Jacob Curless, Administrative Assistant, 2019-2020
The Initial Letter
“You Belong Here”. The theme for the 2019-2020 school year at Ripon High is not only applicable for freshman and new enrollees, it also rings true for every single person in our school. We all belong in whatever club, activity, sport, or class we desire. For me, I belong in leadership where I can lead my fellow classmates into becoming the best they can be. During the up and coming school year of 2019-2020, I’m very excited to see what exciting events will happen at Ripon High. Coming into this school year, I didn’t really know what to expect because I had a new responsibility. One that I was unsure of, other than I wanted to succeed, making myself, my family, and my school proud. I knew I could fall back on the information that was provided to me at Core Camp 2019. There I learned that I had a team that I could count on, that would support me, help me, and cheer me on when needed. After leaving Core Camp, I knew that I could set all of my worries and fears for the upcoming school year aside because my team would help and support me. Once the school year began, I knew where I belonged...HERE! I am going to make it my priority to help every person that I come into contact with at Ripon High realize they belong...wherever they desire. I am hoping that throughout this experience of leadership and all of the interactions that I will be fortunate to have, I will have a clearer view of my future career. Every single experience and contact that I make will lead me closes in becoming the strong person I want to be.
Favorite quotes
“There’s no way around hard work. Embrace it.” -Roger Federer
“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take”-Wayne Gretzky
“We all takes losses and its about getting up and coming back”-Mike Epps
All three of these quotes coincide with one another. Let’s start with the quote by Wayne Gretzky. This quote is saying that you have to be willing to take risks. Now will those risks always pay off in the end? Not in the slightest, but courage goes a long way. Now with the quote from Roger Federer. Everything requires work in life, but will everyone put in the work that is needed to forfull want they want to do. Hard work leads to success. Embracing hard work is a stepping stone that leads to success. Finally the quote by Mike Epps. Epps is saying that you have to persevere through obstacles and hard work. Things aren’t going to go as planned but that is when true character shows. Hence, the true meaning of the preceding quotes is without the courage to try and then persevere, there is no possible way to succeed.
Quotes Continued
"There's no way around hard work. Embrace it" -Roger Federer This quote has stuck with me throughout the entirety of this 2019-2020 school year because this quote is true. There is no good product (ie dances, rallies, fundraisers, etc) without the effort of those who are in the program. This quote represents me as a leader because you can't cheat the system and expect to do well, you must embrace everything that is thrown at you. This quote can be impactful for future students because it gives them a perspective of what the program is about as well as what the teacher (Morty) expects. The importance of this quote is to show people that they shouldn't be scared of hard, they should embrace hard work because it will only make them better in the end. The impact that this quote can have on a time is immense this quote puts everything that you can do in life a sense o perspective and what is required to be successful.
Goals
Short term goals (leadership)
One thing that I would like to accomplish this year, within the program, is to learn how to become more professional as well as what is expected when someone says professional.
Another goal that I have for this year is to fulfill my job requirements and much more.
Short term goals
One goal that I would like to accomplish short term is graduate high school
Another short term goal that I would like to have is going to college. I don’t know where or major but that is one goal
Life Long Goals
I would like to be able to have a family after my educational career
I would also like to have a stable/steady job where I can support a family.
Reflection of Goals
Short term goals(leadership)
I feel as tough I have made strides in my understanding of professionalism, though I understand that there is so much more to learn. My understanding of professionalism has jumped limits this year, I feel as though I have been communicating very well with my peers and other class officers, I have taken much more on then what I normally would.
With my goal of fulfilling my job requirements and more, I feel as though I have fulfilled my job requirements adn I feel as though I have stepped out of my comfort zone and tried to do a lot more throughout the year, though I don't know how successful they were I attempted to step out of my comfort zone and try to improve what ever I could.
Short term goals
My short term goal of graduating High school is in the process, I am taking the strides that are necessary for me to graduate, Im currently in the ending stages of my Junior year, up next senior year, then graduation.
Another short term goal that I had for my future is to attend college, I feel as though that I as. taking the steps for the next level of education. I am currently looking to a four year university though that could change because I know that JC is a viable option, they offer a good education and then I can transfer to a four year university.
Life Long Goals
My goal of having a family is long down the road, I do honestly hope to have a family when I'm done with college as well as have a steady and stable job to support my family.
My goal of having a steady/stable job comes later after college because college allows me to get job exposure as well as gives me a perspective to what I can expect the rest of my life to look like.
