Survival Manual

This is the unit 3 Action Project for my Endurance course. This is the third humanities course in the senior Global Vision series. Unit 3 was titled Apotheosis, which means becoming divine, and focused on investigating the endurance of survivors. We utilized their experiences as inspiration for our personal missions. The unit was guided by the survivors stories. We examined how survival changes ones mind and heart. After clearly determining my mission in unit one and working on it in unit two, I needed to figure out how my mission is going to survive. The action project for the unit called upon students to create a survival manual for their mission with the hope of guiding themselves in addition to inspiring others. I really enjoyed this unit as it exposed a lot of the challenges in a mission. This unit emphasized the reality that life is hard and in order to succeed you need to have a clear vision and work towards it. This course has helped further develop my perception of self. The action project allowed me to dive deeper into my mission and think about how it'll unfold in time. I really appreciated the individuality and practically of this project. I think that this was a wonderful way to conclude the unit and move into the next stage of my life!

VLOG : Mission In Action

This is the unit 2 Action Project for my Endurance course. This is the third humanities course in the senior Global Vision series. Unit 2 was titled Katabasis and focused on how to dive into your mission. The first unit was about identification and this unit was focused on action. Katabasis means diving into the strange underworld with dangers all around. We utilized Dante's Inferno as a key resource throughout the unit. It was extraordinarily moving for me and allowed me to further understand the heroes journey. Parallels were drawn between Dante's journey and my own. I began to take the story and relate it to my life. It was one of the most influential texts I've encountered during my schooling. The unit also investigated the the journey of remarkable individuals who endured seemingly crazy missions. David Blaine is a remarkable example of someone we learned and talked about. Seeing his feats and then hearing him talk about his mindset and the process behind them made me very excited. The things he accomplished were mind-blowing to me and he explained that through practice, handwork, patience, and a will almost anything can be done. For the AP, students were asked to work on their mission for at least 12 hours and document it. I decided to paint my largest canvas ever. My mission was to provide people with the keys to unlock their own doors of perception and I determined the best way to do so was with a large painting. I really enjoyed this project as it allowed me to work on something I truly love. In addition to the painting, I really liked making the video. It allowed me to utilize a different side of my creativity. The project was definitely challenging at times but my passion kept me engaged and moving forward. I adored this unit and believe this is one of my best AP's ever!

Autobiography

This is the unit 1 Action Project for my Endurance course. This course is the third and final humanities course in the senior Global Vision series. The course focussed on how to find your journey in life and live it. We examined historical examples of people who refused to lose or give up. We pushed ourselves in the course physically and mentally through a variety of exercises. We learned endurance through enduring. Unit 1 of was titled Morpheus and focused on the dream or mission one will pursue in life. This unit allowed me to further understand and explore where I want to be in life. A variety of readings, class discussions, and FE's made this unit run wonderfully. The action project asked students to put themselves in the future and write an autobiography about their life. I really enjoyed the creative aspect of this project and believed it wrapped up the unit very nicely. After completing my autobiography chapter, I reconfirmed my life's aspirations as well as paid homage to how I got there. Overall, I really enjoyed this unit and it's AP.

Chapter 1

A life Being Lived

MS, Warp of Life, 2017

It all began on Tuesday, August 18th, 1998 when a newly married couple decided to go for breakfast. The restaurant of choice was the original Mitchell’s on Clybourn Ave, which was a favorite spot of theirs but has been closed for many years now. Their food as well as the space was consistent but there was a unique vibe present in the atmosphere. It was a warm summer morning and the two lovers were eagerly awaiting their entrance into parenthood. Following breakfast, the couple continued to enjoy the beautiful day by going for a walk. What started as simple stroll soon shifted into a life changing moment. Intense and consistent contractions signalled to the couple that I, their first creation, was finally ready to come out into the world. While at Prentice Women’s Hospital, I continued to internally notify my mother that It was time for me to be free. At 9:02 PM, I made my entrance into the world. The cutting of the umbilical cord, the physical connector between my mother and me, left me as an individual for the first time. My first solo breathe signalled the start to a never ending personal journey.

My early years were spent bonding with my parents as well as learning about myself and the world through my experiences. My connection to my parents, particularly my mother, was very strong. Our similarities as well her unconditional love for me made it difficult for us to split. I remember hysterically crying when she left me at two hour daycare and not stopping until she picked me up. This deeply rooted connection as well as the emotions it produced evolved over time. When I was around five years old my mother went on a short getaway with her friend. At that point in my life, I was able to leave her with ease for short periods of time but hadn’t experienced prolonged separation. Her departure produced a feeling I’d never felt before. The mental sadness that often came with our separation wasn’t present. A physical sensation reminiscent of not being able to breathe took over my mind and body. The uncertainty of the situation landed me in the emergency room at Children’s Memorial hospital. The intensity of my emotions kept me from fully processing the situation. My father arrived and spoke with various staff members. What was initially believed to be a breathing problem turned out to be my separation anxiety manifesting physically. My father was pleased to hear it was an emotional issue as it allowed him to bring me home and have a plan for combating it. When my mother came back, my parents took me into the front of the house and sat me down to chat. They told me I was going to start seeing a feelings doctor who I could play and talk with. Their salesmanship was stellar, I instantly bought into it. The next week I went to meet him and have our first appointment. I played with toys, screamed, swore and even cried. Unknowingly at the time, I was beginning to embark on my life’s mission of consistent self progression.

I became fully immersed in the psychoanalytic process, attending sessions four days a week. Each session produced new answers along with new questions. The process brought a plethora of my internal issues to the surface. I thought I entered psychoanalysis for one reason but it turned out to be for several. Coming to this understanding was initially very discouraging as It left me believing I had moved backwards. It took me a lot of time to realize that uncovering and working through the issues was a necessary step in effectively moving forward. Once I wholeheartedly embraced the process of problem solving, psychoanalysis became my favorite thing in life. It allowed me to explore myself and my ideas in ways I never imagined possible. I gained tremendous confidence and excitement which directly translated to my creative business ventures. Learning how to problem solve and plan on a personal level was extremely beneficial in the creation of several businesses throughout my life. Seeing the impact of psychoanalysis in my life allowed me to become consciously aware of it being my central mission. I was seeing it, therefore I was believing it.

