121Reach

Name

Lydia Atangcho (12th Grade [2010])

About me

I like to say that there are two sides to me. When necessary, especially in school, I am the mature, kind, well-behaved student that teachers generally appreciate. I do my work, I don’t speak out unnecessarily in class, and I help other students who do not understand certain concepts. Though I am perfectly content with these characteristics, I need to set aside a time to be as out-going, outspoken, and free-spirited as I am capable of. Having skipped 2nd grade and being younger than all of my peers, I like to think that I reserve the right to act accordingly at times. I may say things or do things that my friends consider quite juvenile, but thankfully, they don’t think differently of me. Nonetheless, I take tutoring those younger than me very seriously. Naturally, acting like the baby of the group is only appropriate when I actually AM the baby of the group. Furthermore, I harness my mature, assertive leadership skills, which I have learned from being among an older age group, at all times when appropriate. By combining all these aspects of my personality, you get me! I can take the time to be fun and carefree but I know when its time to crack down, be serious, and get work done!

Fun Facts

Interests

Math, Chemistry, Latin and Ballroom Dancing, Biology, Fictional Literature, Greek Mythology, Baking, Cooking in general, Theater, Traveling, SPANISH, all world languages, cultural studies, Film, Photography, and Gardening

Music

Favorite Movies

I would have to say that the movies which have made the biggest impact on me as a person are as follows: I am David [a movie about the turmoil of the holocaust], Crash [in simplest terms, a movie about racism, encompassing every creed], The Visitor [a movie about immigrants who seek opportunity in America but are inhibited by stiff immigration policies], The Lion King [I believe this requires no explanation. haha], Slumdog Millionaire [a movie about a young man originating from the slums of Mumbai who in pursuit to find his lost love appears on the show Who Wants to be a Millionaire hoping that she is watching], and a few more.

Honors and Awards

On a broad spectrum, I have received: Spanish speaking and writing awards, honor roll for every year I have been in school, National Honor Societies, scholar awards, outstanding student awards, wrtiting awards and Fine Arts Awards.

Favorite Quote

“When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.” — Unknown

Experience with 121Reach

When I was approached by Fan with an opportunity to join her tutoring club, I was enthralled by the chance to be part of what was then named TuTR Club (Tutor Taylor Road Club). What started out as Fan’s humble yet ambitious club has blossomed into a remarkable non-profit organization marked by a vast array of learning, academic and beyond. 121Reach has become a haven for the growth and development of minds and I am honored to have been witness to this.

The relationships exhibited between the tutees and tutors have yielded a learning environment in which both benefit from each other. While the tutors are providing their tutees with help in their subjects and study skills, the tutees are likewise and often unknowingly showing the tutors new ways of understanding concepts and explaining them. In addition, it always helps to brush up on those middle school subjects we have forgotten.

In additon to the learning experiences provided by 121Reach, the organization has also shown me the importance of responsibility and accountability. I have realized the rewards that team work can bring. Since each tutor has been given a designated tutee, it is imperative that he/she is ready to take on the task of catering to the needs of the tutee, may it be help with a math problem or advice on how to cope with the rigorous demands of school as a whole. 121Reach has brought out that desire in high school students to take on this challenge and use it to their benefit by learning from it. As an officer of the organization, naturally, accountability is key. While often times in a teenager’s life, one may get away with not performing an assigned task, 121Reach has made me recognize the impragmatism of shrugging away responsiblitlies. If I do, I am letting others down, and now that the eager minds of middle school students are involved, accountability is THAT much more important.

My involvement in 121Reach has been a rewarding journey dotted with joyous successes and trying situations. Regardless of the ups and downs, 121Reach has turned out to be an incredible and highly rewarding orgnization in which tutors and tutees delve into an experience bound to leave them changed for the better.