Hey all, this is my final blog post before I send my material to my WISE evaluators..
I learned a lot over the course of this semester. Not only did I learn a lot during my final WISE project, but one of the main things I learned was even before I knew exactly what my project was. I struggled with choosing and sticking with a project for about two months - not a good idea when you're given a limited amount of time to choose and accomplish a project. However, this taught me to think my options through thoroughly, be decisive, pursue something, and stick with it.
Throughout my life I have always been indecisive and tend to worry about whether I make the right decisions; sometimes it is better to stop worrying, and have faith that you made the right choice, for then it will likely become the right choice.
I also learned that I have a real passion for reaching out to community members and representing a good cause. Though driving to various businesses all over town grew tiresome and tedious, I really benefited from the experience of introducing myself and my cause to strangers, and provoking a positive reaction out of them; convincing them to help my cause.
In early February, I believed that my project would result in me running a 10k (6.2 mile) run in Chicago, Illinois, and ended up hosting a 5k run right here in Ithaca. My project changed not only because of my indecisiveness, but because I was dealing with a sadness in my life that I had never experienced before. My motivation to focus my project on my cousin Sarah came from her sickness and battle with brain cancer, but it wasn't until she passed away on April 19 that I finally received approval from my Aunt to go ahead with the 5k in honor of her life.
In terms of time management, I think I was horrible, and wonderful. I know this sounds strange, but it is true. Looking at a large scale picture, I was horrible at managing my time: I spent two months bouncing back and forth between projects that got me nowhere. However, once I found my true project in late April, I worked really hard, all the time, spending hours a day doing errands or drafting letters, on the phone, meeting with sponsors and banks, etc. I worked thoroughly and intensely. If I hadn't, I would not be able to accomplish Strides for Sarah in this short amount of time.
I know for a fact that I have learned so much from this experience: I have learned to go with my instinct and not let anything bring me down. I have learned that being indecisive and waiting will alter my end results negatively. I have learned that I have a passion for reaching out into the community, and a passion for event planning, and a passion for celebrating the life of my beloved cousin, who was taken before her time. Although I have been more stressed than ever throughout the last weeks of my project, I will take these lessons with me wherever I go for the rest of my life, and will never forget this experience.
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Yesterday/Today
Wow! I have been working so hard these past few days, and I have had migraines, and not been able to sleep, been getting not enough sleep...etc. STRESS!!
but today I really made progress and it feels as though it is all coming together and might actually work out!!! (lets hope).
Yesterday I went to Mr. Bryant and talked to him about cones, tables, chairs, water coolers, the soundsystem, etc. He told me to come back today to make sure everything was good, so I did, and it was, except the PA / sound system. The IHS system is not in great shape, so I went to the AP office of mr. Dahara, who says they will provide me with a megaphone.
Yesterday I sent Mr. Breagle my PDF of a Strides for Sarah poster I created, and he printed me two posters today, for which I paid him. I also brought tax exemption forms and the 501c3 form to Target yesterday. They told me to come today to collect a fifty dollar gift card, but when I came today they said nobody was there to give it to me, so they're going to call me tomorrow...
We really do have a lot of good prizes though, and people keep telling me they want to help out day of, which is muccchh neeededdd!!
but today I really made progress and it feels as though it is all coming together and might actually work out!!! (lets hope).
Yesterday I went to Mr. Bryant and talked to him about cones, tables, chairs, water coolers, the soundsystem, etc. He told me to come back today to make sure everything was good, so I did, and it was, except the PA / sound system. The IHS system is not in great shape, so I went to the AP office of mr. Dahara, who says they will provide me with a megaphone.
Yesterday I sent Mr. Breagle my PDF of a Strides for Sarah poster I created, and he printed me two posters today, for which I paid him. I also brought tax exemption forms and the 501c3 form to Target yesterday. They told me to come today to collect a fifty dollar gift card, but when I came today they said nobody was there to give it to me, so they're going to call me tomorrow...
We really do have a lot of good prizes though, and people keep telling me they want to help out day of, which is muccchh neeededdd!!
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Today Marcie and I walked around the track and field area, and checked out the potential course that could go along the back of the school...
I decided it would be better to have everything more condensed, simply because I have never hosted an event before, namely a 5k, and neither has she. We want to be able to set up, clean up, and run the event smoothly with as little bumps along the way as possible. That said, I decided that although some people might find it repetitive or potentially a little boring, the track would be a better place for the run, along with two boynton miles.
The upside about the track, is everything is very reachable, meaning our water stations will all be accessible, and we wont have to drag tables out to that many far off locations - Just the half mile mark on the boynton course, which is at the crosswalk/streetlight post at the Boynton parking lot.
