Initial Letter
Life is what you make it. It's about the experiences you've had and what brought you there. That's what fuels inspiration. Being a leader begins with taking charge of your own life. Throughout the years, I've learned that you can't take one second for granted. To take charge, you must live in the moment. As a leader at Ripon High School, I wish to motivate the student body to get involved with school activities to make as many memories as possible. In this class, we have a large influence on what shapes our high school. I will influence the student body to reflect on their high school careers with dignity, knowing that they made the most of it. I am honored and excited to be a part of such a powerful program.
As an athletics commissioner, my job is to inform our school of upcoming sporting events. I want our athletes to feel as though they have the support of their school. I will ensure that athletes are highlighted for their accomplishments, whether it’s personal improvements or outstanding performances. I hope to take stats of games for the football team and use my work to better highlight the program. I would also like to bring awareness to the conditions of the softball and baseball fields. There is a lot of money being put into the football program. Meanwhile, other sports programs are being neglected. The hitting cage for the softball team is in bad condition. Also, the dugouts are extremely small and can barely fit a whole team. I want all of the sports programs to be equal in quality.
My goal for this year is to inspire. I want to inspire my friends and classmates to better themselves, I want to inspire my school to support each other, and I want to inspire my community to make an impact. I am already taking action to achieve these goals and I hope I can inspire more people throughout my high school career.
As an athletics commissioner, my job is to inform our school of upcoming sporting events. I want our athletes to feel as though they have the support of their school. I will ensure that athletes are highlighted for their accomplishments, whether it’s personal improvements or outstanding performances. I hope to take stats of games for the football team and use my work to better highlight the program. I would also like to bring awareness to the conditions of the softball and baseball fields. There is a lot of money being put into the football program. Meanwhile, other sports programs are being neglected. The hitting cage for the softball team is in bad condition. Also, the dugouts are extremely small and can barely fit a whole team. I want all of the sports programs to be equal in quality.
My goal for this year is to inspire. I want to inspire my friends and classmates to better themselves, I want to inspire my school to support each other, and I want to inspire my community to make an impact. I am already taking action to achieve these goals and I hope I can inspire more people throughout my high school career.
Favorite Quotes
"It ain't about how hard you hit; it's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward."
- Rocky Balboa, Rocky Balboa
I live by this quote because it pushes me to persevere. You are not defined by your failures. How you use those failures to improve is what defines who you are. I use my failures to learn and grow instead of quitting when things don't go my way. This is what it means to have a growth mindset, which is what this quote is all about.
"It doesn’t matter if it’s good or if it’s terrible. It doesn’t matter because life isn’t about your final moments. It’s about the moments that lead up to them."
- Stefan Salvatore, The Vampire Diaries
When you near death, you look back on how your life went. You are going to remember when times were rough and when life was amazing. You are going to focus on the memories you made and the people you were with along the way. How you die does not matter. It does not define who you are or what your life was like. The experiences that you had throughout life are what matter the most, not your final moments.
"Carpe Diem, seize the day boys, make your lives extraordinary."
- N.H. Kleinbaum, Dead Poets Society
You cannot spend your life waiting for things to fall into your lap. If you want something, you need to do everything in your power to get it. Work to accomplish your goals and chase your dreams. Waiting will get you nowhere in life. Seize every opportunity that you get to succeed and aspire to be great. take control of your life. That is the only way you will find success.
Reflection Quote
"There are going to be people along the way who try to undercut your success or take credit for your accomplishments or your fame. But if you just focus on the work and you don’t let those people sidetrack you, someday, when you get where you’re going, you will look around and you will know — it was you, and the people who love you, who put you there. And that will be the greatest feeling in the world."
- Taylor Swift
This quote resonates with me and the experiences I have faced this year because I have grown and matured within this program. There were a lot of conflicts that I had to deal with, but I never let anyone drag me down. No matter how much credit someone would take for my work or judge me for what I have done for this class, I stayed true to myself and continued to work hard for my classmates because that is what this class is about. Instead of tearing people down, we should be building each other up and encouraging each other to push through the negatives and conflicts because perseverance can take you anywhere you want to go. I am confident in the fact that when I accomplish all of my goals in life, whether big or small, I will look back on what I have done for myself and others and know that with the efforts of me and the people who love me got me to that place, just as Taylor Swift said.
