Update

I was just wanting to update you guys on my process on my project. Dr. Audet has helped a great deal by getting me a website that he is allowing me to personalize on my own to sort of help get the word out about the Laton Leos Club. I have been working as much as I can on my website, which honestly isn't every day, but I do try. I have been putting little facts about Laton, the community, the school, etc.. I am really enjoying working on the website because it is something of my own. We have also been working on a little video with Mr. Paul that kind of shows what we've been doing with the My Life Project. I have mainly been helping the guys film their stuff in shop and helping them with the safety sign for the skate park. I also had regular school work to do. For example I had to write a 5 paragraph essay for Spanish. Not fun at all!

Common Core Standards:

• W 1   Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence.

I can use this standard because I did write a five paragraph essay for AP Spanish. My argument was that it is not necessary to have both a high school diploma and a college degree. There are honestly many people that have dropped out of college that are very well off in life. Yes, I do think that it's good to go, but it's honestly not necessary at all in my opinion.

And yay! I finally got my 18th English Standard done!!!

Weekly Blog Post

Week of December 1- December 5

This week I have had a couple of meetings with Dr. Audet to discuss creating a webpage for our Leos Club. I am really happy that he was willing to spend time and money, even though he didn't have to. I really think that after break we are really going to start to get the ball rolling on getting the club really started. I also needed to do some more civics standards for Mrs. Cervantes, but they're so hard to tie into my project, so I just have been writing her essays that interest me. Of course they involve the standards though. I just got done researching and typing up an essay about the scope and limits of rights and obligations as demographic citizens, the relationships among them, and how they're secured. I basically wrote about how our rights are protected, how we obey them, and what the naturalization process is.

English Standards:

• RI 2   Determine two or more central ideas of text and analyze their development over the course of the text, including how they interact and build on one another to provide a complex analysis; provide an objective summary of the text. 
• W 8   Gather relevant information from multiple authoritative print and digital sources, using advanced searches effectively; assess the strengths and limitations of each source in terms of the task, purpose, and audience; integrate information into the text selectively to maintain the flow of ideas, avoiding plagiarism and over reliance on any one source and following a standard format for citation including footnotes and end notes.

I can use these standards because when doing my essays for my civics standards I have to do research on multiple different sites. While doing my research I make sure to write the information in my own words and to post the link of the website that I used on my work cited page.

Vacation post!

Over Thanksgiving break I started my week off with going on a camping trip with my family and some family friends. We went up to Big Sur, if you've never been there then I highly suggest that you go! Its so amazing. There are beaches, mountains, and natural waterfalls. I always have the best time there. Sadly we had to come home. When I came home we had a basketball game the next day and Saturday. We aren't doing to hot in basketball this year, with only having seven players. Thanksgiving was honestly amazing. We started it off with eating early at my boyfriends sisters house, then went to my cousins house later. Yes, I ate both times! I love spending time with both of our families. They are honestly just so amazing to be around. So, my break wasn't very eventful in my opinion, but that's perfectly fine with me.

Weekly Blog Post

Week of  November 17-21

This week I had a meeting with the Lions Club. I was there for almost two hours. No I didn't have to stay but I wanted to honestly see how they operated. It was very interesting because they just laid out onto the table and talked about things openly. For example, concerns, private matters, club matters, events, finances, etc. The main things that we brought about the Leo's Club is how Dr. Auden is going to join the Lions Club to be the advisor for the Leo's. The other concern was financial. One of the women in the Lions Club was concerned that people wouldn't pay and that we wouldn't have correct bank accounts. I did let them know that we do have to have two separate banking accounts and that since we are under the Lions Club I am pretty sure that it states that they will be helping us with the finances. I am posting this now because I am going camping this weekend and won't be able to post tomorrow. I'm super excited and will have a blog post with what I have done!

English Standards:

SL 3:   Evaluate a speaker's point of view, reasoning, and use of evidence and rhetoric, assessing the stance, premises, links among ideas, word, word choice, points of emphasis, and tone used.
W 8:    Gather relevant information from multiple authoritative print an digital sources, using advanced searches effectively; access the strengths and limitations of each source in terms of the task, purpose, and audience; integrate information into the text selectively to maintain the flow of ideas, avoiding plagiarism and overreliance on any one source and following a standard format for citation including footnotes and endnotes.