We ran into Mr. Bryant while we were out at the track, who I had just been looking for! I asked him about the sound system, and if we could use the speakers for music, and announcements. He said he needs to get back to me, (he said that a long time ago) and that I should come by his office next week. Well next week is cutting it kind of short... as the race is next Sunday. Ill try and hunt him down tomorrow just to get things going faster, though he might not know the info by then. I'm going to try and find Mrs. Bryant in the morning too, and ask if she knows, because she does the announcements for soccer games sometimes apparently.
Besides that, we planned out where my tables would go. Registration will be right at the entrance to the track, where there will be posters and signs.
- I've been trying to reach the tech department to let me print on their huge printer. If I cant i'll try the main office, and if they say no I'll go to Kinkos on Saturday.
Anyways, once people are registered they will walk into the track and right before they enter the turf, there will be a food table which will have baked goods for sale, and pizza (starting at 11), and a donation jar (posted the picture last blog). Then as runners walk onto the turf, they can get their Tshirts.
I NEED TO FIND MR BERNSTEIN to ask about a gun for start of the race!! and the cards!! and timing!! I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO FIND HIM but these are VERY important!!!
I also need to hear back from Bangs if they can come at 10 instead of 11 (just nice to have them there a little earlier)
On Saturday, (I'll be out of town tomorrow for a concert in Buffalo,) I'll go to Michaels and get safety pins, sharpies, scissors, tape, pens, cups, etc.
Sunday morning I'll need to be there around 730, mr bryant will tell me where I can go to get all my stuff when I get there. Hopefully my volunteers will get there soon after, and I am thinking about collecting baked goods the day before.
I decided it would be better to have everything more condensed, simply because I have never hosted an event before, namely a 5k, and neither has she. We want to be able to set up, clean up, and run the event smoothly with as little bumps along the way as possible. That said, I decided that although some people might find it repetitive or potentially a little boring, the track would be a better place for the run, along with two boynton miles.
The upside about the track, is everything is very reachable, meaning our water stations will all be accessible, and we wont have to drag tables out to that many far off locations - Just the half mile mark on the boynton course, which is at the crosswalk/streetlight post at the Boynton parking lot.
We ran into Mr. Bryant while we were out at the track, who I had just been looking for! I asked him about the sound system, and if we could use the speakers for music, and announcements. He said he needs to get back to me, (he said that a long time ago) and that I should come by his office next week. Well next week is cutting it kind of short... as the race is next Sunday. Ill try and hunt him down tomorrow just to get things going faster, though he might not know the info by then. I'm going to try and find Mrs. Bryant in the morning too, and ask if she knows, because she does the announcements for soccer games sometimes apparently.
Besides that, we planned out where my tables would go. Registration will be right at the entrance to the track, where there will be posters and signs.
- I've been trying to reach the tech department to let me print on their huge printer. If I cant i'll try the main office, and if they say no I'll go to Kinkos on Saturday.
Anyways, once people are registered they will walk into the track and right before they enter the turf, there will be a food table which will have baked goods for sale, and pizza (starting at 11), and a donation jar (posted the picture last blog). Then as runners walk onto the turf, they can get their Tshirts.
I NEED TO FIND MR BERNSTEIN to ask about a gun for start of the race!! and the cards!! and timing!! I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO FIND HIM but these are VERY important!!!
I also need to hear back from Bangs if they can come at 10 instead of 11 (just nice to have them there a little earlier)
On Saturday, (I'll be out of town tomorrow for a concert in Buffalo,) I'll go to Michaels and get safety pins, sharpies, scissors, tape, pens, cups, etc.
Sunday morning I'll need to be there around 730, mr bryant will tell me where I can go to get all my stuff when I get there. Hopefully my volunteers will get there soon after, and I am thinking about collecting baked goods the day before.
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Todayyy!!
Today, I went to the bank and deposited two checks into my Strides for Sarah account; both were $50. One was from Alternatives (bank) who decided to sponsor my event, and one was a donation from one of my aunts.
That was a nice feeling, because the tshirts are just under 350 dollars, so that makes it under 250.
I went to Shortstop to request a giftcard or coupons, and THEY GAVE ME 4 CASES OF WATERBOTTLES! That means 100 prefilled waterbottles, which will certainly be enough for our runners!! Of course, we still need water coolers to provide water for the runners in dixie cups as they run by, but this helps a TON!!!
I'm meeting with Marcie tomorrow at 12:30 to finish up the details about the course, and then start collecting marking materials. I made the donations jar today, it looks good :)
That was a nice feeling, because the tshirts are just under 350 dollars, so that makes it under 250.
