Take Control.

Mohandas Gandhi is definitely an admirable person. He was able to lead the people of India to independence from British rule in 1947. It doesn't end there, his view on life is inspirational. While reading "Gandhi's Top 10 Fundamentals for Changing the World" I reflected on getting the most out of life. We are really have control over the way we experience life. If we choose to live in a peaceful environment of which we are happy with than we must make the change for things to be the way we want them to be. By holding on to the past we are only hurting ourselves because the past is over and we can't go back and change it. "The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong." This is one of the many quotes of Gandhi that I can connect with. It really does take a lot of strength to be the bigger person to be able to forgive and move on. It is really something that not all are capable of. I've had situations in which I've had put that resentment away because it wasn't causing any good to anyone and it was only holding me back. Also, to know that if you don't do something about it, nothing is going to change. "An ounce of practice is worth more than tons of preaching." By just saying things and not doing anything nothing can change and nothing will. If one wishes to see a change be done one should get out there and do something about it. This is definitely something that I need to work on. I've always had the want to make a difference, even if its the slightest, just to know that I've helped put a smile on someone's face. But it is easier said than done. I would like to be able to practice what I preach and make the time to just get out there and make a change. This applies to leadership because a leader must be persistent, actions should match what is said. If people cannot trust that their leader is going to do what he is asking them to do than they will be less likely to do what is advised.

Reading "The Optimist Creed" really reassured me that I need to look out for my happiness through my mind set. If I think positive and look for the best in every situation and in people then will I build more self confidence. Optimism is really a powerful mindset that can help one make the most of everyday. By something as simple as greeting every person that you meet with a kind smile, you can really have a positive impact because an smile is contagious. It really takes a lot "to be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind." For one to be able to face adversity with confidence really helps one stay sane and healthy. Optimism can be hard to carry out consistently. It is one of those things that can depend on the situation that you are facing that can impact the strength and the confidence with which you face the problem. I agree that choosing to learn from your mistakes and what didn't work can help you feel better about it and look at the bright side of it, you learned something useful perhaps.

Esperanza B. :)

Live the life YOU want to live.

While reading the article, "18 Truths to Start Telling Yourself" many of the descriptive quotes made sense to me, mainly because they are quotes that I have read many times before. Personally, as cheesy as it may sound, I have some words of motivation that I tell myself, "Take every chance, make a change, put yourself out there and do as you want because at the end of the day you shouldn't be wondering 'what if?'" Those who are friends with me on Facebook can tell by their newsfeed updates that I like putting up some inspirational quotes every now and then. But its one thing to say it and its another to actually, "practice what you preach" as the article stated. It has been hard for me to put myself out there and do something as simple as talking to a stranger. I feel like it works both ways, if the person is kind and approachable it definitely makes taking the chance a whole lot  easier. Although, I do feel like everyone has a story to share and I'd like to hear it. I definitely feel like I have accomplished some personal growth over these past few months, especially this semester. Transitioning from high school to college was not something that "clicked" to me right away. I can definitely agree that I was not as aware about my strengths and weaknesses. Now, I am more comfortable at recognizing this and it has helped me achieve much, not just on the self improvement side. Just like truth #18, "knowledge without action accomplishes nothing," I have chosen to actually do something about it and what I know has definitely impacted how I choose to live.

Reading "15 Ways to Live, and Not Merely Exist" really got me thinking more about that to be happy one must have well balanced control over YOUR OWN life. One should not let others' opinions/negative comments bring you down. Appreciating the good things in life, love those that love you, forgive and to know when it is time to move on can really impact your life. Thinking about the haves instead of the have not's really helps me appreciate what I've been blessed with. Although it may seem that the universe controls everything that happens to us, by stepping up and taking charge of the little things that may seem unimportant can really make a difference in our happiness. Everyday matters, because tomorrow is not guaranteed.

Here's a cute song that I find inspirational for when it comes to believing in yourself :)

"Who says your not star potential 

Who says your not presidential 

Who says you can't be in movies

Listen to me, listen to me

Who says you don't pass the test

Who says you can't be the best

Who said, who said"

Esperanza B. :)

No ifs, ands or buts.

