Cade Kiser, Freshman Representative 2019-2020
The Initial Letter
This year will be my first year in high school; finally I’m a freshman! This past summer I had many different feelings as I thought about the upcoming school year. What would high school really be like? Will I remember my locker combination? Will I fit in and make friends? I was confident that everything would work out, but still nervous.
Reflecting on my expectations for this year, my main hope is that school isn’t too hard. I would like to keep my grades up, while playing sports and being involved in clubs and leadership. I’m taking honors classes and even though I’m unsure of how difficult those classes will be, I will strive to get the best grades that I can. This will also be my first year playing football. I don’t know what to expect with the time commitment of sports, homework, and leadership.
Thinking about being in leadership this year is exciting and at the same time makes me nervous. I will be pushed outside of my comfort zone, which isn’t something that I particularly like. However, I know that being pushed will help me grow and become more comfortable in many ways. My goal this year is to learn skills that will help me throughout the rest of my life. Skills like public speaking, resume writing, and being a part of a team are what I feel I will learn in class.
Being in high school is very different than last year. In eighth grade I had two teachers and two different classrooms, with PE blended in throughout the week. It was very simple and not stressful. But, at the same time I wasn’t pushed outside of my comfort zone. I didn’t really learn how to handle uncomfortable situations that made me nervous and anxious. I know in life I will need to be able to handle stressful situations and I’m confident that leadership will teach me the skills I need to do so.
Reflecting on my expectations for this year, my main hope is that school isn’t too hard. I would like to keep my grades up, while playing sports and being involved in clubs and leadership. I’m taking honors classes and even though I’m unsure of how difficult those classes will be, I will strive to get the best grades that I can. This will also be my first year playing football. I don’t know what to expect with the time commitment of sports, homework, and leadership.
Thinking about being in leadership this year is exciting and at the same time makes me nervous. I will be pushed outside of my comfort zone, which isn’t something that I particularly like. However, I know that being pushed will help me grow and become more comfortable in many ways. My goal this year is to learn skills that will help me throughout the rest of my life. Skills like public speaking, resume writing, and being a part of a team are what I feel I will learn in class.
Being in high school is very different than last year. In eighth grade I had two teachers and two different classrooms, with PE blended in throughout the week. It was very simple and not stressful. But, at the same time I wasn’t pushed outside of my comfort zone. I didn’t really learn how to handle uncomfortable situations that made me nervous and anxious. I know in life I will need to be able to handle stressful situations and I’m confident that leadership will teach me the skills I need to do so.
Part I: Favorite Quotes
“Leaders are made, they are not born. They are made by hard effort, which is the price which all of us must pay to achieve any goal that is worthwhile” - Vince Lombardi. This quote is meaningful to me for many reasons. Anytime I set a goal, I put forth my best effort to reach it. I dedicate as much time as it takes to be the best at what I’m doing. I enjoy being a leader, and have strived to be a role model for my peers by working hard at everything I do. Nothing comes easy, so you must work hard and give it your all.
“All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them” - Walt Disney. Many times in life, we have opportunities that pass us by because we’re scared to take a risk. This could have happened to my family, but the opposite happened. Seven years ago, my parents were on vacation and decided that we were going to leave Portland, Oregon, and move to California. We sold our house, and moved the day after school was out. My parents didn’t have jobs yet, and we didn’t know where we were going to live. With courage, my family pursued our dream of living in a sunny location and believed that it would all work out.
“It's not about any one person. You've got to get over yourself and realize that it takes a group to get this thing done” - Gregg Popovich. This quote is a good reminder that even if you think you can do it better on your own, it takes a group to be successful. I especially have to remember this when I’m playing sports. There are times when I think that I should do something on my own as to achieve a better outcome. However, it’s not just about me and I have to take a step back and realize that success will come from the team effort. When I remember this, I still try my best but allow others to also do their best and with that we are successful.
“All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them” - Walt Disney. Many times in life, we have opportunities that pass us by because we’re scared to take a risk. This could have happened to my family, but the opposite happened. Seven years ago, my parents were on vacation and decided that we were going to leave Portland, Oregon, and move to California. We sold our house, and moved the day after school was out. My parents didn’t have jobs yet, and we didn’t know where we were going to live. With courage, my family pursued our dream of living in a sunny location and believed that it would all work out.
