Portfolio Page 1: Initial Letter
Claire Morris
Sophomore Class President
2022
It’s kind of crazy to think that I’m starting my sophomore year of high school when deep down, I still feel like a middle schooler. If I’m going to be completely honest, the thought of this school year scares me a lot. Change is an intimidating thing, and it comes with every new phase of life. But the only way to be more comfortable with it, is to be open to it. My portfolio theme for high school is phases of the moon, and this phase is the first quarter. In the first quarter, the moon has traveled a quarter of the way around the Earth, much like how I’m a quarter ways through high school. The meaning of this phase is to put the past behind you and further explore individuality, which are similar to my goals for this year. I want to achieve growth in my work ethic and grasp a better understanding of myself. Last year, I think I was so worried about pleasing other people and not doing anything wrong, that there wasn’t much I did for myself. I want to develop healthier routines and find a better balance between work and personal life to avoid going through the same struggles again. Setting impossible expectations for yourself and being a perfectionist doesn’t lead to success, it leads to an ugly cycle of dissatisfaction and burn out. It was not an easy thing to learn, but I’m grateful that I went through what I did when I was a freshman, because it taught me a lesson going into sophomore year. If I want to be happy and successful, I need to quit buying into the idea that people perceive me a certain way and that I have to stick to that. I can achieve my goals and grow as a person if I stop worrying about what that means for others.
Claire Morris
Sophomore Class President
2022
It’s kind of crazy to think that I’m starting my sophomore year of high school when deep down, I still feel like a middle schooler. If I’m going to be completely honest, the thought of this school year scares me a lot. Change is an intimidating thing, and it comes with every new phase of life. But the only way to be more comfortable with it, is to be open to it. My portfolio theme for high school is phases of the moon, and this phase is the first quarter. In the first quarter, the moon has traveled a quarter of the way around the Earth, much like how I’m a quarter ways through high school. The meaning of this phase is to put the past behind you and further explore individuality, which are similar to my goals for this year. I want to achieve growth in my work ethic and grasp a better understanding of myself. Last year, I think I was so worried about pleasing other people and not doing anything wrong, that there wasn’t much I did for myself. I want to develop healthier routines and find a better balance between work and personal life to avoid going through the same struggles again. Setting impossible expectations for yourself and being a perfectionist doesn’t lead to success, it leads to an ugly cycle of dissatisfaction and burn out. It was not an easy thing to learn, but I’m grateful that I went through what I did when I was a freshman, because it taught me a lesson going into sophomore year. If I want to be happy and successful, I need to quit buying into the idea that people perceive me a certain way and that I have to stick to that. I can achieve my goals and grow as a person if I stop worrying about what that means for others.
Portfolio Page 2: Favorite Quotes Pt. 1
Claire Morris
Sophomore Class President
2022
"You can do whatever you want." - Jennifer Morris (my mom)
My Mom and I had a conversation this past summer about the expectations I have for myself and my future. During this discussion, I started to realize that I worry too much about the way I'm perceived and get caught up in what others want me to be. To which she said, "You can do whatever you want." and it all made sense. In that moment, hearing that was the final piece of the puzzle that brought together the bigger picture. I feel that since I hold myself to a certain standard, I do things for my image and not truly for me. But my mom telling me that made me see that I really don't have to do anything I don't want to. I don't need to take tons of honors and AP classes or participate in every extracurricular activity to keep a good reputation. People won't see me as anything less than I am. But more importantly, I'll be happier because I decided to do things with myself in mind.
"People love what others are passionate about." - Emma Stone (La La Land)
This quote comes from one of my favorite movies of all time, Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone's, La La Land. In this scene of the movie, Ryan's character, Seb, is asking Emma's character, Mia, if people would even be interested in a jazz club he wants to open. Mia then tells him that, "People love what others are passionate about." meaning that. regardless if the interest is shared, people genuinely enjoy seeing other's pursue their passions. This really resonates with me because it not only reminds me that the things I'm interested in are important, but is relatable because I truly find so much joy in watching people talk about and explore their passions.
"Do what you feel in your heart to be right–for you’ll be criticized anyway." - Eleanor Roosevelt
This quote not only pertains to life in general, but leadership specifically. People will always have something to say or critique on any decision you make. It's easier for them to judge your actions when they aren't in your shoes. This happens very often when it comes to the leadership program. Not only outside peers, but even team members from different positions can be picky on the things you decide. This goes back to not being able to please everyone. No matter how hard you try, someone will always have a problem with what you do. So the best thing to do about this is to make choices in your team's best interest and go with your gut.
Portfolio Page 3: Favorite Quotes Pt. 2
Claire Morris
Sophomore Class President
2023
“The secret of change is to focus your energy on not fighting the old, but on building the new” - Socrates
I believe that this quote accurately represents the effort I put into leadership and is one that holds extreme importance in this program. This past year I’ve been doing a lot of reflection, whether it regards my class or myself personally. Throughout all of this thinking I’ve found one thing to be true. The more that you acknowledge your faults of the past instead of ignoring them, the more you see how mistakes can be utilized. Within my class as a team, I think we’ve made serious progress from freshman year to now. Working together, we’ve improved in various different areas of leadership. I’ve seen this first hand in our event outcomes, performance in spirit weeks, and our overall bond. Freshman year was a learning experience to say the least, but it taught us what we needed to do better moving forward and helped us in finding what worked and what didn’t. As for myself personally, I think I’ve had a bit of a journey as president this year. I’ve gone through different experiences where I didn’t always know what to do and surely made some mistakes. I acted on emotion instead of reason and didn’t represent the leader I wanted to be. But looking back on these times, I use them as a clearer sign of what I truly make of myself. I am accountable for the way that I’ve acted, and accept that I’m going to make more mistakes in the future. But I’ve tried my best to learn from those faults and turn them into something positive to work on rather than points to dwell on.