Finding an excuse for a problem, is avoiding to face the reality of the situation. Sometimes we do not credit ourselves enough for the power and the things that we are actually capable of. Finding others to blame can sometimes be easy than blaming ourselves for our failures, although for some it is easier to just put the blame on themselves. By putting ourselves down we avoid the disappointment of actually trying and failing. Finding excuses to not try is an easy way out. One sometimes needs encouragement to gain the confidence in themselves to just try. After reading "Finding Your Power" it reassured me that people may make excuses because of the lack of confidence and motivation. They may feel like no one believes in their ability, thus why should they believe in themselves. One can be a good source of motivation and inspiration by encouraging others to explore their options and just try. If one can do it, so can they. Set the example.

Being a good ALLY can be a challenge. When discussing sensitive topics one can get very into the discussion and neglect others' opinions. One needs to realize that not everyone has the same opinion because they possibly grew up seeing a different side of the situation. After reading "The Do's and Don'ts of Being a Good Ally" I learned that one needs to be a good listener. It is important that you are conscious of the other person's point of view. One should not put themselves or their feelings first. By putting yourself down there is no help being done to either side. I feel like I am pretty good at just listening to what the other person has to say when in a sensitive topic situation, but I could really work on informing myself more on the issues. Gathering relevant facts that can support/frame my opinion. This applies to STARS LEAD because throughout the course of this program we have discussed important topics that need attention, such as educational inequalities. It is a topic in which we have had to inform ourselves of the situation and realize that there are privileges that some students are given that give them an advantage that others could also benefit from. We need to realize that if we want to be a good ALLY we cannot back down from discussing a topic.

Scholarships are a privilege. It is something that is attainable for everyone. You need to have the drive to look for them and apply! They really give a student the advantage to receive an education that could possibly not be available to them because of financial situations. Scholarships can make an affordable education possible. It is a rewarding feeling to try and win, rather than to fail and not have tried at all. There's a saying, you never know unless you try. You have NOTHING TO LOSE.

Be the Change.

After viewing the film, "Waiting for Superman" I was full of mix reactions. I felt guilty that I had the opportunity to attend a decent school and get a good education. But at the same time I was also very upset that these educational inequalities and failures in the school system are such great problems in desperate need of a Superhero's help. There can really not be enough help from a superhero that can be done to help completely because too many factors make up the established education systems. There are so many distinct districts in every state that make up their own rules and standards that are responsible for the education of many children. In my opinion, a reform in the education system is easier said than done. There will need to be much hard work and cooperation from a greater part of the heads in every education system. In order to help make a change it will need to start out small to try and work from inside the problem. Possible tutoring and mentoring for these students can be of much great help because just letting them know that someone cares about them and is concerned about their education can help start a chain reaction and make people aware of the importance of this problem.

While reading the "12 Lies to Stop Telling Yourself" article I kept telling myself, this makes so much sense. It is always easier to lie to oneself than it is to lie to others. A little motivation can go a long way. Simply by being more optimistic and looking at the cup half full instead of half empty can really help change ones' reactions toward the challenges that life puts in front of us. It is important that we can help the students of the Empowerment Pipeline realize these things too. They are students just like my peers and I, and just like us, if they believe in themselves, they can go to college. The idea of "I am not good enough for college" is very discouraging and encourages the students to not try to reach their full potential. Some of these students may feel lost in the system simply because they don't have the moral support that they may feel they should receive from their teachers or most importantly, their parents. Thus, through reaching out to the students in the Empowerment Pipeline I feel like we can make an impact in a students life, even if it's the slightest change of thought about "being good enough for college." Everyone and anyone can always benefit from honest motivation. So spread the word, because you never know; the slightest kind gesture can have a positive impact in someone's life.

Esperanza B. :)

Don't worry. Be happy.

