Jacob Mireles June 4, 2004 Period 5. Reflection Essay.

We, as individuals, are constantly changing throughout our lives and we encounter many challenges along the way. Throughout the course of this school year I changed drastically, both as a person and in my beliefs and values. I don't think I'd be the same person if certain events hadn't occurred this school year. I might have turned out very differently if I hadn't encountered the obstacles I did. I think that everything happens for a reason and that I should try to learn from every experience.

At the beginning of the school year, I wasn't very outgoing and stayed to myself. When my friends pressured me into auditioning for my school play, I wasn't too comfortable with my talents. I wasn't very optimistic, but when I received the lead role I was in shock. I could hardly believe it. I had never been in a musical before. I was so worried that I couldn't learn my lines or memorize the songs. I could barely act at all for that matter. I think that this event taught me dedication. I had practice four days a week after school. I knew that I couldn't quit the musical so I worked that much harder to achieve my goal of learning the part. I started to become more confident in myself because of this occurrence.

Throughout the time my fellow students and me were working on the play I was so caught up in my lines and memorization that I fell behind in my schoolwork. I kept staying up late studying for tests, waiting until the last minute to do homework, and doing research when I could be enjoying myself. Without even trying, I learned responsibility. I knew that the play was important to many others and me but I'd get kicked off the production if my grades slipped. I was so stressed out so I decided to get my priorities straightened out. I knew my grades me slipping so I decided to work that much harder. I couldn't manage to get great scores in my classes, but receiving a C in Language Arts was a wake up call to me. I told myself I wouldn't let it happen again.

Opening night came so quickly. It was like it hadn't even been three months since the play started. I wasn't as nervous as I thought I'd be, but when I was standing behind the curtain and the lights went out, I really started to feel it. I was shaking all over and I didn't think I could do it. I was so worried I'd do badly or that I'd forget my opening lines. But when that curtain opened, all my fear dissolved. I felt that no one would care if I didn't do good or not. I just went out and had fun. This was defiantly the most influential moment of the school year for me. I felt so brave, like I could do anything after I had faced my fears. It was all worth it. When I went to school the next day, I was all everyone talked about. It made me feel like I had won this school year. I knew that I'd be fine.

At the beginning of the year I was just a shy boy, who didn't really know who he was, but after certain events happened to me, I feel that I've matured. I may have felt bad or scared when I first faced these and many other obstacles, but now that I look back on them I believe that they have helped me to change into the better person I am today. This school year has made me believe that anything can change you as a person, positively or negatively, depending on how you look at a situation. For me, the events that changed me this school year all happened in a domino effect. If I haven't auditioned for the play, then I would never had faced my fears. I would never have noticed that I needed to set my priorities in order. I know that I'm not perfect and that there is always room for improvement. In conclusion, I feel that I have changed drastically because of events that have happened to me this year and I'm looking forward to learning from and growing from events that I know I will encounter in the future.