Tuesday, August 27, 2013

What is success?

As a teacher, I'm given a lot of definitions of what "success" looks like for people in my job. There are national standards and GCPS standards that provide a concrete definition of what doing my job successfully means (if you're curious, these are our national standards and these are the AKS for Gwinnett).

But those are just the beginning of the goals I have for myself and for you. I watched a video recently that asked me to think about what MY definition of "success" is...is it just the national standards? Meeting the AKS? Or is it something more? Personally, I think goal-making (as completely cheesy as it sounds) is important. How do you know where to go if you don't have a final destination in mind?

With that being said, I'm going to share some of my goals for the year with you...and you're going to share some of yours with me. (More on that later!)
My goals:
- create a classroom where you are encouraged to solve your own problems. I want you to be able to find extra music, tune your instrument, and even do some minor repairs without asking me. This not only helps you become a critical thinker, but also frees up class time for more important things.
- work hard and play hard. We have a lot to accomplish during the year. And I know that you are going to be amazed at where you are musically in May. But I don't want every day to be a grueling, painful, boring practice marathon...so yeah, we sometimes watch music videos. Or TED talks. Or we listen to a song. Or we get off on a tangent about commercials of the 1990s.
- scaffold information.  There are key things that you need to know about music: melody, harmony, rhythm, timbre, form, style. I want you to be able to recognize and talk about those even if they change from piece to piece.
- be comfortable in this space.  When I was in high school, the orchestra room was THE place to hang out. It's where I saw all of my friends first thing in the morning, during class (dur) and even after school sometimes (you know, before my mom picked me up). Because you are an orchestra student, the orchestra room is YOUR room (except if you have gum. Or food. Because rules.) as well as my room. You should feel welcome here, and this should bethe space where you are most able to be yourself.

Now it's your turn! For a homework grade, tell me 3 goals you have for yourself for the year or for your high school career. They can be musical or non-musical goals...just as long as they are real. If you don't want people other than me to see your goals, you can submit them on paper. This assignment is due by midnight on Tuesday, September 3rd...NO EXCUSES, NO EXCEPTIONS. 

84 comments:

  1. 1. To pass all of my classes.
    2. To make swim team
    3. To do my best and practice for orchestra

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    Replies
    1. Hi there! To get credit for this assignment, I'm going to need you to register as your real name (so I know to whom I should give a grade).

      Delete
    2. 1) I want to maintain my 4.0 by making a natural a in each of my 4 ap classes and hopefully passing my exams for them as well
      2) this year, I'd like to focus on tone quilty in my musical life as an individual player as well as work on blending into the full orchestra as a strong leader
      3) I want to become more involved in the different extracurriculars around the school, especially theatre. I hope to develop as a actress and work on reading more works.

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    3. 1)I want to keep an A or a B in all my classes by studying, paying attention and working hard.
      2)To get in shape for swim team by running 1-2 miles each day.
      3)To practice for orchestra by left hand fingering and practicing with orchestra friends on weekends.
      ~Gracie Ingram

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  2. 1. move up in orchestras and letter
    2. have a 90 average so i can letter in academics
    3. make the golf or tennis team

    -Morgan Thompson 1st period

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  3. 1) To make all A's and B's
    2) To letter in orchestra
    3) To better learn and perfect my vibrato
    Extra #4) to make it up above 3rd chair

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  4. 1. Make A's
    2. Move into Chamber next year
    3. Get a job
    :)

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  5. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    1. What does "doing good" mean to you? How will you know if you've accomplished that?

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    2. 1) I want to be more comfortable with shifting.
      2) I would LOVE to make a natural A in AP calculus.
      3) Most importantly, I want my parents to be proud of me and what I've accomplished in high school.

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    3. 1)To make A's and B's
      2)To make at least 3rd or 4th chair in orchestra
      3)To get my permit

      -Michelle G.

