Blog 26: Senior Project Reflection

(1) Positive Statement

What are you most proud of in your 2-Hour Presentation and/or your senior project? Why?

• The thing that I am most proud of now that my 2-Hour is over, is that I know the different roles it takes to create a successful campaign. If applying an appropriate message that can be related by a majority or all voters,  raising enough money for a campaign to pay for the basics and a little extra, to using family/friends to help a candidate talk to voters and interact with them over the phone or in person can definitely help a candidate run a very effective campaign. I accredit my whole mentorship experiences Max Franco and Jorge Marquez who helped me get a deeper insight to what a campaign was really like. I used the experiences that I gained from them and applied them into my presentation. I talked about how its important to relate to people when developing a message because that shows to the voter that the candidate really cares about the issues that are currently going on. Its important to have a strong volunteer support group to help deliver that message to all of the high-propensity voting population because they are the ones who interact with the voters all of the time. Whether its in person or simply over the phone, volunteers are the ones that work wonders and rally in the supporters. Its important to have a fair amount of money for a campaign. All a candidate needs is to pay for the basics. Mailers, Lawn Signs, staff, door hangers, and miscellaneous items are needed in a campaign so money is crucial. Fundraising money and or getting money donate to a campaign helps the candidate substantially.  This ties into what I have learned both first hand and through my research. I took a long time getting ready for this one moment. The moment that was going to define my whole high school career, and now its finally over and I am done. 

(2) Questions to Consider

a.     What assessment would you give yourself on your 2-Hour Presentation (self-assessment)?   P         

b.     What assessment would you give yourself on your overall senior project (self-assessment)? AE

(3) What worked for you in your senior project?

• What really worked was my mentorship, I was able to receive an incredible amount (215 hours) I worked long and hard hours trying to get as much experience as I possibly could. One mentorship led to another and a few more. Both of my mentorships were a big part of my senior project. Both showed me new things that I was able to incorporate into my presentation. My research also really worked form me, I learned various rules and regulations that are set in place to make sure that the campaign is an even playing field for all candidates, no type of bias whatsoever. 

(4) (What didn't work) If you had a time machine, what would have you done differently to improve your senior project if you could go back in time?

• If I had a time machine to take me back and fix things to make things differently? I think I would go back to try a bit harder to get the better grade in some of the components. I think primarily re-doing my science experiment and my iSearch. I was far to confident with both of them that I over looked at stuff that could have easily been fixed. If I would do anything it would spend more time working on those and make sure that everything was correct. 

(5) Finding Value

How has the senior project been helpful to you in your future endeavors?   Be specific and use examples. 

• What this project has done for me is that it has helped me lock in my future career path. Even though I worked long and irregular hours on a campaign I feel as though I am ready to actually be the face that the campaign is working hard to get elected into office. I have always been passionate about the world of the grey suits (aka politics). I want to make a difference and actually see to it that it is done. I am off to college to begin what is going to be a long and hard process to get where I want to go, but I've made it this far, what or who says that I can't make it all the way to the top right? I owe it all to the people who have been with me from the start of it all. I am forever grateful to each and everyone of them. I have made incredible connections with both of my mentors and have gained potential working opportunities while harnessing an internship with someone who does publicity for candidates. Arianne Garcia asked me to join her and be her assistant and I am now looking forward to working around the Los Angeles County Area and getting to expand my knowledge in running a campaign and creating those valuable connections.