Friday, January 30, 2009

Knowledge Tree part four!

I think that I would be an asset to this program because I have experience in global philanthropy, and I have an inclusive leadership style where I am always willing to experiment with new ideas and advice presented by others. I have first-hand experience of how the media can be used in a positive way to bring about change, and I have a lot of valuable input that I feel would serve the program well. I have a very relaxed personality, and I am constantly looking for ways in which I can learn from the example of my peers. I seek to gain a lot from this program through my interactions and conversations with the people involved in it, and I truly hope that I can be an inspiration to others as well. I have nothing but hope, determination, and optimism to offer, and I truly look forward to these following weeks.

Knowledge Tree part three!

Because of the economic situation, I am deeply concerned about issue of hunger and homeless in my community and across the nation. The effects of the national economic struggles are prevalent even in my home community-- my school faces a huge budget cut this upcoming year which will result in some faculty losing their jobs and numerous programs will be sacrificed as well. Throughout my high school career I have been dedicated to the mission of the Greater Boston Food Bank and have also participated in the annual Walk For Hunger-- all which help to aid the hunger situation in the Boston area. During my February school break I am going to participate in the Habitat For Humanity program, where my temple youth group will have the privilege of building a home for a person in need of housing. When I return, I plan to continue with my dedication to this cause.

Knowledge Tree part two!

Right now, my relationship with media is quite positive-- With the excitement of the new presidential administration, the News has been quite a thrilling aspect of my life. I have immersed myself in all aspects of the media, including print media, television, and the Internet. I think it is fascinating how our new president has used media to win the election and to become closer to his constituents.
Also, I have become a huge advocate of "Pandora.com"-- I just recently started listening to the online radio station and am loving the new music that I have discovered as a result of customized radio. :)
At school I am enrolled in a multimedia course and we just began working with the Garageband program. I quite enjoy it because I'm working on making my own music and it's just very interesting experimenting with different sounds and testing out the many options offered by the program.

Knowledge Tree part one!

Hello again!
I'd like to share with you all a bit about me-- about my personality, what motivates me, and what inspires me each day. As I mentioned before, I am a high school junior from Massachusetts. I am incredibly passionate about working with people-- my interactions with others have been a major factor in shaping who I am as a person, and I am constantly inspired by the people I interact with daily. I am incredibly energetic and have a really positive perspective on life-- my friends have defined me as a 'raging optimist'. Simultaneously, I am a very thoughtful person and I am very socially aware and compassionate.
This past summer I volunteered at Children's Hospital in Boston and I had the opportunity to work alongside a pediatrician and child life specialist in the Oncology unit. Child life specialists are trained professionals who assist children and families during difficult life experiences and, in the hospital setting, child life specialists bring vivacity and comfort to many patients and their relatives. I fell in love with the experience and , inspired by the absolutely amazing kids I met, I hope to volunteer and intern at Children's Hospital again in the future and in college.
During the school year I am involved in community work, particularly at my synagogue where I am a co-chair of social action on my temple's youth board. We have pursued many projects including addressing the global issue of hunger and homeless, and raising awareness of the plight of the people of Darfur. I plan to study humanities, especially psychology or sociology, because I am so interested in working with people and am fascinated by human nature in general. Inherent in the need to bring change to create a better world, I want to get better grounding in the field of diplomacy, and in particular, to learn how to express my thoughts and achieve consensus toward common goals.
My favorite classes at school are definitely Literature and History. I am currently taking a class called Western Civilizations which has a dense philosophical theme based on Plato's concept of "virtue", and I am studying the religions associated with the Asian continent in my Asian Studies class. I also really enjoy chemistry. :)
I am involved in many extracurricular activities at my school, including student government, concert band (I play the flute!), cross country running and track, and my school's chapter of Invisible Children, an organization founded to assist the youth of Northern Uganda amidst civil unrest and war. The organization raises money to give children and teens, many orphaned, the opportunity of education and a positive future. Education is something that I feel too many people take for granted-- especially during midyear exams, which I am taking right now. I have come to realize that many of my classmates look at education as "work" and not as "opportunity" or "privilege"-- I wish more people could see education from the brighter perspective, and take it less for granted.
The most important thing that I think you all should know about me is that, while I am a fun person, I am truly passionate about contributing nothing but positive energy and valuable input into this program. I respect all of you involved in the DOTCOM program-- you all are amazing and I so look forward to getting to know everyone more and more as everything progresses.

Monday, January 19, 2009

MLK Day

Hello! My name is Danielle, and I am a high school junior from MA. Today marks my seventeenth Martin Luther King Day. Like many, on this day I shift my mental gears to that milestone that took place on August 28, 1963-- the day when Martin Luther King Jr. stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and addressed a critical point in America's history. I am forever inspired by the words he stated on that day:

"Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God's children."

The fact is, our world has transformed so much in the past 45 years since Martin Luther King Jr. made his speech-- but his attitude on change that has inspired America, and the entire world, has never faded. In fact, it is this very night, the evening before Barack Obama becomes the first African American president in United States history, that I wonder what kind of change we will make in the following years. Change is only as successful as the energy and dedication one puts into making it happen. On this historic evening, I reflect on my own life, what I want to do, how I want to act to bring about change on my own. Barack Obama has called us to serve our country and our world-- to make a difference. This is an affirmation of my belief and reflects my own values that every citizen of the world ought to serve the global community, to bring about positive change. I can't wait to hear the words of Barack Obama, as he becomes our 44th president. I am both hopeful and excited.