Sophomore Year Portfolio

Hi mom & dad!

You're welcomed into looking at my sophomore year portfolio, showcasing most of my works done this past year.

After looking through, please respond to the question:
What did you learn about your child's achievements and experiences in MeneMAC this past year?

Enjoy!

-Maurice

http://maaaaurice.wix.com/sophyearportfolio

This I Believe Final

Guards Built Higher Than Ever

Trust. We know it, we're aware of it, and we hold it with all our might - either with someone or ourselves. They have the saying "Love all, trust a few, and do wrong to none." We only trust those who have proven themselves, keeping our biggest secrets and hiding our biggest lies. We trust those who are there to listen when we're screaming for help, those who offer a shoulder to lean on when we're in distress. For some of us, we consider them as our best friends. Some people trust anyone they come across, and others have their guards built up and only trust a few, maybe even none. As for me, I was never one to believe in  "best friend" relationships, never letting my guards down and never opening up to anyone - but it wasn't until last year that I started believing in something called "trust" and "best friends."

Growing up in a small private school, I had no one to consider a true "best friend." I found a few good, trustworthy individuals here and there but I was soon "replaced" by someone better or my secrets were used against me as a form of revenge. Because of this, I trusted no one. See, "trust" was a word that roamed around everywhere. It was all around me. I saw it between people, felt it between many others - but me.  I was always the one who was considered the odd ball because I didn't know anything. I would sit on the side amongst my circle of friends as I observe them putting their hands by their ears and covering their mouths, glancing over at certain people and sharing a few giggles. Let's say, I was definitely a "curious" one, constantly wondering "What's going on?" "Who are they talking about?" Yet sometimes I was the one who was the topic of conversation. And this wasn't in a good way.

My guards were always at its highest point. It's like every one had someone to run to. I didn't. I would constantly wish that I could be one of those who could share anything and everything with their "best friend." Someone whom they could truly trust. But as months and days passed, it was sooner than I knew that nothing would happen. It was nearing the end of my middle school career and I thought "we're all parting our separate ways anyway, right?" I felt useless. It felt useless. I was waiting for nothing. It was like a lost dog waiting to get cared and loved by someone, somewhere, somehow, but no one came to the rescue. 

I came to a public high school and only knew a few. Everyone and everything was different. It was like going to a whole new universe, not knowing where you're headed to and feeling uncertain with everything around you. It didn't take me long to get used to it, though. Once again I roamed around, hopefully finding a group of friends who I would love. I met a few people here and there and for some I felt a bond yet for others I didn't. Though I've always heard the belief that you should trust no one in high school, I didn't really let that affect me, branching out to different people. Months flew by and it wasn't until toward the end of that year that my whole perspective of "trust" and "best friends" had taken a 180 degree turn. I don't know how it happened or why it happened, but fate led me and 6 other individuals together. It came out of nowhere but of course I had my guards up. I didn't want the same thing to happen to me again where I put my full trust in someone, but they end up using it against me and later disappear from my life. I made sure that I would prevent that from happening, but my instinct reassured me this isn't history that's about to repeat itself. 

As nerdy as it may sound, everything started with a video we all produced just for fun. Although they may be 2 years older than me, it's as if at that moment everything had clicked, somewhat like puzzle pieces finally coming together. We all had something in common, something that I had never found with anyone else, not even in middle school; photography and video making. We loved working with cameras, either if we were behind it or in front of it. We would laugh at the dumbest jokes and talk about the stupidest things. Months passed, my guards we're gradually lowering, and we grew closer and became more comfortable with each other. We would send the ugliest pictures via Kik and I could embarrass myself in front of them, knowing that they won't judge me without a doubt. Back in middle school, I couldn't do these things; not because I was shame, but because I would always get judged. I got to know their stories and they got to know mine. We understood each other and the situations we went through. I knew I could count on them, and I hope they knew they could count on me. As we grew closer and closer, a sense of trust gradually grew. They were different from what I expected high schoolers to be, and more so different from how my private school classmates really were. I could trust them, giving me a peace at mind. It felt different.. like I could actually be myself and feel in place. 

