Did you justify my votes with comments?
Read my responses to them below!
Congratulations to the candidates who were elected for their SRC positions! I'm really satisfied with the outcome, and I wish you guys all the best this year.
I also want to thank everyone who wrote thoughtful comments for me on the voting sheets, I truly appreciate every single one of them. I've been reflecting on them too, and I've taken some time to write responses to them, because it's always nice to know that your comments have been seriously acknowledged, right? The compliments have made me so much more confident, and the criticisms have made me aware of the abilities that I lack, and I will try my best to improve those.
All the comments are anonymous, but if one of them is yours and you don't feel comfortable having it displayed in my blog, let me know and I'll take it down.
Note: Some comments that are similar are grouped together and given a common response to avoid repetition.
- High Character
- She is really kind all the time.
- She is always nice to people, she doesn't yell at people, etc.
- She is always very friendly to people, and polite too. I've never heard of her saying bad things about others since I know her. And she always says hi to me with a smile. :)
---- I'm so glad I have that impression on you! ;) Chances are you were nice to me too, and I was naturally kind to you in return. Saying bad things about others behind their backs will just backfire, and yelling at people usually makes matters worse. For my own sake and those of the people around me, I try to keep the bad thoughts to myself.
- She is always honest. She respects others all the time.
- I have never seen Roxanne show disrespect to anyone in any situation.
---- I think respect is one of the most important things in working effectively in teams and making friends. The bitter tension caused by disrespect is horrible, and I avoid it whenever I can. If I do my part to respect someone, most of the time that person will do the same, and whatever we're doing becomes that much smoother and easier. Respect is a vital part of communication and friendship.
- Good person by heart, always nice and welcoming.
- Roxanne is very welcoming and warm to many of us at school.
---- You have no idea how happy I am to read that. Some of you may know that I'm quite introverted outside my circle of friends, and it's hard for me to approach new people, but it's nice to know that at least I can make some people feel welcome.
- She's very nice and also willing to help people.
- Always a nice person never refuses to help you.
---- To be completely honest with you, I am one of those people who find it hard to refuse when asked for help. That's one part of it, but mostly I'm happy to do whatever I can to help because most of you have helped me out as well in other occasions. The feeling of having helped a friend, or a fellow classmate, or even a total stranger, is a reward in itself. That's completely true, as corny as it sounds.
- I hardly see you working and helping people around you. Trying to realize the needs of others.
---- This is a bit contradicting to the previous comments, but I agree it's a totally valid point. I'm sure there have been times when I was useless and unwilling to help. A lot of the cases are because I'm always half a beat delayed at realizing what the problem is, and it ends up slipping through me before I can do anything helpful. And of course, there are times when I'm tired and slack off, so I apologize for that. I'll try to be more attentive from now on.
- Roxanne has a very high sense of right and wrong.
---- Apparently, you've only seen one side of me! I'm just kidding. :) I can be devilish and tease people, but it's always in a light, joking way and with good intentions. If you meant things like cheating, lying, stealing and the like... well, I wouldn't forgive myself for doing that. If I didn't hit the right meaning on either of these, thank you anyway; you addressed something I've never thought of in myself before, and it was positively surprising!
- She makes good choices and has lots of confidence.
---- I do, I do?! Again, this is a surprising one for me! I've been told by my mother that I'm terribly shy and indecisive, so this comment really gave me a confidence boost and a smile to match. These are both things that I've been weak at before; I'm steadily improving right now, and will continue to do so. A confirmation of this on text is truly relieving.
- I have been impressed with your compassion for the students who might be considered "different"
---- In my mind, I don't categorize people, and everyone is different in some ways. I probably can't even recognize "different" people when I'm talking to them. Nonetheless, the fact that you're impressed with something I do is greatly uplifting!
- Because she gives Aled a higher score than the one for herself for these voting sheet.
---- Hehehe~ I know who you are! ;D I didn't think you'd seriously write this when you said you would. This comment made me giggle really hard. XD But it's true, if we're voting honestly here, I still have a long way to go before I can match Aled in any of the five outcomes. He's really awesome (and a tough competition)!
- She always says things that make you smile and she always have that smile on her face that makes you want to smile (being happy/cheering people up when they are sad).
---- That's so sweet...! Whoever you are, I really want to hug you right now. It makes me smile to know that my smile can make others smile. Does that make any sense? The things that I say and the little gestures I make are mostly unconscious, but with a comment like this, I'll try even harder to keep smiling forever to cheer people up!
- Critical Thinker
- I think she is a person who is really quiet. I didn't see her being active and critically thinking.
---- That's true, I can be pretty quiet depending on the situation. At other times, you have to ask me to stop talking. From my own standpoint, I don't remember when I've not been active or a critical thinker, or at least tried to be (unless you're in my AP English class, because I really struggle with it sometimes and just have nothing meaningful to contribute... Are you in my English class?! XD) Anyway, I know I'm not anywhere near the best in this category, and I'll try my best to improve.
- When we were working together on something we presented a year or 2 back, she could think of other ways to do something.
---- Wow, it must have really been something if you still remember it! Now I'm curious about what that project was. Anyway, I'm so touched that you still remember some little thing I did even after one or two years. I'll keep on reminding myself to think critically, just as I did before in that situation.
- Nice answer about all the questions.
- She has made very thoughtful ideas about what she will do after she becomes president.
---- To be honest, I was pretty nervous up there at first (in my speech and during the debate), but after a while it became more like a conversation and ideas just flowed. I can guarantee that every word I said was true, and I meant everything I said. I deeply appreciate that you acknowledge that. :)
- If you ask her a question she will tell you a specific answer.