Psychoanalysis helped engrain my mission of self progression into my mind, body, and soul. The years of my engagement in the process gave me the ability to recognize that traditional schooling wasn’t my fit. I was able to speak up and change my situation for the better. Being able to recognize where you fit in is key but it must be followed by action. Knowing that I wanted to endlessly work on bettering myself, I explored for the best outlet to do so. For my whole life I had been a creative spirit who enjoyed to doodle and make a mess. Out of pure curiosity and spontaneity, I began to make doodles again. These doodles quickly turned into paintings and each painting became progressively larger. I was slowly working my way towards the mirror to my soul. The large scale artwork provided me with a type of emotional outlet I’d never experienced. I was able to translate every emotion, energy, desire, thought into something permanent. I started using the canvas as a mental playground with no rules or expectations. Painting has taught me to be in the moment. The pieces I created were direct translations of my inner world. I was finally finding the gratification and contentment I was after.

The paintings got bigger and the vision progressed. I utilized my increasing self awareness to recognize the current moment and react to it artistically. Just like life, my art became a compilation of my emotions and energies. I admitted my ignorance along with my desire to grow and set off for NYC. I left all that I had known but that was alright because I was going towards what I believed I wanted. I was responding to the ebb and flow of life. Preparation was essential, but nothing could effectively prepare me for the transition. It was scary because it was brand new. There were no expectations, only possibilities. My life long vision was coming into fruition. Things were occurring as I imagined them in my head. The focuss became centered and the purpose was clear. I was to make as much honest artwork as possible in order to be happy. I had found my key to the now, my access to myself.

Sitting all alone in a spacious and well lit room, I think of my past. I know the past is gone forever and the future is just out of reach. My breathe allows me to feel everything, my entire universe, while only being present in the here and now. How and why did I get to where I am? How did my journey unfold? I continuously question myself, but often never find the answers. All I can do is pay tribute to those who’ve undeniably played a role in my life. My grandpa, my father's father, was born in NYC during the great depression. His entire life was defined by overcoming adversity and making the most of every situation. His experiences in life have been super important in instilling ideas of patients, respect, and awareness in me. His subtle way of speaking inspired me to become a better communicator. Such a large part of why I create is to communicate. I want to work in a medium that has no boundaries. I want my artwork to cross all walks of life and the earth. I’ve seen the direct impact of working on myself and want to share the experience being in touch with one's inner self through art. My goal in life has and will continue to be providing people with the keys to unlock their own doors of perception.

Future Of Equality

This is the unit two Action Project for my humanities course Equality. Unit two was titled Herstory and investigated what the future of equality will look like. We studied modern issues involving gender, race, and class. We learned about the feminist movement of 1970's and how it helped to shape certain fights for equality today. The class discussed about how one hears the voices of the marginalized. The action project asked students to look one hundred years into the future and create a time capsule. The time capsule contains various documents which shed light on a specific event relating to equality. I really liked this unit as it allowed me to question a lot of my prior ideas. I like how herstory contradicts some of the fundamental ideas of history. This unit was wonderful and I believe the AP was a creative and engaging way to finish it up.

America’s Destiny:A Futuristic New-Source 

February 24, 2117 

Bridge To Be Built Between The US And Mexico!

   The beginning of the 2100’s has brought a plethora of significant advancements and achievements in equality for all. The United States has recently been focusing their efforts on unifying Americans and Mexicans with a revolutionary border bridge. 

   Various unification efforts have been underway for the past few decades. Currently, there lacks systems and policies that effectively reflect the Mexican majority present here in America.      

Conversations regarding the construction of a border bridge began taking place in Washington, DC last year. An official proposal for the bridge was presented to congress yesterday. 

   The bill received bipartisan support because of it’s potential to produce a substantial cultural and economic impact. Congress’s session prioritized the formulation a budget and timeline. A major component of the proposition is creating a bridge that can be properly utilized across the entirety of the US and Mexico border. The people traveling between the two countries need entry points several times along the border in order for the program and structure to work as intended.
   Another fundamental component is that Mexico will participate in the financing and construction of the bridge. The significant time and monetary investment required for the construction and maintenance should be shared amongst the two countries. History has shown us what racism and xenophobia can do to our nation’s values, progress, and relationships. The intention of the bridge is to recognize our borders as doors rather than walls.
   The bridge is intended to stretch across the whole US - Mexico border and include access points in California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. Both US and Mexican citizens will be able to travel back and forth between the two countries from any of the access points. The accessibility of the entries is intended to increase the flow of people crossing. The United States and Mexico share the mutual belief that the bridge will generate economic and cultural prosperity.
   Construction is set to begin before the end of the year and is expected to take just under two years. The old days of “build that wall” are gone and the new days of a connected US - Mexico is approaching!

America’s Destiny:A Futuristic Newsource 

February 24, 2117 

Op-Ed

My name is Julio Sanchez and I’m a Mexican American. My parents made the bold decision to cross the border and have me here in the US. Their lives were secure back in Mexico. They had their friends and family. Both of them had a good job and they shared a nice home. Their decision to come here was made solely for me, their unborn son. Shortly after arriving in Texas they had me and we began our brand new life. They began new jobs but struggled to maintain them due to the language barrier as well as their legal status. We made it through the hard times and now hearing that there’s a strong possibility that our home land might unite with the US via bridge I am overwhelmed with emotion. So much of my history and identity was formed by that border. It acted as a wall both physically and psychologically. We couldn’t go back to our homeland. We were denied the ability to be with our family and culture. The new bill that would begin the construction on a border bridge is the most exciting policies i’ve seen come about in a long time. It recognizes the vast number of Mexicans in the US and their connection to home. It creates a legal framework for going back and forth between the two countries. The economic possibilities for both countries is endless. The transfer of culture and ethnic backgrounds will occur like never before. It really redefines prior notions of countries and borders. Instead of there being an impenetrable wall there is a bridge with has doors in it. For the first time my family will be able to go back where they came from. This act of removing the wall and turning into a bridge is a testament to the unified future we’re heading in.

