My Senior Reflective Essay

Intellectual Growth and Discovery

Explain- Intelligence is the understanding of concepts, theories, and more through our
brains that are acquiring knowledge which facilitates our thinking. People acquire
knowledge through senses hearing, tasting, seeing, touching and smelling. The more
knowledge we develop, the better people can understand concepts and use it to their
advantage for example developing wheels onto a cart to move heavier objects.
Explore- There is so much different types of knowledge in the world. Depending on what
type of knowledge it is whether it is science, history, math, language arts and more.
Depending on what kind of knowledge a person is interested in, they can learn more on
that certain subject. Personally my favorite topics of knowledge include anything in
dance, nature, and psychology. However, if something has been told to me that I didnt
know about, I generally love learning new things.
Analyze With all these different types of knowledge, I have been using most of what I
learned to my advantage in my life. When it comes to all the information that I have
obtained through dancing, I can identify certain songs that play and dance a certain way
to each one. Ballroom dancing has many different types of partner dancing that were
developed in many different cultures. Balboa dance was a style known for its small
movements because in the past, people who wanted to dance had very little space to
move around which sprung this new style. Every style has a history which can be taught
to many potential dancers. Personally, I am so glad I have been an education major for 3
before I switched to a Family Consumer Science major. With Education, I have learned
how to better approach a child when it comes to learning, correcting behavior, and even
in some aspects raising a child. The Education Department has done an amazing job
addressing how the child developmental process operates. Teaching parents and
teachers how children think and operate. Giving adults the knowledge and tools to
address certain misbehaviors properly without hurting the childs emotions. In my
senior year, first semester before I switched majors, I was in a fifth grade class. The kids
were in a computer room working on a history practice test to see how much they have
learned. My cooperating teacher was assisting in a childs math assignment when I
noticed one student was starting to look upset with his body motions and head down. I
walked over to him, kneeled down to his level, used a concerned and soft voice and said
Hey, how are you feeling tell me whats on your mind? and he responded I am
trying so hard to pass this test, but I keep failing and failing, and my mom will be upset
that Im not passing, and I dont want to miss free play and then I responded okay,
lets calm down, close our eyes and breathe slowly calmly breathe see! Now, you did
a good job calming down, Im going to talk with our teacher and work something out,
okay? and he said Okay. Now through that whole event, many of the actions I took
were through constant reminders of how to approach a child when they are upset. First,
one must be at the same height level as them so kneeling or having a seat with them
helps, another helpful thing is to have your attention on the child, listen to what he or
she has to say, and respond with a calm and soothing tone, another tip if the child is
getting upset, have them focus on something to calm them down which I used a
breathing technique, and finally we both agreed on a solution to the problem which was
for me to inform the teacher and we would come up with another solution. I knew that
my knowledge had been more than beneficial when at the end of the day, my
cooperating teacher told me that If you had not address the situation like you did, he
would have ran out the classroom upset because he has a hard time dealing with his
emotions.
Synthesize- When it comes to Intelligence, I love learning something new, which means
that there is always something that I may or may not be able to understand out there
and I wont be bored. I will continue to educate myself and others of the knowledge I
have obtained and they will do the same for me.
Citizenship and Community Responsibility
Explain- Throughout my college years at Bridgewater College, I have been able to
determine what a citizen is. Citizens are the people who represent the country.
However, the rights are dependent on which country the citizen resides in. Each country
has different styles and their different cultures that shape what type of citizen they will
become when born into their country. Citizens are individuals with their own set of
views which makes them their own person. The Citizens responsibility in our country,
the United States, is for the individual to pursue happiness, freedom, and their right to
life. A community is a group of people, or citizens, with similar interests and values. This
community has people who form together usually are diverse including people of
different gender, age, race, educational background, and more. Community
responsibility refers to the individual duties or obligations a citizen has to do for their
community. These responsibilities usually include cooperation, respect and
participation. Every individual part of the community is part of another group from a
family, village, tribe, state, and more part of the world which holds many other
countries.
