Sam's CAS Adventures

Learning Outcomes:

Show perseverance and commitment

Engaged with issues of global importance

Consider ethical implications

Develop new skills

Ready to get another ZooLights shift done and to try a new position I was excited to be in costume. During my previous shift I saw one of the adults in costume who did a great job of attracting and engaging the kids. Inspired by him (and because cheetah’s were my favorite animal as a child), I choose to be in the cheetah costume. At first the lack of vision is a bit disorienting, but thanks to my “helper elf” I was always being watched and assisted when I didn’t see a kid approach. Despite my theater background, which taught me to not care what others think and to always go all out, I was a bit unsure how to act in costume and didn’t want to look foolish. However, that unease soon disappeared and I got the hang of seeing through the costume. The more silly I acted the more kids came up to me. I found how to gauge the child's willingness to approach me and learned how to correctly respond nearly every time to gain the child's trust. I knew being in costume would be warm (hence I wore a drift shirt and shorts) but I didn’t realize it would be so warm that I would be working up a sweat! It ended up being quite the workout with all the dancing in a big furry costume and squatting to be the height of the children. I spent time enjoying myself, dancing, shaking my tail, hugging kids, posing for pictures, and acting silly. Since no one could see me I felt no embarrassment acting goofy to play with the kids. It felt so wonderful to make so many children laugh and smile that most of the time I ended up smiling too even though no one could see me. Previously, I believed rover to be my favorite ZooLights position, however being in costume completely changed that. Nothing could beat the feeling of directly bringing joy to people, both young and old, while inspiring and encouraging a love for animals and the zoo - initiating a care for the environment and animals that our planet needs.

Show perseverance and commitment

Develop new skills

Learning Outcomes:

Show perseverance and commitment

Consider ethical implications

Develop new skills

As a ZooTeen I have the opportunity to volunteer at ZooLights under a variety of positions. I signed up for seven shifts which runs from 4:30pm to 9:30pm (ZooLights opens at 5pm though) with two 20 minute breaks during the shift. I was both nervous and excited for my first shift. I was working as a rover, meaning I got to walk around the zoo with a radio checking on all the people in other positions and covering for them during their 20 minute break. This was a great way of seeing all the different ZooLights positions for future shifts I signed up for and also allowed me to see all of ZooLights, better understanding the zoo layout for ZooLights. While on shift, I noticed an elderly women waiting for the Zoomer (zoo car that transports people around) for 15 minutes. The ZooTeen stationed nearby expressed concern for the Zoomer had not come yet and the women was waiting there for a long time. I radioed the Zoomer to come pick her up then went over to check on her, apologize for the delay, and explained that the Zoomer was on it’s way but due to the number of people it will still be a few minutes. She was grateful for the update but clearly upset about the wait and complained that her feet were cold. Due to the situation I decided to stay with the women to wait for the Zoomer instead of continuing my rounds, putting the needs and happiness of a guest before a break for a volunteer. Thankfully the Zoomer came and took her away, leaving me to go back to my job. The night was cold and since it was the first night of ZooLights, it was very busy. I ended up dealing with a lot of frustrated guests and started feeling tired from standing the whole time - I had been too busy to take my break. While my first shift was a hetic one, it allowed me to practice being a leader and customer service skills, qualities that are important to have for future jobs. Also, the magic of ZooLights and seeing happy families enjoying the lights made it more bearable, leaving me excited for my next shift.

Learning Outcomes:

Planned and initiated activities

Working collaboratively with others

Engaged with issues of global importance

Consider ethical implications

Learning Outcomes:

Working collaboratively with others

Show perseverance and commitment

The day had finally come, my last high school race and the race that would determine if our girls team would make it to State. The first race of the day would be at 3pm, JV girls. Despite having early release for the meet, our coach informed us that both girls and boys varsity should take time to relax with their teams and come in time for the first race but not any earlier. Girls varsity met at one of our girls houses and just spent time goofing off enjoying each others company. I had written little inspirational notes to the girls, thanking them for running with me and naming my favorite/funniest memory of the season with them. We then spent time talking about strategy and that while we want to go to state its something we have to accomplish as a team. Even if we don’t make it, no one is responsible for preventing us from going to state, all that matters is we go out there and race so hard that we know we couldn’t have gone any faster. This race was both for ourselves and our team. We got to the meet and cheered on boys and girls varsity, then warmed up. During warm up and drills we talked more about the race, some girls were very nervous, and while I was too I did my best to motivate them and tell them to imagine this type of nervous as adrenaline, and nervous energy. I asked everyone to say their goal time for the race, instructing them to stay focused on that. I reminded them that what ever happens we are still a team and I was so grateful to spend my last season with such a close and amazing team. The race was on, Holly and I noticed the pace started slower than we were used to, and realized what the Sunset and Jesuit girls strategy was. We knew there was no chance against those teams so our goal was to stay in front of Aloha. It was a difficult race, we stayed close to Aloha’s top girl but she soon left us behind and two more Aloha girls gained on us. We couldn’t let them pass us too. It was a back and forth race with Holly and I in front of Aloha, then them in front of us. With only a mile left I told Holly we needed to speed up. I just kept reminding myself that this was my last chance to get the time I wanted and for our team to go to state. We left one girl behind but the other Aloha girl was on our tails. She started passing us with about 600m left but Holly and I must have been thinking the same thing because we sped up and gave it our all for those last hundred meters. I knew Aloha was behind us so I sprinted with everything left I had, understanding that if beating her and getting my goal time meant collapsing at the end of my race it was worth it. Holly and I finished, beating her and reaching our goal time for the race. However, as our girls came in, it was evident we didn’t make it to state. Some were clearly upset and felt responsible but in our cool down run we reassured each other that it was a hard race and our girls team has never been so close to going to state, we raced well and deserved to be proud of our team. Despite not making it to state, we enjoyed our last cool down together, goofing off and playing games while running to make the most of it. We knew it was over, but that didn’t mean we would stop being a team or running together.  I am so grateful to the final cross country season I had and the amazing teammates that ran it with me.

Show perseverance and commitment

Show perseverance and commitment

Engaged with issues of global importance

Consider ethical implications

Engaged with issues of global importance

In support of my friends’ CAS Project I participated in the JDRF walk for diabetes. They made ISB t-shirts for us to wear at the walk. While I have previously participated in races and walks that raise money for the research of certain diseases I have never participated in one for diabetes, despite my friend having it. I felt it was important to support her and others like her who suffer from diabetes. I did this by donating money from myself and my family as well as participating in the walk with my friends. It was a good turnout of people but smaller than other races I had participated in, which is unfortunate considering how many people have diabetes. However, the walk was still fun with food, live music, people dressed up in cool costumes, and spending time with friends. It was a good way to support an important cause. Next year I plan to participate again as well as recruit more people for the walk - it deserves attention.

Working collaboratively with others

Show perseverance and commitment

Learning Outcomes:

Increased awareness of your strengths and areas for growth

Undertaking new challenges

Learning Outcomes:

Working collaboratively with others

Show perseverance and commitment

Increased awareness of your strengths and areas for growth

Still early into the season, our team attended a invitational cross country meet at Oregon City. It would be a tough race as there were some good teams from Bend competing against us, however we went into the race knowing it was a team event and as long as we worked hard as a team, we would be successful. While us varsity girls warmed up together we talked about how this will be a good example to see what our team could do and if we truly have a chance of placing at districts to go to state. The race came and my friend Holly and I (we are about the same speed and work together pushing each other every race) pushed each other like we do every meet. It was a challenging race for the course had two steep hills and was initially crowded with all the racers clumped up. Holly and I ended up taking top 10 in the girls varsity race! And even better was that our varsity girls team placed 3rd, only one point away from 2nd! Nearly everyone on my team ended up PR-ing so it was an overall successful meet! It was amazing to see what we could do together as a team and everyone’s spirits were up, excited to see what would come in our next race. 