I can tie in these standards to my week because while at the Lions Club I was listening to all that they were saying and the way that they were saying things and bringing them up really shows how much they love the club and hate how the community isn't vey involves. It hurts them to know that they have many members that they pay for and they never show up to anything, and then when they need the communities backing they never really get it. I can also use the other standard because for Mrs. Cervanes I type up an essay for her which has to do with a certain Civics standard that I feel that I can tie into my project. So, I have been researching a lot on the internet just to write the essays.

Weekly Blog Post

Week of November 10-14

This week we had to start the week off by doing the application and taking the test to get in to West Hills. The test honestly reminded me of a dumbed down version of the ACT. It was honestly really boring in my opinion, but what tests are ever fun. After that I got the flu and Wes leaving school early because I honestly wasn't feeling good at all. I am pleased to find out that Dr. Audet is willing to join the Laton Lions Club to be our Leo's Club advisor because all of the current members have so much on their plate already. Then I also found out that the Lemoore Lioms Member, Mr. Bob Casus, has offered to pay our Leo's starter fees which is probably a a big sigh of relief to the Lions Club because I feel like they are so stressed out because they have so much going on lately.

ENGLISH STANDARDS

• RL6  Analyze a case in which grasping point of view requires distinguishing what is directly stated in a text form what is really meant.
• RI6  Determine an authors point of view or purpose in a text in which the rhetoric is particularly effective, analyzing how style and content contribute to the power, persuasiveness, or beauty of the text.
• L3  Apply knowledge to language to understand how language functions in different contexts, to make effective choices for meaning, or style, and to comprehend mere fully when reading or listening.

I can use these standards due to the West Hills test. There were honestly probably more that I didn't notice, but I feel as if these standards are sufficient. The test was difficult, but after taking the ACT this test honestly wasn't all that hard anymore. There was a lot of reading and grammar and tying things together in the entire English portions of the test. 

Weekly Blog Post

Week of October 27.

This week I honestly feel like I didn't accomplish much. I mainly just covered my civics standard by writing an essay and got the Leos starter kit. To get my civics standard I did write an essay because I felt like it was hard to tie in any more standards into my project. I focused on how the media influences politics and how it could influence the Lions Club. I also got the Leos Starter kit on Tuesday but haven't really had a chance to go through and study it. Next week will be more successful because I will be able to go to the Lions meeting since this weeks was cancelled.

English Standards:

• RI 5  Analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of the structure an author uses in his or her exposition or argument, including whether the structure makes points clear, convincing, and engaging.
• RI 7  Integrate and evaluate multiple sources of information presented in different media or formats as well as in words in order to address a question or solve a problem.
• W 7  Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects to answer a question or solve a problem; narrow or broaden the inquiry when appropriate; synthesize multiple sources on the subject, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.

I can tie in these standards because while writing my civics paper I did have to do research and understand what the media did to influence politics. I was reading off of the internet and also using what Mrs. Cervantes told me in order to support what I was saying. I gave peoples opinions, how politicians utilized the media and also how the Lions Club could benefit if they told the media about their financial situation.

Fresno State Trip

On Monday we went to Fresno State to pitch our project ideas to a class of future entrepreneurs. Then we split up into groups and they gave us creative and useful ideas on how to further our projects.
My group gave me some ideas that I hadn't really thought of. For example, they told me that I should start off by trying to get someone to sponsor us for food. So, every meeting we have we can feed the Leo's without breaking our bank. They also told me that me and David should team up with each other. Reason being, I would get his support so more people want to join and then when they start building the skate park the Leo's could volunteer their time in constructing it and keeping it clean. Then they told me that I should ask the schools to send out letters to the parents and let them know what I'm doing, because it would get their kids out doing something but they would be staying out o trouble.
Finally they told me that I should reach out to big time members in the community. They said that if I make them aware of my project then they would more than likely be willing to sponsor and support it.