Leadership Goals
Make the Best Powder Puff Ever
I want to make powder puff the best it has ever been. I coordinated a pretty amazing event last year with my partner, but I think that we can make it even better. The participation this year is looking really good so far, so I hope that people will stick with the event and help to make it extraordinary.
Role Model
As an upperclassmen this year, I want to be a role model for the younger students on campus. I work to set a good example for my peers every day because that is what being a member of this program is about. I want to show my classmates what it takes to lead and how to be a good role model for the people around them.
Short-Term Goals
Go to My Dream College
I did a college tour on the east coast over the summer and it completely changed the way I am looking at schools. I have certain requirements on my "Things That a College Must Have" list that I didn't know I needed before I toured campuses. Harvard was my number one choice for a long time, but it went down on my list really fast. My current favorite is Duke, but I still have more schools to look at to make my final decision.
Graduate at the Top of My Class
Last year I was certain that I wanted to be valedictorian. My perception has changed. I do not need to be number one anymore. I always strive to be the best, but I do not want to give up on living just so that I can gain a title that won't matter a few years down the road. High school is supposed to be fun and easy. I still want to be at the top of my class, but that doesn't mean that I need to be valedictorian.
Long-Term Goals
Get My Dream Job
I have wanted to be a neurosurgeon for a long time. That is still my dream job, but I have been considering other options. I don't feel like I am as passionate about neurosurgery as I used to be. I feel like there is a missing piece to the puzzle, so my goal is to find it so that I can get my dream job, whatever that may be.
Get Married and Start a Family
Since I started high school, I have had long thoughts about my future. Most of the time, I think about my career. But recently, I have begun to think about my future as a wife and a mother. I don't think about romantic relationships often because it isn't a priority in my life right now. But one day, I want to marry my soulmate and start a family.
Reflection of Goals
Make the Best Powder Puff Ever
Powder Puff was amazing this year. We raised so much money for the leadership program and there were so many people that got involved with the game. There were more coaches, players, and cheerleaders than we have ever seen before. It was so awesome to see students be vulnerable and try something new because they could have easily chosen to not play, but they did and I am so grateful for all of their participation. I look forward to seeing how the event goes next year and helping the new athletics commissioners along the way.
Role Model
I have been through a lot this year and I think that I have set a good example to my peers by being resilient. I have made connections with underclassmen and have served as a role model to them by leading them through new aspects of high school. I have also served as a role model to people in my class by being my authentic self and persevering through whatever life throws at me. I love being a leader and making a positive impact on people, so I plan to continue to do so in the future.
Go to My Dream College
Unfortunately, I have not picked a dream school yet. I have many schools that I am interested in applying to, but I cannot pick a favorite yet. I have been looking into the University of Michigan, Duke, and the University of North Carolina the most. I have been researching as often as possible to make sure that I will apply to the colleges that will be the best fit for me because I plan to start the application processes this summer. I look forward to seeing where my research and applications take me.
Graduate at the Top of My Class
Throughout my junior year, my grades have gone up and down. I have learned that trying to be a perfectionist with my grades is not healthy, so I have taken a step back to enjoy my high school career and be more flexible when it comes to my grades. I currently do not have straight A's and I have never been happier. I am finally starting to find balance between working hard and having fun, which is so amazing because when i started high school I would never imagine myself being where I am now. I will probably have straight A's by the end of the semester, but I no longer let my grades define who I am.
Get My Dream Job
To my surprise, my dream job has changed. I have wanted to be a neurosurgeon for about five years and I have worked so hard to make strides towards achieving that goal, but I realized that maybe it is not the right path for me. I have not completely lost interest in the medical field because the desire to help people will always hold a special place in my heart, but I have found a passion for the world of business. As of right now, I want to find the perfect business major for me in college and become an investor in the future.