“It's not about any one person. You've got to get over yourself and realize that it takes a group to get this thing done” - Gregg Popovich. This quote is a good reminder that even if you think you can do it better on your own, it takes a group to be successful. I especially have to remember this when I’m playing sports. There are times when I think that I should do something on my own as to achieve a better outcome. However, it’s not just about me and I have to take a step back and realize that success will come from the team effort. When I remember this, I still try my best but allow others to also do their best and with that we are successful.
Part II: Favorite Quotes
"Any crusade requires optimism and the ambition to aim high." - Paul Allen. As a leader this quote means that the Leadership team as a whole must work together in a positive way for the good of the school. I believe this quote should be a guide for all students in the Leadership class as it reminds us to lead with positivity in order to reach our goals. This quote is important because it reinforces the idea that a group of leaders must work together to achieve the best outcome. To me, reflection is important because it helps you understand yourself and how to make positive changes. A simple statement can make a big impact for the future by being a call to action. It can create a vision for your future and help you to achieve your goals.
Part I: Goals
This year is the first of many new and exciting times as I transition into high school. Setting goals is important to me and helps me stay focused and on track. Upon being chosen to be a part of Leadership I felt nervous but also looked forward to the opportunity to be my best self. My first Leadership goal is to be outgoing in class and communicate with everyone, not just the people that I’m familiar with. I can do this by going outside of my comfort zone to reach out and even just say “hi” to classmates that I don’t know. The second Leadership goal is to procrastinate less about class projects, ie: homecoming. It’s easy to say “I’ll do it later” or “I’ve got time tomorrow” and then something usually comes up and I procrastinate again. I have made a commitment to myself to follow through with projects and work in a timely manner to hopefully finish the project before it’s due rather than on the day it’s due.
Short term life goals change often for me. That’s the great thing about short term goals. I usually complete them, but occasionally they change into a new goal. Right now one short term goal that I have is to continue to get a 4.0 GPA while playing sports. This is a four year goal that will follow me through high school. I do understand that if my grade falls below a 4.0 GPA, it’s not that I’ve failed, but rather I’m doing the best I can at that certain time. My second short term life goal is to get my driver’s permit. I will be turning 15 soon and I look forward to being able to drive at the end of March 2020. Passing the written test on my first try is what I will strive to do. In order to achieve this I will need to study, drive once with an instructor and take online classes. This is a realistic goal that should be easy to reach!
A lifelong goal that I have is to manage my anxiety to the best of my ability. What that means to me is being able to handle nervousness and fear that may arise in certain situations. How I can achieve this goal can happen in many different ways, I assume. Right now I combat my anxiety by taking deep breaths, listening to music and thinking of the best case scenarios. That seems to help calm me. I also talk to my mom when I’m unsure and anxious and she usually can help ease my stress with her words. Long term, if these tactics don’t work, I may need to seek outside help but for now I’m good. My second lifelong goal is to find a job that I love. Because I don’t know what profession I want as an adult, it’s hard to say what that job will be. What I do know is that I will go to college to pursue a degree and from there find a job that fits the criteria for happiness. The last thing that I want in life is to be stuck in a job that I don’t like. Life is so short and to spend nine hours a day doing something that isn’t fulfilling would be terrible. I look forward to living a great life, which includes happiness at work and at home.
Short term life goals change often for me. That’s the great thing about short term goals. I usually complete them, but occasionally they change into a new goal. Right now one short term goal that I have is to continue to get a 4.0 GPA while playing sports. This is a four year goal that will follow me through high school. I do understand that if my grade falls below a 4.0 GPA, it’s not that I’ve failed, but rather I’m doing the best I can at that certain time. My second short term life goal is to get my driver’s permit. I will be turning 15 soon and I look forward to being able to drive at the end of March 2020. Passing the written test on my first try is what I will strive to do. In order to achieve this I will need to study, drive once with an instructor and take online classes. This is a realistic goal that should be easy to reach!
A lifelong goal that I have is to manage my anxiety to the best of my ability. What that means to me is being able to handle nervousness and fear that may arise in certain situations. How I can achieve this goal can happen in many different ways, I assume. Right now I combat my anxiety by taking deep breaths, listening to music and thinking of the best case scenarios. That seems to help calm me. I also talk to my mom when I’m unsure and anxious and she usually can help ease my stress with her words. Long term, if these tactics don’t work, I may need to seek outside help but for now I’m good. My second lifelong goal is to find a job that I love. Because I don’t know what profession I want as an adult, it’s hard to say what that job will be. What I do know is that I will go to college to pursue a degree and from there find a job that fits the criteria for happiness. The last thing that I want in life is to be stuck in a job that I don’t like. Life is so short and to spend nine hours a day doing something that isn’t fulfilling would be terrible. I look forward to living a great life, which includes happiness at work and at home.