Explore- While I was at Bridgewater College, I came into the school for the environment
and people here. The environment was so lovely to my eyes and the kindness of the
people here astonished me. I thought back to where I grew up which was Hampton, VA,
and no one was nearly this nice when I came across strangers. Freshman year, I really
soaked in figuring out why I loved this place was as nice and lovely as it is. The first thing
I got to do was contribute to the community by helping with some woodspliting. We
helped the workers by putting forth some physical labor into what they do as a job and
it was an interesting experience. I was able to go to the Bridgewater College football
game that many people participate in, I did not understand the game still. Many people
were full of energy, excited, cheering, roaring, animated with the game going on
between our school and another. There was also a fair that showed many clubs the
school was encouraging students to participate in and I remember asking one of the
staff if there was a show choir, but there was none. He informed me that we had a choir
instead, but I was more into dancing. I later realized there was a ballroom club students
could participate in for free every Sunday at the Funkhouser Gym. That Sunday with so
many students like myself participating and learning to dance was the best experience I
could ever have. The last thing I remember my freshman year is being an employee at
the Health and Wellness Center of Bridgewater College called the Funkhouser Gym. A
group of students working to make a little money to help spend on things we may need.
We all had the same training depending on which station we had to work in, but Dustyn
Miller, the manager, really encourage us to help each other out when working, call
someone to cover if you are sick, ask another employee about a question, when closing
both employees should leave together. We were trained to help and assist the patrons
who came to use the gym, to keep the gym and its equipment preserved in good
condition, and enforce the rules and procedures the gym has listed. Sophomore year,
things took a turn to explore more when ballroom was being removed until my best
friend and I decided to take over and teach the lessons on Sundays. It seemed crazy that
last year we were the only participants left and had to lead the lessons with only a year
of learning the many different dance styles including salsa, merengue, tango, waltz, east
coast swing, and more with no experience in teaching them before. We looked up the
styles and there was so much history with each style as well. I also was teaching cardio
aerobics while working at the gym. The Funkhouser Gym needed someone who could
instruct dancing as a means for exercise which was a new development for me. There
was also a musical that needed a choreographer for the production. This title really
made me realize how much I could do with dancing which was just for fun. While this
was going on, I was finally going to Elementary Schools to start my field experience in
seeing how teachers coordinate a lesson and classroom management within the
classroom for her students. In my junior year, the biggest exploration I experienced was
during Interterm. I was able to finally go on a trip back to the place I was born which was
Germany. There was so much preparation needed to get through the airport, such a
fast, busy, strict environment trying to get through just to get on the plane. Arriving in
Germany, we were able see so much history it held as well. There were buildings
showing architecture that were so old, places like the Holocaust site still up, mountains,
trees, people, small towns, big cities, so much to see. It was a wonderful experience to
broaden my perspective of a community. My senior year felt like I was really connecting
with the community and being an American citizen. Upon wanting to go out with the
most and best I could do for others I had an amazing idea. I want to someone give back
to the community of Bridgewater in any way I could as someone who has gone to the
College for all these years. This made me think of how much I could do random nice
gestures for the people attending the college. It consisted of doing one thing a month
for random individuals hoping to brighten their day. One month, I found a $20 bill and
spent it on 18 flowers in which I passed out to people while walking around the campus.
No one said no when I offered a flower and it was also not gender specific. The second
month, I gave out motivational cards for the students of Bridgewater College, some
people were having hard days, some were just fine, but regardless, I handed out cards
hoping people would receive a message of encouragement and kindness to get through
with. The third month, I wrote out poems for people because every once in a while
people need a reminder of either how amazing they are or how much they have
compared to others and that they can make it through. The last month, I decided to find
a piece of cardboard and write out a free hugs to display like a sign for a more personal
level of showing care which I ended up giving more than 150 hugs!
