Andrew's CAS

In the past month there has been multiple hurricanes that has left destruction and devastation in their paths. First, there was Hurricane Harvey which effected my hometown. I found the reaction from across the nation to this disaster to be amazing as people from all parts of Houston and around the nation came to volunteer and help those who were greatly affected. I was fortunate during this disaster to be safe and undamaged during the storm, and because of my position I wanted to help those who were greater affected during this natural disaster. After Maria and Irma struck the United States Virgin Islands, I was personally involved as my grandparents lived through the power outages and devastation it brought, having to live without power or easily accessible resources but they were safe and their home without major damage due to the storm. I decided to create a campaign to raise funds for the Island, specifically helping the Virgin Island Montessori School as I had been connected w...

I have been invited to attend the Montessori United Nations Bureau as a Chair. This position means I will be leading a committee of around a hundred delegates, or students, during the annual conference held in New York in February. There was over a thousands students from almost every continent that came last year, so I am excited to see some of the people from years past as well as meet new people who could come from anywhere in in the world. This is going to be my first year serving in this particular leadership position where I am the one who is in charge of the committee. I am slightly nervous of that fact, but am nonetheless honored and excited for this new experience.

I have been interested in photography for a few years now and am now excited to be learning more about this hobby with fellow classmates in the Photography Club. We recently had someone from the Houston Center for Photography come in and teach the club some of the basics of photography such as framing and composition. This has been interesting and while I see this information helping my photography skills, it is the same framing concepts as I learned in my previous filmmaking experience. Specifically the rule of thirds was a familiar concept and I enjoyed learning more about how to better distribute colors and putting focus on the subject. After the lesson the club and I put these skills into practice by going to the local park and attempting to use aspects of what we learned. I tried contrasting the trees and buildings with the sky as well as choosing bold colors through the flowers that grew on the bushes along the park. I cannot wait to continue taking photos within my free time a...

Since the fourth grade I have been involved with the Montessori Model Untied Nations (MMUN) program at my school and have continued my involvement through high school as an assistant instructor. I have been interested in doing this as I attribute MMUN with the growth of many skills, like public speaking and global awareness, which I value greatly today and wanted to ensure other students have the opportunity to have an even greater and fulfilling time then I had. I always remember one of my old teacher's saying that one only truly master something when they are able to teach it and by aiding the MMUN program I will be able to pass along a great experience and personally improve the same skills that the the program gave me.