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  6. 1) Make A's and B's

    2) Practice my music more to improve my skills

    3) Have better planning skills; be organized

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  7. 1) have all A's for at least one semester
    2) move up from serenade to symphonia
    3) get a raise from my boss by working extra hard

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  8. 1)To maintain 4.0 GPA
    2)To go to Nationals for World Quest
    3)To get a 5 on the AP exams this year

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  9. 1)be able do a back hand spring
    2)be more organized
    3)make the tennis team

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  10. 1. I want to actually be able to drive to and from places
    2. I want to go out of my comfort zone in orchestra, do more things that'll strengthen me as a player
    3. I would love to have a job, especially to pay for all those cute shoes and clothes

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  11. 1. Get straight A's this year (so I can get a 4.0 GPA and letter in academics)
    2. To pass the AP exams.
    3. To get my license in November!

    ~Marissa B. (:

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  13. 1)get at least A's so that I can get a least a 4.0 GPA
    2)be neat and organized with my stuff
    3)to get good grades and do my best in everything I do

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  14. 1. To get all A's all year
    2. Pass the AP exam
    3. Get my license in January

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  15. 1. To get all A's all year
    2. Make the lacrosse team
    3. Practice and understamd my music more

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  16. Mi goales for le year..ito:

    1.Pass my classes and AP exams with an A (Like all the other children want to do.)

    2.Move up in chair position(I'll be so good that I'll be in the negatives...) and get better at intonation, shifting, notes, and scales.

    3.Get a permit so I can ride a scooter.(It has to go under 50 miles per hour or I'll have to get a license like a regular person.)

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  17. 1. Spend more than 1 day learning how to get a good vibrato
    2. Pass all my classes
    3. Graduate

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  18. 1. Make it on the soccer team.
    2. Move to a higher chair position.
    3. Get my learners in November.

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  19. 1.move up to chamber by the end of the year
    2.get a triple in all my dance classes including pointe
    3.get better at intonation and shifting this year

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  20. 1. Move to a higher chair position (3rd or above):D
    2. Pass my AP Exams with 5s and get grades so awesome they would blind the teacher
    3. Make the tennis team (preferably varsity, but there's always next year...)^__^

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  21. 1. Make all-state chorus!
    2. Pass both of my A.P. tests at the end of the year.
    3. Sit 1st chair in at least one concert, and move up to chamber next year.

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  22. 1. to bring my GPA up and apply for scholarships
    2. to become more musically advanced as in knowing more scales straight off the top of my head.
    3. keep my chair placement ubove third and avance to chamber next year. ( work harder )

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  23. 1. To maybe, hopefully become 1st chair cello in Chamber.
    2. To understand music theory more (scales and definitions)
    3. Start applying for academic and music scholarships
    (4. Pass all 3 of my AP tests)

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  24. 1. To keep my 4.0 and pass all of my AP tests.
    2. To grow as a vocalist and an instrumentalist. I'd like to move up to at least third chair in Chamber and develop good vibrato.
    3. To be as involved with theatre as humanly possible and to improve overall as a theatre student. I want to be able to really immerse myself in a role.

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  25. 1. Do good academically in all my classes.
    2. Make Varsity tennis team
    3. Try to join clubs and getting better at my study skills.

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  26. 1. Do good academically in all my classes.
    2. Make Varsity tennis team
    3. Try to join clubs and getting better at my study skills.

    ReplyDelete
  27. 1. study better and maintain a grade higher than a "c"
    2. better bow control
    3. run 3.1 miles under 30 minutes

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  28. 1)I want to get my permit in Sep.
    2)Make the jv soccer team next year or this year(probably not)
    3)Become a better violinist like have better bow control and have a better understanding of Theory
    *4*Try to make straight A's this year and have a good start,make some new friends since im new

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  29. 1. To get into the habit of studying.
    2. To run the mile in under ten minutes.
    3. To be able to sight read orchestra music better and play the right notes.

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  30. 1. To know when to use sharps and when to use flats in orchestra better.

    2. To excel at some hobby, so I can get a scholarship associated with that hobby.

    3. To try out for basketball next year to prove to my old friends at South Gwinnet that shorties can shoot hoops too! ;P

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  31. 1.Make A's and B's

    2.Make the tennis team

    3.To become more organized

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  32. 1. I want to become better and more comfortable with shifting.

    2. Make A's and B's (just surviving AP Biology)

    3. Not be near last chair all year long!

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  33. 1) To survive my AP classes (APLANG and APUSH... my first year EVER taking AP)

    2) Make it to the state meet in Varsity Track and Field, and place within 1-6th place.