Claire Morris
Sophomore Class President
2023
“The secret of change is to focus your energy on not fighting the old, but on building the new” - Socrates
I believe that this quote accurately represents the effort I put into leadership and is one that holds extreme importance in this program. This past year I’ve been doing a lot of reflection, whether it regards my class or myself personally. Throughout all of this thinking I’ve found one thing to be true. The more that you acknowledge your faults of the past instead of ignoring them, the more you see how mistakes can be utilized. Within my class as a team, I think we’ve made serious progress from freshman year to now. Working together, we’ve improved in various different areas of leadership. I’ve seen this first hand in our event outcomes, performance in spirit weeks, and our overall bond. Freshman year was a learning experience to say the least, but it taught us what we needed to do better moving forward and helped us in finding what worked and what didn’t. As for myself personally, I think I’ve had a bit of a journey as president this year. I’ve gone through different experiences where I didn’t always know what to do and surely made some mistakes. I acted on emotion instead of reason and didn’t represent the leader I wanted to be. But looking back on these times, I use them as a clearer sign of what I truly make of myself. I am accountable for the way that I’ve acted, and accept that I’m going to make more mistakes in the future. But I’ve tried my best to learn from those faults and turn them into something positive to work on rather than points to dwell on.
Portfolio Page 4: Goals Pt. 1
Claire Morris
Sophomore Class President
2022
Two Self Goals (Leadership)
- Plan and carry through an organized and successful Winter Formal:
The winter formal dance is a really popular event at RHS and I hope to make it a great experience for everyone. Along with this, I'd like to make sure that through the process of planning and putting it together, our team maintains a good relationship with each other. Planning such a large event can make for a little tension and I would never want us to have conflict because of a silly matter.
-Form a strong bond within our class to create an efficent team:
One thing that I believe is really important to good working team is having a strong bond with each other. The more you know someone and the better level of respect you have for each other leads to a great working relationship. You're able to see things from their perspective and value their opinions on important decisions.
Two Short Term Goals For Life
-Go into a career path that allows me to express myself:
Something that I really value is self expression. I think that having the freedom to convey your passions in the workplace is really important. The ability to add a personal touch to your work prevents burn out and can prompt creativity. That way I can not only earn money from my career but also gain happiness and enjoy it.
-Travel:
I think there are many benefits to traveling. Besides just the basic visiting landmarks and popular spots, with traveling you can be exposed to different cultures and experience new places. There are so many things I've learned and memories from traveling that I'll take with me the rest of my life. You get to see the different ways that people live and are exposed to an atmosphere different from your own. This is important to me after growing up in a bit of a sheltered town.
Two Long Term Goals For Future
-Not feel like I've settled:
This may sound kind of somber, but it's stayed true my whole life. A fear I've always had is feeling like I settled in various different ways of my life. This could be in my career, relationships, or other big commitments. Something that I want my future self to feel is freedom and choice. I want to be confident in that if I'm not happy, I don't have to stay with something negative.
-Be successful in my work:
In my future I would like to have success in the work that I do and leave an important impact. I think that if I'm passionate about what I do and stay committed to my work I can leave with something people will remember. This could be in any work field, I just want to do something that matters and has positive impact on my community.
Claire Morris
Sophomore Class President
2022
Two Self Goals (Leadership)
- Plan and carry through an organized and successful Winter Formal:
The winter formal dance is a really popular event at RHS and I hope to make it a great experience for everyone. Along with this, I'd like to make sure that through the process of planning and putting it together, our team maintains a good relationship with each other. Planning such a large event can make for a little tension and I would never want us to have conflict because of a silly matter.
-Form a strong bond within our class to create an efficent team:
One thing that I believe is really important to good working team is having a strong bond with each other. The more you know someone and the better level of respect you have for each other leads to a great working relationship. You're able to see things from their perspective and value their opinions on important decisions.
Two Short Term Goals For Life
-Go into a career path that allows me to express myself:
Something that I really value is self expression. I think that having the freedom to convey your passions in the workplace is really important. The ability to add a personal touch to your work prevents burn out and can prompt creativity. That way I can not only earn money from my career but also gain happiness and enjoy it.
-Travel:
I think there are many benefits to traveling. Besides just the basic visiting landmarks and popular spots, with traveling you can be exposed to different cultures and experience new places. There are so many things I've learned and memories from traveling that I'll take with me the rest of my life. You get to see the different ways that people live and are exposed to an atmosphere different from your own. This is important to me after growing up in a bit of a sheltered town.
Two Long Term Goals For Future
-Not feel like I've settled:
This may sound kind of somber, but it's stayed true my whole life. A fear I've always had is feeling like I settled in various different ways of my life. This could be in my career, relationships, or other big commitments. Something that I want my future self to feel is freedom and choice. I want to be confident in that if I'm not happy, I don't have to stay with something negative.
-Be successful in my work:
In my future I would like to have success in the work that I do and leave an important impact. I think that if I'm passionate about what I do and stay committed to my work I can leave with something people will remember. This could be in any work field, I just want to do something that matters and has positive impact on my community.
Portfolio Page 5: Goals Pt. 2
Claire Morris
Sophomore Class President
2023
Two Self Goals (Leadership)
- Plan and carry through an organized and successful Winter Formal:
With the help of the Sophomore class we exceeded the expectations of this goal! The fears I had about it not being up to our peers standards and that our team would experience tension never ended up being an issue. While I'm pleased with the fact that students enjoyed it, I'm even prouder and happier with our team's job. We really put our all into this event and worked together to make it as good as it could be. It felt extremely rewarding to complete and made me extremely grateful for the class that I'm surrounded with.
