Brandon Garcia

03/17/17

Reflection Essay

Throughout my four years here at Los Angeles Leadership Academy I have developed as

a scholar, creator, and an activist in many ways, from staying after school to complete an

assignment on my own to taking classes after school and visiting a professional glass blower for

lessons. Ive contributed quite a bit in LALA from Green vs. Gold to Cesar Chavez day and

involving myself a bit more than I feel I would at a bigger school. LALA has allowed me to

reach this more outgoing and smarter side of myself that only this school could have provided for

me. For example allowing students like myself to attend office hours and study skills all in one

day to complete work or catch up in class. This is where the scholar side of me would take it

upon myself to do so and make time to either study or finish work that i couldnt in class. I feel

that LALA makes it their duty to make sure its students break out of their comfort shell and

become this leader that takes charge and make the best decision to become successful and I can

say that for a fact because I have been in the situation where the teachers and faculty have put so

much effort into changing my bad habits and making me a better student.

As for the Activist side of me that has not really changed but that was entirely my fault. I

was never the one to fight back or speak for what I believe in I usually go with the flow and try

to help people who do the talking and support them. I see things more differently than other

students and dont see myself protesting or fighting for something that is not guaranteed a

change. I feel that my art is my voice and try to send messages through my art rather than

speaking in a crowd that might or might not understand what Im saying. With my art people
have a bunch of interpretations and at least they cant be wrong or get the wrong message.

Although I wish i couldve became a better activist or spokesperson I feel that my messages in

my art have became more deep and relatable as times change.

Now for my favorite part of me my creative side, this part of me has evolved to a

multi-disciplinary artist. I came to LALA just knowing how to draw now leaving LALA I was

given the chance to paint a mural, make a mosaic, design shoes, and attend glassblowing classes.

My first year here at LALA I attended the urban art program for a couple of weeks but quit for

various reason one being I didnt keep up my grades, then tenth grade came along and I started

painting during Cesar Chavez day and painted benches and took my art career serious because

art is what interested me and made me feel like I could be myself and no one could tell me

otherwise. My junior year was when I finally took art and actually demonstrated my skills to the

art teacher Ms.Jiminez, she was very impressed at my skill level being in Art 1 so we decided

that I should take Ap 2-D studio art my following year. My senior came and new teachers arrived

on being Ms. Estrada, she told me the beginning of Senior that she had a friend that teaches

glassblowing and he was interested in teaching young kids for free. A couple months later the

time came where the school was able to get approval of the board to fund for this program so we

were given 5 weeks of free lesson where I along with 6 other students created cups, vases, paper

weights ,etc.