Sarah Cartan

Sarah Cartan

 

First of all, let me get something straight. I am not the obedient little academia factory everybody wants me to be. I suck at conformity, I’ve always hated writing, and having to write a huge essay on top of all my other (ridiculous) graduation requirements is not gonna change my mind. Also, I “suffer from” high-functioning autism, so my whole life has been nothing but rules. Therefore, this reflection will NOT follow the traditional format. I’ve had enough of that kuso (look it up) for nine lifetimes! If you don’t like it, go write your own reflection.

 

Personal Qualities

• Compassion: During my first LLC, one girl claimed that “everyone hates her because she’s black”, and I said that I didn’t hate her. I’m always willing to give free hugs to anybody who needs one.

• Self-Advocacy: I’m very good at articulating my needs in regards to schoolwork, and I have a “bad habit” of vocalizing what others are thinking. I stand up to Megan when she’s being too demanding with me and/or other learners, which happens all the time.

• Creativity: I tend to excel in Art, which I take every year. Last year, I drew Pokemon and wrote their Japanese names, which helped me learn to read katakana. I enjoy Art class because I’m allowed to listen to my own music and use my personal devices for reference pictures and artistic inspiration. During my sophomore year, I wrote my own monologue for Drama, and it got into the end-of-year performance. The final project for our English Othello unit was a performance of the final act. I played Desdemona and memorized all my lines. I was one of the only students who actually bothered to put any emotion into her lines...

Learning Skills

I am a speed reader like my late grandfather was, so reading chapters is a breeze for me. I also have a good memory, at least when it comes to things I actually give a fudge about (for lack of a better word.) This comes in handy when Molly gives us vocabulary quizzes. According to Megan, I’ve learned to take responsibility for my learning, I’m good about prioritizing and paying attention to detail, and I usually want to do my best and have an authentic voice in my work.

Academics

I came to ACLC in the 8th grade, and I graduated with straight A’s and lots of attitude. (It helps that I was promised an iTunes card and a video game of my choice for doing so…) In the next year, I aced everything but Physics, the bane of my existence. I wasn’t so lucky during my sophomore year, though. I had trouble catching up on all the work I “missed” during a cruise to Europe. I ended up flunking Algebra 2 that year, so sadly, my cruising days are over. Junior year was a nightmare, thanks to Molly’s onslaught of analysis and Patricia’s insistence that everything be organized. At least my art teacher was nice enough to let me use my devices in class. Senior year is going to be really tough, what with political lectures, this essay and another year of Molly’s English!

Interpersonal and Collaborative Ability

I tend to perform well in group projects because I don’t have to do as much work. I am a good listener in a group, I always have something interesting, insightful, and appropriate to say about the project, and I tend to get along well with my peers. ACLC is far more diverse than my old school (almost everybody there was white), so transferring was kind of a culture shock. I learned a lot about LGBT issues here, such as the existence of transsexuality.

Technology

I’ve been using computers and the Internet since I was 6½ years old. Whenever I have to do a big project, I usually turn to the Internet for research. Sparknotes is especially helpful because it translates Shakespeare’s plays into modern English. Of course, I can’t do very much on the school computers because someone had the bright idea to block anything and everything remotely non-academic.

In Conclusion

I’ve learned so much from my time at ACLC. I particularly enjoyed Anime Club, and the 2015 high school formal was quite possibly my best birthday ever. I also became the first person on my dad’s side of the family to get detention, which happened a whopping three times. All in all, ACLC has changed me, somehow. I’m gonna be brutally honest here, I don’t really know how I’ve changed, or if I’ve changed at all. Despite everything, I’m still me.