Learning Outcomes:

Show perseverance and commitment

Engaged with issues of global importance

Consider ethical implications

Learning Outcomes:

Increased awareness of your strengths and areas for growth

Working collaboratively with others

Develop new skills

Learning Outcomes:

Working collaboratively with others

Show perseverance and commitment

Learning Outcomes:

Increased awareness of your strengths and areas for growth

Show perseverance and commitment

Another year of Track and Field meant new goals for it. My most ambitious goal was for the 400m. I really wanted to push myself and make the varsity 4 by 400m team. It took me all the way to the last meet to reach my goal time for the 400m but with every race and every practice, I knew I was one step closer. I found to really achieve my goals I needed not to just kind of want that time or hope I could get it, I had to believe in myself and my ability. To want it with all of my being. I also knew I had to want it for my team - the people who make running more enjoyable, and the pain more bearable. It wasn’t just about achieving my own goal, it was for our 4 by 400 team as well. I struggled at times feeling confident in my ability, like in practicing hand off when I seemed not to be able to do them correctly. But I didn’t want to stop until I had it down perfectly and wouldn’t disappoint the team. In fact, my teammates worked so hard to push themselves and each other that we made it to state and achieved our goal of getting a medal on the podium! Without them and the effort each one of them put in we wouldn’t have made it that far. Of course, the team likes to have some fun along the way as a reminder of why we love running (pictured below). 

Learning Outcomes:

Working collaboratively with others

Show perseverance and commitment

Consider ethical implications

Oregon Relays, a huge track meet featuring teams from all over Oregon held at UofO’s beautiful track. I was so excited to get to go for my first time. Not only was I going, but I was competing in four relay events - the most an athlete could participate in! I felt honored not only at the opportunity to compete here, but that my coach selected me to compete in the most events for a girl on our team. It would be hard work but I couldn’t let him down. Each race was incredibly thrilling. The stadium seemed alive with all the cheers and movement of the hundreds of people and the adrenaline and excitement my teammates felt was contagious. We were all pumped up and ready to work together to do the best we could in every race. However, my third race came and I had a bad asthma attack. I’ve delt with asthma before in workouts and races and usually I can push through and recover with my inhaler and a quick break. This was different, I felt lightheaded and was seeing spots, even after my inhaler I still felt as though I couldn’t breath. Thankfully two girls on an opposing team helped me to a chair and got me my inhaler, talking to me, and watching over me with genuine care. Reflecting upon the situation I am still blown away by the kindness of these two runners, they choose to help me over watching their teammates finish the relay. I felt terrible for missing the end of our race and not being able to fully support my teammates as I know they did while I raced, but I also had to realize that I would have cheered if I could. After the race I still felt very dizzy so my mom and coach gave me the option of sitting out my final race. However, this would mean my team wouldn’t race. I talked to the three girls on my team and they were understanding and supportive of the decision to withdraw from the race since they had already raced. However, I could tell one teammate, a close friend of mine, was disappointed since she had not run any race. After some reflection I realized it was selfish of me to not allow my teammates to run, I had nothing to loose. The race wasn’t about running fast or winning. It was just about growing as a team and having fun. We ended up running the race and doing great considering our fatigue. However, the most important part was we were laughing and enjoying ourselves leading up to, and after the race. 

Learning Outcomes:

Planned and initiated activities

Working collaboratively with others

Engaged with issues of global importance

Consider ethical implications

Finally our hard work paid off and it came time to serve the cookies. A friend joined Anna-Liisa and I on our shift at Potluck in the Park. The head volunteers were all very grateful to our donation despite an abundance of desserts. This allowed for guests to take multiple desserts, either to eat or save for later in take home bags we had. As Anna-Liisa and I handed out cookies we said “homemade oatmeal cookies!”, proud of our accomplishment. Many guests appeared surprised that we had taken the time to make cookies for them and accepted two cookies with gratitude and warming smiles. For the handful of guests with dental problems, they were grateful for soft oatmeal cookies as something both sweet and hardy. As guests poured through, some returning for more of our cookies, the smile on my face was as genuine as could be. It felt amazing to offer these individuals such a simple gift yet receive so much appreciation. As the crowd slowed and people slowly left, I was simeltaneously happy and sad. Sad that our project had drawn to a close, but happy to have taken a small role in Potuck in the Park. This expeirence has been the most eye-opening experience I have had thus far. I am forever gratfeul for what I had seen and learned while at Potluck in the Park from its guests. I look forward to volunteering with them and meeting new people sometime in the future. Anna-Liisa and I have even talked about getting a group of students to join us.