I had always had the mindset that being happy is a choice. Although at times it may feel that the world has control over our opportunities and chances that we may think will make us happy. To me it has always been to be happy and grateful for what I do have and not bitter and resentful for what I haven't.
Although reading about smiling actually making you happier was interesting. I knew that a smile was contagious, but thinking about it the fact of just putting a smile on your face can change your mood is pretty amazing. It was also eye opening to read about our mind being out sanctuary and that no one else's opinions should affect what we believe in. It was a very nice imagery to letting one know that to be happy they just need to worry about oneself and about getting involved with drama that doesn't affect you. That is definitely something that I will work on in order to live a more peaceful life. It is not that it is a big problem, it is just the an necessary use of time when I can just sit back and be happy. Also, helping others is really something that had always brought me happiness. Just by knowing that I made the slightest impact in someone else's life makes me feel good about myself. It can be difficult to know when to let go though. From past experience, such as going off away to college it was very hard to let go of the life that I had  back home. I felt like I needed to be there because my loved ones were all there and I needed them. But there soon came a point when I realized that I was growing as a person and it wasn't really that I needed to be there but that the comfort that they made me feel was what I thought made me happy. Now, I have embraced the change and have learned so much about myself being away from that comfort that I thought I needed so much. 


Over spring break I got to go home and spend time with my family. It was a much needed time away from school. Although, I found myself working for six days of my break, but it was actually a nice stress reliever from all the studying for midterms that had to be done. Eating my mom's home-cooked meals is definitely something that I cherished during my time at home, sitting around the dinner table with the family is something I miss everyday.


Here's a short clip that explains the simplicity of happiness. Enjoy!:)

Esperanza B:)

Do not leave for tomorrow what can be done today.

After reading the article "Why We Find It Hard to Meditate" it was not hard to begin to relate to some of the main points. I tend to be the kind of person that likes to keep herself busy if not I feel like my day is wasted, thus, setting time aside for myself is seen as the ultimate luxury. The points on how one thinks that they don't have the time or have to much on their mind to relax are usually my excuses. When I do have the opportunity to actually take sometime for myself and relax is usually when I am ready to go to bed. It is usually a time when all that needs to be done is done, thus making it easier for me to relax, meditate and fall asleep.

Life is full of highs and lows. After reading the "Personal Balance" article it was reassured to me. There is time for everything and things come at their given time is something that I've always had in mind. In this article the author explained how one should make the most of its moment because things come at their given time. To keep this balance in my life I try to take each moment as it comes. Right now I am in high school and so far my first year is flying by. Therefore, I am taking the opportunities that I can and making the most out of my college experience by making myself involved on campus, making connections and expanding my circle. As the time goes by I will like to continue doing the same and just making sure that I keep myself on the "right path" and make the choices that are best for me, not anyone else. With that, making the most out of the good days and the bad days is what I plan to keep in mind.

“Now is the accepted time, not tomorrow, not some more convenient season. It is today that our best work can be done and not some future day or future year. It is today that we fit ourselves for the greater usefulness of tomorrow. Today is the seed time, now are the hours of work, and tomorrow comes the harvest and the playtime.”~W.E.B. DuBois

This quote reminded me of something that I had heard from my parents before, the work that you do today is the reward that you will see tomorrow. From this quote I received the message that one must do the hard work today, because there will not be a more better time for it. The future will bring the benefit for this hard work. I try to apply this to my life because by being in college right now, putting the hours of hard work, the sleepless nights, working the part-time jobs will build up to the comfortable career that I plan to "harvest."

Esperanza:)

Educational Inequalities...

After watching the "Explaining the Inequalities in Chicago" video clip the statistics magnified the problem to me. I have known that the educational inequalities in public schools are of serious matter but these statistics just reassured me of how bad the problem actually is. They were really shockingly low numbers.