Bill

An Act

The United States Of America will begin the construction of a border bridge along the entirety of the US - Mexico border. The US will be splitting the finances, construction, and maintenance with Mexico. Both countries hope to strengthen their economies and cultures. The design process officially begins on March 1 and construction will begin in July. The US and Mexico will work vigorously constructing the bridge. The United States and Mexico’s unified efforts towards the bridge will last roughly three years until construction is complete and then many years afterwards allowing the flow of people in and out for the betterment of both countries. 

Unity Puzzle

Come Unlock Your Mind!

Unity Puzzle, MS, 2017

This is a unity puzzle. The theme of the puzzle is turning walls into doors. It’s intended to subliminally inspire players to be more open minded. This game was created because acceptance and unity need to be more widely implemented and puzzle are timeless. A large part of the game is spent building the surrounding wall. After completion, the player realizes that through the wall lays a door to the other side. The hope for the game is to have players break down their walls and start recognizing the doors.

Textbook Chapter

This is the unit 1 Action Project for my Humanities course Equality. Unit 1 was titled history and was guided by the question "What is the history of the fight for equality?" In class we explored the history of race, gender, and class. We had conversations about current issues in our society and studied wonderful of equality fighters from across history. The Action Project was focused on telling a story. Students were asked to recount a significant historical event. Students were asked to create a chapter for a textbook focused on marginalized people. I selected a topic I was previously interested in but not well versed in. I really enjoyed the first unit of this course and thought the action project was a creative way to finish up the unit. It was interesting to do an AP in a new format, a textbook chapter. This project wasn't too difficult but it did take a long time to complete. Overall, I am happy with what  I learned and the project I produced to show my mastery.

Influential Voice

This is the unit two action project for my journalism course. Unit two was titled sound and investigated how radio has spread news and worked to connect us and bring us all together. I enjoyed getting to play the role of a radio journalist and learn the techniques used to spread news and stories. Our class went on a wonderful field experience to the journalism department at Columbia College. We met with a professor and got an inside view of their tv studios, sounds studios and news paper room. It was incredible getting to see college students working hard on various journalism projects that were relevant to our studies in class. We listened to a variety of podcasts and analyzed various stories and the power they posses. I enjoyed learning about Journalist Ira Glass and his ideas about how to tell a good story. He was interesting to study because he constantly touched on the need to take risks and fail in order to grow and succeed in life. The unit culminated with a very relevant action project where students were asked to profile an influential voice from the 20th century. I loved this action project because I was able to explore the life and mind of an artist I've adored for a long time. I thought the project required a tremendous amount of effort and dedication. Although it was hard, I felt I worked through my challenges and produced a very nice final piece. Overall this was a fantastic action project that I am very satisfied with.

What's The Meaning Of Life ?

This is the Unit 1 action project for my Journalism course. In Unit 1, we dived deep into what a photo journalist does on the job. We looked at famous images from different historical periods and analyzed their power, meaning, and relevance. We learned about bias and the truth not always coming out. We learned essential photography skills and the critical thinking behind the images that shape the way we view our world. We evaluated a photo journalist's suicide and asked ourselves the question is journalism the most dangerous profession? The class explored the murder crisis in our hometown of Chicago and looked at the role journalism played. We went on a wonderful and relevant FE to a galley where we viewed photojournalism work as well as other art work surrounding violence in Chicago. For the unit's action project, we had select someone to interview and photograph. The overarching topic for conversation was the meaning of life. I loved this AP because it was an exploration into a question that can never be answered. This is definitely one of my all time favorite AP's!

Sitting alongside my dad I asked him a question that’s faced humanity for all of existence: What is the meaning of life? Being the inquisitive person he is, he jumped right into questions. “What are the most important things,why are we here?” I explained to him that there are infinite perspectives that one can take when attempting to answer the question and that whatever route one chooses to follow will shed light on what is most important to them. I wanted to reassure him that it was a very deep and personal question with no right or wrong answer.

My dad is a fifty three year old Chicagoan, entrepreneur, and family man. Born in 1963 in Chicago, my dad was the youngest of three. He grew up in Winnetka and Evanston and attended Miami Of Ohio for college. He worked at the CBOE a short while before starting his own company called Thinkorswim. He worked very hard for over ten years, sold his company, and then took a few year break from work. During this time we bonded a lot and traveled to some wonderful locations. My dad is one of my favorite people in the world and someone I’ve looked up to forever. When thinking of the meaning of life myself, I felt obligated to ask my dad and hear what he had to say.

“We are all here for a reason. I think we all have turns at being here and once our turn is over we are leaving it to the next group of people. I think the meaning of life is making the most of the time you have here on earth because it is finite and at the same time I think we have a responsibility to leave future generations in a better place than where we started.” His response provided me with insight into his risk taking and open mindedness. His understanding that we are here for a period of time and then gone forever fuels his desire to not let opportunities pass by. The idea of having a reason and a finite time to fulfill it is something he has embraced. I thought it was interesting how he believes we have a duty to leave earth in a better place then where we started because he is someone who is always conscientious of his actions and their aftermath.

I proceeded to asking him if the meaning of life has always remained the same for him or if it’s ever changed. “My meaning in life became greatly different after becoming a parent in the sense that my main concern became my three children. My meaning for my existence changed dramatically once I married mom and significantly more so once we had children.” My dad is the most selfless person I know and hearing this from him just confirmed that he consciously strives to always be there for us. He puts us before himself because his heart is filled with awareness and kindness.