Part II: Goals
My first goal that I listed at the beginning of the year was to be outgoing and communicate with the people in class that i don't normally talk to. I was able to achieve this goal by reaching out to new people. I would try to sit next to new people that I wouldn't normally sit by, and this helped a lot. My next goal was to procrastinate less about projects. I achieved this goal along with the other freshman reps by communicating a lot more in our group. We would have meetings with Perez ahead of time to make sure everything was going good and was planned out. The meetings definitely helped us a lot. Another goal I had was to have a 4.0 GPA while playing sports. I also achieved this goal. I focused on my grades first, and then sports. I was able to maintain a 4.0 throughout my football and basketball season. I did not do a spring sport, so I can focus on only my grades. The next goal I had was to get my driver's permit. I was not able to achieve this goal due to the coronavirus, but I did make some steps towards it. I have started doing a driver's ed course online to get ready for it. I do not know when I will be able to take the test though, due to the virus. Another one of my goals was to manage my anxiety the best that I can. I seem to be outgrowing my anxiety and I have realized that so far during my freshman year I haven't really had to deal with it. I have gained confidence and maturity. My last goal was to find a job that I love. This goal I set for myself as a life goal. I will strive to achieve this goal throughout my professional career.
Part I: People Magazine Cover
Part II: People Magazine Cover
Cade Kiser is a freshman at Ripon High School. This year, he is proud to be a Freshman Representative in Leadership. Cade will be working on many school projects including Homecoming, the Halloween dance, and Winterfest. Besides Leadership, Cade is involved in sports which include basketball and football. He hopes to find a club or two to join at Ripon High. His goal for this year is to transition into high school easily, reach out to students that he is unfamiliar with, and expand his comfort zone. Cade will strive to continue to get excellent grades.
On September 29, 2004 Cade was born in Portland, Oregon. He lived in Oregon with his parents and two siblings, Carrson and Chloe until he was 6 years old. After completing first grade at Edy Ridge Elementary in Sherwood, Oregon, Cade and his family moved to Ripon, California. He started his second grade year at Ripon Elementary School and has continued to live in Ripon ever since.
Cade has many goals and aspirations that he hopes to accomplish in his lifetime. He has always been an athlete and looks forward to playing sports in college. He is still deciding whether he will participate in volleyball, baseball and/or track in high school. In the future, he sees himself going to a four year college. He would like to attend a UC, but will keep all his options open, depending on if he is offered a merit or athletic scholarship. Unsure of exactly what he will study in college, he excels in math and has an interest in Architecture. Cade feels a strong desire to lead, which is why being a member of the Leadership team serves him well. To be a leader requires an open mind and a friendly personality, which Cade prides himself as having both. He will use his leadership skills to guide all aspects of his future.
One of Cade’s passions is traveling. He has been fortunate to have traveled to many places and he agrees that it is too hard to pick one favorite vacation. One highlight on a past trip to Cabo San Lucas was when he went deep sea fishing in the Sea of Cortez with his dad, brother and family friends. He will be spending Thanksgiving in San Jose del Cabo this year and looks forward to surfing and eating fresh fish tacos. In March of this year, Cade traveled to New York and Washington D.C. with his dad and a group of kids from Ripon. Learning about the history of the United States was fulfilling, but going to the World Trade Center was the trip highlight. Next summer Cade and his family will be traveling to the Mediterranean. They will start their trip on the island of Santorini, Greece where they will stay for a few days until they travel to Athens and then to Venice, Italy. They will continue on to Montenegro, Croatia, Italy and Greece again, France, Monaco and ending their tour in Barcelona, Spain. Cade believes that traveling is a way to gain respect for other cultures and develop an open mind to new ideas.
Cade has a life long goal to focus less on the small stuff and not let anxiety define him. He has struggled with being nervous and unsure in certain situations during his lifetime. He continues to learn different techniques to help him relax when he feels the anxiety starting. He uses positive visualization, listens to music and tries not to procrastinate, as ways to lessen his anxiety. Cade believes that overcoming obstacles has made him a more compassionate and dedicated person.
On September 29, 2004 Cade was born in Portland, Oregon. He lived in Oregon with his parents and two siblings, Carrson and Chloe until he was 6 years old. After completing first grade at Edy Ridge Elementary in Sherwood, Oregon, Cade and his family moved to Ripon, California. He started his second grade year at Ripon Elementary School and has continued to live in Ripon ever since.
