Lucy's CAS reflection: May 2013

Tuesday, 28 May 2013

Yearbook Committee

Date of this reflection Date(s) of CAS Activity: Grade 12, all school year (6 months)
Title of Activity: Editor and designer on Yearbook Committee
Number of hours spent on this activity: 72 hours

1. Briefly describe the CAS activity. Who did you work for? What did you hope to accomplish?
I worked for the Yearbook Committee in Western Canada High School every Monday and Wednesday afternoon. Sometimes I also worked on yearbook at home to ensure the work is done. I hope to create a yearbook that every student will treasure and love. I worked as a designer, editor, and photographer.

2. What was the outcome of the activity? Did you accomplish your goals?

The yearbook successfully meet all of its deadlines
Improved my photo editing skill
Improved my leadership skill
Improved my time management
Improved mycommunication skills

3. What would you do differently if you did this activity again?

Apply for an executive position such that I can have more say in the design of yearbook
Recruit more members into Yearbook to ease the burden of the core members
Polish my writing skills

4. Describe how this activity represents Creativity, Action, and/or Service.

It represents Creativity because it is created using the imagination and hard work of us committee members
It represents Service because we are creating a permanent memory book for the Class of 2013 and this allows students to look back into their high school year when they enter society

5. Which of the following learning outcomes have you addressed with this activity? (choose all that
apply)
+Increasing your awareness of your own strengths and areas for growth
+Undertaking new challenges
+Planning and initiating activities
+Working collaboratively with others
+Showing perseverance and commitment in your activities
+Developing new skills

How does the activity address these learning outcomes
In Yearbook I obtained valuable computer skills in design and photography, this allows me to work more efficiently with computer editing and also gives me more confident in handling a design project. Being an art student my art skills definitely help me in my process of designing the yearbook with other members, and this again reminds me that all skills are interconnected and therefore one should not abandon one skill thinking that one would never need it. I also realized the importance of standing up for what I believe to be the best choice in a team work setting. Often I encounter situations where members are apathetic toward contributing different ideas, and I find that when different ideas do clash newer and better ideas can usually emerge from the opposing ideas. This helps me to express my character and point of view on a lot of issues, and it makes me a more confident and responsible individual.

Involvement in Harmony Guzheng Ensemble

Date of this reflection Date(s) of CAS Activity: 2008-present
Title of Activity: TA and Volunteer at Harmony Guzheng Ensemble
Number of hours spent on this activity: 200 hours

1. Briefly describe the CAS activity. Who did you work for? What did you hope to accomplish?
This ensemble is estaliblished by my Guzheng teacher. I attend both her lessons and also work as a TA in the ensemble at our monthly rehearsals. I worked with other TAs in the group to help improve everyone's Guzheng ensemble skills and also promote people's interests in learning this traditional instrument.

I hope to improve my leadership skills
Gain greater experience as a TA in Guzheng
Gain better public speaking skill
Play music with other Guzheng players and have some fun
perform at senior centres and street festivals

2. What was the outcome of the activity? Did you accomplish your goals?

I became an more assertive person
I became more active, more willing to commit to volunteerism
Understand the importance of inheriting one's own culture
Yes I did accomplish my goals. I gained a good position in my group and I got to know more group members personally

3. What would you do differently if you did this activity again?

I would spend more time volunteering
Develop different ways to promote the music other than performances
Initiate more community activities involving Guzheng, perhaps doing a musical collaboration with Western instruments.

4. Describe how this activity represents Creativity, Action, and/or Service.

It represents Creativity because as an ensemble we were involved in many performances and we always create unique ways of Guzheng arrangement, musical composition, and intercultural collaborations

Service-wise I had always participated in events where it requires me teaching people or fundraising for a group. An integration project of Creativity and Service would be the Chinatown Festival where I volunteer at each year to perform Guzheng. This gives me volunteer hours and also allowed me to help promote Chinese cultures while showcase the skills of the Harmony Guzheng Ensemble.

