lpappas

This past week was our Senior Exhibit rehearsal presentations...

Well, after spending the past week preparing and making sure I followed the basic outline Mrs. Aldrow sent us; I still didn't feel as though I was ready to give the presentation at all. And I was 100% right. I went during 3rd period on Wednesday and I didn't think I was nervous until I actually was looking at the people attending my presentation. When I started, I actually thought it was going alright, but then I finished my slides in about 15 minutes and then basically went into a state of panic. I really was not as prepared as I thought. So, I stood in front of the class, completely at a loss about what to say, then, thankfully, Ms. Wilbrandt asked me to explain the history of the Crisis and that made me remember what my project was actually about. (up until then I was just talking about the process I went through and not actually about the history or anything I learned). I think I was able to carry it on pretty well from there, but I was missing my notes on the history and started to explain it backwards, mostly because I wasn't thinking straight. Anyway, we still ended about 7 minutes early.

In retrospect, I think I should have just taken a second to stop, take a deep breath, and compose my thoughts before I said anything. Then, I wouldn't have felt like I was stumbling blindfolded through a maze. All in all, I am really glad that we had to do a rehearsal presentation because it definitely let me know how much more preparation I need, what I need to talk about, and how to budget my time. The evaluations were also really good because my evaluators clued me in on some things I didn't know I did. Ms. Wilbrandt also debriefed me on my presentation and gave me some really good tips on organization and how I can effectively explain the history. And also on my annoying presentation habits :(. She said she would be willing to work with me on the presentation, which I appreciate. After school I went and spoke to Mrs. Clark-Evans as well. I am going to meet with her next week to walk through my presentation (since she couldn't attend my rehearsal) and hopefully she will have suggestions about what I could do to make my presentation better.

Well, now that I have a better idea of what I need to accomplish before my May 14th presentation date, I think I can do it. Right? :)

Ever since my application a few weeks ago, Senior Exhibit has kind of floated to the back of my mind a little. I was really really happy that it went well, then I just decided to give myself a break from SE because of how much it consumed my life in February. Well, that mindset didn't really last too long because I had to work on my invitations and my written document.

My invitations were really neat. I had these miniature Cypriot flags and I made little wooden bases for them to stand in. Then, I attached the envelope with the invitation in it to the flagpole. The actual invitation itself was in Greek (with an English translation on the other side), which I thought was really cool (and wasn't the easiest thing to translate either).

My written document, a letter to the editor of the FLS about why we should care about Cyprus, is not as easy to write as I thought it would be. The challenge is making my point in 250 words, which didn't seem like too much when I first saw the requirement. However, it seemed short enough to throw me off balance as I was expecting more than that. However, I think that length would help my letter be more effective. We shall see...

Next Wednesday is our Senior Exhibit rehearsals and I am slightly anxious about it. I don't have my ppt or my notes done and I still don't feel confident in what I am saying or that I even understand the rehearsal presentation. My biggest worry is that I won't be able to take up thirty/thirty-five minutes. However, I am going to work on my presentation (and rehearsing my rehearsal) this weekend, so hopefully I will be ready enough when Wednesday comes around.

I know this is a monster journal entry, but this week has been extremely eventful for Senior Exhibit. The major component of my project occurred and I couldn't be happier with how it went.

Ambassador Kakouris visited FA on Tuesday! This event was one of the applications for my project and the culmination of work I have been doing since October. This being so, I was quite anxious about everything working out as planned and didn't get any sleep the night before. However, my fears were unfounded, as the entire affair went smoothly. From the moment he pulled up to when he left not one thing went wrong (Thankfully!). When he arrived, he was ready to go and really just walked into the theater and spoke. What impressed me the most is that he gave his whole talk without a single note in front of him. He is also a great speaker; the way he speaks just seems to draw you and want to know more. During his speech, he drifted off on tangents that didn't seem related, but always connected them to the main point, which was amazing. Anyway, after the presentation he hung around to have a separate Q&A session with the AP Government classes in the Upper School office. I thought it was really neat because he answered some really good questions. However, he only stuck around for about fifteen minutes before he had to leave. As we walked out he thanked me for inviting him, which made me feel special because he's the one who should be thanked and it isn't everyday a diplomat thanks a high school student for something. It was just really cool altogether. He's a really amiable guy and I am really happy he came. I have received a lot of positive feedback and it seems like everyone enjoyed the presentation, which is nice to know. It went over better than I expected. However, despite its success, I am happy it is over. : )

On Wednesday, Mrs. Clark-Evans and I met to go over the presentation and to talk about my written document. As everything else has done, the form of my written document has yet again changed. I am not really keen on doing an outline or a flat essay because it just wouldn't be dynamic exciting, to be quite honest. So, we discussed what I could do and Mrs. Clark-Evans had some really cool ideas. The one that I liked the most was writing a letter to the editor of the Free-Lance Star about why Cyprus matters (which was, incidentally, the topic of the Ambassador's speech). I am going to start working on an outline for the structure of the letter soon. It is going to be really cool to get even more awareness about the Cypriot Crisis out to the public. Another idea Mrs. Clark-Evans gave me is that I could write a letter to my Senator asking him to get involved with the problem on Capital Hill. Either one of these ideas could actually end up turning into another (mini) application, which is pretty cool. We also talked about the structure of the final presentation. This was good for me because I am really not sure of how to go about planning my final presentation or what needs to be said in it. Mrs. Clark-Evans gave me some key points that I need to hit upon and a way to structure my final presentation. I am actually pretty excited about putting together my final presentation because everything I have been working on for the past year is coming together! YAY!!