Get Married and Start a Family
One reason I changed my dream job is because I realized that being a neurosurgeon does not leave a lot of time for me to have a family and be present in their lives. I want to not only have a family, but be there to spend time with them and show them what real love looks like. As a neurosurgeon, I would not be able to do that, so I found a job that I can be passionate about while still caring for my family. Life is all about finding balance and I think that I am getting better at it as I get older.
People Magazine Cover |
People Magazine Article |
Ava Brocchini is a sixteen-year-old junior that attends Ripon High School. She was selected to be Athletics Commissioner for the leadership program to represent sports at her school. This is her second year in leadership, and she has worked extremely hard to put in her best work for this program. Ava always supports her peers and her teachers when they need it. This year, her goal is to inspire others. She wants to motivate her friends and classmates to better themselves, encourage her school to support each other, and inspire her community to make an impact. She has already taken action to achieve this goal, as seen in her exceeding contributions to homecoming for the junior class. Ava hopes she can inspire more people throughout her high school career.
Outside of school, Ava enjoys playing softball, raising a market steer for FFA along with an entire cattle operation, and planning for her future. She has multiple commitments for various activities. She plays softball weekly, spends time with her steer daily, and does research for colleges and careers when she has free time. Ava is a part of the Congress of Future Medical Leaders. She attends a conference every few months to learn more about the medical field and meet some of the best healthcare professionals. Throughout Ava's high school career, she has learned many life lessons. To keep her motivated, she creates goals for her to accomplish in the future. To be a neurosurgeon, Ava knows she has a long road ahead. She continues to work hard to keep up her 4.0+ GPA to get into her dream college. To be the best, you have to receive the best education. Ava toured fifteen colleges over the summer to find the best fit for her. Her two favorite colleges were Duke and the University of North Carolina. Although she loved both universities, Ava wants to tour more and keep her eyes open for new opportunities. She hopes that one day she will have an impact on the world as her mentors did. Dr. Ben Carson has been an inspiration to Ava and continues to motivate her to strive to be the best. |
Role Model
My mom, Janna, is someone who I admire and has made an impact on my life. As a parent, it is your job to support your child , love your child, and take care of them. I know a lot of people that have parents that do the bare minimum, but I am grateful to say that my mom goes above and beyond to make sure that my life is special and fulfilling. She cooks breakfast and dinner for me everyday. She always makes homemade food to make sure that I am fully nourished at all times. She has her own successful business to make sure that she provides the best life and opportunities for me and my brother. She spends every minute of free time with our family, making us feel loved and cared for. She has been through so much, and even though she didn't grow up in the best situation, she makes sure that my brother and I will never experience what she did at our age. She is strong, beautiful, and courageous. She takes us on adventures all of the time because she loves to travel, which is a passion that she has passed on to me. I am forever grateful for the sacrifices that she has made to support our family and I love her so much. I hope that she continues to live every day like it is her last because she deserves nothing less than the best. I know that she will support me no matter what path of life I take, and I hope I can continue to do the same for her. I wish I was more like her every day and I hope that I am a great mother like she is some day.
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Inner Animal
The animal that best represents me is a lion. Lions are a little aggressive, but determined. Like a lion, I am a little resistant to people outside of my immediate friend group, but I am very loyal to the people I love. I am not opposed to being friendly and meeting new people, but I like to stay close to my best friends and my family. Lions are also good at making decisions and are very goal-oriented like myself. I dream big and I set large goals for my future because I am determined to succeed. Like lions, I never quit. I am resilient and I don't let anything get in my way. I strive for what I want and I protect the people I love. Because lions are thinking of the goal, they can step on people to reach it. Lions can be very aggressive and competitive, similar to me. I enjoy challenges, difficult assignments, and opportunities for advancement.