Common core standards:

• SL 6  Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and tasks, demonstrating a command of formal English when indicated or appropriate.

I can use this standard because in my opinion I needed to be formal and very direct for people to understand what my project was about. When I was up presenting I was very formal because I felt that it was appropriate,  BUT when I was talking to my group I was a lot more relaxed and natural. I felt as if adapting my speech was very useful that way they understood that I was serious about it, but not just because I'm being graded on what I'm doing. To show them that this club is something that I really do want.

Weekly Blog Post

Week of October 20 to October 24

This week we went to Fresno State to pitch our ideas in front of one of their classes. If you would like to know more about it then you can look into it by clicking my previous blog post. I have also had to write a reflection on what I have achieved so that Ms. Pilcher can have a better idea. The teachers have recently asked us to continue writing reflections just so they have more evidence on what we have been doing with our projects. I have been fairly busy this week with sports, studying for my ACTs and just other every day stuff. So, its obvious that not much was accomplished.

Common Core Standards:

• SL 1d  Respond thoughtfully to diverse perspectives; synthesize comments, claims, and evidence made on all sides of an issue; resolve contradictions when possible; and determine what additional information or research is required to deepen the investigation or complete the task.

I can tie in this standard because at Fresno State we split up into groups after we all presented and they gave us different ideas from their perspective of things. They gave me some ideas in which I do think that I should really look into. Such as, finding sponsors for my club, teaming up with David, and different activities I should hold to keep people interested.

Weekly Post

This week I had to write the agenda for the Lions Meeting which happened on Wednesday, October 15. We mainly talked about the amount of people I actually had interested in the program. They were very excited about how well I did with the amount of students I had interested. We also decided that we wouldn't join together with the school. They figured it would end up better if we mainly go community based, because we could expand our reach to other students who don't go to Laton High, but would be beneficial to the group.

English Standards:

• SL 1b.  Work with peers to promote civil, democratic discussions and decision-making, set clear goals and deadlines, and establish individual roles as needed.
• SL 2.  Integrate multiple sources of information presented in diverse formats and media in order to make informed decisions and solve problems, evaluating the credibility and accuracy of each source and noting any discrepancies among the data.

Weekly Update

This week I finalized my proposal to join the Laton Lions Club with the Laton Unified School District, to start a new club. I have mentioned it before but we are in the process of starting a Leos Club and we are fairly close to actually getting the ball rolling with it actually happening. With finishing up the list of potential Leos and asking if they would be interested in the club is really getting it moving. After the list is done with a rough amount of people interested we will have an open meeting with an application handed out which the Lions members will then select the Leos. I am very excited!


Civic Standards:
12.3.1    Explain how civil society provides opportunities for individuals to associate for social, cultural, religious, economic, and political purposes.
I tied in this standard because when I explained to the potential Leo's what everything in the program was about, I though that this standard would work.

Weekly blog post

This week I did not have much contact with the Lions Club, due to having a volleyball game on the day of the meeting. I will be finishing up the Leos by next week. I did finish my proposal this week because I had nothing better to do. I will let it sit and go back a few times at the beginning and end of next week to finish up anything that I feel like I left out or need to change. I also helped Mathew a little in the shop and do plan on continuing that if he needs my help. I have also been reading the book The Best of Me by Nicholas Sparks. It is seriously such an amazing book! I read over 60 pages in one day. Pretty sure I have an obsession with his books.

English Standards:

• RL 3: Analyze the impact of the author's choices regarding how to develop and relate elements of a story or drama.
• W 6: Use technology, including the Internet, to produce, publish, and update individual or shared writing products in response to ongoing feedback, including new arguments or information.
• W 10: Write routinely over extended time frames and shorter time frames for a range of tasks, purposes, and audiences.

I can tie in these standards because I am reading a book on my own time, and I always look into the way an author will say something. Like if it has a lot of impact or ties into something else. I also have been writing my proposal and have been using the internet a lot to find information and rewrite it so it wont be considered as plagiarism. I don't know why I haven't used writing standard 10 before because I write weekly blog posts obviously! 


