My Naca Experience

I joined SkillsUSA as a freshman in high school, merely because my audio/video production teacher asked me to. Shortly after joining the organization, I ran for district office and became SkillsUSA District 13 Chaplin; this entailed that I attend a summer leadership conference in central Texas. Upon receiving the SkillsUSA Texas Statesman Award at the SkillsUSA Texas Summer Leadership conference, many district officers, including myself, were eligible to attend a five-day national leadership conference in Washington, D.C. called the SkillsUSA Washington Leadership Training Institute (WLTI). At WLTI, students from all over the country go to a variety of leadership training sessions in preparation for their congressional visits at the U.S. House of Representatives taking place towards the end of the conference. Two students from a different school and I would visit with

I was ecstatic to be able to be involved with this program. I volunteered to help with the program for 4 years and it was the best experiences I had with children. I did multiple things for the children: I was a chaperone for one of the groups, I made there lunches for them one year, and also made the activities for the children to enjoy.

The person I was, is not the person I am today. There once was time where I wasn’t really involved in society. I was lazy and I thought other things were more important. My life really changed when I went to Rite of christian initiation of adults, I was more involved in my church, learned more, and I also started to attend mass.

For one of the two concerts that I attended this semester, I went to the Women’s Chorus spring concert, which took place in the Rudder theatre. Although there weren’t as many people attending the event as I had originally thought, there were still quite a few people at the event. This concert was mainly for the presentation of alumni, parents, and to help raise money for the chorus’ planned trip to Italy where they would do casual performances in some chapels.

I was reluctant in joining the Academy because I was nervous that I wouldn’t get in. But precisely the period before my scheduled audition a ‘frienemy’ encouraged me to try out. I built the courage to walk through the audition doors and left being placed in the intermediate level; which was quite an accomplishment. Since then I have now achieved in reaching the Advance Level of the academy! My favorite memory in the academy is when my second and third period took our first trip to the Manhattan Theater Club in New York City. This trip aided tremendously in team-building and my skills of theater analysis. I am so grateful that I took the plunge and faced my fears because the Performing Arts Academy and Mrs. Baur have made me realize that my true dreams are to become an actor. The Performing Arts floor is a safe haven for many including myself, the people can drive you crazy but that's exactly what families do.

What is the value of a professional organization - like NASPA - in the professional development of graduate students and new professionals?

My mum is my earth, my water, my air, and my fire so in 2010 when we almost lost her my life changed. She has the most radiant smile and a heart of gold, but she has been suffering from her health ever since we were young and continues to suffer as I write. She suffers with what can only be explained as unique and unexpected adverse effects brought on by each medical procedure she has had done. Today my mum no better than before she was operated on. In many ways, she is made more fragile with every slice of a physician's scalpel than by the illness that brought her to the hospital's doors. Why does it seem medicine and the practice of it have affected my mother is such an unexplainable way? Why can't the physicians of this most developed nation solve this puzzle? How can I help? Were some of the questions running through my mind. Amidst the chaos and the gloom, I

One thing I would like to see improved in our chapter is the feeling of inclusiveness and confidence in our overall campus presence and throughout the weeks of recruitment. In order to do this as RMVP, I believe that it begins with strength in preparation and leading by example. I would strive to work with the FRC in order to host workshops Spring quarter and throughout polish week that are engaging for recruiters, tab team, and day chair as well as serve to prepare all chapter members for recruitment. One idea that I have for recruitment workshops is creating situations of real life PNMS by using cards with descriptions setting up a true conversation between the practice PNM and the recruiter. The practice PNM would have a card with an attitude description; one that determines the depth of information that they will indulge in conversation. The recruiter would have a card with a question on it and information that they need to find out about the PNM to accurately rate them abiding by the needs assessment. The goal would be to familiarize all members with the process, and to maintain our chapter’s strength in sisterhood before the summer break approaches and the weeks heading in to recruitment. Having experienced recruitment from the recruiter’s side twice, I have been able to see what has and has not worked for the recruitment teams and have hands on experience with the receptiveness of our chapter, keeping that in mind for creating purposeful lessons/guides for all members.

I imagine that most of us felt particularly influenced by the companies that we covered for our presentations, because we spent so much more time researching them. When I think of the groups we studied, Pig Iron Theatre Company will always be the first to come to mind. I find their approach to performance and playmaking to be very compelling. The only firsthand experience I have in the production of shows I received in educational settings,

On Thursday, May 18th, 2017 I attended a concert at Pierce College Performing Arts Center. This concert as wells as the others at Peirce College Performing Arts Center were sponsored by the Associated Student Organization (ASO). The concert began at one o’clock. The performers were students of the Pierce College Applied Music Program. The Host walked out and briefly talked about how dedicated and talented each student is. The pieces performed varied from time period and style of music. It contained music from Bach to Jojo.

One of the significant challenges I faced is participating the school production. This was the first production I worked with and entirely introduced to performing arts. Participating at the school production requires full commitment and great responsibility. At first, this was a nerve-racking and frightening experience as I have no confidence performing in public. Eventually, the production has helped me conquer my fears, be more confident and learnt numerous of skills.

This semester I have experience many live musical performances. Some of these performances have let me down but for the most part, these performances have been everything I ever expected. My two favorite performances this semester were Festival Vallenato and Ultra Music Festival. Although these two types of music are different in every way possible, the people and the performers are exactly where I feel I am in the right place.

The Let’s Dance Company’s 11th Repertoire Dance Concert was amazing and entertaining. This was the third dance concert that I have seen by the LDC and the dance concerts just keep getting better and better. I was entertained throughout the concert and impressed by all the dancers. The concert allowed me to see the hard work members from the first concert I saw, the LDC’s 10th Repertoire Dance Concert, put into improving themselves as a dancer and performer. All the dancers performed great and looked like they were having a great time throughout the dances. Throughout the dance concert I was learning what I need to improve on as a dancer and what I need to do to become a performer. The concert was a great experience for me.

When I was informed that I hadn’t made the cut that year, I was heartbroken. This one of many “no’s” I’d endure, pushed me to work so much harder. I put all my life into the arts, while I continued to be faced with personal struggles. I dedicated my life to my craft and wanted nothing more than to be the best I could be. When the time came around the next year, I spent weeks working on my application and reapplied for the Teen Ambassador program. I remember so vividly reading my acceptance letter and being filled with joy. As cliché as it may sound, I was crying of happiness over something I didn’t even know much about. It was as if my heart had known that my whole life would change because of this experience yet my mind just knew “free shows.”

When I initially registered for PAD4148 volunteer management I was pretty clear on the notion that in this course I’d be learning and gaining knowledge on how to manage volunteers. I did not realize that in order to effectively and efficiently manage volunteer and staff in a non-profit organization, or any organization for that matter, there are many layers involved. My basic understanding of non-profit management was the necessity for organization, humility as a leader and showing appreciation for you team. The only reason I even discovered these needed elements in non-profit management is because I served with a non-profit organization for years that lacked them. I felt so burned out mentally, emotionally, and even spiritually because I was working so hard towards the mission and vision that I whole-heartedly believed in but the lack of organization, appreciated and large doses of pride made this goal seem impossible.