I was curious about the major changes that had occurred in his life, and when I asked if there were other points where his meaning had changed, he said “My meaning of life hasn’t changed but my appreciation for life changed dramatically two and a half years ago when I got pneumonia not once, not twice, but three times. As far as I know it was the closest I’d ever come to death and it was scary but I really appreciate all the support that I had from the family.” Seeing my dad so sick produced tremendous anxiety for me and caused a variety of issues in the family dynamic. I remember thinking to myself for a few brief and dark moments that  he might not make it. I wanted to know if his illness raised awareness to the fact that his time is finite. “It made me look at my life and the family differently. I was 50 years old and it made me start to look at time differently.”

Time is an important theme for my father. He believes we are all here for a certain reason and a short time. He thinks it's your duty to be the best you during your time here. He has always done the best and regardless of that he still suffered from a terrible illness. It was the unfortunate reality of his illness that woke up him and made him fully realize his time is here and now and once it’s gone it's gone forever. His wisdom has enlightened me and helped me to become aware of the now and my duty to be me.

MS, Scott Portrait, 2016

The portrait I photographed is a close up of my dad. I shot the portrait outdoors using a Nikon D90 and 60mm lens. The photo had no planning or coordinating. I allowed my subject to act freely and I shot away. I ended up spending a few minutes with my dad just casually chatting and shooting. The cropping of his head and hand are intentional artistic decisions. I was using a lens that had no zoom so I stood very close to his face in order to capture the portrait. The closeness of the photo is symbolic of the closeness of his answer and story. He was getting close to the core his internal world and I wanted to mimic that by getting up close to his thinking face. The aperture I shot the picture in is 5.6 with a shutter of 1/250 second and a 450 ISO. With a few minor Lightroom adjustments, I altered the brightness and contrast in order to produce a slight blue hue. I think the blue along with his mysterious look tells a very deep and meaningful story. Objectively, I think the image is powerful due to it breaking the rule of thirds and utilizing interesting lighting and shadows. Subjectively, I love it because of the subject. My dad is a fun person to photograph and this is one of my all time favorite shots of him. Overall I am very happy with the image's ability to capture the subject and their story. 

Plan Colombia

This is the unit 2 action project for my Policy Class. Unit 2 was titled Execute and focused on purpose and powers of America's Executive branch and how those powers have been executed throughout our history. Students evaluated what the executive branch is and how it functions. The class learned how and who makes our policies. An important aspect of the unit was evaluating if a policy is right or wrong. For the units AP students were asked to select a war the US was involved in and determine if it was just or unjust. I really enjoyed this entire unit and especially the action project. I thought it asked us to show mastery of many of the important aspects of the unit and I loved being able to select a topic and dive deep into it! 

Aerial Spraying, 2016, TheGuardian.com

The War on Drugs is an ongoing international campaign initiated by the United States that uses military aid and intervention, as well as drug prohibition to attempt to reduce the drug trade. This war is rooted in a set of policies that aim to combat the production, distribution, and consumption of illicit drugs. On June 18th, 1971, President Nixon declared that drugs were “public enemy number one” and a war against an opponent with no agenda began. The war on drugs is an umbrella term for a variety of United States foreign policy and covert military activities that took place in the United States as well as South and Central America beginning in the 70’s and continuing on today. The United States rationale for engaging in the War on Drugs arises from their inflated ego which feels it's required to police the world in order to protect American democracy and values. America felt obligated to intervene due to their desire to control the conflict and eventually destroy it. One such US operation, known as Plan Colombia, provided billions of dollars in military aid, training, as well as equipment to the Colombian government to battle insurgent groups and drug cartels. Plan Colombia was unjust because it was a costly plan which employed techniques that had previously been implemented in the war but failed tremendously.

The plan was originally created between 1998 and 1999 by Colombian President Pastrana and US President Bill Clinton with the goals of ending the Colombian armed conflict and drug trade. Prior to Plan Colombia, President Clinton had been actively battling the War on Drugs. In 1993 Clinton raised the Office of National Drug Control Policy, which was implemented in 1989 under President Bush, to cabinet-level status. Plan Colombia was in essence a plan for Colombia's peace and was originally presented to President Clinton in a moral context. President Pastrana requested an increase in US aid for counter attacking illicit drugs, creating sustainable economic development, securing human rights, and establishing humanitarian aid. President Pastrana understood the importance of the US and their money and outlined an official document which would sufficiently address US concerns. Clinton and his administration’s input into the plan was significant and focused primarily on achieving peace and ending violence through the destruction of the Colombian drug industry. Clinton and his administration involved the US in this sector of the war because they felt it was necessary for national security. The near-collapse of Colombian democratic governance which which was a product of the armed conflict and drug trade captivated the attention of US policy makers. Congress supported Clinton’s actions in regards to the plan. US drug czar General Barry Mccaffrey declared that Columbia was in a state of emergency regardless of the fact that neither of the Colombian insurgent groups posed any threat to US security. The plan was sold to policy makers and the US public as a necessary component of the ongoing war on drugs.

Plan Colombia was widely criticized due to the claim that the Colombian Forces were involved in supporting the right wing parliamentary forces. Another controversial component of the plan was the aerial sprays intended to eradicate the coca crop. The US had previosuly attempted aerial eradication on Mexican weed crops as well as Colombian coca crop, both costed tremendous amounts of money and resources and failed miserably. The aerial sprays apart of plan Colombia not only failed to complete their intended mission but damaged legal crops and created adverse health effects. The aerial spraying of illicit crops was unsuccessful in reducing the supply and had negative social and environmental impacts. The attempted eradication failed partly due to the balloon effect, which meant when one cultivation area was sprayed, another would pop up and continue on. Colombia has remained the world’s largest producer of coca throughout the years regardless of the many attempts to halt or slow down production. The sprays were completely contradictory to many of the plans main intentions in relation to human rights and humanitarian aid. Thousands of civilians were displaced and had their income and food supply threatened. The failed attempts have left a ripple effect which is still felt socially and environmentally today. Congress was unable to see their plan failing and in 1999 tried to employ a mycoherbicide called Fusarium Oxysporum which had been questioned by environmentalists and then finally opposed by the Colombian Government.