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The Best Things About Me
The Impact of Sounds and Words
Sign of the Times
Harry Styles
Just stop your crying
It's a sign of the times Welcome to the final show Hope you're wearing your best clothes You can't bribe the door on your way to the sky You look pretty good down here But you ain't really good If we never learn, we been here before Why are we always stuck and running from The bullets? The bullets We never learn, we been here before Why are we always stuck and running from The bullets? The bullets Just stop your crying It's a sign of the times We gotta get away from here We gotta get away from here Just stop your crying It'll be alright They told me that the end is near We gotta get away from here Just stop your crying Have the time of your life Breaking through the atmosphere And things are pretty good from here Remember everything will be alright We can meet again somewhere Somewhere far away from here We never learn, we been here before Why are we always stuck and running from The bullets? The bullets We never learn, we been here before Why are we always stuck and running from The bullets? The bullets |
Just stop your crying
It's a sign of the times We gotta get away from here We gotta get away from here Stop your crying Baby, it'll be alright They told me that the end is near We gotta get away from here We never learn, we been here before Why are we always stuck and running from The bullets? The bullets We never learn, we been here before Why are we always stuck and running from The bullets? The bullets We don't talk enough We should open up Before it's all too much Will we ever learn? We've been here before It's just what we know Stop your crying, baby It's a sign of the times We gotta get away We got to get away We got to get away We got to get away We got to get away We got to, we got to, away We got to, we got to, away We got to, we got to, away |
"Sign of the Times" resonates with me because it is a song about hardships and emotions. For some, opening up and being vulnerable is a sign of weakness, but it is actually a sign of strength because you are confident in yourself. When Harry said, "We don't talk enough, We should open up, Before it's all too much, Will we ever learn?, We've been here before, It's just what we know," it reminded of me of my lifelong habit of keeping my feelings to myself because I hate showing people my emotions. I have been working on changing this habit by opening up in ways that I normally wouldn't, such as hugging my friends every once in a while or talking about how I feel when I'm sad. Even though being vulnerable is not my strong suit, I have been trying to improve because showing your emotions is really important when it comes to relationships, which is an area I want to see success in for the future.
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Homecoming Picture Spread - "We Got the Beat"
What I Like Best About Being a Member of Leadership
Leadership means a million things to me. It has shaped my high school experience while also allowing me to grow. I have made so many friends through this program and I am so thankful for all of the experiences it has brought me. Being in high school can be tough, but leadership has given me a foundation and the motivation to push myself. Without this program, I would not have taken high school for what it really is, and that is a place to make memories that will last a lifetime. Speaking of memories, this year has been full of them. Last year, Anthony Sausedo taught me to cherish the weird moments, so I did. Homecoming was full of ups and downs, but it is my favorite memory of the year because I learned so much about myself and my classmates. It was a great way for us to bond and get to know each other better. Although we did not win in the end, we had so many fun experiences and I will remember the 2022 homecoming for the rest of my life. I love my class so much and I look forward to spending more time with them in the future.
A Reflection of a Peer in Leadership
It took me a moment to figure out who I would like to recognize because there are so many people in this program that I love and that make an impact on my life. Today, I chose my name twin, Ava. I aspire to be more like her every day because she is fun, charismatic, carefree, and inspirational. She does not care what others think and she is always herself, which makes me feel comfortable being myself around her. The other day I did something that was difficult for me, but not a lot of people noticed how hard it was for me to do this action. Ava came up to me and gave me a huge hug and told me how proud she was of me for being so brave. There are not a lot of people that notice the little things, but Ava does and I am so grateful for that. We have grown so much closer this year and I am so glad I get to call her my friend. I love her always and I look forward to spending more time with her every day.
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RHS Pride
What I Love to Do
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I spend my time doing various activities, but my favorite hobbies are softball and raising cattle for FFA. I have been playing softball for around ten years and it brings me so much joy. I have made some of my best friends playing the game. I love it because it is more than just a game, it is a way to build character, trust, and a team. I love getting loud on the field and being easily excited by seeing a ball hit in the air. Words can't describe how much the sport exhilarates me. It will be a pain to leave behind when I graduate high school.