Analyze- I seem to be able to determine that being a citizen of a certain community can
influence you very much. In Hampton, I felt more like another person who is following
the rules of society by just acting and behaving as my environment until I was able to
attend school at Bridgewater College. Bridgewater College is a private small school
which I believe means their influence can spread more easily in this community. This
community at Bridgewater College easily influenced me to become really kind and
courteous to others. It is such a simple thing the community has taught me that I can
carry back to Hampton with me as well. When I am back home in Hampton, I see myself
opening door for people, smiling genuinely and talking to them. Not many people are
receptive with my same enthusiasm, but if I want more people to be nice then I have to
be that example. Freshman year, the community was really nice and I can see many
ways why. Bridgewater College runs well because of the students, without the students
then there is no college. Bridgewater College must attract the students to get the
money to keep the school going and appealing to the students is a great way. Creating a
very supporting, kind, caring, community to bring in more people, but I still like the
community. The school offered service learning opportunity to help other departments
get some work done for free, but the students learn from the experience like my
woodspliting service. Upon giving to the community, helping out workers do some labor
for free, the college is trying to still give this message that people can give to others with
receiving anything in return. The football game is highly encouraged for students and
parents to participate in because the school puts a lot of money into athletics playing
other teams. The super bowl is highly viewed and financed with athletes coming from
colleges which is why football games are advertised. Being a part of the audience helps
the school spread the word about football. The college attracts more people by offering
many more clubs to provide more opportunities for students to become a part of a
group that enjoys something in particular like dance, singing, acting, and more. The
students have a common goal to learn in the club and to promote is as much as
possible. The Funkhouser gym I was trained at to work taught us how to operate the
gym. We were all taught the same rules and procedures, but we were all workers of the
gym. We are individual workers, but Dustyn taught us to work together, close and open
the gym together, and help each other. The reason we all work here is to help the
patrons who come into the gym. In sophomore year when Trejo and I took over
ballroom club, we felt a lot of responsibility. We had to teach dance lessons of all the
styles of ballroom dance that we could offer. If it wasnt for Trejo and I then this club
where people can learn to dance, be social, and have a fun time with others would be
gone. We are taking over for no money, just to teach others dance. We are becoming
part of Bridgewater College because we are taking the lead in running the club for the
school. Another way I became a part of the Funkhouser Gym was teaching cardio party
for people who wanted to exercise while dancing. Bridgewater College also had me
become a choreographer which was a lot of work in order to have a production for the
school to advertise. The production would help further finance more things the theatre
department could use. The field experience I took has introduced me into the system of
education in schools. The department has students learning the SOLs while the teachers
are the planning the lessons for the school. The teacher does a lot to prove that the
students in the class are a community of learners while the teachers are a community of
the school and the school is the community of the education system. In Junior year,
going to Germany for interterm was one of the most amazing experiences ever. I saw so
many people, cities, towns, mountains, shops, and more. Being in another country with
a different culture was eye opening, certain routines and traditions were different, but
everything still the same in a way. The people themselves were the same as ours, some
were really nice, some were really rude, and it brought me to a conclusion. The German
people are a well-organized and sophisticated people just like ours. It seemed awful to
remember that the United States were at war with the Germans with jobs, beliefs,
ideas, friends, and families just like us. This trip made me realize how much bigger this
world is and how complicated it is. Senior years seemed like the best year ever. I wanted
to be an example of Bridgewater College of everything they taught me about being
caring, kind, courteous, giving and more. The best way was to do things out of the
ordinary for the random people of Bridgewater College. Every month was something
different which included me personally doing something for someone else. During the
first month, when I found the $20 bill, I bought 18 flowers to hand out to different
people walking around. The flowers were real and in my bag as I traveled, so it was a
surprise when I asked them Would you accept this flower? The reactions were great
to witness, some people were really happy and bursted with joy, some people showed a
contempt happiness, only one just accepted with confusion, but the best part was no
one said no. I realized months later that I made so many peoples day when they were
having a horrible one and that people on this campus really are genuine in kindness. The
second month included motivational cards that I gave out to random people in order to
boost their spirits. The third month were poems I gave to individual people as well to
give another good message trying to make their day better. The last month was the
best because it was so basic and simple. I took a piece cardboard that was disposed and
used it for the people of Bridgewater. I wrote on the piece of cardboard Free Hugs!!!
and stood outside the cafeteria exit. People who were in the public that wanted a hug
could get one and I gave out over 150 hugs! People were so thankful for me doing
something for everyone which I felt great about.
Synthesize- With learning that I was born in Germany, grew up and raised in Hampton,
and went to College at Bridgewater, I can say that I have learned a lot about being a
certain king of citizen to my community. When I came back home after my fourth year
of college, I realized that I have been the same things I was when I left, but now I am
trying my best to make others day. One way I proved that was I go to Dairy Queen with
my best friend Taariq every Sunday around noon, after an hour of hanging out and
talking, I drove him back to his place so he could get ready for work, but I couldnt help
but want to do something nice for someone. What I did was cut out a fake flower that I
had, wrote a note hoping that this kind gesture brightens their day, and delivered it to
the lady at the drive in window of the Dairy Queen place. This random act of kindness
made her day, which in turn made me happy as well. Later on, while working at a
daycare, I wanted to set a good example to the kids while I teach them ballroom dance.
I went home to write out my own rules to follow called Gentlemans Code which is
how I should follow my life including never lie, treat everyone with respect even when
they dont deserve it, if there is a chance to cheer someone up then do it, and much
more.
Ethical and Spiritual Growth
Explain- Ethics are certain moral principles an individual decides to stand up for, rules
that cater to their decision making for certain situations. It helps the person develop
certain beliefs to stand by and straying from those rules will be out of character in
describing what kind of person they are. Spiritual can refer to the individuals soul or
even religious beliefs. It refer to things that are intangible, that are not physically seen.