I volunteer regularly for the Harmony Guzheng Ensemble at various performances and this has been happening for four years. These volunteering events with the Ensemble show perseverance and commitment.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNb16r_jSbU

X-Country Team + Swim & Dive + Badminton

Date of this reflection Date(s) of CAS Activity: Grade 12, Grade 10, Grade 10 respectively
Title of Activity: Participation in X-Country Team + Swim & Dive + Badminton
Number of hours spent on this activity: 50 hours in total

1. Briefly describe the CAS activity. Who did you work for? What did you hope to accomplish?
I participate in these sports in Western Canada High School. I hope to stay fit and train myself to become a faster athlete.

2. What was the outcome of the activity? Did you accomplish your goals?

I participated in meets and met new friends
I had very well tone body from doing these sports
I managed to maintain my swimming record from when I used to swim with the UofC Dinos

3. What would you do differently if you did this activity again?

I will try to manage my time better and be involved in more sports
I will try out newer sports

4. Describe how this activity represents Creativity, Action, and/or Service.

These sports all represent Action- involves great amount of exercising

These activities help me realize what type of athlete I am: I am a flexible person with tone muscles and a petite bone structure, hence I can be fast in movements yet disadvantaged in exerting force when compared to other girls with greater bone structure and more massive muscles. By participating in these sports I understand that it is important for me to choose a sport that I will be good at and that my body can withstand, otherwise my body might become overworked. This concept also applies to everyday life as people should make decisions wisely. For example, if you are a person who is easily fatigued and cannot work for a long time, then you probably should not choose Undergrad degrees such as Nursing as your future career because you will not enjoy the following 50 years working at something that does not suit you. The activities also reinforce the idea that I should work on managing my time more wisely, as last minute intense workouts do not pay off.
This activity also emphasizes the importance of teamwork- having other individuals to work together can be motivating.
It also establishes a sense of perseverance and commitment in my activities because my involvement requires waking up early and endurance. Hence by attending the practices I am training myself to become a more determined individual.

Monday, 27 May 2013

Assistant Coach in 360 Soccer Camp 2011

Date of this reflection Date(s) of CAS Activity: Summer 2011
Title of Activity: being Assistant Coach in 360 Soccer Camp at Kensington Church
Number of hours spent on this activity: 30 hours

1. Briefly describe the CAS activity. Who did you work for? What did you hope to accomplish?
I worked for 360 Soccer Camp that is hosted by Rockview Church. I hope to improve my soccer skills while also set a good role model for the kids that are in the camp. I also hope to improve my leadership with kids and be more assertive.

2. What was the outcome of the activity? Did you accomplish your goals?

Learn how to interact with kids
Learn more soccer techniques
Successful in coaching kids who are previously new to soccer

3. What would you do differently if you did this activity again?

4. Describe how this activity represents Creativity, Action, and/or Service.

It represents Action because it involve tremendous amount of energy (9 hours each day for one week)
It represents Service because I am striving to improve the kids' soccer skills while also let them enjoy their time in the camp

5. Which of the following learning outcomes have you addressed with this activity? (choose all that
apply)
+Working collaboratively with others
+Showing perseverance and commitment in your activities
+Developing new skills

At the potluck lunch hosted by 360 Soccer Camp

Volunteering at Calgary Public Library

Date of this reflection Date(s) of CAS Activity: Summer of 2012
Title of Activity: Being a Volunteer in the Reading Buddy program and the Cyber Senior program
Number of hours spent on this activity: 12 hours

1. Briefly describe the CAS activity. Who did you work for? What did you hope to accomplish?
I worked for Calgary Public Library. I hope to gain volunteer experience in dealing with senior and children, and to improve my communication skills with these two category of people.

