#2: Two Interviews About Oppourtunity
I’m still indecisive about the topic I want to research for my documentary. I decided to ask two teachers at my school, CVU, about where they’d want to change things. I posed the same question to them both. What is a social change you would implement if you had more time and resources?
I asked Carly Rivard first, who is the PLP manager at CVU this year. She was involved in the Nexus program last year, a self-directed, project-driven program I’m involved in. She’s also has a background in teaching math. She answered, “My initial thought is education-based…how to get the opportunities that exist in our small CVU community and outside of CVU to be accessible equitably by all CVU students…” and to create a system for them. She went on to give an example. “It could be little things like, somebody in the building wants a mural painted…the five people who are thought of might get asked to do it, but there’s lots of students in the building that might be interested in [creating] a mural and don’t get asked.”
Then I asked the same question to Amy Wardwell. She is one of the Nexus teachers, and also teaches a history class about the Holocaust. She said “I would implement more of a community service requirement for the year after kids [get] out of high school…” other countries do similar things, Amy tells me, whether it’s serving in the military or working with children, “I feel like that would be a really important thing for American students to do as well…a gap year before you go to college that’s focused on giving back to your community in some way.”
These were both different answers, but they both have to do with giving back and giving opportunities. Carly’s example involved giving back to CVU, and Amy’s answer was giving to back to the world at large. This wasn’t an aspect that was part of either of my project ideas previously. One of which is people with physical disabilities in high school, the other is why intersectional feminism (feminism that is inclusive for all people) matters and is important. But I don’t see why I couldn’t include the theme of oppourtunity in either of these ideas. Giving oppourtunity to those in need is something that will present itself relevant no matter what idea I choose. It was also cool to gain others’ perspectives on the things they would change. Overall, it was a helpful experience in guiding my project, whichever one I choose, forward.
Wardwell, Amy and Drew, Lindsey. September 24, 2017.
Rivard, Carly and Drew, Lindsey. September 24, 2017.
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Hi Lindsey!
I’m Emily and I’m a sophomore at Middlebury UHS, and I participated in What’s the Story for the past two years. This beginning brainstorming part is always really challenging because there are so many different topics you could, and want to, pursue. You seem to have a couple really interesting ideas, though, and I’m very excited to see how you continue with them.
As you said, it’s really cool that both of the interviews you conducted had an underlying message, “giving back to the world at large.” I definitely agree that this is extremely important for any and all topics, and it’s good that you’re thinking about including it in yours. However I encourage you to really think about what does that look like for each of your topics? Who would you be helping and how? Would you be giving people opportunities to help others, or would you be giving opportunities who need help? Even if you just think about this for five minutes, I bet it will help you better understand not only your topic, but your goal (even if it’s vague). And it may also help you decide what exactly you want to pursue.
Best of luck!
Emily
Hi Emily!
Thanks for the comment. I really appreciate your feedback on understanding the topic. Having a clear focus will definitely help me along the way. You’re very well-spoken. This is my first year in WTS (I’m a junior at CVU) but you sound way more sophisticated than me, haha.
Thanks again,
Lindsey
Hey Lindsey,
I’m not technically your blog reader but I just adore you so I’m reading your blog! I really love Amy’s point here. As I’m navigating my own gap year, I’m realizing I need to do more work within the community and focus on myself. That is one thing I wish we learned more in high school; the ability to know what we need and how to best serve our communities. Can’t wait to watch you thrive 🙂
Eva
Hey Eva,
Haha I appreciate it. I’m so happy you’re really figuring it out this year as you navigate your own gap year. Thanks for the kind words. 🙂
-Lindsey
Asking other people what they would do is a very good way to go about this, and I think you should continue to implement that even as you move forward and become more sure about what you are doing. That way you can advocate not only for yourself, but for your community.
Hi Mariana,
My topic has become much clearer to me than it was when I made this post, but I still very much appreciate the feedback regardless. Thinking about advocacy on this issue and how to make sure it comes through in this documentary is something I’ll continue to grapple with if it ends up actually coming to fruition.
-Lindsey