Blog 24: Last Presentation Reflection

(1) Positive Statement

What are you most proud of in your block presentation and/or your senior project? Why?
I am most proud of the fact that I didn't mess up a lot. I was worried this entire week that my anxiety would get the best of me and I would make to many mistakes. I am also proud that I was able to calm down throughout my presentation. Again I thought the pressure would be to much for me to handle for a whole hour.

(2) Questions to Consider

a.     What assessment would you give yourself on your block presentation?  Use the component contract to defend that assessment.

I would give myself a P, I hit every point in my presentation and I was able to hook my audience throughout my presentation. I did forget a few things like a prop, and mentioning my EQ in the very begining, but it was my first presentation (at least one that lasted an hour long) and I didn't have references like everyone else did from last year. 

b.     What assessment would you give yourself on your overall senior project? Use the component contract to defend that assessment.

AE, Because I have worked very long and hard with my mentor. I have completed all of my assignments to the best of my ability. I have also done research that wasn't included in my working bibliography and I feel and portray the passion I have for this topic through the past three presentations i have had.


(3) What worked for you in your senior project? 
Having Carol as my mentor was the best part of my senior project. I was comfortable around her and I was able to ask questions i normally wouldn't be able to ask other people. Carol was my main source for interviews and first hand experience when it came to working with foster children.

(4) (What didn't work) If you had a time machine, what would you have done differently to improve your senior project? 
Answering my EQ was the hardest thing for me because there is no set in stone program that prepares children in the foster care system to age out. I probably would have reworded the question, but kept the same idea of it.

(5) Finding Value

How has the senior project been helpful to you in your future endeavors? 
I don't know what I want to do when I grow up, but I know one day I want to provide a home for a foster child and I know for a fact that I will volunteer with bridge of faith for the rest of my life. I have made friends and gotten to know so many good people through the organization. I have learned the importance of having people there for me and around me by hearing these stories about children who don't have anyone to lean on when facing difficult obstacles. 

Blog 22: Independent Component 2

LITERAL
(a) I, Kristen Gutierrez, affirm that I completed my independent component which represents 30 hours of work.
(b) Organization: Bridge of Faith 

• Annual fashion event
• http://www.bridgeoffaith.org/

(c) Update your Independent Component 2 Log (which should be under your Senior Project Hours link)
(d) Every year bridge of faith holds a fashion show and auction to raise money for the girls and get their organization known to those who haven't had the chance to visit. I volunteered as a model and helped organize the auction. I also helped set up and get ready for the event.    
(e) For four weeks my mentor, carol, had been setting up for the event. I helped make baskets we would auction off and helped pick out clothes the other models would wear. I helped her organize the store when we were done creating baskets and picking clothes. I also helped with the entire event and cleanup, it lasted 7 hours.
(f) Because my EQ is based off of what happens after foster care the event helped me understand how non profit organization raise money for the girls. I also got to know many of the girls, who aged out of foster care, that live with carol. 

Blog 23: Exit Interview

(1) What is your essential question, and what are your answers?  What is your best answer and why?

My EQ is How are foster children being prepared for the real world, and what steps are being taken to prevent them from becoming homeless? My answers are government programs and organizations, foster parents, and healthy relationships and transitional housing. My best answer is Healthy relationships and transitional housing.

(2) What process did you take to arrive at this answer?

Much my research contributed to my answers  but the main impact on my answer was my interview with a social worker who told me many foster children don't have support from friends or family because of their lack of friendships or stability.

(3) What problems did you face?  How did you resolve them?

I faced multiple obstacles, my main one was not being able to see my mentor because she had surgery recently, but i worked around it by helping her overtime she needed it and trying to reach out to others for help.

(4) What are the two most significant sources you used to answer your essential question and why?

A Ted talk called a child of the state and my interview with a social worker helped me understand personal account of being in foster care and helped me realize who and what are actually making a difference in the foster system.