I have been involved in agriculture my whole life, so it was pretty much inevitable that I would join FFA. I have been in the program for three years and I raise breeding and market animals. I started out with just two, and I will have fifteen by the end of calving season. It is crazy how fast my herd has grown, but I would change a thing. Those animals bring me so much joy and I look forward to seeing where they take me the next few years. |
Letter to Parents
Dear Mom and Dad,
I don't even know where to begin. Where did the time go? Seventeen years already. You have loved and supported me since the day I was born. I will never be able to repay you for all of the sacrifices you have made to give me the best life you could. You have been to every sporting event, every educational contest, and every other step of the way. Sometimes I ask myself, where would I be without you? The answer is nowhere. You have shaped me into the young woman I am today, and I am proud to call you my parents. I look forward to having my own children because of the examples you have set me. Thank you for everything. I will always love you.
Your daughter,
Ava
I don't even know where to begin. Where did the time go? Seventeen years already. You have loved and supported me since the day I was born. I will never be able to repay you for all of the sacrifices you have made to give me the best life you could. You have been to every sporting event, every educational contest, and every other step of the way. Sometimes I ask myself, where would I be without you? The answer is nowhere. You have shaped me into the young woman I am today, and I am proud to call you my parents. I look forward to having my own children because of the examples you have set me. Thank you for everything. I will always love you.
Your daughter,
Ava
General Advice
Dear Future Athletics Commissioners,
I have high hopes for you. Serving as an athletics commissioner is not a job to take light-heartedly. You do not have to plan as many events as some other leadership members, but the ones that you do organize are significant in their own way because they involve the entire student body. It may be difficult at times because you have never held this position before, but I will always be here to help guide you. Never be afraid to ask questions. Planning powder puff and dodgeball can be overwhelming because you are involving the whole school instead of just one class, but you will learn along the way the same way I did. I take pride in the work that I have done as Athletics Commissioner, so I have high expectations that you will serve up to the standards I am leaving behind. When you have a long break between your two biggest events, do not get lazy in class. If you have free time, do not spend it on your phone or messing around selfishly. Instead, ask your classmates if there is anything they need help with because there is always work to be done in class. That is what will set you apart and make you a good leader. You will have to work hard to host successful events and live up to the high expectations this class sets, but I have no doubt that you will succeed. Do not be afraid to contact me if you ever need help because that is what I am here for. Thank you for taking on the role to be next year's Athletics Commissioners. You will do amazing things in this position.
Sincerely,
Ava Brocchini
I have high hopes for you. Serving as an athletics commissioner is not a job to take light-heartedly. You do not have to plan as many events as some other leadership members, but the ones that you do organize are significant in their own way because they involve the entire student body. It may be difficult at times because you have never held this position before, but I will always be here to help guide you. Never be afraid to ask questions. Planning powder puff and dodgeball can be overwhelming because you are involving the whole school instead of just one class, but you will learn along the way the same way I did. I take pride in the work that I have done as Athletics Commissioner, so I have high expectations that you will serve up to the standards I am leaving behind. When you have a long break between your two biggest events, do not get lazy in class. If you have free time, do not spend it on your phone or messing around selfishly. Instead, ask your classmates if there is anything they need help with because there is always work to be done in class. That is what will set you apart and make you a good leader. You will have to work hard to host successful events and live up to the high expectations this class sets, but I have no doubt that you will succeed. Do not be afraid to contact me if you ever need help because that is what I am here for. Thank you for taking on the role to be next year's Athletics Commissioners. You will do amazing things in this position.
