When I left the EAST program at Eureka High School almost three years ago I thought I had everything figured out. I was graduating in the top of my class, planning on going to a prestigious east coast university and writing eloquent reflections for EAST about all the wonderful lessons the program had taught me. I am not as surefooted these days at MIT in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Truth is I am still struggling with all the lessons I was so confident I had learned through EAST.
In my two years as a Eureka High EAST student, and one of the members of the first class at Eureka High, I learned personal initiative. I learned that more than just homework required personal initiative. To get things done in the real world I had to pick up the phone and make a call even if I really feared rejection or embarrassment.
EAST also taught me to follow through. When I failed to complete my web page project it affected not just my grade but the organization and people I had promised to help. In the real world, just giving your best doesn’t always cut it.
And most of all, I feel that EAST gave and many students a feeling of pride. To be able to do something meaningful, out of your own free will, and see the power to change even just one thing in the world – it is magnificent feeling. And I believe that pride flowed right out into every word of my college and scholarship applications to convey an “I can change the world!” attitude. Coincidentally, I got into all but one school I applied to and nearly had enough scholarships to pay for the first year of college.
         I understood all these lessons from EAST with such confidence. Yet still, at MIT, I find myself putting off that call to a professor to ask for a research position. For two years I took too many activities on my plate and ended up not fulfilling any of my commitments. And most of the time I feel inadequate next to the geniuses that I attend class with. So what did I really learn in EAST? Maybe I didn’t really learn all those lessons from EAST that I was so sure I had.
But then I realize the one thing EAST taught me that will stand the test of time – perseverance. The achievements and personal growth I made in EAST did not come in one month or even one year. By two years in EAST I had made vast improvements in my initiative and understanding. And when I look at how far I have come since my first day as a freshman at MIT I see that same kind of improvement. After failing a class in each of my first three terms, I have survived and am consistently getting almost all A’s. This term I have contacted three professors for research positions, and I am feeling more and more like I actually belong at MIT. Success does not come easy, and I had a rough start at MIT, but with the foundation gained in EAST, hard work, and perseverance anything is possible.
January 30, 2006
2001-2003

 

 

 

 

Olla Allam
"one piece, one heart"

         As student East class helped me a lot .It helped me to be responsible, organized, learn about computers and programs such as Photoshop and other programs. East also helped me to be active and do my work on time. East and my project helped me to improve my English, have new friends and get help and information from other people. Some skills that I learned from east are listen to people and understand them really carefully, be active and involved in the community. And almost all of them helped me outside the classroom. I Have learned from east to be independent and I also learned and gained a lot of information about cultures of exchange students. I also learned to learn from people and watch them really carefully working with computers. It also helped me become more self confident at public speaking and helped me to present my project well and this is one of the skills that helped me outside east class even outside the whole school in presenting Anything.
2005-2006

 

 

 

 

Derek McIntosh
"Adobe Photoshop Team"

         East has helped me in many ways. As a student I have become more focused on my projects and to follow through on what I am doing. East has taught me to be creative and use many problem solving skills. East has taught me many leadership skills because I am working with a team. I have learned to charge but also listen to other ideas and understand my team. East has helped me tremendously as an individual. I learned a lot of software that may come of to me later in my life. I also have increased many of my computer skills and the understanding of all the software on the computer. I also learned by trial and error how to use Photoshop and other programs. Hopefully the skills I learn in EAST will help me in my career.

 

 

 

 

 

Amber Chaney
"Dedication Hallway"

         As a student EAST has helped me to increase my computer skills, develop my project skills, and helped me to gain better knowledge about computer programs like photoshop. EAST has definitely helped me grow as a team member. I can know communicate effectively with my partner, have learned to compromise on ideas, and know how to do my fair share of the work for a good project. I can say as a individual I have grown the most. I know what I need to develop a successful project. I have learned what things are distracting to me and how I need to focus to complete a task. I have learned how to meet deadlines with good quality work. By letting me develop my skills with my own project in my own way, EAST has allowed me to develop many talents. I know my strengths and weaknesses to improve. Skills I have learned in EAST have definitely helped me outside of the classroom. I can use the team work skills I have learned in any environment whether it is at home or at work. I can complete any task given to me and know what I need to get it done. I can use more computer programs than I have ever been able to in my life. If one of the organizations or clubs I am apart of needs a poster to advertise an event and I can easily make a professional poster. I can effectively complete any project I do, wherever it may be, with the skills I learned in EAST.