    3) Be organized and keep up with all the paperwork I get in classes.

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  34. 1)Stay awake in AP Bio for at least a month

    2)Keep my chair in Orchestra

    3)Make all A's so I can get my new phone (cause my phone sucks... a lot)

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  35. Hmmm. Three goals. Well, as a senior i don't have a whole lot to say as far as "my high school career" goes. But, this year I've got a bunch of goals. My top three would probably be:

    1) Finish high school. Now, this may sound simple, but it really is much more complicated. The young ones will understand as they become seniors, as I'm sure you already understand, having been in my shoes before and all. When I say I want to finish high school, I want to do more than granduate. For the past three years, I've been working my white boy butt off to keep good grades and do all that I can do to get the most out of my years here at Archer High, and going into my senior year, I'm feeling the symptoms of senioritus something fierce and I want to keep up the record of excellence that I have set for myself over the past 3 years; even raise the bar further. I want to finish, but I want to finish well. (This includes being a better bassist at the end of the year that I am now. But, you get the picture.)

    2) I want to get into college. There was a brief span of my life where i was hostile toward the idea of going to college. i thought it was stupid, but I've had a change of heart. I'm excited for college, as i see it as my next season of life, and I think it'll bring a ton of great opportunities for learning and growth and whatnot. So, with that being said, it would really be a bummer to have come around only to not get into Tech, where i would like to go--sorry Bulldawg Nation.

    3) I want to have fun. Some of you may remeber John Garret's graduation speech, and you'll get what I'm talking about with this. To be honest, I've loved high school. Sometimes I may be a little whiny about having to come or some of the stupid stuff that we have to do here, but the past 3 years of my life at Archer High have been the best 3 of my life. High School has been fun. I've gotten to do lots of fun stuff, I've made really awesome friends, and learned tons of new and useful skills (you know, the kind that can't be learned from books). There is a time for things to be serious, sure, but when things are all serious all the time is when high school starts to suck. I love having fun and I want to keep doing it this year too. Orchestra has proven to be the perennial class for fun, and this year should be no different. I know not everyone gets as animated as I do when they play but I'm having fun; I hope that I can help encourage a sense of fun loving appreciation and enjoyment of music that can be passed down to future musicians,and, well, all students, of Archer High.

    -Reed Clark

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  36. 1) Really dig into my school work this year so that I'm not behind in anything and so that I can feel accomplished in my hard work.

    2) Move up my chair in GCYS so that I'm sitting first stand and also make Allstate this year.

    3) Keep up with all my school clubs and get more involved.

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  37. 1) Get 5s on both AP exams

    2) Maintain my chair in orchestra

    3) Advance in theater (get a small role in a school play, improve my acting abilities, audition for a role outside of school)

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  38. 1. Get natural A's in my 4 AP classes (and A's in those other ones too).
    2. Have a decked out gown at graduation with all those cords and stuff.
    3. Get accepted to UGA.

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  39. 1) I think my primary focus will be on getting into college. I feel like all my hard work for the past three years has been for that moment, for that next step into adulthood.

    2) I also want to be a leader. As a senior, I believe that I should be a role model to other students and that I should support others as much as possible.

    3)And of course, I want to enjoy my experience. No matter what I do, I want to have a good time doing it. I want to look back on this year and remember all the good times I had with my awesome friends.

    -Matt McNeeley

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  40. 1)i am finally a senior so i need to be focused on keeping my gpa at a 3.0 or higher so that i can graduate and get into a really good school.

    2)My love for music runs deep so i want to be respected as a better musician and in orchestra specifically i want to be respected more as a viola player. I know to do this I must stay dedicated and practice way more than i have in the years that ive been in orchestra. this is probably one of my harder goals because of the other classes that im taking this year ,i WILL be a better time manager

    3) this year my goal is not to be so hard on myself. in past experiences specifically in school when i would fail to meet a goal i would beat myself up and put alot of blame on me. this wold cause sooooo much stress i felt like i was growing gray hair. hopefully this year i can go a litle easier

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  41. 1) Get all As all year
    2) Get my learner's permit
    3) Advance in orchestra (chair position)and get comfortable with shifting

    ~Nicole Fernandez

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  42. 1) to make the swim team

    2) to get all A's this year

    3) and to pass the AP exam

    -makaela woytek 7th period

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  43. 1.Get a high GPA for my freshman year.
    2. To have made the varsity tennis team.
    3. Develope better study skills.