People Magazine Cover
People Magazine Article
Saving Lives
Imagine for a moment...you are driving down a calm country road in your car with your pregnant wife and two young children when all of a sudden an eighteen wheeler barrels around the corner on your side of the road and your entire life shatters. What would you do? Who would help your family as you are miles from any town? Now imagine that out of nowhere you hear sirens and see a helicopter circling. During a time where time seems to stand still, first responders are working tirelessly to save your world. You see a helicopter crew that appear to be nurses and doctors helping your family...saving them! Just imagine how those once strangers are putting together your broken world. This was my story not too long ago. I needed to track down those who saved my life and my world
Jacob Curless was one of the medical personnel who helped save my two small children, wife, and unborn child that terrible night.
I wanted to first, thank him. He put his life in danger, yet so calmly tended to my broken family, having a hand in saving every one of them. I then wanted to learn about him; his education, he life, his thoughts and feelings and if his career has affected any of that.
This is what I learned. Jacob always felt the need to help and serve others. He knew at an early age that that was what he was meant to do. He began his educational journey at the University of Reno, Nevada, where he earned his BS in nursing. His first job was in the Emergency Room and Doctor’s Medical Center in Modesto, California. At that hospital, they have one of the best trauma units in the area. It was there that he realized his calling...to work as a critical care nurse on the medi-flight. After many additional hours of trauma training and on the job training, he was finally able to fly and be airlifted to the most horrific accidents. When asked why, he stated that on someone’s worst day of their lives, he wants to be their beacon of hope.
That is exactly what he was for us!
“The physical injuries heal,” Jacob stated, simply. “It is the emotions and memories that are difficult.” Simply stated, Jacob carries around all of the traumas that he sees and all of the tragedy that he helps with, in him. This job is not for the faint of heart, but it is his deep desire and passion to serve and help others that gets him through the dark and difficult times. He loves working in the emergency room at Doctor’s Medical Center, and when the call comes, become the hope when there is seemingly no hope to be found.
Role Model
My mom is the biggest role model that you could ever ask for. She is so loving and caring, I don’t know how I would be alive today if it weren’t for that woman! She is so driven and wants to set a great example for her children. She has taught me almost everything that she knows how to teach. Now these lessons have gotten me out of some tight spots in the path whether that be about a grade or helping me talk something out she has helped. This woman would do anything at the drop of a hat to help someone in need, trust me I would know because she has done that for me countless times throughout my very short life here on earth. My mom is the biggest fan, supporter and role model ever. She is the best and there is no way that I would even be close to the same if it weren’t for her.
Inner Animal
I would definitely say that I'm a sloth when it comes to getting things done. I’m always so tired no matter what happens. My family even calls me a sloth when we go anywhere cause I always lag behind but hey what can I say. This animal best describes my personality because sloths are very go with the flow type of animals and I would say that I have that mentality most of the time. Sloths are also very slow when it comes to moving around, now I'm not saying that I'm slow but I'm not saying that I'm the fastest human on the planet. I'm not gonna lie a sloth can also swim very well. This is sort of like me because I can swim at a pretty steady pace and this surprises most people for my size. Sloths are also nocturnal creatures as am I because I love to stay up and just goof around on my phone or with friends. This is not a very well known fact about sloths but they only sleep about 10 hours throughout the day as do I TRY to but that doesn’t always happen.
The best things about me
The best things about me cont.
Homecoming Activities
Homecoming Activities Cont.
What I like most about being in leadership
Memory: Core camp Core camp had such an impact on me in terms of job position and leadership classmates. When we as a class arrived at the high school I was worried because this whole experience was almost a shot in the dark because I didn’t really know anybody. Though after the initial jitters I was completely fine, I sort of stepped out of comfort zone and met a tone of new friends. Now through my Job position I learned how to properly do my job and be productive at it, while meeting new friends and family along the way,
Memory: Homecoming This school year’s homecoming hit me like a semi-truck. I was completely drained by the end of the week. Granted the entire junior class kinda procrastinated to start it was an enjoyable experience. Through the dress up day and float building we as a class had a lot of laughs and bonding moments. For example, the float decorating was fun to mess around with friends while getting the best float done. Not to mention the juniors won Homecoming 2019!
Memory:Kyoto Kyoto was a fun experience for me even though I didn’t have students. With Kyoto we as a class got to make many memories with people from a different culture. The rally the entire school got into because there were different types of talent that we as a culture have never seen before. Also I had friends that had students so I got to hang out with them and get to know them as much as I could. We had lots of laughs and made and unbreakable bond with people that we might never see again.
A Reflection of a peer in Leadership
The peer that I would like to basically give a shout out to is Malery States. Malery is one the most loving and caring people that I know, trust me I’ve known her a while too. Malery is always willing to step up into roles that others aren’t comfortable with, that’s just her. Malery also has this trait of making people laugh no matter what, it can be a funny face, phrase, or action. She always is a ray of sunshine on my rainy days. I feel as though she is family to me and I hope that I’m fortunate enough to have made an impact on her as she made on me.
