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Declare and share your mission

4/14/2014

7 Comments

 
What issues do you care about and why? Tell us what you are hoping to change in the world. Describe in as much detail as possible with a minimum of 150 words.

As a participant in this program we want students to:
  • expand your vision of yourself and the world
  • develop your capacity to be future leader
  • feel empowered and inspired to be passionate contributor to society.

Declaring your passion is a major component of the Passion to Action curriculum. Developing a well articulated personal mission statement will help you stay focused as you plan and implement your project.


7 Comments
Marlene Ornelas
4/20/2014 01:23:15 pm

I am a person that cares about make equal the education for ESL students because every time that an immigrant comes to United States as new students in high school; they immediately become a ESL (English as a second language) unless they already know English. However, the problem with the ESL students is that they do not get what they need to succeed in their higher education after high school, not even the teachers care about them because most of those immigrants are people of color that are stereotype by the American society. As an ESL student is high school I was disadvantage because I was not able to take pre-college classes and even worse I was afraid to apply to college because of my low English level. Also in high school because I was an ESL student, I never learn how to do a research paper or even the proper way to do an essay. This really affects me when I come to De Anza because I push myself to do more than what I was capable to do. I believe that the lack of resources to learn English in high school affect everyone’s expectations to succeed in this country. I hope to be a motivation for those who are facing similar of the ones that I face whether they are facing those problems conscious or unconscious; let them see that they are not alone and that they are able to learn English when they have the resources.

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Tiffany L.
4/26/2014 01:42:59 pm

I agree that there are not enough resources for ESL students. At my high school, ELD 1, 2, and 3 may be combined into one huge class (with one teacher and one teacher aid for the whole class) because of funding cuts. This is ridiculous because some lessons/tasks require more personal from the teachers that they cannot afford to give. In the end, the students suffer from the lack of resources. I hope you're able to make a change!!

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Monique Coquilla
4/20/2014 03:07:25 pm

The issues that I currently care most about deals with the art and music scene in San Jose. For my CBRP in Prof. Crain's POLI1 class, I focused on the lack of music events and venues in San Jose and as I finished that project, I learned that the music scene is actually progressively growing. There are multiple venues that house live music and also where very talented, local DJ's are being more consistently present. And the genres being played are varying from Top 40, to jazz, to reggae, to Motown, to experimental electronic, to house - something to please all types of club goers. And that's when I realized what San Jose is actually lacking in terms of music - events that don't have to take place in a nightclub or bar and that are more family friendly. Our younger generation need more opportunities to see artists perform so they can say "I want to be that." We need more daytime opportunities that are free of charge, that feature artists who are willing to showcase their work for the love of music.

How I'm hoping to change the world is by providing these opportunities and having the resources for anyone who is interested in pursuing their interest in music. I'm hoping to be someone that is inspirational and can encourage people not to be afraid of their creative selves. I want to give the opportunities for artists of all ages to share their music and art on a more consistent basis so this city can preserve its creative culture.

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Cindy Tran
4/22/2014 08:14:54 am

One of the issues that I currently take interest in is the lack of open public libraries in San Jose. In fact, the only San Jose Public Library that seems to be open everyday is the one located in DownTown San Jose: the Martin Luther King Jr.Library. But not all children and young teens are accessible to it. To me, libraries are one of the main keys to a child’s childhood and their success. Back in elementary and middle school, I was lucky enough to live a couple blocks near a SJ public library and spend my summers there, complete hw, or borrow books to enjoy. However, today the majority of these SJ public libraries are closed three days per week. How would a child be able to obtain and expand their imagination if great novels and books aren’t available to them? Not to mention that libraries provide a safe and fun area for teenagers and children. It is a place to be preserved not gradually eliminated.

What I’m hoping to do is to find other ways so that libraries and books are open to all children and teenagers. I want to figure out why we had to sacrifice 3-2 days of SJ public libraries because they are one of the most encouraging places to be.