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  44. Maintain All A's.

    Finally get my drivers license!

    Move up to Chamber.

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  45. 1: I would first of all like to get maintain a 4.0 throughout the year just like I did freshman year.
    2: I would like to win a state championship before I leave highschool for football.
    3: I would like to manage my time better between orchestra, sports, clubs, and social.

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  46. 1. pass math class with at least an A or B

    2. become more comfortable with shifting

    3. maintain a higher chair this year and keep that chair

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  47. 1) I want to be more confident when I play in front of other people, and I want to improve the tone quality of my playing.
    2) Keeping a 4.0 GPA this year is also one of my major goals.
    3) I also want to make an impact on the clubs and activities that I am involved in.

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  48. 1. I want to continue to have a 4.0 through sophomore year
    2. I want to get better and more comfortable with the bow techinque of Bravado.
    3. Be more involved in school by joining more clubs.

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  49. 1. I want to have a 3.8-4.0 GPA this year.
    2. I want to be more comfortable shifting.
    3. I want to be able to expand my horizon and meet new people and join some clubs at school.

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  50. 1. My first goal is to get straight A's in all my classes, get a 4.0 GPA in my 4 years in high school and improving on my math and getting an A in the class

    2. I want to become a more faster swimmer and make the tennis team.

    3. I want to become a better violin player and start practicing more on my music.

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  51. 1)I want to have all A's this semester and next semester and no B's!
    2)I want to excel in orchestra and move on to the next class
    3)I want to be able to build up friendships with the right people

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  52. 1) I want to maintain my 4.0 average to show that i am smarter than my sister (because its true)
    2) I want to stay in the first row (first or second chair) throughout the year in orchestra so that I can be "that guy"
    3) I want to gain notoriety this basketball and baseball season by doing great and giving 110% in practices and games
    Rhian Mann ^.^

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  53. This year I plan to become a better violist and violinist. I'm more comfortable reading alto clef, so when I read treble clef; I sometimes read it as alto clef. So I want to learn treble clef so well that it won't be confusing. Then I have my auditions that I have been practicing very hard for. So far I've made one out of four of my auditions. My next audition is this Saturday, and I feel confident in my playing. I'm going to study really hard and pass all of my classes this year.

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  54. My goals for this year are:
    1)to improve my vibrato and shifting skills to keep up with the pace in chamber.
    2)to make the 100 fly senior sectional cut time.
    3)to make natural A's in all 4 of my AP classes and pass the exams with 4s or higher. I'd also like to get the National Merit Scholarship through taking the PSAT.

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  55. My goals for this year are:
    1) to improve my tone quality, shifting, and vibrato. Also, to be 1st or 2nd chair
    2) to make the junior nationals cut time in 100 back and 100 fly (swimming)
    3) to start off my high school years with a 4.0 gpa and to earn 5s on my AP exams

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  56. My Goals:
    1) improve on vibrato and shifting qualities.
    2)Letter in Orchestra
    3)Be more active in school and join more clubs and activities.

    -Sarah Voiles

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  57. 1. I want to maintain my 4.0 GPA
    2. I want to branch out beyond the friend group I've held for that last few years, and meet new people.
    3. I want to make natural A's in both of my AP classes and pass both exams.

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  58. My goals for this year are:

    1. To get all A's and to pass my AP exams
    2. To receive scholarships at my dance conventions and to place top 5 with my solo
    3. To get 1st or 2nd chair in orchestra

    -Runako Campbell :)

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  59. My goals for this year are:

    1) Run a 10.7s 100m and a matching 200m
    2) Recover my GPA back to 3.8
    3) Improve on my instrument to the point of being able to advance to the next orchestra level

    -Caleb Rodgers

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  60. My goals for this year are:
    1) Have an A without the 10 points in A.P Chem
    2) Get my standing tuck by mid-march
    3) Improve on my violin so I can get moved up to a higher orchestra class

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  61. My goals this year are:
    1) to improve in orchestra this year and to move to serenade or higher.
    2)Letter this year in football
    3)Have a high GPA at 4.0
    -Luke