 

 

 

 

DINO CARVEO
"Dedication Hallway"

          Over the four years I have been at Eureka High School I have learned a lot about computers and technology thanks to being in the EAST Lab for two years. When I first came into this class I thought it would just be all fun and games. We get to choose our own project for the year so I thought I would have an easy time in the class. Well my first project was not just that easy. Myself and a few other students had to plan the Youth Violence Prevention Summit and it was hard work. At the end of the year we had our project finished and ready to go. This year was a lot easier because I was more involved with all my work and really enjoyed working on our project. I was off task a lot last year and I know that came from the person I worked with because we are very good friends and didn't really care about when things were due for class until the last quarter of the class and just barely past the class. This year new partner and were more on top of the assignments for our new project the Dedication Hallway. Now I am more responsible, well organized and way more better on a computer than I was two years ago and I thank Mrs. Johnson for that because I know I would have never finished any of my work if she was not keeping me on top of my work and off the music downloading, so thanks Mrs. J.

 

 

 

 

 

Michael Price
“NAZZ Soccer Camp & Kinetic Sculpture”

         EAST has helped me to make the most of my time and effort, and to work as hard as I can to be the best EAST student possible. EAST has given me confidence when it comes to being a public speaker. I am now not as afraid to speak in front of thousands of people. Also my technological skills have advanced dramatically just from being in EAST. In EAST I have learned how to use the new program called Macromedia Dreamweaver to make websites and also I just learned how to use the new Flash program. EAST has helped me to learn how to work with the people that I wouldn’t work with otherwise. Another skill I have learned is leadership. All of these skills I have used outside the classroom and the school. I have had to do many things that require public speaking for my church and in front of my youth group. To use my leadership skills I have led a children’s youth group at my local church. All in all, everything that you learn in EAST you can use in life.

 

 

 

Nick Beltz
"Kinetic Sculpture"

         EAST has helped my motivation all year. It has inspired me to keep working hard. I have learned valuable teamwork ethics as well as strategies and compromising. Overall I am glad I took EAST this year for the personal benefits I have gained. I have learned skills in programs such as Macromedia’s Flash and Fireworks. Also I have worked in Adobe Photoshop which I use a lot. I feel my computer skills have improved along with my typing. This year EAST has helped in my other classes too. My momentum in EAST has carried over to my other classes and I get a lot done. The technical skills I have learned has helped my at home and in the classroom. It has helped my public speaking as well as my presenting. EAST has helped me in my public relations in and out of class. EAST is a class that expands beyond the classroom. It teaches young adults to tackle hard problems in our community and later in the work place.

 

 

 

Carson Browne
"Youth Ready to Respond"

         1.) In general, how has E.A.S.T. helped you grow as a student? As a team member?  As an individual? E.A.S.T. allows me to expand as a student by giving me the opportunities to choose what I wish to accomplish. This freedom creates strong sense of leadership within me. Working with others gives you trust and companionship with your fellow project members. E.A.S.T. also allows me to myself as an individual by showing me how to act socially and professionally with others.
2.) Have skills you have learned in E.A.S.T. helped you outside the classroom? I learn skills in E.A.S.T. that no other class offers, I have the chance to branch out and choose what I wish to accomplish. E.A.S.T. gives me freedom to choose what software I wish to master to help me in my future career.

 

 

 

Steven Watson
"Youth Ready to Respond"

         1.) In general, how has E.A.S.T. helped you grow as a student? As a team member? As an individual? E.A.S.T. has helped me grow as a student by teaching me how to communicate and work with individuals. E.A.S.T. has encouraged me to communicate with community partners and team members. E.A.S.T. has helped me as an individual by allowing me the opportunity to learn programs that I will use in my future.
2.) Have skills you have learned in E.A.S.T. helped you outside the classroom? The skills I have learned have helped me outside the class by educating me on how to give an efficient presentation and talking to the community like a professional.