Isabella Hernandez

Mr. O’mera

AP Literature & Composition

16 May 2022

Senior Portfolio: Reflection

Throughout the past four years, University High students received an endless number of

assignments, some may even say “too many”. However, the overload of assignments I have

accumulated during my time at University High has served another purpose. I was able to

distinguish four English assignments that demonstrate my roller-coaster of a ride that has gotten

me to be a part of the 2022 University High graduating class. I began my portfolio with my very

first PA that I wrote during the fall semester of freshman year in Ms. Spachts english class, Fast

food Nation: Going organic. During the writing process of this PA, I remember being frustrated

at how many steps we needed to complete, such as brainstorms and outlines to get approved to

than move on to writing the paper. Prior to high school, my middle school teachers always

passed my english papers and voiced how easily I was able to put my thoughts out on paper in a

timely manner. This transition to highs school where I was now expected to follow a certain

criteria in order to pass on the first try was intimidating to me. After my first PA rewrite meeting

and some constructive criticism from Ms. Spacht, I quickly learned the importance of following

the instructions step by step and seeking help when confused to achieve the desired work. As I

finished freshman english, I began seeing growth within myself after I started consistently asking

questions when I did not understand a concept. I learned that failing the first time is completely

okay and just leaves room for more growth. This comfortability transcended into my sophomore
year when I worked in a group to complete a spring semester PA. This PA is special to me as it

was the first time, I truly enjoyed the writing process. This English assessment was for an AP

Seminar class which required us to work in a group to produce a multimedia presentation and an

individual essay. I was passionate about my topic which kept me motivated to keep applying the

growth mindset that I learned freshman year. Working collaboratively within a group on a final

assessment also reinforced the importance of having a community to depend on so that you all

keep moving in the right direction. Quickly after this PA, we went on spring break that ended up

lasting a year and a half due to a global pandemic. My time away from school really put a strain

on my academics, and it showed tremendously in my online junior english class: AP Language

and Composition. One out of the handful of assignments I submitted during my junior year was

my Mission Statement at the beginning of the fall semester. I decided to add this assignment in

my senior portfolio as a reminder to stay consistent. This marked the start of the downward spiral

that I fell into with my relationship with school. After the year was over, I had failed junior

english which than only held me back senior year. I had to complete an online english class on

top of passing AP Literature and Composition to have the opportunity to graduate on time with

my class. Although senioritis hit like a truck this year, I passed both of my English classes and

finished off my high school english career with a 20-page senior paper. Although I had to rewrite

my senior paper, like any other final paper I have ever written at University High, the

consistency of doing it over until I got it right as well as the support I received from my peers

and teachers was the reminder I needed confidently leave high school. As my four years at

University High come to an end, I would like to thank my teachers for giving us the

fundamentals freshman year to succeed and a special ginormous thank you to the senior class

teachers for being extremely patient with us the past two years.