Explore- Ethics has been an important thing for me, but it has always changed from time
to time. I always emphasized truth, honesty, and fairness, but every so often, I become
sneaky, deceitful, and unfair. It wasnt until my junior year, after my ex broke up with
me who accused me of not caring for her, not being chivalrous enough, and only
wanting physical needs from her, I decided to one up myself every day to be a better
man than I was the day before. Months later my ex told me she lied about those reasons
for breaking up with me and that it was only that she didnt love me as she thought she
did. Thats when I started developing My Gentlemens Code. This code is a list of rules I
will abide to follow as best I can because it is how I would like to live my life and
hopefully others may do the same. These rules consist of: 1. Never Lie (Unless obligated
by law, if serious punishment applies to another friend, lying may be acceptable
putting ones own honor code on the line to protect their friend or family), 2. Never
demean a lady by treating or acting as though thy is an object treat as an equal (ex.
Looking at certain parts), 3. Treat everyone with respect, even when they dont deserve
it, 4. If there is a chance to cheer someone up, do it (Be creative), 5. If someone is in
need of help, offer, dont impose (ex. someone to talk to or just actively listen), 6. Do
not boast of your charity or chivalry, be humble, 7. It is better to lose a clean fight than
win by cheating, you learn more from losses than wins, 8. Do not harm someone unable
to defend themselves, 9.One should never allow personal attacks during competition,
they are harmful to the fun and very nature of the game. 10. If there is an opportunity
to help a friends pursuit of their attracted sex, try your best to help (ex. Finding a way
for your friend to get closer to someone they like), 11.Make your friends happy if you
can, in return, it may make you happy. This is my Gentlemens Code I have been trying
to follow ever since my senior year at Bridgewater College which I feel has been very
successful. I have done my best to calmly express my feelings and being honest about
my intentions, I have done a great job respecting dance partner Charlotte whenever we
are around, and as far as making peoples days, it has been a phenomenal. One time I
found a $20 bill on the floor, instead of just spending it on myself, I selflessly spent it on
flowers that I passed out to people around campus who had their days brightened
because of such a kind gesture. I developed a free hugs sign that I use to stand outside
the cafeteria where over 70 people have walked up to be needing a hug. Every hug I
gave felt nice to give and I feel like I have showed people that someone can do
something nice for other just because it makes others happy and smile. I have had
friends who have had down days and I found ways to create artsy kind of pick me up
messages which helped them through. When it comes to my spiritual growth, I know
that it feels a bit weird to have an atheist perspective of the world in a mostly religious
country. I see the world from a science perspective of the world being created through a
scientific theory, instead of an intangible theory people made up in their minds.
However, I do know that both sides cannot prove how the world was formed, so I
always will respect the views people have about how this world came to be. I will say
that I never truly feel safe expressing my beliefs since it is in the minority, I always
imagine people to have this critical judge-mental response or thought process about me
because of my beliefs. Only if absolutely necessary, I will not openly express my beliefs
because of this. I do like to believe in Mother Nature, just this fun idea that we should
care for our environment because it helps provide where we can live and that if we
treats us well then she will treat us well. I love nature, I have always felt so soothed by
certain environments. My favorite thing to do is to go on long walks to just feel the
breeze of the wind, watching the clouds float overhead, listen to the soothing sounds of
the ocean. I love being a nature lover.
Analyze- Because of my Ethical viewpoint and how I go about living my life with my
Gentlemens Code, I believe that it will definitely have an effect in the area I am in. The
actions I have taken like the free hugs sign or the flower giving will create positive
environment and hopefully have other people step up to the plate. I even had an article
written Titled Nice Neighbor November which told my story of these kind gestures and
that we should all strive to do help each other out because thats what we would want if
we were in a bind. Spiritually I know that my beliefs have made me more down to earth
kind of guy. I always try to find some sort of explanation for unexplained events rather
than mysterious anomalies. My beliefs also dont support superstitions, it doesnt make
sense that if you break a mirror that it will give you bad luck. I dont see any physical
evidence or explanation that proves these superstitions. With regards to nature, I know
that I always try to do things like long walks, climb trees and stuff in order to feel as
though Im one with nature. Its been one of my hobbies that I like to do whenever Im
not so busy with work.