Plan Colombia was completely unjust due to its effect on American taxpayers and the people of Colombia. The US spent nearly $8 billion on plan Colombia over nearly a ten year period. The US failed to eradicate the coca crop like they had hoped and did very little to slow or stop the drug trade. They destroyed more than they helped and wasted the countries money and resources. The US attempted to implement a police and military solution to a problem they had no involvement in or relation to. These intervention attempts resulted in lots of money spent, lots of lives lost and an harmed environment. Overall, Plan Colombia was an unjust part of a much larger unjust war.

Sources:

Angell, Tom (December 10, 2012). "Does Bill Clinton Support Legalizing Marijuana?". Huffington Post. Retrieved October 28, 2014.

"AllGov - Departments." AllGov - Departments. Web. 15 May 2016.

"Plan Colombia: A Retrospective." Americas Quarterly. Web. 16 May 2016.

Weiser, Benjamin. (September 5, 2012) FARC – Revolutionary Armed forces of Colombia" The New York Times.

Stokes, Doug (2005). America's Other War: Terrorizing Colombia. Zed Books.

Energy Policy Modernization Act

This is the first action project for my Policy class. Unit 1 was titled Legislate and investigated the powers and purpose of the legislative branch of government. The guiding questions for the unit focussed on examining legislative branches at different levels of government as well as how one goes about proposing legislation. This unit was extremely entertaining and informative as I got to dive deep into one of the central parts of our nations government. I am most proud of my ability to connect a genuine interest and passion of mine with the action project.

MS 

GCE Lab School

1535 N. Dayton

Chicago, IL 60642

April 27, 2016

Paul Ryan
1233 Longworth HOB
Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Mr. Speaker,

The United States’ use of both nuclear and fossil energy have detrimental effects on the global climate. The ways in which we currently power our society don’t align or correspond to the needs of the environment and climate. Our country's unsustainable and inefficient energy policies are contributing to a world that is undergoing severe destruction. Our current policies have failed to create energy production, storage, and distribution systems that work effectively to fulfil society's energy needs while remaining conscientious of the environment and climate. It is time for us to collectively recognize the damage we’ve caused and work towards investing and building a prosperous future for both the environment and society. Speaker Ryan, I am asking for your support as well as advocacy in congress for the Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2016. The country’s current energy policies have negative impacts on the climate, yet efficient and sustainable options are available. Fortunately the Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2016 lays the groundwork for modernizing our country's energy systems. As speaker, your support of the bill will greatly increase its chances of a vote in the House, thus raising its chances of becoming enacted.

Currently, the United States’ primary source of energy is fossil fuels, which account for nearly 70% of all the electricity generated. The burning of fossil fuels such as coal, natural gas, and petroleum emits carbon dioxide, which plays an integral role in global warming. Nuclear energy is dirty, dangerous, and expensive. The radioactive waste produced by nuclear reactors is extremely hazardous and can leak radiations which can cause issues for both the air and water systems. Nuclear energy requires uranium which is a scarce resource. Scientists estimate there is less than a 200 year supply of uranium left. There is no place for nuclear energy in a safe, clean, and sustainable future. In addition to laying the framework for minimizing energy productions negative impact on the environment, the bill it also raises conversation of the social and economic risks our nation faces as a result of our current system. The bill would create programs whose main focus would be improving energy systems in order to address the threat of cyber attack on the nation’s electrical grid. The technological era we live in has created the ability for people to do harm on a scale previously unimaginable. A U.S. official was quoted saying, “cyberwarfare can be used to disable the U.S. power grid. U.S. systems aren't any more protected than those breached in Ukraine.”

I’m reaching out to you Mr. Speaker in order to express a very real fear I posses. The way we as a nation are currently operating can not be sustained. Temperatures are rising, forests are being destroyed, and the air and water is becoming increasingly polluted while we continue to just do our thing. It’s our obligation to recognize the current state we’re in and make a conscious decision on how we want to proceed into the future. I am passionate about taking the next step into the future but want to do so in a way that works for everyone and everything. My right as a citizen of this nation to openly advocate and support policy along with my passion to want to continue humanity and and the well being of planet earth has caused me to try and get through to you in order to convey this message. I believe this bill is in everyone's best interest and feel as if it needs to be passed and become a law. A major opposition towards this bill comes as a result of the money involved with the systems and processes being reviewed and revised. The fossil fuel and nuclear industries are ginormous conglomerates that possess large amounts of money as well lobby over congress. They are at the top of the power structure consequently making them the ones most fearful and opposed to a change.

The enactment of this policy will propel us forward on our collective mission towards forming a sustainable and prosperous planet. This is a moral and ethical decision rather than an economic one. Its implementation will mark the beginning of a well awaited response to nature's cries. Our planet has suffered enough and will be unable to sustain us and our lifestyles if we continue to neglect its needs. As a young adult who is apart of this upcoming generation, I want to establish a set of policies that I know will protect our planet. I want planet earth’s longevity to be maximized and will to do everything in my control to minimize humans negative impact. I’m asking you to join the fight for humanity and planet earth. I’m calling upon you Mr. Speaker for your action as an influencer and constituent. Please take into consideration the fragile state we are all in and the direction we’re heading. Our futures can be changed and our planet can be saved. The waiting must stop and action must begin. It is time to take control and reverse our course of action. I would like to conclude by thanking you for your time and thoughts. I hope you can take my words and use them as a source of motivation and drive for the enactment of this bill.

Best,

Max

Sources:

"The Hidden Cost of Fossil Fuels." Union of Concerned Scientists. Web. 28 Apr. 2016.

"Nuclear Energy." Greenpeace USA Nuclear Energy Comments. Web. 28 Apr. 2016.

Davenport, Coral. "Senate Begins Debate on Comprehensive Bipartisan Energy Bill." The New York Times. The New York Times, 2016. Web. 28 Apr. 2016.

"Summaries for the Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2016." GovTrack.us. Web. 28 Apr. 2016.