-Form a strong bond within our class to create an efficent team:
I'd say we completed this one nearly to a fault. I swear we're like one little Sophomore class family. Having fake fights, (real fights) silly inside jokes, and great memories that I really cherish. Every individual in our class this year exhibits a lot of dedication and effort into the things they're apart of. It's been inspiring to watch us grow together, we've become each other's support system through it all. I'm so lucky to have all of them on my team.
Two Short Term Goals For Life
-Go into a career path that allows me to express myself:
I've been making conscious efforts toward this goal this past year. Last year for my mock interview I chose journalism but this year I picked graphic design since I'm really interested in art. It interests me because not only does it involve design, but also marketing and how illustrations can attract consumers. I wanted to branch out into my different interests and see what it's like to experience new careers. I don't have a set plan of what profession I'm going into as of right now so I have the freedom to explore a lot of career paths.
-Travel:
This goal is one that I believe will be constant throughout my whole life. While it's a little difficult to travel a lot during the school year I've made a lot of travel plans for this upcoming summer. For two and a half weeks during the month of June I'll be in Portugal along with my family. I'm really excited for the trip because I love to experience new places and cultures and think it will be cool since I have some family history there.
Two Long Term Goals For Future
-Not feel like I've settled:
Now this goal is a little bit complicated, to work towards this one it requires a lot of self reflection and thinking. I've been accessing my involvements lately and how passionate I am about them. I think that if you lose motivation for something you take part in you have to separate yourself from it. If you stay in that involvement, you'll end up settling for a commitment that you don't truly enjoy. With this, I've made some decisions for things I want to or don't want to take part in next year. Ultimately, I've been working on what I value and what is holding me back.
-Be successful in my work:
This goal has proved to be a little more difficult than I thought. While it's a long term one and it will happen over a process of time, the efforts to be successful start early on. Sophomore year has really been a test of my limits and strength as far as work goes. I've hit some walls but I think the purpose of this was to teach me a lesson. That I won't constantly be successful, that things won't always go the way I desire them to, but that those failures don't make me weak.
Claire Morris
Sophomore Class President
2023
Two Self Goals (Leadership)
- Plan and carry through an organized and successful Winter Formal:
With the help of the Sophomore class we exceeded the expectations of this goal! The fears I had about it not being up to our peers standards and that our team would experience tension never ended up being an issue. While I'm pleased with the fact that students enjoyed it, I'm even prouder and happier with our team's job. We really put our all into this event and worked together to make it as good as it could be. It felt extremely rewarding to complete and made me extremely grateful for the class that I'm surrounded with.
-Form a strong bond within our class to create an efficent team:
I'd say we completed this one nearly to a fault. I swear we're like one little Sophomore class family. Having fake fights, (real fights) silly inside jokes, and great memories that I really cherish. Every individual in our class this year exhibits a lot of dedication and effort into the things they're apart of. It's been inspiring to watch us grow together, we've become each other's support system through it all. I'm so lucky to have all of them on my team.
Two Short Term Goals For Life
-Go into a career path that allows me to express myself:
I've been making conscious efforts toward this goal this past year. Last year for my mock interview I chose journalism but this year I picked graphic design since I'm really interested in art. It interests me because not only does it involve design, but also marketing and how illustrations can attract consumers. I wanted to branch out into my different interests and see what it's like to experience new careers. I don't have a set plan of what profession I'm going into as of right now so I have the freedom to explore a lot of career paths.
-Travel:
This goal is one that I believe will be constant throughout my whole life. While it's a little difficult to travel a lot during the school year I've made a lot of travel plans for this upcoming summer. For two and a half weeks during the month of June I'll be in Portugal along with my family. I'm really excited for the trip because I love to experience new places and cultures and think it will be cool since I have some family history there.
Two Long Term Goals For Future
-Not feel like I've settled:
Now this goal is a little bit complicated, to work towards this one it requires a lot of self reflection and thinking. I've been accessing my involvements lately and how passionate I am about them. I think that if you lose motivation for something you take part in you have to separate yourself from it. If you stay in that involvement, you'll end up settling for a commitment that you don't truly enjoy. With this, I've made some decisions for things I want to or don't want to take part in next year. Ultimately, I've been working on what I value and what is holding me back.
-Be successful in my work:
This goal has proved to be a little more difficult than I thought. While it's a long term one and it will happen over a process of time, the efforts to be successful start early on. Sophomore year has really been a test of my limits and strength as far as work goes. I've hit some walls but I think the purpose of this was to teach me a lesson. That I won't constantly be successful, that things won't always go the way I desire them to, but that those failures don't make me weak.
Portfolio Page 6: Magazine Cover
Claire Morris
Sophomore Class President
2022
Claire Morris
Sophomore Class President
2022
Portfolio Page 7: Magazine Article
Claire Morris
Sophomore Class President
2022
Marie Claire magazine got the chance to interview Claire Morris, the 2022-2023 Sophomore Class President, and found out some riveting facts about her current life and plans for the future. Claire currently attends Ripon High School and is in her second year of being a part of the leadership program. Along with that, she is also involved in the EduRevolution club that focuses on the education and schooling system for young students. When asked how she manages these responsibilities and commitments she told us, “I love to be a part of these programs and clubs because they stress the importance of topics and lessons I’m passionate about. For me, it’s worth the time and effort because I see the significant value in it.” She finds so much joy in making a positive impact on her campus and always wants to contribute to her community in any way possible. “It’s really about the people for me,” she says, “being able to learn from those around you is an eye opening experience. Human connection is such a beautiful thing.”
As for her future, Claire would love to pursue investigative journalism. With this career she wishes to bring light to important world issues and give others a platform to speak their truth. “The written language is much more valuable than people think, words can hold so much power and I want to be able to utilize that in a way that’s beneficial to society.” Claire especially loves the thought of going into journalism because it combines many of the topics she takes interest in. Some of those being travel, psychology, and public interest. She wants to be able to do something that will allow her the freedom to express herself and keep her excited about the work she does. Claire told us she’s looking forward to life outside of the small town she was raised in. “I’m so grateful to have grown up in a place with such a close community like Ripon, although I do feel it’s a bit sheltered. I’ve always wanted to experience new places and cultures.” Claire has many hopes for the future, but her biggest is to do something that will leave a positive and lasting impact.
