Personal Narrative: My Journey To The Middle And High School For The Arts

As I grew older I realized that I wanted to give everyone, but especially children, the same access to art that I had been so privileged to have throughout my childhood. I felt, and still feel, that art serves as a reflection of the culture we live in, and if access to art is limited then the creation of art will also be stifled, leading to only a select few voices being recognized. If only a few voices are recognized, then a true reflection of our culture will not be generated. Historically, wealthy white men have dominated the art world, specifically the western art world, and I believe that because of this bias we have missed out on many important stories from diverse backgrounds. While we cannot change the past, it is never too late to start working towards a brighter, more inclusive future. The first step towards this vision is by increasing the accessibility of art education to people from all backgrounds. Art changed my life, and I believe it can change the lives of countless

Starting in the fall of 2012 was a big change in my thinking and learning skills. This was the year that I started my Liberal Arts Education here at Bridgewater College. Before I entered college everything had come easy to me whether it was sports or school, but during my first two weeks at school I knew that had all changed. In high school I rarely had to take notes and homework was optional in my school district and so I carried that over to my new classes at Bridgewater. That did not go so well because on the first test in General Chemistry I got the lowest grade I had ever gotten on a test. This was where college changed for me. From then until now was a change in the way that I learned both inside and outside of class. In the classroom I started to take better notes and really paid attention to the lecture. Outside of class I started to read and take notes on the textbook and also used the resources of the college and got a tutor.

On my twenty-forth birthday, the seventh of May, my mother, the eminent, Whitney West Scooter, almost had a major myocardial infarction. After, I told her that her aspiring Michelangelo had withdrawn, that very day, from her alma mater the illustrious J. C. West Academy of Fine Arts. The only reason I attend the Academy, in the first place was to appease my mother, who believed every artist should hold an art degree. I spend the entire day with my mother and throughout breakfast, lunch, and dinner, I tried to penetrate her armor of resistance so she might understand my reason for leaving the Academy at the conclusion of my junior year. As I spoke, her facial expression took on the characteristics of a rabid dog about to pounce. And I swear

How do I expect my education at The Art Institute to help me attain my goals? My education at The Art Institute can help me attain my goals of entering the music industry and impacting society through production. As a musician I feel a high love for music. Music without a certification will not pervade me as an education with certification would.

Throughout my Jr. High and High School career, I've had many pastimes and hobbies that I found I could participate in outside of the classroom for. During the seventh grade and all the way until my sophomore year of High School I participated in basketball. From the seventh grade until my senior year of high school I participated in cross-country. In Middle School I participated in wrestling, and most recently I have partaken in soccer for my junior and senior year of High School. Besides sports I spent a good amount of time dedicating myself to volunteer for the local parks and rec center. I volunteered on projects such as the Annual Triathlon, the Haunted House, and many more. I also volunteered for the local Clinic during their annual 5K Color Run.

While growing up I only moved once from a quiet and tranquil apartment to a home near a train and friendly neighbors. The move wasn't that drastic due to me being young but I had to start school. School was very startling at first but as the days went on I became a bit more open. My family was a big help in that too because they talked to me about being myself and I shouldn't be shy when around strangers.

Where do I even begin I went through four years in the Middle School and now I am off to the High School for another four years. At first when u think about it and it is scary to think about going to High School but then at the same time it”s not even that bad. You're not that little kid anymore that’s in Middle School you are going to go to High School. You will always have those memories about your time her at the Middle School but now that we have hit a certain age it’s time to face reality and expect things from the high that we don’t get here at the Middle School. Now it’s time to talk about what’s most scary and most difficult at the High School.

I had a very rough ending to my high school career. I was quite adament on doing my assignments independently, so I failed multiple classes over my sophmore and junior years. I was behind on the credits I needed in order to graduate and walk. My senior year, I had to retake 4 classes worth of credits and pass all my current classes to graduate. Through all that year long grinding and work, I finished my my credit recovery classes a whole month early. Without putting the idea of not actually graduating with my friends and disappointing my family, I probably wouldn't have done all the work I needed to graduate. Having a goal and the mindset to actually go and achieve it is paramount to actually get somewhere in life.

Coming to the Interlochen Arts Academy I knew that I would be surrounded by a very talented and diverse community of unusual artists. It never occurred to me though that a large percentage of the school’s population would be from international countries. When I was in public school, there were only a handful of people that I knew from foreign origin, but they had already assimilated to American culture and were well aware of are virtues and manners. As I arrived on my new campus the first person that I met was a young man named Bassett. Bassett was from Afghanistan, so naturally I was excited to see some diversity in my new community. As the weeks went on Bassett and I became really good friends, until I started to notice some odd things about

Bouncing my feet, the butterflies in my stomach felt more like little leeches as they ate at my anticipation. Shifting my position on the car seat, I remove my palms uncomfortably stuck to the sleek, leather interior. Reaching over I adjust my portfolio. Wafts of papers and paints lift to my nose, as its’ contents crinkle and crunch. Is this good enough? Thoughts of doubt race through my mind as the car inches closer and closer.

I’d like to attend one of Essex County Vocational Technical schools because I believe the can shape me to not only be a better student, but to mold the path for my future career goal. Throughout my middle school journey, I have faced a series of challenges that have shaped me as a person and changed my perspective on academics entirely. The thought of my future has pushed me to set my goals higher, and in order to reach them, I had to do better academically. These setbacks set a series of questions that changed the way I viewed my educational opportunities. Without a proper high school education, how equipped are you for college? Coming from a charter school has provided me with the education and structure needed to be a successful, well-rounded

During the spring of my junior year, my sister and I were accepted into the summer art program at The Putney School. I was thrilled to be able to dedicate three weeks to improving my skills in my ideal classes, filmmaking and writing, but a switch in program sessions forced me to switch from writing into painting. Not only was I upset that I couldn’t take writing, but I was terrified about painting, especially at an art program.

As I started middle school three years ago here at Rocky Top, I don't even remember what I was thinking. Probably nervous, worried, stressed out. As I went through these three years at Rocky Top, I've grown up many different ways. Not just me every one of you have, you can't tell me that you’re the same person you were when you walked through the doors 3 years ago. We’ve all evolved as people every year we were here. More independent, mature, and as we leave middle school we see the world much differently than we did as little 6th graders.

Of all the experiences of my high school career, the ones that stand out to me the most are the numerous community service projects I have participated. From working booths at Relay for Life, picking up litter on highways, working multiple community dinners, volunteering at elementary schools through our leadership’s PALS (Partner’s in Active Learning Support) program, and serving as a table leader at the middle school’s Character Counts programs, I have made myself available and useful to various aspects of our community. I am very proud of and I have enjoyed my involvement in all these events, my favorite by far is the annual Kings County Farm Day.

After track practice was over we walked back to the locker room. I got dressed into my regular clothes. 'I feel sorry for you dude," Jose said. I replied back,"yeah"! Even though practice was done my body was in pain still. "Can I borrow your phone," I said to Ethan D. 'For what," he replied. "Oh I need to call my dad to pick me up," I expalined. "Okay," Ethan said.