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Code Of Conduct Amendment

This is my unit 2 Action project for my Arguments course. Unit 2 was titled 1857 and focused on investigating a nations flaws and contradictions. The class examined the famous Scott VS Sanford case as a way to better understand how a nation contradicts itself. A variety of guiding questions were present in the unit and included: What tests the strength of an argument, How can a nations logic be flawed, and Why should a nation's argument be challenged. For the unit's action project students were asked to demonstrate their understanding of an argument's strength and soundness by evaluating GCE's Code of Conduct and crafting an amendment to a section of it. This unit was extremely intriguing and insightful. I felt I gained a broader and more comprehensive understanding of such an important moment in our nations history. I am really proud of my continued ability to dive deeper and continue asking questions during the unit as it allowed me to gain a certain set of understandings that I know will remain with me and impact me throughout my life. 

The two, related articles from GCE’s Code of Conduct I’m amending are as follows:
Behavioral Contract, a written agreement between the student/parent/guardian and school listing requirements for improvement

Probation, a written agreement with the student for a defined period of good behavior in lieu of suspension

These two rules, located in the “How” section on page two of the GCE Code of Conduct, are pointless and unjust. A written contract and or agreement is void and holds no validity unless the signee is over the age of eighteen. Additionally, I believe this is an invalid rule because a written contract or agreement teaches the student nothing about their wrongdoing. It’s easy to craft an illegitimate argument and make statements and promises that one has an intention of keeping. A written argument and or contract has no place in the context of disciplinary action in a high school. An alternate way to establish an agreement is to have a common understanding of the school’s policies and overall mission which would then allow students to conduct themselves in a manner that aligns with the school’s ethos. The formal argument of this amendment can be found below:
P1: A student does something that goes against a rule or policy in the GCE Code of Conduct.
P2: A written contract or agreement is proposed as a way for the student to learn and change based on their wrongdoing.
C: The student learns from their mistake and pays for their wrongdoing, in addition to crafting an agreement to pursue a certain type of positive behavior.

I don’t believe there are any instances in which writing an agreement or contract should be used as a form of punishment or disciplinary conduct. An agreement makes students reflect, which is an important part of the learning and rehabilitation process but not the entire thing. In addition to reflecting on your actions it is vital to change them through positive reinforcement. In addition to my personal support of the amendment, fellow GCE Junior Maddie F gave her impression of the proposed amendment by stating “I think that using a written agreement is a stupid way to teach a student a lesson. it doesn't have any sort of effect on the student and they might just reciprocate the same behavior since they weren't given a proper punishment” I would like to completely remove these two points from the GCE Code of Conduct. The previous argument, newly amended by me is:
P1: A student does something that goes against a rule or policy in the GCE Code of Conduct.
P2: A written contract or agreement is proposed as a way for the student to learn and change based on their wrongdoing.
P3: A written contract or agreement with a signee under eighteen is invalid and a contract or agreement does nothing to ensure the student changes and improves their behavior.
C: A written contract should not be used as a form of punishment, agreement, or education for a student's wrongdoing.

To help individuals grasp the meaning of my argument and its significance, my critique of the rule as it is written relates to actual ability vs. perceived ability. Imagine You need enlightenment and knowledge and you set out searching for a source of both.

(2016) Blue Sphere

You locate a blue sphere that states it can provide you with both so you go ahead and acquire the blue sphere with the hope you’ll get what you've been searching for. The blue sphere turns out to be nothing more than its physical being. The blue sphere is deemed useless in the context in which it was originally presented. Life at school will change as the result of my amendment. In the unfortunate event when a student commits an act that goes against a rule or policy in the Code of Conduct there will be no written contracts or agreements in place because of their lack of validity and inability to effectively teach the student. An inefficient and ineffective policy will be removed allowing for the more fundamentally sound options to prevail and be correctly implemented. The US Constitutional amendment that relates the most to my amendment is the sixth amendment, which states the rights of an accused individual during the prosecution process. The amendment states an individual's right to a trial by jury as well as the right to confront opposing witnesses and to counsel. My amendment to the Code of Conduct is closely related to the constitutional sixth amendment because it focuses on the rights of an accused or guilty student. It lays a basic foundation of students rights by removing a pointless set of rules related to the creation of a written agreement or contract as a form of punishment and rehabilitation. The removal of the rules relating to written contracts reinforces the already existing rules and policies in relation to a student's punishment. The removal of the rules leave a set of policies in place that more effectively teaches the students of their wrongdoings and fosters positive change. The policies in place act to teach the student through action rather than writing, a much more effective way of learning from your mistakes.

My amendment demonstrates true citizenship by creating a certain set of rules and policies that effectively teach and restore students. My amendment's removal of the rules relating to written contracts and agreements refines and reinforces the already existing set of policies focusing on students punishment. The current policies in place regarding written contracts and agreements as a form of punishment are invalid and unjust because of their flawed logic and have a inability to properly teach and rehabilitate students. These weaknesses have caused me to call for their complete removal. Having certain policies in place that act to teach through experience and positive reinforcement are much more effective in achieving change than an argument that holds to validity or significance to the signee. It is vital to to have a set of policies that effectively deal with students in a way that truly teaches them about their wrongdoings in a way that will cause them to evolve and change for good.

Collaborative Mural

For the unit 3 AP in If These Walls Could Talk students were put into groups and asked to collaboratively design and execute a mural in GCE's new space. Group members evaluated the murals made by students in unit 2 in order to find both visual and conceptual elements we wanted to include in our mural. Over the course of a few weeks, we all worked together towards finalizing the prep work necessary for the completion of the mural. We cut and tested stencils, took pictures and complied collages, and prepared the wall. The process at times was frustrating but a continued forward pushing effort allowed our group to remain on task. All the time and effort we put forth began to pay off when our ideas began transforming into realities. Following weeks of prepping and planning our mural had finally come together. The final mural was both a beautiful piece of art that captivated the viewer as well as a tool that contained a deeper message.

