SOFIA TORRES
embroidery
During the winter break I signed up in embroidery classes in Barranco. I went to these classes twice a week for three hours for a month. Going to each class was very relaxing and a new experience for me. I learned the basic techniques of embroidery and how to do it in different surfaces such as paper, photos, cloth, etc. After I finished the workshop classes, I decided to keep on working on my embroidery skills and to use them to create something cool.
I've always liked cloth bags and recently have seen my family as well as people around me waling with cloth bags when they go grocery shopping. I think that taking your own bag when you to go shopping is a simple and efficient way to help our environment and inspire others to avoid using plastic bags. Therefore, I went to a market and bought the most inexpensive cloth bags I could find and decided I would turn them into something I would use not only to go grocery shopping, but something I would wear as a an accessory.
The first cloth bag that I began embroidering was called "La gente quiere explotar" (all of them have something written). I liked the idea of combining powerful words with something visually appealing. It took some effort to apply what I learned to the cloth bag but after a few days I was done. I was very proud of my results. The next cloth bag I did was the most difficult one and the one that I feel most proud of. It took me about 2 weeks, everyday, for 2-4 hours. It is the cloth bag with flowers and tiny blue dots. The last one I did was very simple and took me very little time but I think the message is powerful enough to make a statement.
After I finished those 3 cloth bags, I decided to sell them to my friends or family. My goal is to keep working on my embroidery and to do more cloth bags and sell more because people really liked them and I think that by making these type of cloth bags more popular I am also taking care of the environment.
By my workshop classes and my personal time embroidering, I learned so many things. I learned that dedication and effort will always make whatever you are doing meaningful. As I was working in my second cloth bag, my mom told me why I worked on it so hard and my brother bothered me because he didn't understand why I would spend so much time in something that I didn't have to do. But the things is that I wanted to do it for myself and I wanted to do it as best as I could. When I finished, I knew it wasn't' the most beautiful bag ever and there were maybe even a few mistakes I made; however, I cant deny the fact that I felt very pleased with myself and that the bag has a special meaning to me. Patience is another thing that I learned to have. I've never been someone patient. But having to pull thread by thread, for every figure I wanted to make, wasn't as awful as I thought it would be. I realized that sometimes taking your time and enjoying the process as you work hard for something can be relaxing instead of stressful.
I've always liked cloth bags and recently have seen my family as well as people around me waling with cloth bags when they go grocery shopping. I think that taking your own bag when you to go shopping is a simple and efficient way to help our environment and inspire others to avoid using plastic bags. Therefore, I went to a market and bought the most inexpensive cloth bags I could find and decided I would turn them into something I would use not only to go grocery shopping, but something I would wear as a an accessory.
The first cloth bag that I began embroidering was called "La gente quiere explotar" (all of them have something written). I liked the idea of combining powerful words with something visually appealing. It took some effort to apply what I learned to the cloth bag but after a few days I was done. I was very proud of my results. The next cloth bag I did was the most difficult one and the one that I feel most proud of. It took me about 2 weeks, everyday, for 2-4 hours. It is the cloth bag with flowers and tiny blue dots. The last one I did was very simple and took me very little time but I think the message is powerful enough to make a statement.
After I finished those 3 cloth bags, I decided to sell them to my friends or family. My goal is to keep working on my embroidery and to do more cloth bags and sell more because people really liked them and I think that by making these type of cloth bags more popular I am also taking care of the environment.
By my workshop classes and my personal time embroidering, I learned so many things. I learned that dedication and effort will always make whatever you are doing meaningful. As I was working in my second cloth bag, my mom told me why I worked on it so hard and my brother bothered me because he didn't understand why I would spend so much time in something that I didn't have to do. But the things is that I wanted to do it for myself and I wanted to do it as best as I could. When I finished, I knew it wasn't' the most beautiful bag ever and there were maybe even a few mistakes I made; however, I cant deny the fact that I felt very pleased with myself and that the bag has a special meaning to me. Patience is another thing that I learned to have. I've never been someone patient. But having to pull thread by thread, for every figure I wanted to make, wasn't as awful as I thought it would be. I realized that sometimes taking your time and enjoying the process as you work hard for something can be relaxing instead of stressful.