The video clip, “Louder Than a Bomb: High School Training Ground” was like an uncensored spoken reality from a CPS student himself. It showed his thoughts and opinions being affected directly by the Chicago Public School educational system. He was telling the experiences of the students and how they feel like their paths have already been chosen for them because they attend CPS schools and things at home are no good. This really gave an insight to the listener about the struggles of "an average" student in a CPS school. It told how the system has failed them and is not really interested in helping the student but rather has condemned them to the sad reality that they live. The teachers make little money and the students have lost the interest to learn. There are stories behind every student that perhaps are not heard, like the bully that is in need of affection or the girls that hid their insecurities through exposing everything else. It is to show that the students at CPS schools are in need of much more than just good teachers. Because of the low school funding there are more students in a classroom than books, thus the students do not have the equal opportunity to receive a proper education. Also, the school board over looks at those problems because they really don't have an idea that they are actually occurring since they themselves are "successful" professionals. It is a peaceful cry for help.

To be honest the "Inspiration : How Bad Do You Want It? (Success)" video made me feel like I need to work out harder, push myself past my limits... But in actuality it did serve as a great motion to push myself mentally aside from the whole "I need to work-out harder" athlete mentality. It reassured me that if I want to be successful I need to push my self past my limits and not sleep of on the opportunity. In order to be successful I must work hard for what I want. I get my source of motivation to be successful in school from my parents. They have done so much for me that I don't think I could ever thank them enough. Not only do they inspire me but they motivate me and are the reason why I work hard for making a career for my self to do better than where I came from, it is not that I am ashamed of where I came from but my parents have worked so hard for me to do better that they are my source of motivation to make them proud.

Esperanza:)

A leader is a dealer in hope.

Reading the "Locating the School-To-Prison Pipeline" left me in awe. I had known that there were injustices in the educational system especially toward minorities but after reading this article the information in it made me extremely upset. The fact that the school-to prison pipeline is relying on the law to handle the students' minor conduct issues rather than the school taking the time to work with the student is ridiculous! I honestly cannot believe that it is to the extreme such as "students who enter the juvenile justice system face many barriers to their re-entry into traditional schools" The method in which they have come about to not even putting the time to serve as a support system for the students and actually helping them out rather than automatically incriminating them because their race fits a set stereotype. This situation truly angers me because it is a problem that has spread out for years and people are still so ignorant as to let go of the stereotypes and actually help beat the negative expectations for these students of minority. These students are basically being told that they will never be good enough to be successful in school and that there are low expectations for them. 

Also, after viewing the "Black Males, Black Dreams" video I was filled with mixed emotions. The story explained throughout the video hit close to home. It reassured me of the inequalities that my cousins in an public school in Los Angeles, California had told me about. I did not believe them that the teachers would not take the time to help them outside of hours when necessary or that they would be as to tell them that they were not going to graduate or succeed in school because of where their family comes from. It really upset me that there are not many that would actually take the time and serve as mentor or a guidance for students on the border of fulfilling the stereotype or accomplishing school. I really would like to serve as a mentor for students in this situation and help them realize that there is actually many obstacles that they can overcome with a honest support. 

As a STARS Leader I am hoping that through the Empowerment Pipeline program I can serve as a support system for students here in the Chicago area. These educational inequalities are really affecting students not only in Chicago public schools but also in inner city schools throughout the country. This is such a wide spread problem and I feel like I can do my share of helping for a better tomorrow by being a support /mentor to the students in the program that we will be working with, specifically beginning with the students of Tilden High School this upcoming Friday. I am very excited to have the opportunity to work with these students and help encourage them to attend school and achieve higher education that is available to them. There is sooo much more that I can ramble on about with this topic but I think it is time to wrap it up and give my keyboard a break from the hard typing haha.

Esperanza Benitez:)

To lead the people, walk behind them.

Leaders instill in their people a hope for success and a belief in themselves. Positive leaders empower people to accomplish their goals. ~Unknown

This quote reminds me of when I used to be a peer tutor in high school. I always enjoyed encouraging the students to help find the solutions to their math problems on their own through examples that they had already done with my help. It was important that I recognized their accomplishments as minimum as they might be because sometimes a little push is all they need to build up their confidence and thus they can have more faith in themselves to master the subject.