I went to Shortstop to request a giftcard or coupons, and THEY GAVE ME 4 CASES OF WATERBOTTLES! That means 100 prefilled waterbottles, which will certainly be enough for our runners!! Of course, we still need water coolers to provide water for the runners in dixie cups as they run by, but this helps a TON!!!
I'm meeting with Marcie tomorrow at 12:30 to finish up the details about the course, and then start collecting marking materials. I made the donations jar today, it looks good :)
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Songs for a New World
Today I had the privilege of going to Emily's musical production of Songs for a New World. It was nothing less than outstanding, which in itself, is an understatement.
The amount of work that she put into that production was evident / crystal clear in every move an actor took, in every note a singer sung. It was beautifully choreographed, with each actor moving in tune with the melody and in sync with one another. Seeing Emily's project play out so very nicely makes me both excited, determined, anxious, and nervous for Strides for Sarah. I haven't been able to do much these past few days because I've been so busy during my birthday weekend / Marcie has been away. But, I did set up an account for the donation money and received a small amount from Alternatives, (50 dollars) .. but at least it's something!!
I talked to Liam Cody, who is a cross country runner and IHS alumn, and he says my course sounds fine - two laps around the track, two boynton miles, two more laps around the track, but he suggested doing what I had planned last week, which is two extended boynton miles (the picture posted below) Each of those is about 1.58 miles.. but those trails will be harder to mark and lead people through. So tomorrow I am hopefully meeting with Marcie if she is back and going to IHS to plan together.
Besides that, our shirts are ordered, bib numbers are ordered, we have volunteers signed up, almost 70 attending on facebook, a helium tank for balloons, probable pizza from tops, and our various prizes.
A few things we still need
- traffic cones (markers)
- the final mark up of the course ( one of two plans)
- word back from mr bryant about playing music / announcements
- bakesale sign ups
The amount of work that she put into that production was evident / crystal clear in every move an actor took, in every note a singer sung. It was beautifully choreographed, with each actor moving in tune with the melody and in sync with one another. Seeing Emily's project play out so very nicely makes me both excited, determined, anxious, and nervous for Strides for Sarah. I haven't been able to do much these past few days because I've been so busy during my birthday weekend / Marcie has been away. But, I did set up an account for the donation money and received a small amount from Alternatives, (50 dollars) .. but at least it's something!!
I talked to Liam Cody, who is a cross country runner and IHS alumn, and he says my course sounds fine - two laps around the track, two boynton miles, two more laps around the track, but he suggested doing what I had planned last week, which is two extended boynton miles (the picture posted below) Each of those is about 1.58 miles.. but those trails will be harder to mark and lead people through. So tomorrow I am hopefully meeting with Marcie if she is back and going to IHS to plan together.
Besides that, our shirts are ordered, bib numbers are ordered, we have volunteers signed up, almost 70 attending on facebook, a helium tank for balloons, probable pizza from tops, and our various prizes.
A few things we still need
- traffic cones (markers)
- the final mark up of the course ( one of two plans)
- word back from mr bryant about playing music / announcements
- bakesale sign ups
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
extra
Tonight, an IHS student I barely know sent me the nicest message on facebook. He said he knows we aren't particularly close, but he really appreciates what I am doing to honor my cousin, that his family recently lost someone to cancer, and that he would love to help in any way he can, and his family will donate. I am really touched by this, it's the little things like this that make me happy
:)
:)
Hey all,
Sooo today was the sample presentation. Wow, it was quite something. Katherine Barden sure knows how to speak. Even though it seemed ( and was later revealed in her evaluation) that she had rushed at the end of her preparation and wasn't totally sure about how her project would go, she really commanded the audience and captured their attention. Her project was "SteamPunk" and that was certainly new to me. From what I understand after seeing her WISE presentation, steam punk is a sort of fantasy style, that incorporates renaissance-esque detail into metals, fabrics, and gadgets. It's an edgy style, a creative style. Katherine showed her progress well by showing that she began without really doing much, at least nothing hands-on, but ended up with four polished and diverse outfits, and many objects and jewelry pieces.
From this presentation, I learned that it is really important not to feel too rushed at the end of the WISE process, because it can really affect your work. There are a lot of written pieces and things to polish up and all of that must be done well and diligently. AND then there is preparing the actual presentation and being able to talk for 30 minutes and then answer questions (wow...) I have never made a speech that long, so I am definitely going to need to practice a lotttttt...
I'm excited though, I think it's gonna be good!
I'm using prezi for my final presentation... which will look awesome
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