We got an insider look on her personal life and what’s going on off the record. When asked about the latest gossip and relationships, she said, “I don’t really buy into all of that. This year especially I’m trying to take care of myself and focus on my own wellbeing. High school is hectic enough as it is, so why bother getting invested in drama that will be forgotten in a week's time?” Claire is putting her best foot forward and figuring herself out instead of worrying over what others are up to. She has high hopes for the future and is driven to achieve success and self fulfillment. There are exciting things in store for her future and she couldn’t be more excited to share them with us as she strives on.
Claire Morris
Sophomore Class President
2022
Marie Claire magazine got the chance to interview Claire Morris, the 2022-2023 Sophomore Class President, and found out some riveting facts about her current life and plans for the future. Claire currently attends Ripon High School and is in her second year of being a part of the leadership program. Along with that, she is also involved in the EduRevolution club that focuses on the education and schooling system for young students. When asked how she manages these responsibilities and commitments she told us, “I love to be a part of these programs and clubs because they stress the importance of topics and lessons I’m passionate about. For me, it’s worth the time and effort because I see the significant value in it.” She finds so much joy in making a positive impact on her campus and always wants to contribute to her community in any way possible. “It’s really about the people for me,” she says, “being able to learn from those around you is an eye opening experience. Human connection is such a beautiful thing.”
As for her future, Claire would love to pursue investigative journalism. With this career she wishes to bring light to important world issues and give others a platform to speak their truth. “The written language is much more valuable than people think, words can hold so much power and I want to be able to utilize that in a way that’s beneficial to society.” Claire especially loves the thought of going into journalism because it combines many of the topics she takes interest in. Some of those being travel, psychology, and public interest. She wants to be able to do something that will allow her the freedom to express herself and keep her excited about the work she does. Claire told us she’s looking forward to life outside of the small town she was raised in. “I’m so grateful to have grown up in a place with such a close community like Ripon, although I do feel it’s a bit sheltered. I’ve always wanted to experience new places and cultures.” Claire has many hopes for the future, but her biggest is to do something that will leave a positive and lasting impact.
We got an insider look on her personal life and what’s going on off the record. When asked about the latest gossip and relationships, she said, “I don’t really buy into all of that. This year especially I’m trying to take care of myself and focus on my own wellbeing. High school is hectic enough as it is, so why bother getting invested in drama that will be forgotten in a week's time?” Claire is putting her best foot forward and figuring herself out instead of worrying over what others are up to. She has high hopes for the future and is driven to achieve success and self fulfillment. There are exciting things in store for her future and she couldn’t be more excited to share them with us as she strives on.
Portfolio Page 8: Role Model
Claire Morris
Sophomore Class President
2022
My role model is my mom. In every single step of my life she has shown me not only how much she cares for me, but how selfless of a person she is.
My mom, Jennifer, has worked as a teacher for as long as I can remember. She's dedicated her life to helping kids grow into the people they want to become and educate them in many areas. She's taught elementary students, and currently works in special education grades K-8. It's not as easy profession and is one that requires serious strength and commitment. With this, my mom was the first person to teach me that having passion for what you do is of the utmost importance. I've seen so many people be discontent and uninspired in their job and it not only shows, but impacts the life of those around them. My mom has a passion and drive for her career like I've never seen before. She cares deeply for her students and tries her hardest every day to guide them where they need to go and make sure they feel seen.
While it sounds cliché, my mom truly has been my biggest supporter throughout my entire life. I'm so grateful and lucky to be able to call her my best friend. Ever since I can remember I've told her everything. We've always had a very open and honest relationship which can be rare to find between a mother and a daughter in high school. She's carried me throughout hard times in my life where I didn't know where to turn or how to help myself. At one of the most challenging points in my life, she showed me that I was loved and made sure I knew that I didn't have to go through anything alone. I could not be more grateful for her and am proud that she's not only my role model, but that she's my mother.
Claire Morris
Sophomore Class President
2022
My role model is my mom. In every single step of my life she has shown me not only how much she cares for me, but how selfless of a person she is.
My mom, Jennifer, has worked as a teacher for as long as I can remember. She's dedicated her life to helping kids grow into the people they want to become and educate them in many areas. She's taught elementary students, and currently works in special education grades K-8. It's not as easy profession and is one that requires serious strength and commitment. With this, my mom was the first person to teach me that having passion for what you do is of the utmost importance. I've seen so many people be discontent and uninspired in their job and it not only shows, but impacts the life of those around them. My mom has a passion and drive for her career like I've never seen before. She cares deeply for her students and tries her hardest every day to guide them where they need to go and make sure they feel seen.
While it sounds cliché, my mom truly has been my biggest supporter throughout my entire life. I'm so grateful and lucky to be able to call her my best friend. Ever since I can remember I've told her everything. We've always had a very open and honest relationship which can be rare to find between a mother and a daughter in high school. She's carried me throughout hard times in my life where I didn't know where to turn or how to help myself. At one of the most challenging points in my life, she showed me that I was loved and made sure I knew that I didn't have to go through anything alone. I could not be more grateful for her and am proud that she's not only my role model, but that she's my mother.