Cade has many goals and aspirations that he hopes to accomplish in his lifetime. He has always been an athlete and looks forward to playing sports in college. He is still deciding whether he will participate in volleyball, baseball and/or track in high school. In the future, he sees himself going to a four year college. He would like to attend a UC, but will keep all his options open, depending on if he is offered a merit or athletic scholarship. Unsure of exactly what he will study in college, he excels in math and has an interest in Architecture. Cade feels a strong desire to lead, which is why being a member of the Leadership team serves him well. To be a leader requires an open mind and a friendly personality, which Cade prides himself as having both. He will use his leadership skills to guide all aspects of his future.
One of Cade’s passions is traveling. He has been fortunate to have traveled to many places and he agrees that it is too hard to pick one favorite vacation. One highlight on a past trip to Cabo San Lucas was when he went deep sea fishing in the Sea of Cortez with his dad, brother and family friends. He will be spending Thanksgiving in San Jose del Cabo this year and looks forward to surfing and eating fresh fish tacos. In March of this year, Cade traveled to New York and Washington D.C. with his dad and a group of kids from Ripon. Learning about the history of the United States was fulfilling, but going to the World Trade Center was the trip highlight. Next summer Cade and his family will be traveling to the Mediterranean. They will start their trip on the island of Santorini, Greece where they will stay for a few days until they travel to Athens and then to Venice, Italy. They will continue on to Montenegro, Croatia, Italy and Greece again, France, Monaco and ending their tour in Barcelona, Spain. Cade believes that traveling is a way to gain respect for other cultures and develop an open mind to new ideas.
Cade has a life long goal to focus less on the small stuff and not let anxiety define him. He has struggled with being nervous and unsure in certain situations during his lifetime. He continues to learn different techniques to help him relax when he feels the anxiety starting. He uses positive visualization, listens to music and tries not to procrastinate, as ways to lessen his anxiety. Cade believes that overcoming obstacles has made him a more compassionate and dedicated person.
Role Model
My role model is my dad. He is always there to help and support me with anything. He works everyday to provide for my family. I admire him and he has made an impact on my life. My dad grew up with a father who wasn’t supportive. When he was fourteen years old, my dad made a promise to himself that he wouldn’t never be a parent to his children like his father was to him. He has stood by his word and is the best dad. While I am grateful for many things about my dad, I feel like the one thing that stands out about him is that his is involved with every aspect of my life. He has been my coach for sports countless times. Also, every time I have any sort of game he is always there to watch me play. At home he is interactive and wants to know how I’m doing and how my day was. He cooks my breakfast everyday and teaches me how to do all sorts of chores. My dad likes to take us on vacations and when we’re not travelling, he likes to take us hiking. I can’t imagine a better father. My dad is a kind and caring person who loves our family more than anything else. I will always look up to him and I wouldn’t be who I am without him.
Inner Animal
My inner animal is a cheetah. Cheetahs are fast, nimble, and fierce. They are very athletic animals, being able to jump up to twelve feet and run faster than any other land animal. They are also social animals, and are often found in groups. I can relate to a cheetah in many ways. I was often called the fastest kid in my class, beating all the other students in races. I enjoy eating steak and cheetahs are carnivores. During basketball, I tend to jump higher than my teammates, and when playing football I’m nimble and quick. I’m a very social person and really enjoy spending time with my friends. I’m fierce in many ways, just like a cheetah. The cheetah and I have many things in common, which is why it’s my inner animal.
Part I: The Best Things About Me
Part II: The Best Things About Me
Post Malone - Congratulations
My mama called, seen you on TV, son
Said **** done changed ever since we was on
I dreamed it all ever since I was young
They said I wouldn't be nothing
Now they always say congratulations
Worked so hard, forgot how to vacation
They ain't never had the dedication
People hatin', say we changed and look we made it
Yeah, we made it
They was never friendly, yeah
Now I'm jumping out the Bentley, yeah
And I know I sound dramatic, yeah
But I knew I had to have it, yeah
For the money, I'm a savage, yeah
Got me itching like a habit, yeah
I'm surrounded twenty bad *****, yeah
But they didn't know me last year, yeah
Everyone wanna act like they important
(Yeah-yeah-yeah, yeah-yeah-yeah)
But all that mean nothing when I saw my dog
(Yeah-yeah-yeah, yeah-yeah-yeah)
Everyone counting on me drop the ball
(Yeah-yeah-yeah, yeah-yeah-yeah)
Everything custom like I'm at the border, yeah, yeah
If you **** with winning, put your lighters to the sky
How could I make sense when I got millions on my mind?
