Name: Dillan Saltsman Position: Public Relations Coordinator Date: 10/02/2020
Position Assessment: So far in my Public Relations Coordinator position, one project has been assigned specifically to me. This was an outreach project to all of the transfer students of Ripon High School. The message was to make the students feel welcome and part of the tribe, even in the distance learning circumstances we were in. An informational email with contact information for questions, past event summaries, tips for success, class instagram and Superfan details, and more. It was received well by the part of the student body that it was sent to. I have also attended Core Camp and the Scott Backovich training which both helped me learn more about my position in Leadership and how I can be successful doing it. One thing that still needs to be completed is advertising and any assistance that I can provide for Fall Fest that is approaching at the end of October.
Professional Development: This school year has already brought many useful resources for me to develop my leadership skills and overall character. One of these was the Leadership Journal. It has helped me reflect and be more present in each moment and has also given me motivation in the trying times of this school year with wise words. One of my favorite parts is the coloring because I have been able to find personal meaning in every word and express that through a range of colors on the paper. Another resource has been the book study which has given me insight on how I can modify my thinking to prepare myself more for success. It has shown me how I have often been my own biggest obstacle in achieving my goals and how I can modify that. Both of these will prepare me for a future of great success in college and a career because I will be able to be more ambitious with my goals when I have the tools to succeed. Stress management, reflection, and vulnerability are all things I have learned that can help me form better connections, sort thoughts in my mind into manageable plans, and overall do better in my future when I strive for a big career to solve the world’s biggest issues.
Concerns/Change: One concern that I have is not with events or procedure in Leadership, but our positivity and our own wellbeing. There are quite a few people in Leadership that are stressed or lacking a light in their life and mending our mindsets could possibly promote better productivity, clearer ideas, and more. We are doing great but there are things that we can do to ensure that we are always at our best when serving our school.
Positive Comment: Niki is doing an absolutely amazing job at leading the leadership team with direction and also contributing to the formation of some very interesting ideas. Kate has been a very good help to me when I have questions because I know that if I don’t understand something that was asked of me, I can always come to Kate for an explanation. Our freshmen representatives are also really stepping up to the plate and I cannot believe how creative they have been. My favorite ideas were their Fall Fest ideas, Autumn in New York and Fall Ball. I’m sure those would have been great themes. I also want to commend Morty on how awesome she has been and the extent of work she has put into all of our projects, as well as the work put into the lesson plans each day.
My Impact: I change the world each day just by being present in daily life. I haven’t done anything significant lately that is especially excellent but by being here, my mood affects the people I interact with and when that is a good mood, it creates a domino effect of good moods that expands infinitely. I have tried to stay at least semi-positive for the people around me.
September-December ASB Report
Name: Dillan Saltsman Position: Public Relations Coordinator Date: 12/03/2020
Position Assessment: As the year has progressed, I have taken on many more responsibilities for my position as Public Relations Coordinator in Leadership. One of these was collecting social media assignments which needed to be done for publicity purposes during Fall Fest in October and for a fundraiser. I was in charge of the upperclassmen and collected those assignments with a google form. My partner, Natalie Johnson, collected the assignments of underclassmen in the program. Another project I was involved in was the brainstorming of ideas for Fall Fest themes and execution. The sophomores did a pink theme for breast cancer awareness by decorating a truck and a door. As we return to in-person schooling, I must still complete my speech as well as a class final at the end of the semester.
Professional Development: In depth assignments that hone our leadership skills have been crucial to professional development lately. The assignments such as the Ikigai, book study, and more have encouraged me to take a look inside myself and find out who I want to be as a person. These aren’t things we just normally think about but for that to be brought into light is a powerful thing. Reflection is the way to better ourselves and this is a way for me to reflect. Discussions in class have also been important because I get to hear the ideas of others and reap new perspectives from the insight of others.
Concerns/Change: Earlier in the year, each group of officers created a sort of checks and balances system as there were many in the program not fulfilling their duties. I was wondering what ever happened to that, because I know that for the sophomores it started and was abandoned not long after that. I don’t think we need it anymore especially because the sophomores have created a group chat where we can ask each other questions, but I was still just wondering what happened to the initial system.