To me social justice means looking out for what is fair for all in a society. It means that the needs of everyone in the society are met and respected. No special treatments to some just because "they may be better." Social justice means quality for all. 

The Servant Leadership workshop was motivating and mind-opening. It helped me discover a new definition for a leader that I hadn't necessarily thought about before. A servant leader is someone that works beyond just leading a group of people. A servant leader is one that helps build community and help them grow. 

I feel like listening without judgment is a characteristic of servant leadership that I try to practice. When someone approaches me with a problem I always give my full attention and just listen. I do not conclude or assume things. It is important for me to put myself in their shoes and help them figure out a solution that works best for them.

I would like to learn to poses the characteristics of helping build community and share power. It is important that if I wish to be a good servant leader that I know how everyone plays an important role and their contributions are crucial to success. Not only for me to know that, but for them to know their importance too.

Being an indecisive person makes it hard to have a dream job. One day I may want to have one job and the next day I may find something new. For the moment I know for sure that whatever career I end up deciding one I will want to serve others. Something in like a human resources field has always been on my mind. I want to let people know the opportunities that they can have that they may not be aware about for say because of the lack of education. I wish to be someone that they can approach to help them find an answer to their questions.

Esperanza Benitez :)

Only a life lived for others is a life worth while.

He who has never learned to obey cannot be a good commander. -Aristotle

I feel like this leadership quote is one which I can relate to my personal leadership experiences. Through my previous leadership experiences I had to begin from being the follower. Only from there was I able to become a leader towards others. I would teach them what I had learned in their position. Specifically, when I was a Senior Leader for the Freshman class in high school. I feel like learning and leading go hand in hand, you continue to learn while leading.

The E-Portfolio presentation was specifically interesting because I was not very aware that one could basically market themselves through highlighting the high points of their experiences relevant to the reason for their making the portfolio.

It is bit overwhelming to decide what experiences I wish to highlight in my E-Portfolio. Specifically because what I should highlight depends on who I am intending the audience of my portfolio to be. I would most probably include for sure my service learning experience and teaching.

It is important for a leader to serve others because that way they are leading with a purpose. Being a servant to others keeps a leader humble. It is important in order for a leader to not let the power go to their head and then loose the spirit and purpose for what they stand for.

Helping others is something that I have always enjoyed doing. Not for the recognition or the acknowledgements but because it just makes me feel good inside. Knowing that I helped others and did something as simple as put a smile on their face makes me feel good about what I am doing, it keeps me humble. I feel like this can relate to leadership because by helping others I feel like one can make a change and inspire others to do the same. 


Esperanza Benitez :)

Limits exist only in the mind.

Hello! My name is Esperanza :)

I am new to the whole blogging thing. Hope this is the start of some good blogging! Haha.

Through the STARS LEAD program I am interested in having the opportunity to explore and learn more about what it actually means to be a leader. Specifically through service. I have always enjoyed service learning and having the opportunity to grow as a leader through the Empowerment Pipeline is exciting. I cannot wait to develop my leadership skills through the workshops that this program offers. 

At the end of the program I wish to have learned so much more about what it means to be a leader. I would like to be able to have developed my leadership skills by taking advantage of all of the opportunities being offered in this program.

In the first STARS Leaders meeting it was exciting to get to meet all of my other peers that are in the program. It was a welcoming environment with ice breakers just getting comfortable with the group that I will be working with this semester. It was enjoyable being in a group full of leaders learning what we will be experiencing together throughout the course of the semester.

Leadership... it is an attitude that one has. It is a mentality of doing what is right with the interests of society in mind.  Being a leader is not just being the first one to speak, being a leader means being the voice of what the group is thinking. A leader does something because it is the right thing to do, not because it is the easiest. A leader is someone that others can count on.

Through the course of this program I wish to be able to learn how to step up to the plate when necessary. Helping out and being someone that others can count on and turn to when something needs to be done. I am specifically interested in feeling comfortable identifying myself as a leader. When someone asks me who are you and what do you bring to the table, I want to be able to say “I am a Leader.”

Esperanza Benitez :)