Portfolio Page 9: Inner Animal
Claire Morris Sophomore Class President 2022 This year, I chose a horse as my inner animal. Horses are typically passionate, emotional, and independent. These are all traits I resonate with, and think represent me well. Like horses, I'm comfortable doing things on my own and will always choose to persist through challenges. Horses represent nobility and endurance which are qualities I've constantly tried to implement into my life. |
Portfolio Page 10: The Best Things About Me
Claire Morris
Sophomore Class President
2022
Claire Morris
Sophomore Class President
2022
Portfolio Page 11: The Impact Of Sounds and Words
Claire Morris Sophomore Class President 2022 -paradise, by coldplay When she was just a girl she expected the world But it flew away from her reach So she ran away in her sleep Dreamed of para-para-paradise Para-para-paradise, para-para-paradise Every time she closed her eyes When she was just a girl she expected the world But it flew away from her reach And the bullets catch in her teeth Life goes on, it gets so heavy The wheel breaks the butterfly Every tear a waterfall In the night the stormy night she'll close her eyes In the night the stormy night away she'd fly Dream of para-para-paradise Para-para-paradise Para-para-paradise She'd dream of para-para-paradise Para-para-paradise Para-para-paradise Sing, la la la la la la la la la La la la la la la la And so lying underneath those stormy skies She'd say, "oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh I know the sun must set to rise" This could be para-para-paradise Para-para-paradise This could be para-para-paradise (Oh oh oh oh oh, oh oh oh) This could be para-para-paradise Para-para-paradise This could be para-para-paradise Oh oh oh oh oh oh, oh, oh This could be para-para-paradise Para-para-paradise This could be para-para-paradise (Oh oh oh oh oh, oh oh oh) This could be para, be paradise Para-paradise Para-paradise This could be para, be paradise Para-paradise Para-paradise |
The song that I chose to represent me is Paradise, by Coldplay. Being as passionate as I am about music, this was a difficult choice to make. But one night, as I was scrolling through my Spotify, this song came on and I instantly knew it was the one I wanted to chose for this section. I grew up on Coldplay and hearing it brought up a lot of memories. I think it especially resonates with me because I've been listening to this band since I was little. The song tells the story of a young girl, she's lost in the world and feeling alone but finds solace in fantasy. In her times of hurting she's comforted by her dreams and thoughts of her aspirations. As the story goes on, she begins to see the struggles of reality and growing up. I feel very connected to this story at the point of life I'm in right now. When things feel unsure and messy, I can feel peace in the thought that I have my whole life ahead of me. I dream of a better place in my future where I'm not as worried and stuck in my anxiety. The song, Paradise, reminds me that there is always a brighter side and the hard times will get better as time progresses.
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Portfolio Page 12: Homecoming Gallery
Claire Morris
Sophomore Class President
2022
Claire Morris
Sophomore Class President
2022
Portfolio Page 13: What I Like Best About Being A Member Of Leadership
Claire Morris
Sophomore Class President
2023
Getting to be a part of the leadership program is one of my favorite parts of high school. The memories that I’ve made and the people I’ve met have changed my life and helped shape the person I have become. One of my favorite moments in leadership this year has been getting to experience the first in-person core camp since the Covid-19 epidemic. I got to connect with members of the program I hadn’t been as close with before and learn how to work better with my team. Being in an environment outside of the school setting allowed us all to see each other in a more relaxed and comfortable state which I believe was beneficial for our relationships. My favorite memory from core camp was the end of the last night when we got together and shared our favorite memories. It gave me perspective on the values of those in the program. Another one of my favorite memories from the leadership program this year was getting to decorate and attend the Winter Formal dance that the Sophomore class officers planned. Decorating the morning of the dance was exciting because we were well prepared and ready for the night ahead. Getting to see the work we put into the event fully completed was extremely rewarding. It was fulfilling to see my peers enjoying the night and having fun because of something we put together as a team. I was very happy with how it turned out and think that the officers and I did a great job throughout the process. My last favorite memory in the program has been seeing the results of Homecoming this current year. While the whole week was a bit stress inducing, the Sophomore class made an enormous amount of progress compared to last year’s competitions. While we didn’t place second, we got very close and put up a strong fight. The quality of work we put out was something I believe we could all be very proud of. As president, I felt happy for myself, but more so happy for the rest of my class and the effort we put in. I thank leadership for filling my high school career with memories I can look back on and think fondly of.
Claire Morris
Sophomore Class President
2023
Getting to be a part of the leadership program is one of my favorite parts of high school. The memories that I’ve made and the people I’ve met have changed my life and helped shape the person I have become. One of my favorite moments in leadership this year has been getting to experience the first in-person core camp since the Covid-19 epidemic. I got to connect with members of the program I hadn’t been as close with before and learn how to work better with my team. Being in an environment outside of the school setting allowed us all to see each other in a more relaxed and comfortable state which I believe was beneficial for our relationships. My favorite memory from core camp was the end of the last night when we got together and shared our favorite memories. It gave me perspective on the values of those in the program. Another one of my favorite memories from the leadership program this year was getting to decorate and attend the Winter Formal dance that the Sophomore class officers planned. Decorating the morning of the dance was exciting because we were well prepared and ready for the night ahead. Getting to see the work we put into the event fully completed was extremely rewarding. It was fulfilling to see my peers enjoying the night and having fun because of something we put together as a team. I was very happy with how it turned out and think that the officers and I did a great job throughout the process. My last favorite memory in the program has been seeing the results of Homecoming this current year. While the whole week was a bit stress inducing, the Sophomore class made an enormous amount of progress compared to last year’s competitions. While we didn’t place second, we got very close and put up a strong fight. The quality of work we put out was something I believe we could all be very proud of. As president, I felt happy for myself, but more so happy for the rest of my class and the effort we put in. I thank leadership for filling my high school career with memories I can look back on and think fondly of.
