At San Lorenzo Valley High, students are taught to be well-rounded individuals, community contributors, effective communicators, collaborative workers, quality producers, and complex thinkers. I have learned a lot about what it means to BE SLV STRONG throughout these years of writing and ceramics. 

 

Ceramics has contributed deeply to me becoming the student I am. It's easy to imagine an example of something we do in each ceramics class that connects to every trait of an SLV STRONG student. For example, our ceramics class requires us to be well-rounded Individuals and community contributors in several ways throughout the period. I actively participate in the community by cleaning up my area and any tools for the next class, as well as doing a task as a table that rotates weekly, such as cleaning out the sinks for everyone. In any artistic class, it is vital to respect the opinions and diversity of others, whether it be someone's art, or any other difference there is no place in Mrs. Thompson's class for disrespecting anyone's opinions or diversity. We demonstrate integrity and responsibility by taking care of our classroom and the materials that have been provided for our use. It is important to actively listen in ceramics because the instructions and advice we ask for are only there to help us and can only do so if we listen actively. We exercise kindness and empathy to our fellow artists by showing support and helping them when we can. In my opinion, collaboration has been one of the most interesting things to experience in this class. Whether the goal is to create a sculpture based on another student's poetry or just to create something new by combining the styles of 2 artists, these teach lessons in collaboration.

 

While writing obviously contributes to growth in becoming Effective communicators, collaborative workers, well-rounded individuals, and community contributors, I believe that writing contributes the most to growth and development in producing quality work and complex thinking. For example, in a typical essay problem problem-solving and critical thinking skills are required to craft a well-thought-out thesis statement, find evidence, and use that evidence to prove said thesis, all while navigating the nuances of language, grammar, spelling, and format. Along with critical thinking, writers need to produce high-quality work through drafting, self-editing, peer editing, revisions, and so on until the piece is ready to be put in the hands of a reader. Writing involves constantly learning and being willing and able to adapt. For a memoir, one must look within and learn about oneself, while for fiction a writer may be well off to research and learn more of the historical context and time surrounding a character or event, while simultaneously learning more of their craft and the finer skills and subtleties of it. 

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In wrapping up my time at San Lorenzo Valley High, I've come to embody what it means to be SLV STRONG, thanks to my experiences in ceramics and writing. From scrubbing down the classroom to collaborating on creative projects, ceramics has taught me responsibility, respect, and the power of teamwork. Meanwhile, writing has sharpened my communication skills and critical thinking, pushing me to produce top-notch work through many drafts and revisions. Whether crafting essays or exploring fictional and real worlds, writing has challenged me to think deeper and express myself more effectively. As I move forward, I carry these lessons with me, ready to tackle whatever comes my way with confidence and creativity.