During our Senior Exhibit meeting on Thursday, Mrs. Aldrow reminded us about two important things we needed to do. The first is to send our application evaluations to an evaluator. However, since I kind of did two applications, I'm not sure how Mrs. Clark-Evans is going to separate them. Well, we shall see. The second thing we discussed was invitations, which are due next Wednesday. My invitations are going to be really neat. I am going to attach the Cypriot flag to the front of each invitation and all of the writing is going to be in Greek! (with an English translation on the back of course).

Overall, it is exciting to see everything winding down with my project. It's a little sad, but it means that I have almost completed what I set out to do, which is the important part. :) YAY!!!

I was thinking about what I would ask the Ambassador when he came and I decided I would post a few of them up here. :)

How will the election of a communist leader affect Cypriot relations with the United States (if at all)?

How is this change in leadership likely to change Cypriot relations with Greece and with Turkey? Will it be positive or negative change for the country?

Cyprus' new president is Demetris Christofias. He was the candidate from the Progressive Party of Working People (AKEL), which is considered the Communist Party of Cyprus. Christofias (and communism) coming to power in Cyprus means a lot for the reunification of the island, which the new president widely approves. This reunification (and president) is a blessing for Turkey. It will allow them acess to the benifits of an EU membership. We have yet to see the effects of this monumental change in Cyprus and if it will turn out well.

In the meantime, check out some of these cool articles from CNN, BBC and other major news networks. They explain the voting process and analyze the possible effects of the outcome. (the BBC one-the first link-is really cool!)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7262050.stm

http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/02/24/cyprus.election.ap/index.html

http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/02/25/cyprus.talks.ap/index.html

http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/02/18/cyprus.election.ap/index.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/24/AR2008022400600.html

This past week I had to give my presentations to both Government classes. I was slightly nervous (presenting to classes has never ever been easy for me), but it went extremely well; most everyone seemed interested and they all asked questions. I am really looking forward to seeing the questions that they come up with for the Ambassador. I also got some really good feedback from Mrs. Clark-Evans and Ms. Wilbrandt on my presenting style/annoying and distracting habits that I need to watch and keep in mind for my final presentation. I also had to talk to my Senior Exhibit class on Thursday, which made me think about how I am going to explain my project and why I picked it in my final presentation.

In regards to the reception, I am getting slightly anxious. I hope I am able to get everything together over break. Even though it isn't very extravagant, it still needs to be nice. I am planning on having a couple trays of cookies and some lemonade (I hope that sounds good). I also have to figure out how to rearrange the office furniture so it opens up the room. I really hope the entire presentation day goes well! (I am getting really excited!! But at the same time I can't wait until it is over.)

One thing I still need to do is figure out what I am saying to the entire school the Monday we return. I know what to say, I just have to practice it so no one gets confused. Ohh dear, my project is coming to its culminating event. eeek....

Yay for Pakistan! (this isn't directly related to my S.E., but I just had to post it!)

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=19160227

Wikipedia can be very helpful sometimes. :) Here are some links for basic information on broad concepts.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elections_in_Cyprus - How Cypriot elections work

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Union#_note-Europa_Internal_Market - All about the European Union

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Economic_Community - European Union-economy info

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Union_member_state - EU members

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Freedoms_%28European_Union%29 - the Four Freedoms

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annan_Plan_for_Cyprus - Annan Plan

This is a great article I found from a 1974 edition of Time magazine. It's really good!

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,908633,00.html

This week has been extremely hectic. "Why?," you ask. Well, I shall tell you.

First of all, I had to meet with just about everyone under the sun to finalize details for the reception (which still has some planning work that needs to be done) and my presentation to the Government classes. It has been a lot, but I really don't mind because I am really enjoying my project (crazy as that may seem).

Mrs. Clark-Evans and I met with Mr. Durso on Thursday morning to see if my ideas for the reception (reception line, etc) would get approved. Much to my relief, Mr. Durso nixed the idea of the reception line with all the city officials. I thought it was a good idea and that it would be very official, but I really didn't want to do it because a) it would create a whole lot of extra work for me at a time I am already swamped, and b) I never really intended for any official of the city to be there. The original intent of this presentation was for the students to be able to meet the Ambassador. By having the reception line, I am taking the event away from the students. Therefore, there will be no reception line.

Then, Senior Exhibit class this week (Thursday) certainly gave me a lot to think about. For one, I really need to start giving my invitations serious thought. The due date for those is coming up and I am still not sure what I am going to do. We also talked about our rehearsals, which are coming up in late March. I am slightly worried about the rehearsal because I am not exactly sure how it has to be run. However, I am not going to worry too much about it until after March 5. I really just need to concentrate on getting through my presentation and the reception. 

On Friday Morning, I met with Mrs. Hunley to discuss a press release. I was actually surprised at how long the release has to be. I thought it would just be five or six lines stating what, where, who and when. Instead, it is about four paragraphs. They aren't long, just not what I was expecting. I have to get my draft to Mrs. Hunley by next Friday. It's doable...I think.

Then, at lunch [Friday], I met with Ms. Wilbrandt to talk about my presentation to the government classes. I must say that I am extremely nervous about this presentation. Anyway, I told Ms. Wilbrandt what I planned to discuss, and told me that I should talk a little more about the cultural background of Cyprus to give my audience some context. Another thing that I didn't realize I didn't include was a background/description of the European Union. I definitely realized I needed to gear my presentation to someone who wouldn't know a much about Cyprus as I do.

Today [Saturday], I worked on my presentation at the library. I finished the PowerPoint for my gov. presentation. (YAY!) However, I still have to look up info on U.S.-Cypriot relations and information on the E.U. Anyway, I am back on track for now. :)  I hope....