Portfolio Page 14: Reflection of a Peer in Leadership
Sophomore Class President 2023 A peer in leadership I want to acknowledge is Gia Grewal. I’ve known Gia since she moved to Colony Oak in 7th grade, but I didn’t really get to know her until freshman year. Being new to high school and the leadership program was definitely intimidating but having her on our team always gave me a sense of comfort. Not only is she organized and creative, but she’s dedicated to the things she takes part in. Getting to know her both last year, and especially this year since we’re in an officer team together, has been something I’m so grateful for. I adore her witty remarks and her brilliant mind. In a pinch, she’s always able to think outside the box and come up with a perfect solution to any problem. One of my favorite times her creativity has helped our team greatly was our freshman year Homecoming when she made cutouts of Mickey and Minnie. We used those the entire duration of the week and they put our decorations over the top. Or her thoughtfully written and made praises she makes every round for the class. The amount of effort and consideration she puts into them shows how much she cares about the people around her. I truly feel so lucky to have met Gia and think that she’s a perfect representation of what the leadership program needs. Her hard work and motivated spirit inspires me to always try my best everyday. |
Portfolio Page 15: RHS Pride Photo Gallery
Claire Morris
Sophomore Class President
2023
Claire Morris
Sophomore Class President
2023
Portfolio Page 16: What I Love To Do
Claire Morris
Sophomore Class President
2023
As a girl with a restless mind and loads of different interests I’ve really loved having an array of hobbies. They’re something I can throw myself into and forget about whatever is occupying me at the moment. One that I think will never change, is reading. Ever since I was little, I’ve been a bookworm and have found a strong sense of comfort in getting to experience a whole world through words. Another long lived hobby for me, aside from reading, has been art. When I’m creating art, it allows me to channel my emotions that may be overwhelming into something beautiful and expressive. I think it’s helped me learn that not everything has to be perfect. Along with the creative themes, I love putting outfits together and experimenting with fashion. I’m someone who is extremely expressive through what they create, so my style and clothes are like a direct representation of me. A more physical hobby I love is snowboarding. While I’m pretty average at it, snowboarding has always been an activity I enjoyed. It started as something I did to bond with my dad and grew into an unexpected source of joy and passion. Over the years thrifting has also become huge for me. There is something so therapeutic about being able to give clothes another life. Second hand shopping brings me so much excitement because you get to come home with a piece that’s unique and eco-friendly! Lastly, and arguably the most significant in my life, is simply listening to music. I have always had such a strong connection to music and it’s truly helped me so much in the past years. Creating playlists and finding songs I resonate with give me a sense of reassurance and inspiration.
Claire Morris
Sophomore Class President
2023
As a girl with a restless mind and loads of different interests I’ve really loved having an array of hobbies. They’re something I can throw myself into and forget about whatever is occupying me at the moment. One that I think will never change, is reading. Ever since I was little, I’ve been a bookworm and have found a strong sense of comfort in getting to experience a whole world through words. Another long lived hobby for me, aside from reading, has been art. When I’m creating art, it allows me to channel my emotions that may be overwhelming into something beautiful and expressive. I think it’s helped me learn that not everything has to be perfect. Along with the creative themes, I love putting outfits together and experimenting with fashion. I’m someone who is extremely expressive through what they create, so my style and clothes are like a direct representation of me. A more physical hobby I love is snowboarding. While I’m pretty average at it, snowboarding has always been an activity I enjoyed. It started as something I did to bond with my dad and grew into an unexpected source of joy and passion. Over the years thrifting has also become huge for me. There is something so therapeutic about being able to give clothes another life. Second hand shopping brings me so much excitement because you get to come home with a piece that’s unique and eco-friendly! Lastly, and arguably the most significant in my life, is simply listening to music. I have always had such a strong connection to music and it’s truly helped me so much in the past years. Creating playlists and finding songs I resonate with give me a sense of reassurance and inspiration.
Portfolio Page 17: Letter To Parents
Claire Morris
Sophomore Class President
2023
Dear Mama and Dad,
The older that I get, and the more time that passes, the more grateful I am to be your daughter. Aside from the fact that you’ve provided me with a stable life and loving environment to come home to, you've raised me in a way that allows me to feel supported while also letting me grow into my own individual. You have both made such a strong impact on the person I am today and hold so much importance in my life.
Growing up, I had the privilege of being able to partake in whatever activities I wanted to. Whether it was joining the student council or the soccer team, I was lucky to have the help of my parents. Early Saturday mornings spent looking for lost cleats and late nights listening to election speeches were all possible because of you two. Whenever I felt as though I wasn’t good enough you met me with an instant response of encouragement, affirming me of my capabilities. You both taught me the importance of having faith in yourself and persevering through challenges. Now, being 16 years old, I still remember those conversations. How each time I began to feel less than, you both reminded me of my accomplishments. And that, I cannot thank you enough for. Because of it I’m able to push through obstacles and trust my abilities.
I’ve come to realize that my challenges at 16 are very different from my challenges at 7 years old. Not being able to finish my math worksheets- well, some things actually never change. The point I’m trying to get across is that I’ve grown up, and so have my issues. But what remains constant is my support system. The love that I’ve been shown and guidance you two have given me is something that I’ll never be able to repay. I’ve faced some dark moments throughout this past year, but one thing I never had to question was having someone to go to. That means more to me than I think either of you could ever possibly know. I can only hope to grow into a person as devoted, passionate, and kind as the two of you are. Thank you both for being people I want to become. I love you.
Love, Claire
Claire Morris
Sophomore Class President
2023
Dear Mama and Dad,
The older that I get, and the more time that passes, the more grateful I am to be your daughter. Aside from the fact that you’ve provided me with a stable life and loving environment to come home to, you've raised me in a way that allows me to feel supported while also letting me grow into my own individual. You have both made such a strong impact on the person I am today and hold so much importance in my life.
Growing up, I had the privilege of being able to partake in whatever activities I wanted to. Whether it was joining the student council or the soccer team, I was lucky to have the help of my parents. Early Saturday mornings spent looking for lost cleats and late nights listening to election speeches were all possible because of you two. Whenever I felt as though I wasn’t good enough you met me with an instant response of encouragement, affirming me of my capabilities. You both taught me the importance of having faith in yourself and persevering through challenges. Now, being 16 years old, I still remember those conversations. How each time I began to feel less than, you both reminded me of my accomplishments. And that, I cannot thank you enough for. Because of it I’m able to push through obstacles and trust my abilities.