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  62. My goals for this year are:
    1) To successfully juggle 3 ap classes, 1 gifted class, a foriegn language class, 5 clubs, and practicing my instrument
    2) To maintain my 4.0 grade average
    3) To become a better artist, a better violin player (improving my vibrato and increasing my skill enough to make it into Chamber), and a better person(corny, I know.. -_-)

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  63. Goals:
    1) Improve my confidence in playing my violin.
    2) Make a state cut for swim team
    3) Make straight A's to keep my 4.0

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  64. 1. Improve enough in orchestra to move up to Philharmonia next year :)
    2. Stay optimistic, because I know this is going to be a hard year.
    3. Hopefully by the end of a year, have a full time modeling job, whoop whoooooop! :D

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  65. 1. Improve my playing abilities in orchestra.
    2. Join more clubs/events.
    3. Make all high A's in all of my classes.

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  66. -To improve on the cello so I can move up in orchestra
    -Improve my writing skills
    -Get a 4.0 GPA

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  67. My goals this year are:
    1) Improve violin skills in orchestra
    2) Get all A's in my classes this year
    3) Get my learners permit in December

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  68. 1.) Be able to subdivide and play at the same time at a fast tempo (above 100) when sight-reading difficult rhythms. And move up to Chamber Orchestra. And letter in orchestra.
    2.) Qualify for county for diving(get over 130 points as a diving score) and letter in diving.
    3.) Become a better writer and get over a 2000 on the SAT.

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  69. 1. To be labeled as a true leader of Archer High School. As a senior, I believe in looking out for underclassmen with hopes that they look up to me in return.

    2. To become a stronger viola player by making more time in my schedule for the class. I really enjoy playing, but at times, school gets extremely overwhelming because of core academics.

    3. Maintaining my good grades. I can't lie, senioritis... it's real. there's so many things I do not want to complete because I feel like I don't have to but in reality I really do. I've come this far and it would be wrong on so many levels to throw my hard work away. But yeah, the struggle is real.

    4. LEEDLE LEEDLE LEEDLE LEE (Just kidding, that's not a goal. That's a lifestyle)

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  70. 1. Maintain a 4.0 GPA and make a natural A in all my AP classes.
    2. Learn how to speak Mandarin.
    3. Be able to run a mile in less than 5 minutes so I can beat my brother. :)

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  71. My goals:

    1. Get my back full and layout so I can make the archer varsity comp. cheer team
    2. Improve on all my bass playing skills and hopefully make it into chamber orchestra next year
    3. Get all A's in my classes so I can have a 4.0 GPA or higher

    ~Austin McLaughlin~

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  72. 1. To get all A's
    2. Improve my music skills
    3. Get my permit

    ReplyDelete
  73. 1. I want to finish High School well, with straight A's, and I'd like 3's or higher in all my AP exams(and I don't want my GPA to drop); hopefully this will allow me to gracefully be accepted into a nice college (UGA perhaps?).
    2. I Need a running scholarship, along with any other scholarship (like the Hope and Zell Miller?)I can possibly get because paying for college is going to... be really awful. Every little thing will help.
    3.I want to graduate with honors and with lots of cord and be a better person with the right group of friends who support me (this would also help with impressing my family and all- which is necessary)

    --Brandi Hawkins

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  74. 1.) My first goal is to maintain a 4.0 GPA throughout all of my highschool years. 2.) My second goal is to be able to play on the varsity and junior varsity lacrosse team this year. 3.) My last goal is to get a fives or fours on all of my AP exams this year.

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  75. 1. I want to have all A's by the end of each semester
    2. I want to make Varsity lacrosse
    3. and I want to make it to first chair atleast once!

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  76. 1. To make straight. A's both semeters
    2. Move back up to first chair and be able to stay there
    3. Get faster this track season

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  77. 1. I would like to keep up the hard work and continue to make straight A's so that I may graduate as an honors student, as well as improve my GPA. This also includes getting college credit by passing my AP exams.
    2. I'd also like to improve my vibrato and feel more confident when shifting.
    3. Graduate and get accepted to the college of my liking so that my mom can be proud of my achievements.

    ReplyDelete