AGS Reflection
In hindsight, following through with AGS has been one of the best decisions I have made in my entire life. Because of the people I have met, the work I have done, and the places I have been, I can say with confidence that AGS has bettered my life and prepared me for college and beyond. My high school experience has forged the path for what I want to do in college. In AGS my eyes have been opened to global perspectives and experiences. We have traveled to Heifer International in Arkansas for a simulation that put us in the shoes of people in developing countries. Our sophomore year trip was to Costa Rica where we stayed with the native Bribri tribes and a Finca host family as well as visited Earth University. Junior year we traveled to New Mexico and visited the To'hajiilee reservation to learn about Native American culture and life. Our senior year trip will be the most anticipated and unique trip yet. We will be going to China to learn about history, culture, government, and tradition. Because of these trips, interdisciplinary projects, and a focus on global learning, I have decided to pursue the study of international studies. I want to continue to travel, learn about other cultures, and help solve or mitigate some of the world's problems, as well as increase cooperation and partnership among nations.
Community Service Reflection
Community service has been a big part of my life both in and out of AGS. Starting in middle school I took on a commitment to earn a presidential service award every year throughout high school. I have earned five presidential service awards with the most recent being a gold medal for 2016. Combined I have documented nearly 500 hours of community service abroad, out of state, and in the Austin area. AGS has helped me to achieve these goals because of all the community service we do on our trips and other opportunities. Although awards and meeting a certain number of hours is important, it is not why I choose to spend so much of my time doing service. Helping other people is one of my passions. I enjoy seeing the look on a person's face after I finish helping them complete something that they need to be done. It is both rewarding and heartwarming to take part in improving someone's situation. I will continue to volunteer wherever I go to college and for the rest of my life, because it is something that I find to be important and needed in all communities.