Coming with that bull****, I just put it to the side
Balling since a baby, they could see it in my eyes
My mama called, seen you on TV, son
Said **** done changed ever since we was on
I dreamed it all ever since I was young
They said I wouldn't be nothing
Now they always say congratulations
Worked so hard, forgot how to vacation
They ain't never had the dedication
People hatin', say we changed and look we made it
Yeah, we made it
I was patient, yeah-oh
I was patient, ay-oh
Now I can scream that we made it
Now everyone, everywhere I go, they say 'gratulations
Young *****, young *****, graduation
I pick up the rock and I ball, baby
I'm looking for someone to call, baby
But right now I got a situation
Never old, been Ben Franklins
Big rings, champagne
My life is like a ball game
But instead I'm in the trap, though
Pot so big, call it Super Bowl
Super Bowl, call the ****, get in the Rolls
Top floor lifestyle, Honcho and Post
Malone, I got a play on my phone, ay
You know what I'm on, ay
Huncho Houdini is gone, ay
My mama called, seen you on TV, son
Said **** done changed ever since we was on
I dreamed it all ever since I was young
They said I wouldn't be nothing
Now they always say congratulations
Worked so hard, forgot how to vacation
They ain't never had the dedication
People hatin', say we changed and look we made it
Yeah, we made it
This song describes me because it is very positive and upbeat. It is about a person who never thought they would be successful, yet they overcame obstacles to become a success. I feel like this is very much like me and how I was for sports. This was my first year playing football and I did not think I would be very successful. I worked hard every day though and eventually got moved up to the Jv team. In this song, Post Malone talks about his struggles as a kid and how he overcame them. When I was younger I had anxiety, but I’ve overcome this through the years. My success in school and sports has helped ease this.
My mama called, seen you on TV, son
Said **** done changed ever since we was on
I dreamed it all ever since I was young
They said I wouldn't be nothing
Now they always say congratulations
Worked so hard, forgot how to vacation
They ain't never had the dedication
People hatin', say we changed and look we made it
Yeah, we made it
They was never friendly, yeah
Now I'm jumping out the Bentley, yeah
And I know I sound dramatic, yeah
But I knew I had to have it, yeah
For the money, I'm a savage, yeah
Got me itching like a habit, yeah
I'm surrounded twenty bad *****, yeah
But they didn't know me last year, yeah
Everyone wanna act like they important
(Yeah-yeah-yeah, yeah-yeah-yeah)
But all that mean nothing when I saw my dog
(Yeah-yeah-yeah, yeah-yeah-yeah)
Everyone counting on me drop the ball
(Yeah-yeah-yeah, yeah-yeah-yeah)
Everything custom like I'm at the border, yeah, yeah
If you **** with winning, put your lighters to the sky
How could I make sense when I got millions on my mind?
Coming with that bull****, I just put it to the side
Balling since a baby, they could see it in my eyes
My mama called, seen you on TV, son
Said **** done changed ever since we was on
I dreamed it all ever since I was young
They said I wouldn't be nothing
Now they always say congratulations
Worked so hard, forgot how to vacation
They ain't never had the dedication
People hatin', say we changed and look we made it
Yeah, we made it
I was patient, yeah-oh
I was patient, ay-oh
Now I can scream that we made it
Now everyone, everywhere I go, they say 'gratulations
Young *****, young *****, graduation
I pick up the rock and I ball, baby
I'm looking for someone to call, baby
But right now I got a situation
Never old, been Ben Franklins
Big rings, champagne
My life is like a ball game
But instead I'm in the trap, though
Pot so big, call it Super Bowl
Super Bowl, call the ****, get in the Rolls
Top floor lifestyle, Honcho and Post
Malone, I got a play on my phone, ay
You know what I'm on, ay
Huncho Houdini is gone, ay
My mama called, seen you on TV, son
Said **** done changed ever since we was on
I dreamed it all ever since I was young
They said I wouldn't be nothing
Now they always say congratulations
Worked so hard, forgot how to vacation
They ain't never had the dedication
People hatin', say we changed and look we made it
Yeah, we made it
This song describes me because it is very positive and upbeat. It is about a person who never thought they would be successful, yet they overcame obstacles to become a success. I feel like this is very much like me and how I was for sports. This was my first year playing football and I did not think I would be very successful. I worked hard every day though and eventually got moved up to the Jv team. In this song, Post Malone talks about his struggles as a kid and how he overcame them. When I was younger I had anxiety, but I’ve overcome this through the years. My success in school and sports has helped ease this.