Civics Standards:

• 12.2.2  Explain how economic rights are secured and their importance to the individual and to society.

I can tie this standard in because the students will have an option to join the Leos club, so I basically compared that on having the righ to join or not join a labor union

My Week

So this week went fairly well for me. I finished up the timeline for last week stating what I needed to do for this week. I also finished my agenda for the Lions Club meeting which also went well. They are extremely interested in creating a Leo's Program, even if the school isn't willing to get involved. I had to do some more research on how to write a better proposal than what I came up with last time. I started writing it, basically just stating my objective and what I think will benifit of the progran. Remember I just started! I also completed my timeline for next week explaining how busy I will be with getting the Leos finalized, to continuing my new proposal and my end of the week blog post.

Common Core standards:

• Develop claim(s) and counterclaims fairly and thoroughly, supplying the most relevant evidence for each while pointing out the strengths and limitations of both in a manner that anticipates the audience's knowledge level, concerns, values, and possible biases.
• Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the information or explanation presented (e.g., articulating implications or the significance of the topic).
• Come to discussion prepared, having read and researched material under study; explicitly draw on that preparation by referring to evidence from texts and other research on the topic or issue to stimulate a thoughtful, well-reasoned exchange of ideas.

I can tie in all of these standards with my project because through the Leo's program I have to do research and basically give the Lions Club what they want to know. I have to find out exactly and maybe even give them slightly more than what they need. In the meeting I was prepared with an agenda and a print out from lionsclubs.org on the Leo's program so that I was prepared to answer their questions. I can also state that I use a concluding statement, like what I am writing now, to show that I am tying in the standards to what I am actually doing each week.

Civic Standards:

• 12.2.2  Explain how economic rights are secured and their importance to the individual and to society (e.g., the right to acquire, use, transfer, and dispose of property; right to chose one's work; right to join or not join labor unions; copyright and patent).
• 12.2.3  Discuss the individual's legal obligations to obey the law, serve as a juror, and pay taxes.

I can tie in these standards because at the meeting we discussed how when they rent out the hall they legally discuss payment and security measures. I also had to ask them about what they were under as far as taxes. For example they are a 501c4 nonprofit organization and are not charitable. That was all discussed as far as needing the information for a grant.

Weekly update

This week I had Mr.K send a letter to all teachers to get a list of students that they believe have leadership skills. I also wrote the agenda for the Lions Club meeting that will happen Wednesday, September 24, 2014. In order to do that I had to research different clubs and organizations that were recommended to me by Sally.

English Standards:

• Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content.
• Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
• Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach.  

Weekly Update

This week I had to finish writing and present my proposal. I also had two very important meetings. I had to meet with the Lions Club on Wednesday, September 11, 2014 to discuss different ideas. They were very interested in my idea of the Leos program, a program where they team up with the school to get the youth to volunteer. All while teaching them leadership skills through serving in community and world projects. They were also interested in my talking to them about meeting with a grant writer. I met wit Sally Tripp on Thursday, September 11, 2014. We discussed different ways of funding that I could look into to give back to the Lions Club. She gave many interesting ideas for them to get involved with the community all while making a profit. She also explained to me the benefits of using social media, television, and radio broadcasting to increase funding as well.

Standards for Civics:

• 12.2.4 Understand the obligations of civic-mindedness, including voting, being informed on civic issues, volunteering and performing public service, and serving in the military or alternative service.
• 12.8.2 Describe the roles of broadcast, print, and electronic media, including the Internet, as means of communication in American politics.
• 12.8.3 Explain how public offices use the media to communicate with the citizenry and to shape public opinion.

I believe that I used these standards because I have began volunteering my time to help the Laton Lions Club. I reached out to them to help with as much as I could, they didn't come to me. While I was talking to Sally she really got it into my mind how much the media can really influence a project, organization, or business. It can affect them both positively and negatively. They can tell people about the needs that we need as well as how much the Club really means to the community, but they can also twist around saying that they aren't capable of doing it. It all just depends on US.

