ARTIFACTS
With the help of my team members: Henry, Megan, Sandy, and Zobeir, we placed first place in the Engineering Alliance for the Arts Competition. Through many weeks of workshops and bridge project time in the Engineering Design and Graphics class, we were able to create a bridge, Soaring High, with the motto, "Simple, Sharp, Sophiscated". The bridge competition gave me the opportunity to see the real challege between teamwork. In the middle of constructing the bridge, one of my team members and I were in a big argument about the designs of the bridge. However, we came to learn the value of compromising and incorporating everyone's ideas into the final design. Because of this, we were able to win the competition.
Artifact 1: Engineering Designs and Graphics - Engineering Alliance for the Arts Bridge Competition
No, I’m Not a Perfectionist
To be a perfectionist is to be one who demands perfection of himself, herself, or others. I for one, am not a perfectionist.
My whole life, I’ve tried to pursue society’s high standards: being a perfectionist. Yes, I’ve gotten tons of those A’s on assignments and tests, joined and participated in most of the clubs and programs, and even put in those countless hours dedicated to the community. But somehow, every single time, I always fall short to others. For this reason, to compete with those who will be applying to the same colleges, to the same jobs with exceptional resumes and backgrounds, I needed to live up to society’s standards.
This meant I needed to add more A’s, more community service hours, and join more academic clubs and programs. As I held onto what was expected of me from society, I held onto more stress and anxiety for myself as well.
Until one day, all the anxiety, the stress, the pressure from others and from myself just suddenly fell beyond what I could take. I had a billion things floating through my mind, but I couldn’t even think straight to do one single thing. The endless possibilities of tasks I could do to make my life a perfect life later on; I couldn’t keep up with it anymore. It occurred to me then that no matter how many things I could fit on my schedule, society will want more and more and more.
So to society, my apologies that I can’t keep up with every single thing you want me to do so I can make that so called American Dream happen for me. My apologies to classmates and peers that my SATs won’t be a perfect score like yours. My apologies to family and friends that I’ll be disappointing because I’m not the next Harvard graduate nor the CEO of a multi-million dollar corporation.
I’m not a perfectionist, thank you very much; so don’t call me one.
With a perspective, I’m Winnie Zhou.
Artifact 2: English 3/4 - Perspective Essay
Artifact 3 : ACLC Leadership Conference
Inspired from a Leadership Seminar I attended at the UC Berkeley Clark Kerr Campus, I planned the first Leadership Conference of ACLC during my junior year. This was a day fill with speaker sessions from a diverse group of people in different career fields, workshops on the topic of Leadership, and of course, a keynote speaker.