The mural my group created depicts a diverse group of people spanned across the length of the wall. Interspersed cracks throughout the wall contain collages depicting different realities, treasures, and gems Chicago contains but aren’t known for. The intention and purpose of the mural is call attention to and shed light on the many beautiful and amazing attributes Chicago posses. The media and techniques used to carry out the mural include spray paint, stencils, and wheat paste. The process to create the stencils began with images of different people varying in size and gesture being transferred to the wall via projector. The images were traced on paper then attached to cardboard to be cut out. The spray paint was misted over the stencil to transfer the image onto the surface. Original photographs from group members were compiled and transformed into collages each containing a central theme. The three collages represent the hidden gems of Chicago found in Art, Architecture and Culture. The digitally produced collages were printed out in sections and to be assembled by the group. Laser ink images and a natural adhesive comprised of four parts water to one part starch are the two integral components of wheatpasting. The adhesive was applied to the surface via a rolling tool called a brayer. The laser ink images were applied over the initial coat of adhesive and then covered with a top layer of adhesive to seal the image. The background of the wall is grey. All stencils, both people and cracks were done in black spray paint. The black is bold and allows for the stenciled sections of the mural to pop out from the grey base. The mural’s color comes from the collages.The collages are where the piece’s core theme lies, the hidden gems of Chicago, and the use of a variety of colors helps to draw the viewer's attention towards it. The mural transforms and impacts the space it occupies by providing it with a visually pleasing and stimulating piece that also contains a deeper message. The mural acts as a tool which allows viewers to gain a more comprehensive understanding of Chicago and its many treasures and gems. The mural impacts the space by providing an important message which is directly related to GCE’s mission. The mural transforms the space by taking bits and pieces of art, culture, and architecture from different areas and neighborhoods of Chicago and compiling them to create a visual representation of Chicago hidden gems.

Each day in class group members claimed certain roles which were essential in staying on track and working towards the completion of the mural. The four roles included artistic director, director of operations, mule, and documentarian. The artistic director was in charge of making sure the work being done aligned with the proposed mural and all work was good quality. The director of operations was a logistical position where the group member would keep time as well as be aware of and reiterate deadlines/due dates. The mule was in charge of retrieving materials necessary for the execution of the mural. The documentarian was in charge of documenting the work period through photo and video. The photos and videos were then shared with the group to then be later used for the making of each students video. My favorite of the four roles was documentarian. I enjoy capturing moments in time and documenting work processes. I was quite effective at documentarian due to my ability to take high quality photos and videos while still working and remaining on track with the project. My least favorite of the four roles was the mule. I didn’t particularly enjoy being the mule as it was boring and time consuming. The constant need to retrieve materials prevented me from fully diving into my work for that particular work period. While I didn’t enjoy the role, I understood the importance of it in completing our mural. If I could change something about the process and experience I would allow for more time in the space to execute the murals. The short window of time we were granted to work in the space prevented us from experimenting more which would have allowed for a better end product. The final mural we created achieved our original goal of creating a beautiful and aesthetic piece of art that contained a powerful and significant message. Our continued hard work and perseverance during the creation process allowed us to create a final mural that transformed and impacted the space in the way we had envisioned.

Collaborative Mural Sketch

I just completed unit 2 which examined the significance and uses of materials/techniques in murals by studying murals from both the 20th and 21st centuries. The murals we examined provided me with a stronger understanding of the materials used to create murals and how they act to enhance the message and or story of a piece. For this action project, we were put in small groups and asked to create a sketch. The purpose of this project was to take visual and conceptual elements from our proposed murals in unit 1 and create one group mural. We collaboratively worked and took the essential components of each of our individual murals to form our new group mural. I'm a worker who prefers to go at a project solo so working amongst others provided some difficulties for me. I really enjoyed being able to experiment with a medium of my choosing. I enjoyed the freedom we had when making our medium/technique decision. I am looking forward to continuing my exploration of history through murals as well as expanding my knowledge of the materials and techniques utilized to create murals.

MS
“Chicago’s Reality”
12/14/2015
3.5” X 11”
Coarse Pumice Gel and Acrylic Paint

The sketch my group created depicts the realities of Chicago. The sketch shows Chicago’s skyline and lakefront and includes interspersed cracks which contain imagery portraying both positive and negative realities of Chicago. The skyline and lakefront were common symbols that my group associated with Chicago’s positive characteristics and qualities. The cracks and rips found throughout the sketch symbolize different realities and truths of Chicago. Some cracks symbolize positive realities of Chicago, such as the culture and art, while other cracks represent and symbolize the negative realities of Chicago such as governmental and political corruption. The cracks in the sketch were inspired by Trompe L’oeil, a French artistic technique which utilizes optical illusions to alter visual perception. Additionally, my group drew inspiration from realism in the sense that we wanted to create a realistic depiction of Chicago’s skyline and lakefront. My group came to our final sketch through a series of collaborative conversations regarding both the conceptual and visual components of each of our proposed murals from unit 1. We examined in detail each group members mural and determined the elements that we wanted to carry over into our groups mural. We collectively agreed upon including Chicago’s skyline and lakefront because we felt that they were a good representation of the City, its overall beauty, and positive qualities. The completion of the sketch came after we determined to include the Trompe L’oeil used by a group member in their unit 1 mural. We decided to included it because of its visual stimulating qualities and ability to carry a powerful message.

Group, "Chicago's Realities". (2015) 

MS,"Swatches".(2015) 

Following the completion of the sketch, we divided it into five sections/swatches. Each group member was to select two sections to recreate using a medium of their choosing. The medium I chose was Coarse Pumice Gel and Acrylic Paint. I was immediately interested in coarse pumice gel following its introduction in class. Its rough textured appearance as well as its ability to create an earthy look interested me and initiated a desire to further experiment with it. The medium would enhance the sketch by providing the skyline with a bold and textured appearance as well as the water with a texture that resembled waves and movement. The process of using the coarse pumice gel and acrylic paint to complete the swatches was difficult due to the gels inability to produce fine details and easily make clean looking lines. The final look of the swatches resulted in a skyline comprised of black textured buildings that lacked detail past their silhouette. Dark blue swirly brush strokes filled the area around and above the buildings to represent the sky and clouds. A lighter shade of blue is found below the buildings to represent the water. The final swatch confirmed my previous ideas regarding the medium. It created a textured look, it was bold, but it lacked the ability to effectively create detail. The coarse pumice gel and acrylic paint wasn’t selected by my group for use in the final mural. We chose to not include the medium because of its difficulty to be manipulated and its inability to produce detailing and fine lines.