Part I & II: Homecoming Activities
Part I: What I Like Best About Being a Member of Leadership
One of my favorite Leadership memories so far was Core Camp. I did not know what to expect at first and was a little nervous. However, as soon as I arrived at school that morning, I knew I was going to have a great time. From meeting new people to creating memories, this was one of my favorite times I’ve had in Leadership.
Another great memory from Leadership was Homecoming. Yes, it was very stressful and chaotic, but I learned a lot from it and it turned out to be pretty fun. We started pretty late but got through it without doing too bad. My favorite part about Homecoming was planning the lip sync and performing it at the night rally.
One more memory I enjoyed from Leadership was the secret santa project. I really enjoyed this because I feel like it brought us all closer as a class. I liked how we said something about the person when we gave them our gift. I also loved giving my gift and receiving one too. This was a great way to end the first semester.
Another great memory from Leadership was Homecoming. Yes, it was very stressful and chaotic, but I learned a lot from it and it turned out to be pretty fun. We started pretty late but got through it without doing too bad. My favorite part about Homecoming was planning the lip sync and performing it at the night rally.
One more memory I enjoyed from Leadership was the secret santa project. I really enjoyed this because I feel like it brought us all closer as a class. I liked how we said something about the person when we gave them our gift. I also loved giving my gift and receiving one too. This was a great way to end the first semester.
Part II: A Reflection of a Peer in Leadership
When I think about my peers in Leadership, there is one person that stands above the rest. That person is Gabby Delgado. From the moment I met her in second grade, she has always been one of my best friends. Gabby has many great qualities including her friendliness and her willingness to help her peers. She is smart, talented, and always has a smile on her face. In Leadership, she went above and beyond during Homecoming. She organized getting the trailer and kept it at her house. Every week, she would set up work days for us to go over and decorate the float. She also made sure we had someone to drive the float. I can always count on Gabby for help.
Part I: RHS Pride
Part II: RHS Pride
Part I: What I Love to do
One of my favorite hobbies is playing sports. I have been playing them for as long as I can remember. When I was younger I tried all sports. My favorite one was basketball, and I have been playing ever since. I’ve played for my school and for travel teams. I played flag football for a few years and loved it. My parents wouldn’t let me play real football up until this year. It has been a great experience and I look forward to playing all four years in high school. Currently it is basketball season. I haven’t decided what I’m going to play in spring.
Part II: Letter to Parents
Dear Mom and Dad,
I am writing this letter to thank you for everything you have done for me. From the good times to the bad, you have always pushed me to be my best self. Through sports, school, and life, you have always been there to support me. Every day you show me so much love. I might not always show it back, but I love you guys more than anything. There are things that you do for me daily that you may think go unnoticed, but really don't. From cooking my breakfast everyday, to making a homemade lunch for me to take to school and nutritious home cooked meals for dinner, I know this is your way of making sure I stay healthy. You took a leap of faith when you decided that living in California would be better for us than staying in Oregon. With work and determination, within a couple of months dad had a good job and we had bought a house. From that point on, we have been able to experience a lot of great things like exploring the state of California; hiking trips, spending time in Tahoe, going to the beach, day trips to San Francisco, and exploring LA. I know it's been very important to both of you that I work to the best of my ability in school and in sports, and I'm glad you have set clear expectations for me. Our family vacations have been exciting, and I appreciate that you make time to take us to far away places to learn about new cultures and see the world. What stands out about you guys as parents is the way you treat Carrson, Chloe and me. You have always tried your best to parent with Love and Logic and see our point of view. You are fair, open minded and willing to discuss issues with us. I am so grateful for both of you. I would not be the person I am today without you. Thank you for everything.
Love,
Cade
I am writing this letter to thank you for everything you have done for me. From the good times to the bad, you have always pushed me to be my best self. Through sports, school, and life, you have always been there to support me. Every day you show me so much love. I might not always show it back, but I love you guys more than anything. There are things that you do for me daily that you may think go unnoticed, but really don't. From cooking my breakfast everyday, to making a homemade lunch for me to take to school and nutritious home cooked meals for dinner, I know this is your way of making sure I stay healthy. You took a leap of faith when you decided that living in California would be better for us than staying in Oregon. With work and determination, within a couple of months dad had a good job and we had bought a house. From that point on, we have been able to experience a lot of great things like exploring the state of California; hiking trips, spending time in Tahoe, going to the beach, day trips to San Francisco, and exploring LA. I know it's been very important to both of you that I work to the best of my ability in school and in sports, and I'm glad you have set clear expectations for me. Our family vacations have been exciting, and I appreciate that you make time to take us to far away places to learn about new cultures and see the world. What stands out about you guys as parents is the way you treat Carrson, Chloe and me. You have always tried your best to parent with Love and Logic and see our point of view. You are fair, open minded and willing to discuss issues with us. I am so grateful for both of you. I would not be the person I am today without you. Thank you for everything.
