Service Learning

I enjoy greatly working with younger children but, this type of service learning was different. Mercedes and I had the task to work with a student that would greatly benefit from this service learning. We as mentors had to help, inform and encourage our student through a variety of activities so he would have a clear idea of what path to take to become the career he was aspiring to be. Our student was fifth grader, Shelden. When we had to meet him, I will admit that I was nervous because I did not know what to expect. As soon as I saw him I knew we would have a great time and also learn many things from each other! I was extremely excited to have had engage in this t

Our first activity was to complete a Dream Collage of all the careers he wanted to become. We took a couple of magazines to the YMCA, and explained to Shelden what he had to do. Throughout the time of completing this activity we had many laughs and Shelden seemed like he was really enjoying the activity. This was a great start! At the end of the activity we had a poster paper filled with pictures, and each and every one of them represented an interest that Shelden had. The three top career choices that Shelden had were police officer, lawyer, and a millionaire. Time flew by and I had a blast! And, I was really looking forward to our next meeting.

Before going to our second meeting, Mercedes and I had to put a PowerPoint together and research the top three careers that Shelden had chosen. We really put all our effort to make it educating and also fun. We presented to Shelden the main points of each career. It was very satisfying to see him enjoy it but, also that he learned some new things. I felt that after we left that day, he had a better understanding of each of his dream careers.

Our third meeting was all about writing an essay together. Up front I knew that it was going to be a challenge to get a ten year old boy to cooperate with writing a one page essay. At first we were struggling to help him focus on the paper and not on other distractions. This time, Maria had offer us to take some kind of treat to our student. We took ours a pack of Starburst, he loved it. It made him get the extra energy he needed to write this essay. We helped him all the way with his essay and we read it together, we were all satisfied with it and that was what we were aiming for.

Finally, our last assignment was to complete an action plan that our student would be able to follow. We the scholars also had the same assignment. I think it was unique that our student and us had the same thing to do. We worked on ours together. We tried to keep it simple but at the same time express the main points. After all our student was only ten years old.

This service learning component was very fun. It was a great feeling because we were serving our community. And, it also reflected in a way what Maria Garza was doing for all the scholars in College 101. I would love to repeat the same experience any other time. I believe that we really made a difference in Shelden's life. Hopefully after the service learning he will feel more knowledgeable and have a head start in his future.

The person I admire.

Through out my short life, I have met tons of people that have influenced me and that I look up to. Every single individual has left an imprint of some sort on me that will help me succeed in my future. But, out of all those people, the person that has influenced and I admire the most has been on my side all these seventeen years, my mother. She is a wonderful woman that has taught me many things. In the good and bad times, she has always been there to cheer me up. I admire many qualities of her. She is strong, intelligent, encouraging, ambitious, determined, caring and respectful. I could go on forever! As all these years have past and she has in some way helped develop these qualities in me. As a result I have gain the qualities necessary to become successful in college. My mother has worked really hard in preparing me for this important phase of my life. And, I know she has done her work very well.

I have gained so much from my mother. My mother has showed me how to be committed in everything that I do. No matter what it is, I have to stay committed because I put my self in the position to do so and I have to be responsible. Throughout college and my life, I have to stay committed to many things in order to succeed. Another quality that I have gained from my mother is determination. My mother has always told me that if I want to achieve anything I will achieve it, with determination! Thankfully I do have this quality, in everything I do I put forth all my effort and I am very determined and enthusiastic. I feel prepared enough to have a succeesful time while in college.

Campus Life!

When I was packing my clothes , shoes, toiletries and blanket I had an urge of emotions! I was scared to leave home, curious about how living with room mates would be and also extremely excited for being on my own! When I got to my room, I started to unpack and immediately started to talk with my room mates. A few minutes later we had to head to the lobby to go to Carol Joy Holling Camp. I was really scared and excited because I did not know what to expect. When we got there, we were split into two groups named "Achieve" and "Succeed". I was part of the team "Achieve". We were sent to the team rope course and "Succeed" was headed to the individual one. As soon as I saw the rope course site, I was terrified! I had to complete several stations with my team and to make it worst we were going to be 50+ feet in the air. As soon as I completed the first station which was to climb a rope ladder to the top, I knew that I had to come face to face with my fear of heights. In each and every station my team mates encouraged and rooted for each other. With out them I would of had a really hard time completing the course. Throughout the whole process of the course I learned many knew things. I learned that working as a team and encouraging each other we could achieve anything. After all that was our team's name, "Achieve"! Throughout the week, I really had a life of a time experience. I would not change it for nothing. Everything was perfect! I mean we got very delicious breakfast, lunch and dinner. All the work that the resident assistants and Maria put into the activities really paid off. All the Summer Scholars participants had a blast in every activity. We did everything form a Mojo Hunt to an Ice Cream Social. Whether we were watching a movie or playing sand volleyball, we were always "cracking up" and making new friends. Everyone tried to make everyday fun. One day we played "Capture the Flag" and "Hide & Seek" at 10 o' clock! And, another day we had a water balloon fight. Our last night at the residence hall, RA's and Maria decided to extend our curfew till 1 am. So we decided to have a dance party! We had so much fun! Even though we had tons of fun, we also did a lot of studying! I had a test on Philosophy and I was very worried about it, as were my other Philosophy classmates. So as very good students, we put together a study group and studied all together. I felt confident to ace my test after studying! By the end of the week everyone knew everybody 's name and that was fantastic. We were like a big family! I am going to have so many unforgettable memories!

End of 1st Week of College Experience

Different! Everything that I have experienced during my first week at UNO has been very different to my high school environment, but, in a positive way! I really enjoy the independence and the freedom college students have. At first I was overwhelmed by the classroom, campus, and so much information they bombard you with, but now that I have survived my first week I am enjoying my college experience and looking forward for what is prepared for me!


Let me tell you a little bit about my Philosophy professor. His name is Mark Decker and he is very interesting in a unique way. For example, his obsession with poodles. Professor Decker is very easy going, funny and gives you the feel that he is not a professor, but another student just like me. I enjoy having him as my professor and hope to learn as much as possible from him.


Everything I have experienced so far with Summer Scholars has been very helpful for me and my future career at UNO. In College 101, I have learned many helpful hints about college and how to find resources to attend college. I really appreciate this because it will be very helpful in my senior year of high school. Also the study groups they have set up for us our very, very useful because we can clarify any doubts we have relating to class, college and just about anything! I am indeed lucky to have a seat in the Summer Scholars program and I will take advantage of it and get the best out of it!