Ollying To Altruism
In the Ollying to Altruism project, we explored philanthropy and altruism through history, while taking part in a great experiment exploring what happens to us when we attempt to be more generous on a daily basis. In addition to creating our own philosophies on altruism, we documented, in a photo journalistic style, our self designed and executed altruistic experiences that overlap with our personal philosophies. Simultaneously, we built skateboards to give away, as well as solar paneled night lights for 1st graders at Explorer Elementary.
June 3: My Photojournalistic Essay
To see the process of making this essay, click HERE.
March 12: Designing our own project - App For Generosity
After learning all about generosity and altruism, we were given the chance to practice it. Our teachers split us into partner groups based on our philosophies of generosity, and were asked to create a project that could help us better understand, or help others understand, generosity. My personal philosophy was that generosity is best as a habit, so when we were split up, my partner and I decided to create an app that would remind people to be generous. This way, they would eventually remember on their own, and it would become a habit to do small acts of kindness without thinking. We also went to a park cleanup at Kate Sessions Park. To see it all, click HERE. Through the four week project, I bettered my understanding of technology, while also helping others become more generous. A great project overall.
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March 2: Night Light Project
We made our second journalistic essay about the night lights we made for first graders at Explorer Elementary. We came up with designs, made them in Adobe Illustrator, and cut them with a laser cutter. After glueing the wood pieces together, we added the solar panel, motion controlled lights on top of the boxes. We had a lot of fun, and I'm sure the first graders enjoyed it just as much, if not more.
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February 25: Day of Chandler
In this photo journalistic essay, I follow the infamous Chandler for one day, tracing his steps, writing down the details. Hope you enjoy!
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February 13: Photography at the Ronald McDonald house
My Photos
During our trip to the Ronald McDonald house to volunteer, I took a number of photos. These are the top 8, my favorites, commemorating the experience. |
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PHOTO I CHOSE I chose this picture because I have the more creative rule of thirds in it that the photographer told us about in his lecture. In one third, I have the platter of cookie dough. In the second, next closest, I have the box for the cookies. In the remaining area, I have Darrell and Emilio. Both of their heads are just above the thirds line. |
POST PRODUCTION WORK
I started by changing the brightness, in order to pick up facial expressions better, as well as changed the contrast, to get rid of the words on the cookie box. Then, because I felt like the background was distracting, I blurred it out. The contrast also helped bring the focus to the cookie dough, and the faces. |
before and after post productionSTORY BEHIND THE PHOTO
The cookie dough is almost like a road, leading to Darrell McClendon. While Emilio is smiling for the photo, Darrell is glaring at the camera. This makes you wonder why he seems angry. Did we do a bad job with the cookie dough? Or did he not want his picture taken? Was he not happy with the volunteer work? Emilio, to the right, seems happy. However, he has his hands raised, pulling on gloves. It reminds me of a doctor, preparing for a surgery. It's somewhat of a sadistic smile, when mixed with the gloved hands. Darrell's hands are down, almost in a disappointed way. We can see the different expressions that can be made right next to each other. I also feel as though the blurring and contrast helped, so that you can practically feel the emotions riding of them. |
February 6th: Altruism, Buddhism, and Judaism
While watching the "Designing for Generosity" video, I was struck by how accurate the points were. They made a lot of sense, as well as the economic principles. My group researched Scarcity to abundance, which coincided with people facing trade offs. We learned that by living in abundance, in stead of scarcity, then we don't need to make trade offs. We can give instead. This reminded me of Buddhism. Buddhist practitioners practice abundance, by getting rid of all materialistic wants and needs. This gives them time to instead give to others, and ask the Buddha for enlightenment. I have, in the past, seriously considered the possibility of practicing Buddhism. As a Jew, I feel that the difference between Judaism and Buddhism is simply who we pray to, and far we go to help others. I feel as though with Judaism, I can still get that feeling of giving, but wanted a more spiritual connection to a god. However, in reform Judaism, we have the freedom to believe in what we want, as long as we keep the same similar values.
Raising kids has never been a question to me. It has always been something I knew I would be doing eventually. More recently, became worried about this. My families dog, Riley, recently turned five. This happens to also be the age at which a small child would begin attending elementary school. Five years doesn't seem like that long to be taking care of someone, until you go and actually care for someone or something for five years. FIVE YEARS! Thinking back to fifth grade, when we got the small bundle of fur named Riley, I was 4'9" and had hair down to my shoulders. I was interested in becoming a professional bull rider. I stopped believing, for a short while, that I could care for a child. I would more likely bet my savings away on how long someone else could care for one. But, I again changed my mind. When we got the chance to play with preschoolers at the Jeff and Denni Jacobs Child Development Center, I was reminded of my ability to befriend and care for young children. Growing up with a mother in that business, and currently running 22 preschools, can do that to you. I was able to run and jump, laugh and play with classes of children. I was reminded of the upsides, and am closer to being ready for whatever comes in my future. I can't wait to go back to the preschool, and play with the children again.
Raising kids has never been a question to me. It has always been something I knew I would be doing eventually. More recently, became worried about this. My families dog, Riley, recently turned five. This happens to also be the age at which a small child would begin attending elementary school. Five years doesn't seem like that long to be taking care of someone, until you go and actually care for someone or something for five years. FIVE YEARS! Thinking back to fifth grade, when we got the small bundle of fur named Riley, I was 4'9" and had hair down to my shoulders. I was interested in becoming a professional bull rider. I stopped believing, for a short while, that I could care for a child. I would more likely bet my savings away on how long someone else could care for one. But, I again changed my mind. When we got the chance to play with preschoolers at the Jeff and Denni Jacobs Child Development Center, I was reminded of my ability to befriend and care for young children. Growing up with a mother in that business, and currently running 22 preschools, can do that to you. I was able to run and jump, laugh and play with classes of children. I was reminded of the upsides, and am closer to being ready for whatever comes in my future. I can't wait to go back to the preschool, and play with the children again.