---- I always try to be specific about things; it may be an annoying waste of time to some, and helpful to others. I'm glad your opinion corresponds with the latter! I like to communicate my ideas clearly and completely, so you can always count on me to explain for as much time as it's required for you to understand whatever you need.
- I remember that she was being a critical thinker during SRC meeting.
---- It's easy to be active and contribute in things I'm very passionate about. Being in the SRC was one of those things, and I really enjoyed preparing and planning things with everyone else in the team. It was a wonderful feeling to belong to such a great group of fantastic leaders.
- Effective Communicator
- She knows how to communicate.
- We understand everything when she speaks.
- Her answer always make me understand.
- You make sure I understand your thought/question when we talk.
---- Thanks for letting me know that! I'm always worried that people might not understand what I'm trying to tell them, especially when I'm trying to explain something complicated. Coming from the students I communicate with daily, this is very convincing encouragement for me.
- I think Roxanne is able to speak clearly and present her ideas to the public.
- She really likes to express herself and can easily communicate ideas effectively.
---- You really think so? Then I'm glad! It hasn't always been easy for me, and it's taken a lot of practice and experience to be able to communicate effectively, and calmly in front of a group. It's great to be complimented on such achievements! Thank you thank you. ^^
- She can figure out the answers correctly.
---- Well, I'm not sure if I can figure out the correct answers to everything, but I definitely try to express what I think is right as fully as I can. :)
- Needs to speak up more, especially in class.
---- I, too, am aware that I'm not participating as much as I should in certain classes. The reason is because I struggle in those subjects, or the particular piece or topic we're working on. Otherwise in other classes I understand more, I tend to speak a lot more. So give me some time to catch up and adjust, and please help me if I'm lost. I'll do whatever I can to be more productive.
- She wants everybody to get to know everybody.
---- That's a good thing, I assume? XD We're a small "family", so I think everyone should know each other as well as a family. It will make our bond as a community that much stronger, and our school that much more awesome. :)
- Excellent job! Your compassion and democratic style of leadership shines through.
---- I'm honored to receive such a compliment! Sometimes with comments like these, I can't believe it's really about me. It takes me a while to register that, and it always ends up inspiring me to become even better.
- She cares about student voices and she's very willing to know what students' thought.
---- That's true of all the candidates this year, and I'm very proud of that.
- She listens to people when they are talking.
---- This is a big part of respect, something I really value. If people are taking the time and effort to tell me something, I want to give them my full attention. Applying the same principles, I'm replying to all these comments because I want you to know that I've been listening (reading, in this case), absorbing, and understanding all the great feedback I've been given.
- Community Contributor
- When I need your help you always say yes. I am very thankful for that.
- If you need help, you can ask her for help. She is friendly.
- She always helps me with my Spanish.
- I like silent helpers.
---- I'm always glad to help, although I can't guarantee I'll be able to provide you with the right answer... :P But I'll do my best to do whatever I can if you ask me. I've also lived in Chile for seven years, so feel free to grab me when I'm free if you need a walking talking Spanish translator/grammar check.
- I've witnessed your ability to bring different voices to the table for discussion.
---- Thanks, that's very observant of you. XD Sometimes my ideas can be so different I start contradicting myself... At any rate, it's great to know that I'm able to make valuable contributions to class discussions. I'm assuming we're in the same class, so let's do our best with contributing to our classes and school in general this year!
- When I ask for your help, you don't seem very willing.
---- I'm sorry that you feel that way, and I apologize if I ever seemed unwilling to help you. I usually try to be of help whenever I can, but some reasons may be that I was probably tired when you asked me, or perhaps I was busy myself and answered you quickly or said something that wasn't helpful at all... sorry. T___T
- She sometimes shares her ideas to people to contribute on what they're doing.
---- Again, helping people is a reward in itself, and I have no problem sharing my own opinions or ideas with others at all. And if it's helpful for what they're doing, then all the better. Really, feel free to ask me anything if you think I might have anything helpful. :D
- Active Learner
- She is not very active, she is too quiet.
- She is so silent, she is learn something but not that active.
---- A lot of people have commented on my quietness, and I agree. It conflicts with the idea that I love to communicate, so even I'm a bit confused. As I mentioned somewhere before, my activeness in class depends on how quickly I can keep up with the pace of it. My challenge now is to improve in the topics I'm weak at to be able to talk about it in class without sounding like a complete idiot.
- She study hard in my class.
- I feel she is a hard-working student.
---- Thank you! Saying something like "you work hard" is a compliment, and in addition, it encourages the person to be even more hard working. :)
- Very hot and cold.
---- I had trouble understanding this one. Does it have a... deeper, metaphorical meaning, or something? XD Or are you simply trying to cheer me up? In any case, thanks~
- She wants to make a good model for everyone.
---- Yes, I do. :) If you want others to change, the change has to start in yourself. And if we're going with the five outcomes, obviously I'll try to embody those values to the best of my abilities. I may not be great at it, but I try, and I'm glad you're able to see that!
- She is focus on work or something important.
- She is always read out side of class even though she doesn't need to.
---- Thanks, that makes me sound so hardworking! :) Actually, reading is mostly a hobby so you'll see me doing it often just for fun. And sometimes it's a reading for class, done outside of class. XD
== END ==
Thanks for these comments, everyone! You were all persons of high character. ;D
Have a great weekend!
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ooooo....this is interesting....
I found my comment.
October 16, 2008 at 8:22 PM