Love,
Cade
Your True Legacy General Advice
Dear Freshman Representatives,
Welcome to your first year at Ripon High School and congratulations on being selected as a Freshman Representative in the RHS Leadership Program. What an honor to have been chosen through your in-person interview, application, and recommendations. You have a lot to look forward to as you embark on your journey as a role model for your peers. I personally had no idea how fun high school would be, and I can tell you so far it's been a blast! Being a Freshman Representative brings challenges that you most likely haven't encountered before. You will be responsible for planning, organizing, and executing events throughout the year. As an incoming freshman, I didn't understand how important following a schedule would be. Not procrastinating and leaving projects incomplete until the last day is a way for your job to run smoothly and efficiently. Even though it may be intimidating, I recommend you reach out to the upperclassmen who are in leadership class with you and seek out their advice. Remember, they have been where you were and they know what you are going through. Leadership is fun and exciting but can be stressful too. As a Freshman Representative, you will reach out to your fellow freshman class to keep them informed and get them involved. In leadership, the freshman will be responsible for the Halloween Dance, Match-O-Matics, and the Student vs Staff Basketball Game. My advice is to plan ahead, and like I stated before, reach out to the upperclassmen and your adviser in class and don't procrastinate! In addition to the exclusive freshman-only planning events, you will also be involved in many other fun committees throughout the year. You will be expected to arrive early a few mornings during the school year to hang posters or decorate doors. You will make a class float for homecoming and decorate a Christmas tree in December. There are so many great ways to be involved at school and being in leadership is one of the best ways! High school should be some of the best years of your life, but they are what you make them. My advice is to have a positive attitude, get involved in something that interests you like sports and/or clubs and don't worry about the small stuff. Enjoy your time in leadership and high school.
Sincerely,
Cade Kiser
Welcome to your first year at Ripon High School and congratulations on being selected as a Freshman Representative in the RHS Leadership Program. What an honor to have been chosen through your in-person interview, application, and recommendations. You have a lot to look forward to as you embark on your journey as a role model for your peers. I personally had no idea how fun high school would be, and I can tell you so far it's been a blast! Being a Freshman Representative brings challenges that you most likely haven't encountered before. You will be responsible for planning, organizing, and executing events throughout the year. As an incoming freshman, I didn't understand how important following a schedule would be. Not procrastinating and leaving projects incomplete until the last day is a way for your job to run smoothly and efficiently. Even though it may be intimidating, I recommend you reach out to the upperclassmen who are in leadership class with you and seek out their advice. Remember, they have been where you were and they know what you are going through. Leadership is fun and exciting but can be stressful too. As a Freshman Representative, you will reach out to your fellow freshman class to keep them informed and get them involved. In leadership, the freshman will be responsible for the Halloween Dance, Match-O-Matics, and the Student vs Staff Basketball Game. My advice is to plan ahead, and like I stated before, reach out to the upperclassmen and your adviser in class and don't procrastinate! In addition to the exclusive freshman-only planning events, you will also be involved in many other fun committees throughout the year. You will be expected to arrive early a few mornings during the school year to hang posters or decorate doors. You will make a class float for homecoming and decorate a Christmas tree in December. There are so many great ways to be involved at school and being in leadership is one of the best ways! High school should be some of the best years of your life, but they are what you make them. My advice is to have a positive attitude, get involved in something that interests you like sports and/or clubs and don't worry about the small stuff. Enjoy your time in leadership and high school.
