Jenel Flounoury Senior Portfolio 2014

College Preparatory Academy Autobiography

I was born and raised in the Dorchester area. I attended the Fifield Elementary School
and Saint Ambrose Elementary School. While attending elementary school, I discovered that I
was naturally curious about a lot of things. I developed a curiosity about plants and nature. It
may have started when the class was given a project to grow a plant from a small lima bean.
Initially I just thought it was going to be another typical science project, but when we were
given the instructions to wrap the beans in a damp napkin and place the napkin in a dark cool
area for a few days my interest suddenly changed. I spent a lot of time attending to my new
plant. I felt like a proud parent as I watched the bean transform from a wrinkled odd shaped
figure to a bean stalk. As my bean began to sprout a green stem, I had to place it in soil.
Following the teachers instructions, after planting the seed in the soil I had to water it on a
regular basis and place it in a sunny space. I enjoyed watching my plant grow so much that
eventually the project turned into an experiment of love.
I provided the plant with food and water on a daily basis, pruned the dead leaves,
placed my plant in a sunlit area and made sure it was in a suitable temperature. After a period
of time, I noticed the plant began to sprout healthy shiny new leaves and small buds were
forming at the tip of the branches. I was fascinated. After a while my curiosity led me to
wonder how the plant would do in its own natural habitat. I thought my plant was cooped up
inside and alone so I thought I would place it outside with other plants, thinking some fresh air
and friends would be nice. So one day I decided to transfer my plant outside. I found a spot
where other plants were thriving and thought it would be a good place for my plant. After
digging a hole and carefully placing the soil around the plant, I thought I would give it a few
days to see how the plant responded to its new home.
As time passed I noticed the plant began to wilt, looking sad and neglected. Days later I
had scheduled a follow up visit to check on the status of the plant only to find it had changed
colors, coiled up and passed away. I then realized all the plant wanted was food, water, sunlight
and love. No new friends were necessary because it was content with living in an atmosphere
with a comfortable room temperature and air. I guess you could say that plant represented me
as a child because I never really enjoyed being among others in school. Like my plant, being
among others did not turn out to be the best thing for me. When I attended school in general I
encountered bullies, which made my school experience unpleasant. The negative experiences
made me a stronger person. I learned how to rely on myself. I made a few friends along the
way and despite those moments. I made it a point to continue to attend school, though only
because I understood that getting an education is a life necessity.
I recently realized there is an un-watered portion of my heart, due to the neglect of love
and knowledge from my dad. At times I am no longer interested in obtaining information about
what happened in the past because I had already learned to travel through my life the Jet-
way; just take off and keep moving forward do not look back. My mom and siblings make up
a large portion of the love I received during my childhood, which is most likely why I have a
family first mindset. They are the reason I am the young man I am today. They contributed
to my determination to succeed and plan for a bright future.
My plan is to attend a training program at Bunker Hill Community College so that I can
obtain an associates degree in entrepreneurship. I am interested in having a career related to
the development of youth programs and charities. My interest in becoming an entrepreneur
originated from the effort that has been put forth by past and present leaders.