exploring new embroidery techniques
Learning outcomes:
Identify own strengths and develop areas for growth
Show commitment to and perseverance in CAS experiences
As I enjoyed creating embroidery bags and became familiar with the basic techniques, I decided to continue doing this implementing new materials and methods of embroidering. I was very proud of my outcome as I learned to combine little pearls and other forms of embellishment with threads. I also challenged myself with new and more demanding designs, such as butterflies, an eye, or a snake. Furthermore, I worked for the first time in a cotton shirt, using a minimalistic and simple design since the materials is not made for embroidery. I think that my skills are improving and but also my creativity. I even framed one of my creations and sold it. I will continues being perseverant and developing new creative ways to continue with my embroidery.
Identify own strengths and develop areas for growth
Show commitment to and perseverance in CAS experiences
As I enjoyed creating embroidery bags and became familiar with the basic techniques, I decided to continue doing this implementing new materials and methods of embroidering. I was very proud of my outcome as I learned to combine little pearls and other forms of embellishment with threads. I also challenged myself with new and more demanding designs, such as butterflies, an eye, or a snake. Furthermore, I worked for the first time in a cotton shirt, using a minimalistic and simple design since the materials is not made for embroidery. I think that my skills are improving and but also my creativity. I even framed one of my creations and sold it. I will continues being perseverant and developing new creative ways to continue with my embroidery.
Medium Blog posts
Learning outcomes:
Show commitment to and perseverance in CAS experiences
Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process
One of my passions is writing. A method in which I'm continually exploring and developing my writing is through Medium blog posts. I started using Medium in 1oth grade on Innovation Academy as part of my assignments. However, I haven't stopped using it ever since. I like sharing my ideas through what I write, be it in English or Spanish. One of the reasons why it was hard for me to leave the Innovation Academy program was because writing and creating things with purpose was a big part of who I'd become and I was not sure if I'd feel like that ever again in the IB. When I'm not busy with school work or other activities, I find myself writing in my journal, my phone, my laptop... Since leaving 10th grade I've written, edited, and posted, 14 blog posts. I do take a long time to create these writing pieces but I find meaning, entertainment, and growth in this process. You can check my Medium account and posts using this link: https://medium.com/@21storre
Show commitment to and perseverance in CAS experiences
Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process
One of my passions is writing. A method in which I'm continually exploring and developing my writing is through Medium blog posts. I started using Medium in 1oth grade on Innovation Academy as part of my assignments. However, I haven't stopped using it ever since. I like sharing my ideas through what I write, be it in English or Spanish. One of the reasons why it was hard for me to leave the Innovation Academy program was because writing and creating things with purpose was a big part of who I'd become and I was not sure if I'd feel like that ever again in the IB. When I'm not busy with school work or other activities, I find myself writing in my journal, my phone, my laptop... Since leaving 10th grade I've written, edited, and posted, 14 blog posts. I do take a long time to create these writing pieces but I find meaning, entertainment, and growth in this process. You can check my Medium account and posts using this link: https://medium.com/@21storre
Poetry club
Learning Outcomes:
Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process
Demonstrate the skills and recognize the benefits of working collaboratively
As an extension of my passion to write and share ideas, Ms. Nellie Bridge proposed the idea of Poetry club; a safe space to share new poems every week and support each other's work. I liked the idea of writing poetry and listening to others, however, verbally sharing my work was a challenge, one that I am still facing. In this club, one of the rules is that you can't say any disclaimers before reading your fresh poem, which might seem easy, but in reality is so hard. It is so hard for me not to judge my work or try to validate it with a negative excuse. Poetry club is truly inspiring. It is a group of people who are not only passionate writers, but vulnerable and open to other's opinions on their work. Working with others has taught me how much I can learn from them. Sometimes I share a poem and people notice more literary techniques in it that I, the writer of it, even thought about. As soon as each meeting finishes (we meet each Friday), I am tempted to write more poems. Everyone's ideas and comments are inspiring to me. I am learning to think of my audience as my helpers, as supporters, rather than enemies. I am learning to become comfortable sharing my work and finding ways to improve it without degrading my effort and good intentions. Below, I display a few lines of my poetry.
Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process
Demonstrate the skills and recognize the benefits of working collaboratively
As an extension of my passion to write and share ideas, Ms. Nellie Bridge proposed the idea of Poetry club; a safe space to share new poems every week and support each other's work. I liked the idea of writing poetry and listening to others, however, verbally sharing my work was a challenge, one that I am still facing. In this club, one of the rules is that you can't say any disclaimers before reading your fresh poem, which might seem easy, but in reality is so hard. It is so hard for me not to judge my work or try to validate it with a negative excuse. Poetry club is truly inspiring. It is a group of people who are not only passionate writers, but vulnerable and open to other's opinions on their work. Working with others has taught me how much I can learn from them. Sometimes I share a poem and people notice more literary techniques in it that I, the writer of it, even thought about. As soon as each meeting finishes (we meet each Friday), I am tempted to write more poems. Everyone's ideas and comments are inspiring to me. I am learning to think of my audience as my helpers, as supporters, rather than enemies. I am learning to become comfortable sharing my work and finding ways to improve it without degrading my effort and good intentions. Below, I display a few lines of my poetry.
NAHS: Artwork
Learning outcomes:
Undertaken new challenges
Developed new skills
As a member of the National Arts Honor Society, I am actively engaged in artistic activities to explore new techniques and develop my skills. During the first months of quarantine, the NAHS decided to launch their Instagram account in order to continue creating art works while still engaging with the FDR community. I decided to be one of the first members to share an artwork. I wasn't sure what I wanted to create for this assignment and after planning and exploring possibilities I decided to incorporate my embroidery skills in a piece of cloth colored with acuarelas and filled with fragments of a poem. First, I sketched and prototyped my drawing in paper, then in the cloth, and later, I colored with acuarelas. I went over several times with he acuarela to increase the vibrancy of the colors. Then, I embroidered flowers in the drawing. Finally, I glued fragments of a poem written by Eielson. I wanted to create a contrast between the formality and rigidness of the suit and the beauty in the flowers to represent the dehumanization of a mundane and superficial lifestyle. This message is emphasized by the text too.
Undertaken new challenges
Developed new skills
As a member of the National Arts Honor Society, I am actively engaged in artistic activities to explore new techniques and develop my skills. During the first months of quarantine, the NAHS decided to launch their Instagram account in order to continue creating art works while still engaging with the FDR community. I decided to be one of the first members to share an artwork. I wasn't sure what I wanted to create for this assignment and after planning and exploring possibilities I decided to incorporate my embroidery skills in a piece of cloth colored with acuarelas and filled with fragments of a poem. First, I sketched and prototyped my drawing in paper, then in the cloth, and later, I colored with acuarelas. I went over several times with he acuarela to increase the vibrancy of the colors. Then, I embroidered flowers in the drawing. Finally, I glued fragments of a poem written by Eielson. I wanted to create a contrast between the formality and rigidness of the suit and the beauty in the flowers to represent the dehumanization of a mundane and superficial lifestyle. This message is emphasized by the text too.
NEHS: Social MEdia Manager
Learning Outcomes:
Planned and initiated activities
Worked collaboratively with others
Shown perseverance and commitment in their activities
Due to the current circumstances in consequence to the pandemic, my role as a treasurer of the National English Honor Society became irrelevant. Therefore, I immediately adopted the role of Social Media Manager and launched the NEHS's Instagram account as soon as quarantine began. The goal of this account is to push our members into writing blog posts, reviews, poems, and more and to encourage them to publicly share them. I have created a Shared Google Drive folder for the Instagram account in which there is a detailed posting schedule assigned to each member. Every week I post a new piece of writing by collecting members' works, editing it, formatting it, and creating a consistent visual layout to post it. Up until now, the Instagram account has 65 followers and 20 posts, including some of my own. During my experience as a Social Media Manager, I have learned to work with others to get tasks done at time and efficiently. I have also learned to create consisting schedules and ways to interact with the rest of the FDR community. It has been exciting to read, edit, and write poems, blogs, opinion articles, and more.
