Posted by Hillary Voigt on October 16, 2009 at 8:01am
Who am I? I am a student. Someone who wants to learn more about this world, and about this incredible thing called life. Because I want to discover how my life is going to impact the world. Growing up, I had friends who were extremely gifted soccer players, dancers, and artists, among other things. I loved trying new things and I was always participating in some activity or another, but school was my strong point. I just loved learning. As part of a community like UCLA, I am afraid that is not terribly unique, but it is the truth. And truthfully, I am so excited to be living and learning in a community full of young people who are going to change the world someday. Hopefully, our generation can dissolve stereotypes that today’s youth are lazy and unproductive. I am so sick of low expectations. So that is why I am here. That is why I do what I do. In the past couple of years, I have gotten the chance to spend time working as a teacher’s aide in a second grade classroom. I loved having the chance to get kids excited about learning, but it was also hard work. I met one little boy who needed extra help with his writing, so I would work with him every morning, trying to guide him through composing just a couple sentences. At first, I didn’t think I was making a difference. After a couple weeks though, I was able to see how much he had improved, both in his writing skills and in his self-confidence. Everybody wants to change the world, and maybe someday I will. But for now I can work towards destroying stereotypes by continuing to do what I do best – learning – with as much kindness and graciousness as I can. And if I can change just one person’s life through the way I live mine, then my time at this school will definitely be time well spent.
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