2. What was the outcome of the activity? Did you accomplish your goals?

Made new friends
Increased sense of accomplishment
Learn new ways to interact with seniors and children
Lean new ways to teach using different medias

3. What would you do differently if you did this activity again?

Spend more time volunteering because it is interesting to interact with people with different cultural and age background
Volunteer at one library instead of volunteering at different branches, so I can get to know my coordinator better

4. Describe how this activity represents Creativity, Action, and/or Service.

It represents Creativity because I need to come up with creative ways to teach the participants
It represents Service because my participation represents volunteerism, and it helps children become more interested in reading, and help seniors to use technology to improve their ways of knowing.

5. Which of the following learning outcomes have you addressed with this activity? (choose all that
apply)
+Increasing your awareness of your own strengths and areas for growth
+Undertaking new challenges
+Planning and initiating activities
+Working collaboratively with others

How does the activity address these learning outcomes
For volunteering, the Reading Buddies program let me provided the children with escapes from boredom and hopefully ignited their interest in books. It helps me realize that being able to speak sufficient English is important because language is essential to communication. When I volunteered for the Cyber Senior program I found it difficult to teach the seniors to use an Ipad, especially since they are slow at perceiving the information and have trouble remembering my instruction. This presents challenge to me and it forces me to change my way of teaching such that it can benefit the seniors more.It allows me to be flexible in the way I teach and keeps me open-minded. I also planned and initiated how my way of teaching should be. I worked collaboratively with other volunteers to keep order in the library and also to help the kids in craft sections.

I can't rotate this picture... sorry.

Lifesaving lessons/Volunteers

Date of this reflection Date(s) of CAS Activity: 2008-present
Title of Activity: Lifesaving lessons/volunteers
Number of hours spent on this activity: 200+

1. Briefly describe the CAS activity. Who did you work for? What did you hope to accomplish?
I took lessons from the City of Calgary Recreations. I hope to learn valuable lifesaving skills and to become a Swim Instructor and Lifeguard.

2. What was the outcome of the activity? Did you accomplish your goals?

Certified in Standard First Aid & AED
Certified in National Lifeguard Service- Pool (Certified as a Pool Lifeguard)
Started volunteering at Foothill Aquatic Centre with instructors, gaining teaching experience from direct interaction in lessons
After taking Swim For Life Instructor in July, I will accomplish my goal of being certified as a Swim Instructor and will look for jobs

3. What would you do differently if you did this activity again?

I would Skip Bronze Star because it wasn't a necessary prerequisite to do Bronze Medallion
I would start volunteering with the City of Calgary earlier to gain discounts on recreational courses
I would work as a camp leader for City of Calgary because I met a lot of amazing volunteers from Calgary Recreation

4. Describe how this activity represents Creativity, Action, and/or Service.

Represents Action because physical workouts were a mandatory part of the swim courses
Represents Service because by learning the lifesaving skills and acquiring the lifesaving positions, I am held responsible for the lives of those who are swimming in the pool
Represents Service because I need to teach students the correct lifesaving techniques

Participation in Magic Club

Date of this reflection Date(s) of CAS Activity: September 2012 - June 2013
Title of Activity: Magic Club
Number of hours spent on this activity: 15 hours

1. Briefly describe the CAS activity. Who did you work for? What did you hope to accomplish?
I worked for the Western Canada Magic Club and attend it every Tuesday at lunch. I hope to gain some volunteer experience, learn new magic tricks, and also have some fun.