Sincerely,
Ava Brocchini
Do's and Don'ts List
Do:
- Plan events in advance
- Ask for help
- Publicize events (take advantage of social media)
- Work as a team
- Help your classmates
- Communicate
- Celebrate your successes
- Involve as much of the student body as possible
- Be yourself
- Start planning powder puff and dodgeball at least a month in advance
- Procrastinate
- Turn in late work
- Keep to yourself
- Waste your time
- Give all responsibilities to one person
- Be late
- Be afraid to ask for help
- Wait until the last minute to fill out a procedure form
Contact List
Mrs. Mortensen - Activities Director of Ripon High School Leadership
[email protected]
301 N. Acacia Ave
Ripon, CA 95366
Karen Gay - Owner of Just Rewards
[email protected]
(209) 743-8090
203 W Main St
Ripon, CA 95366
Mr. Perez - Freshmen Class Advisor for Ripon High School & Dodgeball Coordinator
[email protected]
301 N. Acacia Ave
Ripon, CA 95366
Caroline Hutto
[email protected]
(209) 522-5238
1213 Coffee Road, Suite D
Modesto CA 95355
Vince Hobbs
[email protected]
301 N. Acacia Ave
Ripon, CA 95366
[email protected]
301 N. Acacia Ave
Ripon, CA 95366
Karen Gay - Owner of Just Rewards
[email protected]
(209) 743-8090
203 W Main St
Ripon, CA 95366
Mr. Perez - Freshmen Class Advisor for Ripon High School & Dodgeball Coordinator
[email protected]
301 N. Acacia Ave
Ripon, CA 95366
Caroline Hutto
[email protected]
(209) 522-5238
1213 Coffee Road, Suite D
Modesto CA 95355
Vince Hobbs
[email protected]
301 N. Acacia Ave
Ripon, CA 95366
The Professional
One area of professional development that I found enjoyable to learn about was time management. It is an indispensable lesson for leaders and individuals who want to succeed in their lives. During this lesson, our leadership class analyzed how we spend our time and assessed our priorities. We identified what is significant to us and what we were spending the most time on. We learned that minor adjustments can have a substantial impact on the efficiency of our lives, enhancing our chances of success. We utilized a worksheet to reflect on our time expenditure and contemplate how we can modify our habits to improve our lives.
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The conflict management lesson was another favorite of mine. It comprised a lecture, reading activity, and homework quiz. We learned about the most effective ways to handle conflict in personal and professional relationships. These skills are particularly valuable in leadership roles where emotions can run high, stress levels are elevated, and a variety of issues need to be addressed. Being able to end conflict before it spirals out of control is a crucial skill that can be improved by everyone, including leaders. We learned techniques such as how to utilize body language, how to communicate clearly during moments of intense stress, and how our words can have a negative impact on others. Our communication strategies, both verbal and nonverbal, can significantly affect our relationships.
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Change
In leadership this year, my biggest challenge was giving people the benefit of the doubt and then getting frustrated when they took advantage of my patience. Despite my efforts to bring out the best in people, some individuals continued to make mistakes and this prevented me from achieving my goals. I became increasingly frustrated and disappointed as things did not go as planned within the junior class, even though it is technically not a part of my job description to help them. This issue affected the leadership class as a whole, which aggravated me because we are supposed to be supporting each other instead of bringing each other down. To prevent this issue from recurring in the future, I plan to help make some changes. We need to make it known that it is not only essential to know your position, but also to know how much you have going on in your life and if you even have time to commit to the leadership program. If you are not in the right place in your life to commit long hours to the program, then you should recognize that and leave before it is too late because everyone depends on each other.
The Ideal Leader
The qualities of an ideal leader can vary based on different factors, but there are some essential attributes that remain constant. A dedicated, passionate, hard-working, and open-minded individual is what defines an ideal leader, regardless of their role within the leadership class at Ripon High or any other organization. To be successful in serving the student body to the fullest potential, a leader must hold themselves to high standards and not let down their team. They should be hardworking, put their best foot forward, and get past personal conflicts within the leadership class. An ideal leader should represent themselves well, treat others with respect, and conduct themselves in a professional and mature manner both inside and outside of the leadership class. This includes completing all their school work and making an effort to excel in all aspects of their lives. Furthermore, kindness and compassion are crucial when leading an inclusive and positive culture. Leaders should avoid being impatient and angry and strive to be respectful when leading groups of people. These qualities are essential for any ideal leader to possess and can be the key to their success in any leadership role.
Confident
Projects - Multiple Pages
Procedure Forms
Powder Puff
Dodgeball
Evaluations
2nd Quarter
3rd Quarter
Purchase Orders
Balloons for Tribe Awards
Budgets
ASB Budget
Formal ASB Reports
August 2022
September 2022
October/November 2022
December 2022
January 2023
February 2023
ASB Minutes
August
September & Homecoming
November
December
Social Media Posts
Powder Puff
Dodgeball