It's been a year since this turn of events. I'm now a sophomore and they're now seniors. Don't get me wrong, but I've had doubts and second thoughts on if private school were about to repeat itself - if they were just another one of those who are bound to walk out with no reason to do so. Like every other relationship, we went through rigid battles yet still managed to stitch it up. We've overcame many difficulties with our hands locked in each others, sticking together and guiding one another through everything we come across. Although we've only known each other for not as long as other friendships, I can say that they're my backbone to life, my strongest support system. They've impacted me in so many ways words can't even explain. They've picked me up during times where I've hit rock bottom.  They didn't exclude me like how it was before I came to high school. They've helped me discover who I am. They made me feel like I'm actually worth something. They're the 3rd greatest thing in life, following God and my family. I'm glad to say I can "trust" and call them my "best friends" - words that didn't take a role in my life until they came along.

But yes, I've heard the question many times. The question that haunts me 'till this day. The question that saddens me a little every time I get asked. "What are you gonna do once they graduate?" "Who are you gonna hang out with?" "Who's gonna be your best friends?" They're ready to flip to the next chapter in their life and I am fully aware of that. I'll admit, I'm unsure of what I'm gonna do. But I'll tell you that I trust that this isn't a friendship that's gonna end when they graduate. I will defy my past and prove to myself that this is different, something that will last forever. We've been through hell and back, and I know that no one and nothing will ever come between us. Though even when they part, I trust that fate will bring us all together somehow, like how it did when we all first met. I only have a few moments left to cherish with them, my best friends, and this I believe that when you take chances, let your guards down and allow people in, something great will happen. 

This I Believe RD

Guards Built Higher Than Ever

Trust. We know it, we're aware of it, and we hold it with all our might - either with someone or ourselves. They have the saying "Love all, trust a few, and do wrong to none." We only trust those who have proven themselves, keeping our biggest secrets and hiding our biggest lies. We trust those who are there to listen when we're screaming for help. We trust those who offer a shoulder to lean on when we're in distress. For some of us, we consider them as our best friends. Some people trust anyone they come across, and others have their wall built up and only trust a few, maybe even none. As for me, it wasn't until last year that I started believing in this thing called "trust" and "best friends."

Growing up in a private school, I had no one to consider a true "best friend." I came across a few good, trustworthy friends here and there but I was soon "replaced" by someone better or they used my secrets against me as a form of revenge. See, trust was a word that roamed around everywhere. It was all around me. I saw it between people, felt it between many others - but me.  I trusted no one. No one trusted me. I don't know why, though. I was always the one who was considered the odd ball because I didn't know anything. I would sit on the side amongst my circle of friends as I observe them putting their hands by their ears and covering their mouths, glancing over at certain people and sharing a few giggles. Let's say, I was definitely a "curious" one, constantly wondering "What's going on?" "Who are they talking about?" Yet sometimes I was the one who was the topic of conversation. And this wasn't in a good way.

It's like every one had someone to run to. I didn't. I would constantly wish that I could be one of those who shares anything and everything with their "best friend." But as months and days passed, it was sooner than I knew that nothing would happen. We're all parting our separate ways anyway, right? I felt useless. It felt useless. I was waiting for nothing. It was like a lost dog waiting to get cared and loved by someone, somewhere, somehow, but no one came to the rescue. My guards were at its highest point. 

I came to a public high school and only knew a few. Once again I roamed around, hopefully finding a group of friends who I would love. I met a few people here and there and for some I felt a bond yet for others I didn't. I tried hanging out with different people, but it wasn't until toward the end of my freshman year that my whole perspective of "trust" and "best friends" had taken a 180 degree turn. I don't know how it happened or why it happened, but fate led me and 6 other individuals together. Of course I had my guards up, though. I didn't want the same thing to happen to me again where I put my full trust in someone, but they end up using it against me and later walk out of my life. I made sure that I would prevent that from happening, but my instinct reassured me this isn't history that's about to repeat itself. 