Planned and initiated activities
Worked collaboratively with others
Shown perseverance and commitment in their activities
Due to the current circumstances in consequence to the pandemic, my role as a treasurer of the National English Honor Society became irrelevant. Therefore, I immediately adopted the role of Social Media Manager and launched the NEHS's Instagram account as soon as quarantine began. The goal of this account is to push our members into writing blog posts, reviews, poems, and more and to encourage them to publicly share them. I have created a Shared Google Drive folder for the Instagram account in which there is a detailed posting schedule assigned to each member. Every week I post a new piece of writing by collecting members' works, editing it, formatting it, and creating a consistent visual layout to post it. Up until now, the Instagram account has 65 followers and 20 posts, including some of my own. During my experience as a Social Media Manager, I have learned to work with others to get tasks done at time and efficiently. I have also learned to create consisting schedules and ways to interact with the rest of the FDR community. It has been exciting to read, edit, and write poems, blogs, opinion articles, and more.
Sociedad Honoraria hispánica
Learning Outcomes:
Demonstrate the skills and recognize the benefits of working collaboratively.
Identify your own strengths and develop areas for personal growth.
As a member of Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica or the Spanish National Honor Society, I, along with other members and the cabinet, have been brainstorming ideas since last school semester of what we can do for the FDR community. Based on these ideas, we got divided into three different groups, one of them being the Text Recommendation Committee. In this committee, we use social media to share with other high school students text recommendations in Spanish. For our first post, I decided to work collaboratively with two other members to achieve an Instagram post encompassing six book recommendations. The steps into these were simple: Each of us was to choose two Spanish books we enjoyed and write a short review for it. However, by carrying out this task, I believe that my collaborative skills have improved, as the three of us had to agree on deadlines, remind each other of these deadlines, give each other feedback on our reviews, and create a visual format for our posts that we all liked. I realize now that a skill that I often lack when working collaboratively maintains communication with my team members because I tend to want to do everything by myself. However, due to the tight deadline we were given and the stress I was experiencing from school work, I had to learn to rely on my teammates. Ultimately, our group could post our six text recommendations on time are now planning on our next Instagram post soon. I ended up writing a short review for the books El mito de sisifo by Albert Camus and Prosas apatridas by Julio Ramon Ribeyro. Not only am I learning to trust and communicate more effectively, but to improve my writing skills by sharing my thoughts on literary texts on social media.
Demonstrate the skills and recognize the benefits of working collaboratively.
Identify your own strengths and develop areas for personal growth.
As a member of Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica or the Spanish National Honor Society, I, along with other members and the cabinet, have been brainstorming ideas since last school semester of what we can do for the FDR community. Based on these ideas, we got divided into three different groups, one of them being the Text Recommendation Committee. In this committee, we use social media to share with other high school students text recommendations in Spanish. For our first post, I decided to work collaboratively with two other members to achieve an Instagram post encompassing six book recommendations. The steps into these were simple: Each of us was to choose two Spanish books we enjoyed and write a short review for it. However, by carrying out this task, I believe that my collaborative skills have improved, as the three of us had to agree on deadlines, remind each other of these deadlines, give each other feedback on our reviews, and create a visual format for our posts that we all liked. I realize now that a skill that I often lack when working collaboratively maintains communication with my team members because I tend to want to do everything by myself. However, due to the tight deadline we were given and the stress I was experiencing from school work, I had to learn to rely on my teammates. Ultimately, our group could post our six text recommendations on time are now planning on our next Instagram post soon. I ended up writing a short review for the books El mito de sisifo by Albert Camus and Prosas apatridas by Julio Ramon Ribeyro. Not only am I learning to trust and communicate more effectively, but to improve my writing skills by sharing my thoughts on literary texts on social media.