Laton Lions Club Proposal

OBJECTIVE

My objective is to help the Laton Lions club by donating my time. As known they have recently done a fundraiser to help refund the Lions Club. They have currently been in a situation where they need help and support of others. I will help in any way possible to achieve their needs.

One of my ideas were to do fundraisers. Maybe they could throw another concert, or have a dance. There are plenty of activities we are capable of doing to get the community involved in helping out. We could also try to get grants to help out with the money that is still needed even after having fundraisers. There are plenty of things that we could do to get people, of all ages, to get involved in helping.

We could also go around, to not only local businesses, and get donations. many people around the entire United States know of the Lions Club because of its annual rodeo. If we got word out that we were in need of donations, I’m sure many people would be willing to help.

I don’t want to just stop at the funding, I really want to help update the Laton Lions Hall. There are many things that we could do to fix it up. I would of course keep the decor of the Hall at an original feel, without it actually being original.

I believe that I am capable of helping out the Laton Lions Club to my full ability. I know that all of my expectations are achievable, and I am willing to volunteer my time to the fullest of my abilities.

HISTORY OF THE LIONS CLUB
The Lions Club, Just like the United States of America, must follow rules and guidelines. They were founded for a purpose, and have standards to follow by. There are specific people in charge of different roles, to ensure that the Lions Club continues operating the ways expected. When founded they developed their own constitution, that is still used.

The Lions Club was created in 1917 as a club to work on improving their communities. Almost 100 years later, the Lions Club International is the worlds largest service club. There’s almost 1.35 million members in more than 46,000 clubs. They all have the same idea, to improve their communities.

The creator, Melvin Jones, reached beyond business issues to better the communities of the world. His group began their search for other groups, similar to theirs. An organized meeting was held on June 7, 1917, in Chicago, Illinois. The new group took the name of one of the invited groups, the "Association of Lions Clubs,". A national convention was held in Dallas, Texas in October of the same year. A constitution, by-laws, objectives and a code of ethics were approved. Three years later, the club became international.

It is perfect for me, being a high school student, to volunteer my time because of the Leo Program. It was created in the late 1950s to provide the youth of their communities with the opportunity for self development with volunteering.

The purpose of the Lions Club International, quoted by www.lionsclub.org,“

• To Organize, charter and supervise service clubs to be known as Lions clubs.

• To Coordinate the activities and standardize the administration of Lions clubs.

• To Create and foster a spirit of understanding among the peoples of the world.

• To Promote the principles of good government and good citizenship.

• To Take an active interest in the civic, cultural, social and moral welfare of the community.

• To Unite the clubs in the bonds of friendship, good fellowship and mutual understanding.

• To Provide a forum for the open discussion of all matters of public interest; provided, however, that partisan politics and sectarian religion shall not be debated by club members.

• To Encourage service-minded people to serve their community without personal financial reward, and to encourage efficiency and promote high ethical standards in commerce, industry, professions, public works and private endeavors.”

The mission of the Lions Club is to enable volunteers to serve their communities. They also want to meet humanitarian needs, encourage peace and promote international understanding through Lions clubs. They want to be the worlds leader in community and humanitarian services.

MY PURPOSE
My purpose for helping the Laton Lions Club isn't to make a good name for myself, but to devote my time for bettering my community. I want to be there along the way to help support them and get involved in the changes.

The Lions Club is all about the community. I am hoping that by getting involved that it will motivate other people to get involved as well. The Lions Club is known for many event that are loved from all over. The least that people can do is help by donating their time and effort.

I have a meeting scheduled with a woman who is very happy with my ideas on helping the Lions Club. She does want to meet with me to discuss their situation and see how she can help as well. She told me that her family has been attending events at the Lions Club for more than 20 years. Her support is the beginning of what can help change our community.

The support and help from everyone is much needed. As said they are currently in the process of their facility ground improvement. I hope to be in touch with their president very soon to see what I can do to be a part of helping in their improvement.

It would be very appreciated for me to get all of the support that I can get. Thank you for taking your time to take into consideration my plans on helping out the Laton Lions Club.

