Melina Jorge is the Junior of the Month for April. Melina demonstrates tremendous aptitude in her studies and has proven herself to be a dependable and mature student. Her consistency makes her one of the top students in the junior class, and her pleasant and original demeanor puts her in the good graces of both her peers and teachers. Ms. Weinstein, Melina’s A.P. U.S. History teacher, has this to say about her: “She is great at applying what she’s already learned and using it in class. Also taking what she doesn’t know too well to apply to new materials to learn more about what she is not familiar with. I am blessed to have Melina as a student.”
Below, Melina provides student correspondent, Antonio Perez, with some thoughts about WHSAD and why she believes she was nominated.
My main goal in WHSAD is to graduate with an advanced regents diploma and a CTE certificate. Both achievements are goals that I’ve worked so hard to complete , and I believe that through hard work and dedication I can accomplish this. WHSAD offers an environment in which I’m encouraged to not only learn but also to grow, and that is important to my success here. Teachers engage with students and help them in the best way possible which truly helps to reinforce a positive learning environment. The fact that WHSAD is primarily focused on architecture is what I believe makes WHSAD such a unique and special learning environment. It’s so fascinating that we don’t just study architecture but we actually get to physically work with it and use what we learn in class to actually apply to our work. We’re given several opportunities to take what we do in class and apply it in work-based learning programs such as internships or projects outside of class. WHSAD gives you the opportunity to learn about architecture and then allows you to take what you have learned and apply it to real life situations. I believe I was personally chosen because I get good grades, and I’m an autonomous student. In class I can read the task and great straight to work. I don’t need to rely too much on the teacher to help me better understand what to do in class. I also work hard in and out of class to reach my goals. Earth Science and AP Human Geography are my favorite because of the fact that they offer an interesting topic to learn about and also provide a challenge for me to face. After graduation, I aspire to become a police officer or if I can’t become one right after high school. I can just go to college and then go to the academy after that. I want to become a police officer because I want to protect and help those who can’t help themselves. The community in WHSAD is very strong and we as students work hard to help give back to the community, and my training to become a police officer is rooted in the community and the need to give back. Through extracurriculars that WHSAD offers such as community service we a students can help to give back to the community by cleaning up the streets and helping those who are less fortunate. Through community service we can help make a better environment not just for us but also for the future of our city. Community service also teaches us important values and prepares us for college and eventually our own career paths. The community in WHSAD is what makes the school so special. Teachers are able to work to each student’s needs and truly help them in the best way suited for them. Not only that but students and teachers also get the opportunity to know about each other and develop actually friendships. The teachers offer great experiences for students that make them not only feel welcomed but also acknowledged. WHSAD offers such a unique experience unlike any other high school. We learn about architecture and actually get to apply what we learn in real life and use our experiences in program or internships. Also we are taught important life lessons from teachers and prepared for the future after WHSAD. We are taught beyond the curriculum and given something that not many schools can teach: experience. That is why I couldn’t more grateful for WHSAD.