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Marco L
4/22/2014 05:00:17 pm

I also had Professor Crain for my Poli1 class last quarter. My community based research project was on lack of funding to support programs in community centers in San Jose. I went to different community centers and met with their directors to see what were the reasons for the lack of programs. I was informed that prior to 2010 the community centers were receiving funding from the state. The city actually remodeled all the centers in San Jose providing them with new facilities and a state funded budget. After the funding was cut the centers did not have a way to keep their programs running. They ended up shutting down the majority of their programs staying open with the help of volunteers; mostly parents of the neighborhood kids. These places have new basketball courts, wrestling mats, gym equipment, and nobody is using them. When I heard about the lack of after school programs at the centers it made me think back to when I was a kid. We grew up in an area known for gang violence not college graduates and we had after school programs. This next generation is growing up in the same neighborhood with less of everything. They have a limited access to education, tutoring, sports, nutrition, basic opportunities to advance in life. I fear that we have yet to see the repercussions of this neglect of the youth but all seeds grow.

My Solution to this problem is to establish a non profit organization to create and produce sustainable programs at these centers. We can’t rely on the state or city or anyone else to help us succeed in building centers for change. We have to establish a strong base in the community by showing the need for these programs. Then by collaborating with other professionals who are willing to contribute their expertise we can formulate a plan of action. I have a list of coaches that I’m working with from various disciplines in fitness, MMA, Kajukenbo, Crossfit, Bulgarian bags, kettlebells, Zumba, and wellness. They will be helping with the wellness side of the non profit. I have a couple willing educators who want to work as tutors for after school programs for kids. Tutoring would most likely go for a hour then we would move the youth to martial arts or athletics for another hour. We could offer adult programs at the same time to curve childcare costs and allow the parents to experience a change as well. Many of these parents work two or three jobs to maintain a life for their families they can’t afford these extra’s. The tuition for after school tutoring and sports would ideally be academic performance from the child or teen. If we were able to get enough corporate funding we would be able to offer these services at no cost to the families. As someone who grew up in these areas I know first hand how isolated or hopeless someone here can feel. By having a diverse unconventional approach; I think this project will be able to create lasting changes for everyone.

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Tiffany L.
4/26/2014 01:52:52 pm

I enjoy learning, and I enjoy working with others. One of my passions is learning and teaching English. For many years, I worked in homework centers helping students with English homework. From that point, I was a peer tutor for an ELD (English Language Development) class. The most rewarding thing about tutoring is the “AH HA! Moment” and seeing the students’ growth. Hopefully, I will become an English teacher one day.

This love for learning and teaching translates to my goal for the Leadership Course. I plan to start a flow arts club on campus where people can come together to practice hoop dancing, poi, fire fans, gloving, staffs, etc. Flow arts and gloving or forms of expression, and I want to establish a fun learning environment where students can help each other with tricks/moves they do not know or have not been able to accomplish. When the time comes, I want to host a talent show where people can exhibit their talents. A flow arts club will provide a community where people can bond over music, dance, and other performance arts. If possible, a flow arts class may be incorporated into the De Anza curriculum!

The first time I saw a hooping video on YouTube, I was inspired to buy a hoop and start hoop dancing. However, I was discouraged from the price of a hoop and the difficulties I would encounter during the learning process. I hope that I will be able to inspire people to find their niche in the flow arts community.

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Margaux C
4/28/2014 03:04:22 am

I care about many things:pubic education, police brutality, homelessness, heath care, taxes, racism, discrimination, outsourcing, and gmo banning came to mind.
I care about these issues because they're affecting our lives now and they will affect the future of humankind.
I'm hoping to change people's apathetic attitude towards politics. People owe it to themselves to know how their world is governed to make improvements and preserve good characteristics we already have. We cannot take our privilege to influence the government's way of governing us. No way.

For my project, I am going to give America the option of neglecting the time change we encounter twice a year. I want to put my proposal on the ballot for the 2016 elections. First, I am going to research if California is elibile for the plan. Then, I need to find out the number of signatures needed for petitioning. I plan to network with teachers in DeAnza so they and their students can contribute. Also networking with the public. I'm thinking that fundraising will be involved so we can fund the spread of awareness and reach out to people outside of town so they can sign the petition, too. I also need to know how to word the proposition.

If people become interested in this proposal, i hope they learn that they have the power to change the world.

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