I’ve come to realize that my challenges at 16 are very different from my challenges at 7 years old. Not being able to finish my math worksheets- well, some things actually never change. The point I’m trying to get across is that I’ve grown up, and so have my issues. But what remains constant is my support system. The love that I’ve been shown and guidance you two have given me is something that I’ll never be able to repay. I’ve faced some dark moments throughout this past year, but one thing I never had to question was having someone to go to. That means more to me than I think either of you could ever possibly know. I can only hope to grow into a person as devoted, passionate, and kind as the two of you are. Thank you both for being people I want to become. I love you.
Love, Claire
Page 18: General Advice
Claire Morris
Sophomore Class President
2023
clairemmorris.weebly.com/general-advice1.html
Claire Morris
Sophomore Class President
2023
clairemmorris.weebly.com/general-advice1.html
Portfolio Page 19: Do's and Don'ts
Claire Morris
Sophomore Class President
2023
clairemmorris.weebly.com/dos-and-donts.html
Claire Morris
Sophomore Class President
2023
clairemmorris.weebly.com/dos-and-donts.html
Portfolio Page 2o: The Contact List
Claire Morris
Sophomore Class President
2023
Photographer: Leonard Photography
Phone: (209) 824-0204
Website: Leonard Photography
Email: N/A
Address: 300 E Yosemite Ave #101, Manteca, CA 95336
Events Planner: Events22
Phone: 209-552-5969
Website: Events 22
Email: N/A
Address: 202 E Main St, Ripon, CA 95366
DJ: Sounds In Motion
Phone: (209) 522-5999
Website: www.soundsinmotiondj.com/
Email: [email protected]
Address: 931 10TH STREET MODESTO, CA 95354
Claire Morris
Sophomore Class President
2023
Photographer: Leonard Photography
Phone: (209) 824-0204
Website: Leonard Photography
Email: N/A
Address: 300 E Yosemite Ave #101, Manteca, CA 95336
Events Planner: Events22
Phone: 209-552-5969
Website: Events 22
Email: N/A
Address: 202 E Main St, Ripon, CA 95366
DJ: Sounds In Motion
Phone: (209) 522-5999
Website: www.soundsinmotiondj.com/
Email: [email protected]
Address: 931 10TH STREET MODESTO, CA 95354
Portfolio Page 21: The Professional
Claire Morris
Sophomore Class President
2023
This year I hold the position of Sophomore Class President so I’ve definitely had to dive deeper into the world of professionalism. Comparing my knowledge of professionalism this year to my knowledge last year I can identify so many areas that I’ve significantly improved in. One specific area has been public speaking. In my freshman year, I felt extremely insecure about public speaking and let that fear play into my performance. No matter how many times I had practiced I still came off as nervous and unprepared. However, the more that I spoke and the closer attention I paid to skilled public speakers I was able to learn how to better my own ability. I targeted areas of improvement such as my body language, my voice inflection, and my talking speed. In acknowledging these factors and actively focusing on them during my speeches, I was able to visibly see my development. I started to get compliments on my public speaking skills and even qualified for a speech competition at school. Another aspect of professionalism that I’ve been able to work on through the duration of this year has been my interactions with people of authority. I feel that this is a factor of professionalism that is often overlooked, but remains extremely important. Many times throughout life you’ll come to a point where you need to talk to important people of power. Being timid and having poor conversational skills will only present you as a weaker leader. Confidence is key when it comes to approaching bosses, or those in charge. They want to see someone who is trustworthy, capable, and determined. I feel that through leadership I’ve gotten so many opportunities to work with figures of authority and it’s helped me to be less nervous when talking to them. I’m able to hold casual conversation instead of being afraid of getting judged. I’m so grateful to this program for teaching me skills in professionalism that will be useful to me for the rest of my life.
Claire Morris
Sophomore Class President
2023
This year I hold the position of Sophomore Class President so I’ve definitely had to dive deeper into the world of professionalism. Comparing my knowledge of professionalism this year to my knowledge last year I can identify so many areas that I’ve significantly improved in. One specific area has been public speaking. In my freshman year, I felt extremely insecure about public speaking and let that fear play into my performance. No matter how many times I had practiced I still came off as nervous and unprepared. However, the more that I spoke and the closer attention I paid to skilled public speakers I was able to learn how to better my own ability. I targeted areas of improvement such as my body language, my voice inflection, and my talking speed. In acknowledging these factors and actively focusing on them during my speeches, I was able to visibly see my development. I started to get compliments on my public speaking skills and even qualified for a speech competition at school. Another aspect of professionalism that I’ve been able to work on through the duration of this year has been my interactions with people of authority. I feel that this is a factor of professionalism that is often overlooked, but remains extremely important. Many times throughout life you’ll come to a point where you need to talk to important people of power. Being timid and having poor conversational skills will only present you as a weaker leader. Confidence is key when it comes to approaching bosses, or those in charge. They want to see someone who is trustworthy, capable, and determined. I feel that through leadership I’ve gotten so many opportunities to work with figures of authority and it’s helped me to be less nervous when talking to them. I’m able to hold casual conversation instead of being afraid of getting judged. I’m so grateful to this program for teaching me skills in professionalism that will be useful to me for the rest of my life.