As nerdy as it may sound, everything started with a video we all produced, just for fun. Although they may be 2 years older than me, it's as if at that moment everything had clicked, somewhat like puzzle pieces finally coming together. We all had something in common, something that I had never found with anyone else; photography and video making. We loved working with cameras, either if we were behind it or in front of it. We would laugh at the dumbest jokes, talk about the stupidest things, and more so - be ourselves. Months passed, my guards we're gradually lowering, and we grew closer and  became more comfortable with each other. We would send the ugliest pictures to each other and I would embarrass myself in front of them, knowing that they won't judge me without a doubt. I got to know them and they got to know me. We understood each other and the situations we went go through. I knew I could count on them, and I hope they know they could count on me. 

It's been a year since we've met. Yes, I've heard the question many times. The question that haunts me 'till this day. The question that saddens me a little every time I get asked. "What are you gonna do once they graduate?" "Who are you gonna hang out with?" So what if they're two years older than me? They're ready to graduate and I am fully aware of that. Although we've only known each other for not as long as other friendships, I can say that they're my backbone to life, my support system. They're the 3rd greatest thing in life, following God and my family. They've impacted me in so many ways words can't even explain. They've helped me discover who I am. They made me feel like I'm actually worth something.

Like every other relationship, we went through rough patches yet still managed to stitch it up. We've overcame many difficulties with our hands locked in each others, sticking together and guiding each other through everything we come across. Don't get me wrong, but I've had doubts and second thoughts on if middle school we're about to repeat itself. This time around, I can say that this isn't a friendship that's gonna end when they graduate, it's something that will last forever. But even when they part, fate will bring us all together somehow, like how it did when we all first met. I only have a week left with them, and this I believe that when you let your guards down and allow people in, something great will happen.

Occupy Moanalua

Hawaii's weather is pretty humid. Many of our classes here in Moanalua tend to get hot because of the lack of wind we often get. We as students tend to get very uncomfortable and irritated when we're stuck learning in a hot classroom. It is found that when students are in a cool, comfortable learning environment they learn a lot easier and concentrate more. To improve test scores and grades, we, Team CoolDown is here to protest to get Air Conditioning units in most of our classrooms. 

Hunger Games Graphic

Doing this project, we had to reflect on ourselves and the things we've done that go from "grey to black." Simply meaning that we had to rank things from the "bad" to the "worst" possible thing we could do, this scale made me realize all bad things that I've done, reminding myself what it really means to me. Although this graphic may only cover a few points, this activity really did show where my morals stand. 

These days we tend to point fingers, blame others, and assume when our life is at stake. Modern day society influences many teens our age that we can just get away after doing bad things to others. Many of us need a reality check and need to accept that we are not perfect nor better or worse than anyone else around us. The things I consider "bad" may be the "worst" to others; the things I consider "worst" may be considered just "bad" to some others. We all may have different rankings, but what really matters is what these points mean to us. We need to accept that although we think we can be right, many things can seem wrong to others. But as human beings, we learn from these experiences and only move forward from there.

Allusion Graphic Draft/Final poem

I was intimidated by many 

especially ones 

who seemed bigger than me.

better than me.

smarter than me.

"What chance does a toy like me

have against him?" I ask.

I must admit I was a little jealous,

but I never let it get to the best of me.

I let fate take its course

and just went with the flow.

I want to be noticed,

or even better,

remembered.

But before I knew it, 

I was the most favored.

I didn't want to admit it, though. 

I'm always up for adventures,

even if I don't know where I'm headed to

always taking chances

even if I know the outcome won't be good.

I want to be the one you can depend on

the one who you can call a leader

sticking to his word,

the loyal one.

I built friendships

and intend to keep them

doing everything possible

just to help them when they're in need

comforting them in all ways I could. 

I'll always be there for you no matter what

like a real cowboy should be.

Because when times get tough

and the road gets rough

I'll reassure you

that "you'll be fine, partner."