JM, "Swatch". (2015) 

AJ, "Swatch".(2015) 

Following each member's presentation of their final swatches, we discussed what materials and techniques would be most effective in carrying out the final mural and collectivity decided on using wheat paste and stencil with spray paint. Wheat pasting is the process of using a laser ink image and a natural adhesive made from boiling water and starch to paste images on surfaces. We felt that wheat pasting helped to tell the story of our piece because of its ability to transfer any image to any surface. Our intention was to create a realistic depiction of Chicago and by using wheat pasting we are able to take the photograph that originally inspired us and transfer it to the surface where the final mural will be executed. Stenciling and spray paint was the medium and technique used by the street artists that inspired the trompe l'oeil portion of our piece. We felt the use of stenciling and spray paint would help to make the cracks pop out from the wheat pasted background. The combination of stenciling and spray paint allows for vivid and bright colors with extreme precision and detailing. We intend for the final mural to be a wheat pasted image of Chicago’s skyline and lakefront that appears as real as possible and includes scattered spraypainted cracks throughout which depict various realities of Chicago.

Come Together

In this Unit 1 action project we created a sketch that addressed a specific need of a community and wrote an artist statement that explained the mural we made. The purpose of this action project was to utilize the power of images to address the needs of a community. In this action project I learned about how disconnected and segregated Chicago is and the full ability and potential murals have in regards to empowering and educating individuals. The most challenging aspect of this action project was figuring out how to visually represent my thoughts and ideas in a non literal but rather abstract form. I am most proud of my perseverance throughout the entirety of the process.

Artist Statement:
MS
Come Together 11” x 14”
11/2015
Digital drawing

Pilsen is a neighborhood located on Chicago’s lower west side. For over 150 years, Pilsen has acted as a point of entry for immigrants. Early on it was primarily Eastern European immigrants that were arriving in Pilsen. In the late 19th century, Pilsen was mostly inhabited by Czech immigrants who named the neighborhood after the city in western Bohemia in the Czech Republic called Plzeň. The population during this time also included other ethnic groups such as Slovaks, Slovenes, Croats, Austrians, Polish and Lithuanians. Beginning in the early 1970’s a shift occurred and the incoming immigrants had become predominantly Latino. Mexicans were forced to move from their previous neighborhood slightly north of Pilsen in order for the construction of the University of Illinois at Chicago. Pilsen’s new residents brought with them a culture and lifestyle that would go on to shape the neighborhood into an integral part of Chicago that it is known for today.


Today, Pilsen acts as a major cultural hub for Mexicans and Latinos alike. Culture thrives in Pilsen and includes artistic treasures nearly everywhere. Murals are one of the most popular and utilized forms of art in Pilsen and have become a major form of communication and beauty for the neighborhood. Murals are found all throughout Pilsen. Common mural locations include public and private walls, sides of homes, and train stations/platforms. There is an overall artistic vibe that is present in the neighborhood. The neighborhood of Pilsen beats with a youthful spirit and is constantly evolving and transforming. The powerful cultural heritage and artistic history Pilsen possess is primarily contained within the small surrounding area. While being a very diverse and large city, Chicago is still extremely segregated. Chicago is a melting pot of a variety of ethnicities and cultures. People tend to gravitate to what is familiar to them while staying away from the unknown. The mural I created is aimed at attempting to bring Chicago closer together and more united. Interconnectivity is an essential component for Chicago’s future. Unity and connection between all 77 Chicago communities allows for the doors of possibility to open. The invisible walls that divide the different neighborhoods need to be demolished and the notion that we are one unit has to be understood and implemented. Chicago is the sum of its neighborhoods. The disconnection of these essential parts greatly reduces Chicago’s potential for success and improvement.


My proposed mural is meant to inspire the reconnection of Chicago one viewer at a time. The use of hand prints was inspired by the hand prints and carvings found in parts of the Chauvet Cave murals in Southern France. The hand prints are also symbolic and representative of connectedness and coming together. The overlapping of the fingers was constructed in order to form a central shape representative of a star which acts as a symbol of wishful thinking and hope for the future. The colors used on the hands all represent a different CTA line which is a powerful and useful resource the city has that literally connects different areas and neighborhoods. The blotched look to the color and the slight appearance of greys on the hands reveals that regardless of what particular neighborhood an individual is from everyone is still the same on the surface and from Chicago. Thin lines from each hand travel across and around the mural until they travel through an abstractly designed ‘weaving machine’ which is representative of the initiative individuals must have in order to begin to create a connected Chicago. The once thin and curvy lines come through the opposite side of the machine transformed into bold intertwined lines. In addition to taking inspiration from the Chauvet Cave mural, I was also inspired by the use of pattern motifs in ancient Egyptian murals. The intertwined lines create a pattern motif that represents a strong, united and connected Chicago. My murals themes include both revolt and tribute. The theme of revolt is present in the sense that I am hoping viewers of the piece will want to uprise against the current situation in our city and make an effort to change something about it. The mural will be next to the 18th st train station in order to paying respect and homage to Pilsen and its wonderful history of murals. It will also be next to the train station to act as a reminder for people coming and going that there is more to Chicago than just their neighborhood and area because the train can literally place you in any off the 77 neighborhoods in Chicago. My goal is that people will be visually stimulated by my mural and impacted in a way that creates a drive within themselves to go out and be proactive about connecting and unifying Chicago one person and one neighborhood at a time.