Sincerely,
Cade Kiser
Do's and Don'ts List
Do:
Communicate with all Freshman Reps Meet with your adviser often Turn in homework by the due dates Ask for help Show spirit and participate in events Plan ahead for events Manage your time Help others when you can Work to the best of your ability Work together as a team |
Don't:
Procrastinate on your work Forget about due dates Blame others Not participate in any events Skip dressing up for spirit days Save things until the day before Be afraid to share Not share ideas Waste your time doing nothing Rush work just to get it done |
The Contact List
Mrs. Mortensen - Activities Director of Ripon High School Leadership
[email protected]
301 N. Acacia Ave
Ripon, CA 95366
Mr. Perez - Freshmen Class Advisor for Ripon High School
[email protected]
301 N. Acacia Ave
Ripon, CA 95366
Sounds in Motion - DJ Service
[email protected]
(209) 522-5999
http://site.soundsinmotiondj.com/contact.html
931 10th St, Modesto, CA 95354
Events 22
(209) 552-5969
202 E Main St, Ripon, CA 95366
Caroline Hutto
[email protected]
(209) 522-5238
1213 Coffee Road, Suite D, Modesto CA 95355
[email protected]
301 N. Acacia Ave
Ripon, CA 95366
Mr. Perez - Freshmen Class Advisor for Ripon High School
[email protected]
301 N. Acacia Ave
Ripon, CA 95366
Sounds in Motion - DJ Service
[email protected]
(209) 522-5999
http://site.soundsinmotiondj.com/contact.html
931 10th St, Modesto, CA 95354
Events 22
(209) 552-5969
202 E Main St, Ripon, CA 95366
Caroline Hutto
[email protected]
(209) 522-5238
1213 Coffee Road, Suite D, Modesto CA 95355
Budget
N/A
The Professional
In our class, we have worked on many different skills to help us become the professional leader. Out of everything we worked on, the two aspects that have helped me the most are public speaking and our resumes. I was not very comfortable speaking in front of others, so when I heard we were going to give speeches in front of the class, I was not excited. We did a thirty question assignment on public speaking and this really helped me learn a lot. Slowing down when I'm speaking was probably the most helpful thing I learned. This helped me a lot when practicing my speech and getting it between the time requirements. When I gave my speech I stayed confident and did not get nervous. This helped me so much because I was not stressing out while talking in front of the class. I am very grateful that we did this because it helped me overcome my fear of speaking in front of groups. Next was resumes. I had never done a resume before so I did not know much about them. This taught me how to make one, and what to put on it. I enjoyed making my resume because it was something new and I found it entertaining. I learned all the details on how to make a resume look professional. This was very important to learn because now I know how to make a professional resume and I will use this skill for the rest of my life. These two skills are important in life and I am very thankful that I learned them.
Change
This year, I learned many new skills that helped me grow as a leader. Leadership has changed my perspective on life for the better. I've learned to value everything that I have in life and be grateful. I made so many fun memories in this program with my peers. However, there were also some not so fun memories. A time that I experienced frustration and lack of efficiency was during Homecoming. We had to come up with a class skit to perform at the night rally. We had many weeks to plan and practice the skit, yet we procrastinated until the very last minute. We had a meeting at lunch a day before the rally and then our first and only practice that night. We could've prepared a lot better for this and could've had a better skit. We somehow got through it okay, but it was definitely not our best effort. A change future classes can make is planning ahead of time. Don't let the little things, like the skit, go unnoticed because they will creep up on you in the end and have you stressing the day before. You can use your planner, journal, or put it in your phone calendar to make sure you remember. The sooner you get things done, the more time you have to make little improvements to make sure it is the best it can be.
The Ideal leader
To be an ideal leader requires you to have certain traits, and a leader mindset. I believe the leader mindset includes being motivated, accountable and performing to the best of your ability. Students in the Leadership program have been selected based on letters of recommendation, a written application, and a formal interview. Daily class expectations should include participation with all students, working at a timely matter and being respectful. When planning events, the leader should be aware of when the events are taking place, what their role is and then plan their schedule accordingly. This will guide them to complete the event on time and do a good job. Leadership students should complete their assigned homework and turn it in by the due date. They should be aware of upcoming assignments, such as the portfolio pages.
Great leaders excel in ways that others don’t. They are able to guide and influence people in positive ways. Leaders possess strong communication skills and yet they are able to listen to what someone has to say. To be a leader, you must conduct yourself in a positive way and behave appropriately. Acceptable behavior for a student in the RHS leadership program is to have a warm and friendly personality, including being resourceful and enthusiastic. What’s not acceptable is to be lazy, judgemental, and rude. To me, being considered a leader is an honor.
Great leaders excel in ways that others don’t. They are able to guide and influence people in positive ways. Leaders possess strong communication skills and yet they are able to listen to what someone has to say. To be a leader, you must conduct yourself in a positive way and behave appropriately. Acceptable behavior for a student in the RHS leadership program is to have a warm and friendly personality, including being resourceful and enthusiastic. What’s not acceptable is to be lazy, judgemental, and rude. To me, being considered a leader is an honor.
You
Easygoing