RHS Pride
RHS Pride cont.
What I love to do
As you can see with the many pictures that my hobby is sports. Sports have made such a huge impact on me both physically and mentally, Sports have taught me that I am able to do things that I never thought possible. Sports have helped me become more physically fit because I do them year round. Through sports I have also made unbreakable friendships and bonds. Sports have also allowed me to connect with my family on a higher level because everyone in my family has played/done a sport. Not only That, but I'm able to connect with my brother so much more because we both share a love of sports.
Letter to parents
Dear mom and dad, I would like to start off by saying thank you for everything that you've done for me this year. Both of you give me unconditional love and support no matter what I do, from football and wrestling to leadership and college classes. You guys are always there to answer my stupid questions that I have and to calm me down when I am overly stressed out about something that I really shouldn't be. Though you guys are hard on me I know it is out of love and support because you want me to be the best that I possibly can be. I love both of you guys unconditionally, ore then you'll ever know possible, you've both sacrificed so much for me to be successful and I have no words on how to repay you. Love you guys so much.
Your True Legacy
Dear Next year Junior class publicity officer, This job is pretty self explanatory if you read the job description. Though this year will be the hardest academically you have to keep a level head and push through. Going into this job you'll want to meet with your officers at least every-other week, now that can be through text, call, or an official meeting. Another thing that is good to know s that you need to go in and talk with GG at least once a month, and for special events perhaps once a week to run purchases by her and keep an up to date budget. Another little piece of information that I learned is that it's easier to take the class meeting notes on google docs so that it's easier for you to send them out after the meeting is over, because if you hand write them you have to put them into an email or doc so that they can be sent. Also send them out right after the meeting because odds are you're going to forget and get marked down on you eval because of it. The biggest thing for this job to to stay organized and communicate with your class and AD.
Do's and Don'ts List
Do:
Always have a class Budget on hand
Always have the paper work blank and ready togo
Have a Class Group chat
Run New Ideas with other people in the class
Have good communication
Publicize a lot no matter what
Use Social media for publicity
Communicate to your whole class
Plan Ahead
Don't:
Do things last minute
Mess Up T-shirt orders
Only Allow leadership students to sign up involve your whole class
Throughout this year we as a class have learned many different things that contribute to being a professional, from your word is your bond to time management, or writing resume and cover letter. I would like to thank morty for all that she has done in teaching these subjects along with her little helpers. Personally I found the most professional growth when I wrote my resume and cover letter because I learned how to talk myself up while still being truthful in all that I write. These two things put everything into perspective as to why you are hired or not hired, because the rule with resumes and cover letters is the employer only takes 30 seconds or less to look at it. Another Aspect that I found professional growth in is that your word is your bond, this is really something that can break you. Take this for instance you tell your boss your going to get the weekly quota done and you never do, now this looks bad for your boss and the company. You just have to keep your word, once you say you're going to do something do it.
Change
Throughout this year my Junior officers and I have accomplished a lot, from planning prom to running very effective meetings, and Winning homecoming. Though winning homecoming was amazing it could have been a much better experience. By this I mean that nothing was planned out, it was chaos. We weren't communicating as an officer team and that was very detrimental to the whole operation, we were all irritated at each-other and the whole process. But we had a very emotional meeting where we all said our peace and we all hugged it out and things took off. After the "come to jesus" meeting we got all of our stuff done and we put together the best homecoming float ever. Now I know that we worked this out by ourselves we talked it out with morty and we all talked. The key is to talk to one another, communication is key. Since this whole thing the junior class hasn't had another mix up or anything since. Just shows that communication is key and the you all have to be willing to talk to each other in uncomfortable circumstances to really break through and put forth the best product.
The Ideal Leader
To me, it is difficult to confidently define every aspect of an ideal leader. Everyone has different viewpoints and opinions on what leaders are, so there isn’t a true correct answer. However, there are many qualities that a student in Ripon High’s Leadership program should strive to have. For one, a student leader needs to be motivated. If someone doesn’t truly want to do something, why would you trust them to do it? In order to push out the best work possible, leaders must have some sort of motivation and that desire to do their best, no matter what. Another great quality of an ideal leader is professionalism. This includes respecting teachers and adults, dressing professionally, having the ability to effectively speak publicly, managing paperwork and finances, and so much more. Leaders must also have good time management skills; with the immense amount of work we have to do, being able to balance everything is key. Even though these are all great skills leaders must have, probably one of the most important ones is connection and growth. RHS Leadership students, in order to truly lead at this school, need to inspire those around them. In order to inspire, we must build connections, and be outgoing as well. True leaders don’t just lead to get something done; they lead to inspire the people around them to lead as well.