2. What was the outcome of the activity? Did you accomplish your goals?

Learned magic tricks
Made new friends
Volunteer to sell tickets- learned how product promotion and advertising works
Be a salesperson
Learn different approaches to raise awareness regarding a cause (In our case fundraising for African schools)
Successfully hosted Western's first Magic Show, and fundraise around $100 dollars for the Northern Magic Fund, which is an NGO that builds schools for local residents in Kenya

3. What would you do differently if you did this activity again?

Be more proactive
Show other people more tricks
Plan more events for Magic Club
Involve more people into the fundraising advertising group such that more fund can be raised

4. Describe how this activity represents Creativity, Action, and/or Service.

Represents Creativity by learning new Magic tricks and presenting the Magic Show
Learned new ways to fund-raise and advertise for cause, and this a form of Service
Contributing to the well-being of schoolmates through entertainment and to the well-beings of African children, this is Service as well

5. Which of the following learning outcomes have you addressed with this activity? (choose all that
apply)
+Increasing your awareness of your own strengths and areas for growth
+Undertaking new challenges
+Planning and initiating activities
+Working collaboratively with others
+Showing perseverance and commitment in your activities
+Engaging with issues of global importance
+Considering the ethical implications of your actions
+Developing new skills

How does the activity address these learning outcomes
Through selling Magic Show tickets I learned that I am actually good at persuading others into paying money, and that I am not afraid to do "shameless advertising." This is one new skill that I obtained along with the new magic tricks that I learned. By being responsible for selling tickets for the Show, I am directly involved in the planning of the Show. I worked collaboratively with other executives to discuss ways of advertisement, and also help with the sequence of the show program. By being a faithful attendee to the Magic Club every week, I show perseverance and commitment. Fundraising pushes Magic Club beyond being perceived as for one's self enjoyment only, and it allows people to realize that even entertainment such as Magic can make a difference in someone else's lives if it is put to right use.

Selling tickets for Magic Club

After the Magic Show

Singing Lessons + Recital + Volunteer

Date of this reflection Date(s) of CAS Activity: August 2010 to present

Title of Activity: Singing lessons

Number of hours spent on this activity: 130 hours

1. Briefly describe the CAS activity. Who did you work for? What did you hope to accomplish?
I go to singing lessons once a week throughout high school. I take singing lesson from Ms. Karen Fang. I hope to learn a new skill (singing) because I am mediocre at singing and I had always wanted to improve my singing.

2. What was the outcome of the activity? Did you accomplish your goals?

able to sing using the right way (abdominal muscles instead of throat muscles)
become more confident in singing
understood that with practice I can sing on tune, and that singing is a form of exercise
kinda understand what "good" singing sounds like as a form of art
I performed at my first singing recital in 2011
Compete in Singing Competitions at the Chinese Academy and brought home 1st for duet in 2011 and 2nd Place for solo singing 2012 (Senior Category)
I did accomplish my goal of singing in front of an audience

3. What would you do differently if you did this activity again?

Practice singing more often at home
Volunteer with other students more often to sing at local senior centres

4. Describe how this activity represents Creativity, Action, and/or Service.

It represents Creativity as singing is a form of art, and by practicing and refining my singing I am embracing the art in music
I also channel my singing into different events such as competitions and recitals, so this is a form of Creativity
It represents Service because I sang at local senior centres to make their evening more pleasant

5. Which of the following learning outcomes have you addressed with this activity? (choose all that
apply)
+Increasing your awareness of your own strengths and areas for growth
+Undertaking new challenges
+Working collaboratively with others
+Showing perseverance and commitment in your activities
+Considering the ethical implications of your actions
+Developing new skills

How does the activity address these learning outcomes?
I become very conscious of my strengths and weaknesses in singing. For example, I have a very clear voice and can reach high notes easily with my throat but not with my abdominal muscles. This is due to my lack of exercise. I am also aware of the fact that I have difficulty channeling emotions into art, although I had faced this problem in other musical programs that I was involved in, singing out of all of them gave me the greatest awareness. This might be due to the fact that I have a very strict teacher who is very seasoned, and also because I paid more attention to singing because my friend does it as well. But the result of my increased awareness is that I can apply this awareness to my other arts such as drawing and Guzheng, and this helps me to actively remember to not be emotionless in performances and creations of arts.
By doing singing, I am challenging myself because the me before has no confidence in singing because I did not listen to music often enough to identity the "right" technique of singing (Well, at least in opera singing)
I worked collaboratively with others by singing with them together and adjusting the musical pieces together. my 3 years commitment shows perseverance, and I developed new singing skills from the lessons. By singing for senior citizens in the senior centre I am considering my ethical responsibility and bringing them happiness as the next generation from them.

