Raul Ruelas

Becoming a LALA Scholar, Creator, and Activist

Reflection #1
The day I walked through the doors of Los Angeles leadership academy I was a self conscious

and shy ten year old boy whos only friend was himself. That day something changed in me,

suddenly i felt warmth and from that moment I knew that LALA would be the school that would

help me grow. The time spent here at LALA has taught me to be many things but as LALA

students we like to emphasize Creator, Activist, and Scholar. LALA has helped me to grow as a

scholar in many ways but has helped me realize that my academic success is not to only way to

describe me. When I first started highschool i was going through a rough time in my life and it

impacted my grades directly. I knew this bad as colleges take all years into consideration but i

did not give up, instead I grew and matured and kept going until i improved my grades.

Additionally, LALA has taught me to clear my mind and be more open with my imagination. The

world created me so I was born in this world to create. LALA has given me opportunities to

show off my creativity. In tenth grade I went on a field trip to perform a play written by

Shakespeare and learned that I actually had an interest in poetry. I learned to respect the proverb

poetry is language at its most distilled and most powerful because poetry is a way to express

our mixed feelings with words. With regards to being an activist, LALA is a school built on the

foundation of social justice education. During my years here i have learned to always give back

to your community and to the less fortunate even if your less fortunate yourself. LALA has given

me opportunities to show this side of me by dedicating school days like Cesar Chavez day to

give back to our community. LALA has taught me to be my best person and always give back ,

LALA has taught me to show off my imagination and express myself, LALA has taught me that

there is more to me than academic success.