Portfolio Page 22: Change
Claire Morris
Sophomore Class President
2023
Writing a reflection letter on my year as a leader kind of makes me laugh because of how much I’ve experienced and changed. I knew that this year would be a test of my abilities and a chance to see how well I can act under pressure, but I didn’t think it would be so extreme! Sophomore year has seriously been a rollercoaster and it’s interesting to look back on myself at the beginning of this year and now. Some significant changes that I’ve noticed in myself I can accredit to this program. One, being my ability to self reflect. (Ironic with this prompt, I know) Being a leader comes with the large responsibility of holding yourself accountable for actions done and decisions made. Going from a representative to a president has definitely made some room for mistakes. Instead of seriously dwelling on these errors I’ve made, I’ve learned to make myself aware of them, apologize where it's needed, and keep those things I need to work on in mind. At the start of the year I felt so much pressure to be the perfect leader and always at my best but as time went on I realized how unrealistic that ideal was. As humans, we make mistakes every single day (intentionally or not) and what matters most is how you deal with those mistakes. You cannot erase the past, but you can grow from it. I really got a first hand experience with this during Homecoming this year. I can say that there are some decisions I made then, that I would not have made now. The week as a whole was very stressful so the entire class was under a lot of pressure. The tension was high and I had trouble separating my personal stress from my interactions with others. I let my emotions get the best of me and was passive toward people who didn’t deserve it. Overall, I could notice that my stress impacted other people’s stress levels. I felt guilty for making situations more intense than they needed to be and regretted not being more mindful of what I was really mad at and who I was letting it out on. As the year progresses I’ve really tried to the best of my ability to be more aware of that. While I will be honest and say that my stress hasn’t gone away, I believe that I’ve done a better job at lashing out less. I also think that being more self aware of this has been healthier for me. I’m not someone who finds it easy to be open and vulnerable so accepting that there are times where I won’t be able to give 100% has been a big step for me. I would say that learning that lesson has been one of the most significant parts of this year and is a huge progression in my leadership development. For anyone coming into the program I would really encourage them to remember progress over perfection. I believe that to achieve a healthier working environment we must remind ourselves that mistakes are inevitable. As a class, I think we could work on being more vulnerable with each other and talking about failure instead of trying to forget it.
Claire Morris
Sophomore Class President
2023
Writing a reflection letter on my year as a leader kind of makes me laugh because of how much I’ve experienced and changed. I knew that this year would be a test of my abilities and a chance to see how well I can act under pressure, but I didn’t think it would be so extreme! Sophomore year has seriously been a rollercoaster and it’s interesting to look back on myself at the beginning of this year and now. Some significant changes that I’ve noticed in myself I can accredit to this program. One, being my ability to self reflect. (Ironic with this prompt, I know) Being a leader comes with the large responsibility of holding yourself accountable for actions done and decisions made. Going from a representative to a president has definitely made some room for mistakes. Instead of seriously dwelling on these errors I’ve made, I’ve learned to make myself aware of them, apologize where it's needed, and keep those things I need to work on in mind. At the start of the year I felt so much pressure to be the perfect leader and always at my best but as time went on I realized how unrealistic that ideal was. As humans, we make mistakes every single day (intentionally or not) and what matters most is how you deal with those mistakes. You cannot erase the past, but you can grow from it. I really got a first hand experience with this during Homecoming this year. I can say that there are some decisions I made then, that I would not have made now. The week as a whole was very stressful so the entire class was under a lot of pressure. The tension was high and I had trouble separating my personal stress from my interactions with others. I let my emotions get the best of me and was passive toward people who didn’t deserve it. Overall, I could notice that my stress impacted other people’s stress levels. I felt guilty for making situations more intense than they needed to be and regretted not being more mindful of what I was really mad at and who I was letting it out on. As the year progresses I’ve really tried to the best of my ability to be more aware of that. While I will be honest and say that my stress hasn’t gone away, I believe that I’ve done a better job at lashing out less. I also think that being more self aware of this has been healthier for me. I’m not someone who finds it easy to be open and vulnerable so accepting that there are times where I won’t be able to give 100% has been a big step for me. I would say that learning that lesson has been one of the most significant parts of this year and is a huge progression in my leadership development. For anyone coming into the program I would really encourage them to remember progress over perfection. I believe that to achieve a healthier working environment we must remind ourselves that mistakes are inevitable. As a class, I think we could work on being more vulnerable with each other and talking about failure instead of trying to forget it.
Portfolio Page 23: The Ideal Leader
Claire Morris
Sophomore Class President
2023
Being a leader is much more than just having organizational skills or participating in community service. To truly be a leader, you must carry an array of abilities to help you throughout situations and an open mind to be accepting of change. A good leader knows that they are not perfect, that mistakes will be made and tension will get high. Nonetheless, they’re aware that as long as their team is built off of trust, they remain confident in their abilities, and are intentional with the tasks they accomplish, that success is attainable. Every person has a different definition of what a leader is and what characteristics are valued. But to me, a good leader is someone who focuses on progress and implements love into the things they do. To lead is to be aware of your influence on others and use that as a tool for positive change. But it is also to accept that nothing will be perfect, and that there will be times of failure. A great leader utilizes their mistakes and makes conscious efforts to improve them further on. And ultimately, a great leader knows that as long as they continue in their job with love and passion they will achieve success.
Claire Morris
Sophomore Class President
2023
Being a leader is much more than just having organizational skills or participating in community service. To truly be a leader, you must carry an array of abilities to help you throughout situations and an open mind to be accepting of change. A good leader knows that they are not perfect, that mistakes will be made and tension will get high. Nonetheless, they’re aware that as long as their team is built off of trust, they remain confident in their abilities, and are intentional with the tasks they accomplish, that success is attainable. Every person has a different definition of what a leader is and what characteristics are valued. But to me, a good leader is someone who focuses on progress and implements love into the things they do. To lead is to be aware of your influence on others and use that as a tool for positive change. But it is also to accept that nothing will be perfect, and that there will be times of failure. A great leader utilizes their mistakes and makes conscious efforts to improve them further on. And ultimately, a great leader knows that as long as they continue in their job with love and passion they will achieve success.