Synthesize- Ethically I hope that My Gentlemens Code will make others follow through
my same ideals, a world where people will extend their hand to help when you may
need one. Spiritually my religious beliefs have helped me develop into a person who
looks for answers through physical evidence and proofs, not through intangible
explanations. With nature, I feel like I can really focus on my senses with my
environment which helps calm and soothe my emotions. This gives me a sense of peace
within myself. This is one reason why it is so important to me.
Physical and Emotional Maturation
Explain- Physical maturation, in my own words, is defined as getting to a certain
condition that the person wants to be in with their body. The person depicts personally
whether they want to be skinny, bigger, healthier, unhealthier, and how they go about
trying to reach a certain point with their body. Emotional Maturation, in my opinion, is
defined when the individual has gone through a variety of emotional feelings and stages
that helps them comprehend how and why they are occurring.
Explore- During my freshman year at Bridgewater College, I was not into any sports,
activities, exercises or anything. I was a skin and bones kid who was 57 without any
muscle built from lifting weights or exercising. The only exercise I had before college
was weekly trips to the gym on a military base back home in Hampton doing cardio on a
treadmill. I attended In-Step ballroom club as a way to have fun dancing, but it never
became anything hard physically. In-Step Ballroom would meet once a week to teach
different styles that only required our hands to signal moves, feet to travel, and
endurance to keep dancing for two hours. Physical development never really concerned
me freshmen year. Sophomore Year, I was more involved with In-Step ballroom dance
since my best friend became the president of the club, so I wanted to help. I ended up
staying the same physically for a while, but I had found a dance partner last year who
wanted us to develop a Christmas showcase which included a flip. This is when I started
to start doing lifts with selectorized weight equipment at the gym I work at. It went well
building my leg muscles, arm muscles, chest and back, but I never got into stomach
work outs. After a month, my body actually built muscles into my skin and bones. I tried
to keep it up after the show was over, but I fell deeply ill and just lost the motivation. I
even grew a little taller to where I am 58. Junior and Senior Year fell into a routine of
trying to get back into lifting weights for the muscles to stay in good condition, however
there was always a time I would get sick and then lose my motivation. Good news is that
I am satisfied with how my body looks now since I use dance to keep my body in healthy
cardio shape and my muscles have been in good condition ever since Sophomore. My
Emotional maturation has been a difficult challenge. I have a helicopter mom since I was
17 who has sheltered me from stress, relationships, and the world outside of home. I
never had many friends except for my best friend Taariq who I grew up with since I was
a child and hung out with him most of my childhood. I had never been in a relationship
until my mom allowed me to after the age of 17 as well. Coming into college was an
emotional rollercoaster, the first week of classes was so difficult with so much reading
that I wanted to leave and come back home to where I felt safe. Thankfully, I was
walking down my hall and one of my now great friends, Jevone was playing a game I had
tried once and let me stay in the room which subsided my panic attack. Ever since then,
I have been hanging out with him, my best friend Will and Trejo ever since to talk
through tough times and help each other out. Relationship wise, I was a wreck, I did not
understand the difference between passion, commitment, and intimacy.
Analyze- Ever since I have strengthened my muscles in lifting during sophomore year, I
was able to attain a body proportion that I believe represents that of a dancer. I have a
nice tone body, that is not too big or small and I am healthy and happy for the way I
look. If I ever get the chance to have a dance partner here in Hampton, I would love to
dance many different style in ballroom for fun which would also contribute to my
exercise. The Emotional maturation of my freshmen year included my passion that I felt
for some people clouded my judgment in what I truly wanted. I did not realize this until I
finally dated a lady who was brilliant my sophomore year. She was only a year younger
than me which is a big deal since I was always a year older than everyone else since I
was held back in 2
nd
grade. What I realized in my relationship with her was that she
seemed like an amazing girl, she was attractive, funny, loving, open minded, very good
in communicating our feelings and concerns, but there was something missing from it.
We agreed to take a break which we then decided to break up, but it was an amazing
learning experience. Junior year made me realized that I was missing that chemistry,
that unknown feeling in my heart and commitment that makes me see want to go the
long run to marrying someone which I realized in my next relationship which only lasted
2 months. Later in my senior year, I learned the difference between passion, Intimacy,
and Commitment.
Synthesize- I believe that I am happy with the body proportion I have with my body,
honestly I have been so busy these days that I cannot dance to exercise, but If I find
another dance partner, I will make time. If somehow my body proportion changes, I will
have to adapt either my lifestyle or my way of thinking to better suite myself. Hopefully,
I have had enough experiences in relationships and stress that I will know how to
approach and interpret my emotions to control my feelings.