Quarter Two Begins

Every time there is a new quarter in the school year, students get a bit of a fresh start, however keeping our grades up can be difficult. Many students begin to feel the pressures of maintaining their goals and the overall workload ramps up, leaving us feeling a little overwhelmed at times. Fortunately, each year at SMA, students get better and better at managing their time and taking care of themselves. Even so, continuing to work hard and staay positive can be difficult. Fortunately, this year's ASB officers (our student government) created an instagram account followed by many students called SMA positivity. This instagram is full of advice and meaningful words of encouragement that make it easier to get through a rough week. I myself have been inspired by this instagram and have found it to be incredibly helpful, and reflective of the supportive and kind environment SMA creates for our students.

Election Response At SMA

Just this past week, Donald Trump became the American president elect. He was a controversial candidate in Portland and at SMA, and this election has brought pain to some and hope to others. When I came to school the day after the election I found my community to be a place of safety and love despite the mostly negative reaction of my fellow students. Not only was everyone loving and kind to each other, we also listened to each other, and gave words of comfort to those in need. Everyone was included, and in a time of divide in this country, my entire school, regardless of opinion on the matter, stood together and supported each other. The very next day, I returned to my school to find many girls wearing "Nasty Woman" shirts in support of Hillary Clinton and female empowerment, as well as a table available to write affirmations and kind notes to our fellow students began by our student government. By the end of the day all the notes had been posted on a wall in the front hall, and walking by I found many inspiring words. Many encouraged others to not let divide among us occur because we are stronger together, and to continue to educate each other so we can become tomorrow's leaders. My favorite quote I found was that of one of our social science teachers, Mr. Housley, who said, "go to college. Vote. Change the world. That's all." I found his words to be very reflective of the SMA environment surrounding empowerment and education, and I was incredibly inspired by my community in its loving response rather than surrendering to hate.