do to help the cause and maybe learn some code yourself! I know that I'm going to be taking advantage of it!

In the News: Andrea speaks at Girls Inc. Luncheon

Here is a video and an article about my friend and teammate (Go Underdogs!) from MITES. As she teared up, I pretty much lost it, too, weeping. Her strength and perseverance astounds me and I admire her determination and drive. This is one MITES story that shouldn't go untold. Please check it out.

Video: Scroll down to see Andrea's speech
Article: Girls Inc. of Carpinteria National Scholar Spends Summer at MIT

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?

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?