Weekly Update

This week has been full of events. We began researching and writing our proposals for our own projects. My project, as I have talked about before is helping out the Laton Lions Club. I wanted to make sure I covered as many aspects as i could. I don't have specific details on how much they do need, but when I do I will be writing a new, more detailed proposal.
We also began assigning who will be doing what while we get prepared to present our idea of a skate park to the school board. We met with Mrs. Rempp, who is very supportive of us and is helping us by researching grants that we could apply for. She also gave us some ideas for places where we could use as an alternative, if the school board doesn't accept our proposition for using the tennis courts.
Standards for English 12:

• Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas, concepts, and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content.
• Develop the topic with well-chosen, relevant, and sufficient facts, extended definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples appropriate to the audience’s knowledge of the topic.
• Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the information or explanation presented.

Weekly Update

So far in the MyLife project we have done multiple different things. We researched and wrote our own proposal to get a skate park in Laton. As a group we wrote and presented the idea for the park. We also began a group as well as an individual blog where we track our progress and ideas. So far I have wrote about how I want to save the Laton Lions Hall. The Lions Hall has been a part of our community for many, many years. It just won't be the same without its traditions.  We were also given a book to read which helps us find our passions to begin our own personal projects. We were also told to write about our passions at the moment to also get a better understanding of what we want to do. I have a general idea on my project. Like I said above, I want to help the Lions Hall. They have so many amazing celebrations that , not only Laton but many other towns, look forward to attending every year. We can't just let it close we need to come together as a community and help save and restore is.

Civics Standards:
CA.12.3. Content Standard: Principles of American Democracy

Students evaluate and take and defend positions on what the fundamental values and principles of civil society are (i.e., the autonomous sphere of voluntary personal, social, and economic relations that are not part of government), their interdependence, and the meaning and importance of those values and principles for a free society.

12.3.2. Performance Standard:

Explain how civil society makes it possible for people, individually or in association with others, to bring their influence to bear on government in ways other than voting and elections.
 

 English Standards:
a. Introduce precise claim(s), distinguish the claim(s) from alternate or opposing claims, and create an organization that establishes clear relationships among claim(s), counterclaims, reasons, and evidence.

a. Introduce a topic or thesis statement; organize complex ideas, concepts, and information to make important connections and distinctions; include formatting (e.g., headings), graphics (e.g., figures, tables), and multimedia when useful to aiding comprehension.

 

My Passion

My passion is to eventually own my own personal line of cosmetics. I want to be able to create a makeup a makeup that is high end quality with the drugstore price. I also want all types of women to be able to wear it. Women with oily skin, dry skin, combination skin, different skin tones, etc. I do want to have a pretty well known makeup line. Not only for its amazing price, but also for its amazing quality.
I plan on achieving this goal by going to Fresno State College, after I graduate high school of course. I want to get a degree in both business and accounting. I know that the financial point is very important in creating my own product. So with that being said, I won't start producing my cosmetic line until after I have a job and start making more money.
I do want to make a difference in the cosmetic world. I do want to create a makeup with the quality of MAC products, but with the prices of drugstore makeup. I want all women to be comfortable with buying this product, as well as wearing it. Not all people can afford high end makeup, but all people deserve to get makeup with high end quality.

Saving the Laton Lions Club

As many people do not know, the Laton Lions Club is on the verge of ending. I think that we need to get together as a community to get the club back in and running. If some other club or business comes in and buys the hall then there will be nothing traditional about anything that happens.
We should come together and raise awareness that the hall is going to close. We could raise money by getting donations. Hundreds of people enjoy the activities that the Laton Lions Club puts on, we just need to put it out there on what is going on. They are already in the process of having a $5 concert, children 12 years of age and under get in for free, on Sunday, August 24, 2014 from 4 pm to 8 pm. They are having popular local bands play, such Doc's Holiday and also Kevin Willard and the Cadillac Cowboys. We need to spread the word and get together to bring the Laton Lions Hall back on its feet, to keep the traditions going in our small town of Laton.