At singing recital 2012

From left to right: Alice, Teacher, Me, Alice

Sunday, 26 May 2013

Guzheng Lessons + Western performances

Date of this reflection Date(s) of CAS Activity: Feburary 2008- present
LNY performances- Gr. 10, Gr. 12
Celebrate Western- Gr. 12
Title of Activity: Guzheng Lessons + Musical performances at Western Canada High School
Number of hours spent on this activity:586 hours

1. Briefly describe the CAS activity. Who did you work for? What did you hope to accomplish?
This is a Creative activity in which I attended on Friday of each week to learn Guzheng lessons. I take Guzheng lessons from Miss Shirley Wong. My incentive for this activity is to continue my Guzheng skills from when I left China, and also to enhance my skills and to learn more songs.

My Guzheng teacher's teaching room

2. What was the outcome of the activity? Did you accomplish your goals?

I became a patient and calm person
learned that it is normal to experience lag in improvement
learned to tolerate feeling of disappointment
passed grade 7 Guzheng exam
performed at various shows in Western Canada High School to spread music and happiness
promote volunteerism and multiculturalism in Canada through involvement with Harmony Guzheng Ensemble

The outcome of the Guzheng lesson help me become a more patient and calmer person. Similar to every instrument that exists in this world, in the musical world of Guzheng, students will often find themselves to accelerate in their learning in the beginning, reaching a standard of "good". However, as their compositions become more challenging, there will appear a lag in their journey of reaching "excellency". In this process I learned that one should tolerate feelings of disappointment because people cannot be perfect, and that to achieve excellence people need to invest time and effort.
I am still on my way to accomplish my goal of finishing grade 10 (the highest level) in Guzheng. Right now I am in grade 7 of Guzheng, I believe that with hard work and a positive and consistent work ethic I can achieve that goal in the upcoming future.

3. What would you do differently if you did this activity again?

I will not stop this activity, it will be continued as I enter university
My next goal is to collaborate with different instrumentalists (eg. Erhu, flute, Yangqin) to form a small ensemble -> start Youtube channel or live performances

I am still involved in this activity and I will continue it when I enter university. I want to collaborate with different traditional Chinese instruments in the future, and perhaps start a Youtube channel or live performances to share the auditory joy of inter-musical collaborations.

4. Describe how this activity represents Creativity, Action, and/or Service.
It represents Creativity because it allows me to be creative in expressing emotions through musical instruments It also lets me understand music better and be more open and appreciative to non-traditional and traditional music.

5. Which of the following learning outcomes have you addressed with this activity? (choose all that
apply)
+Undertaking new challenges
+Planning and initiating activities
+Working collaboratively with others
+Showing perseverance and commitment in your activities
+Considering the ethical implications of your actions
+Developing new skills

How does the activity address these learning outcomes?
By learning new songs I am not challenging myself to take up greater challenges and avoid feeling shallow satisfaction from confining myself to being proud of what I am already good at. By going to Guzheng lessons and I am introduced to event planning where I need to work collaboratively with others to sort out how the music should be played and produce constructive criticism. My 6 years long term involvement demonstrates my perseverance and commitment. Through continuing to practice my instrument, I am able to preserve myself as a person who can inherit my unique Chinese culture while also accepting the Canadian culture. I can also pursue volunteerism and promote multiculturalism through playing my instrument at various performances, be it duet or solo. For example, at Celebrate Western it helps me celebrate Western's achievement and pride, while at LNY I use my music to celebrate the unique importance of lunar new year to different Asian cultures. By performing at Last but not least by learning the Guzheng I learned more playing techniques.

Me performing at Celebrate Western 2013.