Positive Comment: Everyone in the program has been amazing, and I would like to specially acknowledge Natalie Johnson who has been a great partner through all of our shared projects. I was also so touched by the praises everyone wrote in October. They were so genuine and there is no way for you to know just how much that affected me. Gianna Welsh is also one person who is outstanding in her position and the way she shows lots of kindness to everyone is very much appreciated.
My Impact: I have made an impact on the overall learning environment by being constantly engaged with my educators. By keeping my camera on during the Zoom meetings and giving my teachers undivided attention in the duration of classes, I encourage others to do so as well and I make the job of teachers a little easier and more enjoyable. I am one less student my teachers have to worry about controlling and I am also there to support them in their new ways of teaching as they navigate school amid COVID-19.
February-March ASB Report
Name: Dillan Saltsman Position: Public Relations Coordinator Date: 03/18/2021
Position Assessment: The Public Relations Coordinator has been kept busy in the Leadership program with both position-specific and general projects in February and March. One such that was completed was working with the Sophomore officers on clovers that spread personal messages of positivity to every member of the Sophomore class. These were put up by us on Ms. Gillihan’s classroom window on St. Patrick’s Day in March. We also joined the program in writing a letter to a veteran for FFA hearts during the week of Valentine’s Day. When Leadership began the week-long resale of class t-shirts, the Public Relations Coordinators were in charge of keeping a log of two different social media assignments. The first was for Freshmen through Juniors to publicize the t-shirt sale. The second assignment was directed towards the seniors to promote a class t-shirt spirit day the Friday of that week. After this, Public Relations Coordinators joined the program in being assigned a senior athlete to create a social media post and poster to honor their commitment to sports throughout their high school career. As Homecoming is drawing closer, there are many upcoming events still in the works. Public Relations Coordinators are creating a social media post for each of the class’ themed spirit days. This position has also shown its dedication to its fellow sophomore class officers in applying itself to the planning of the class spirit day, decoration of the class poster, and participation in the dance sync. Both Public Relations Coordinators are also members of the Homecoming Special Committees and the work it entails will be described in more detail and enacted in the very near future. I am involved in the committee for the balloon archs and the date is still being decided for when those will be made and assembled.
Professional Development: Elder Project assignments have opened up so many opportunities to develop skills for success. The best part about these projects was how each one provided a unique perspective. From Gabriel’s assignment, I learned how to harness my full potential and turn constant input into a flow of meaningful output. From Brendan and Niki’s presentations, I learned to not put so much pressure on the future or the past and to instead be more aware of the progression of the present moment. From Gracie’s insightful words and TED Talk, I heard a unique perspective analyzing change in categories of “fear,” or “opportunity.” These are only a few Elder Projects of many that affected me and taught me many lessons. A common theme among these is mindset. Your mindset is what influences the outcome of actions. By applying what I have learned from my peers, I can improve my mindset and in situations such as applying to college, getting my first job, or even just working on school work during the day, I will get a better quality or more desired outcome with a healthy developed mindset.
Concerns/Change: I was wondering looking forwards, what events or projects will we be involved in planning after Homecoming to serve the student body as we near the end of the year? Do we have any big things left? Is there a large event or project that can be used to close out this school year strong?
Positive Comment: I want to give a shout out to the awesome Sophomore class leaders who have done so amazing at every class project we have done so far. We have some great leaders and I think the best part is every Sophomore leader has a part in the project and gets to feel involved. I cannot wait to see how our Homecoming poster, dance sync, fashion show contestants, and more turn out in the future. I envision amazing things for us. I also want to thank Gabriel and Spencer, who are such positive people and contribute to a welcoming, optimistic atmosphere in the classroom.
My Impact: One of my personal core principles was to always “create my vision.” Every vision I have is one that will serve the student body with the intent of a positive impact. Lately, I have been trying to be as involved as possible and continue to put all of my effort into what I do. Doing this will create my visions in their entirety. I think a big aspect of this is also applying this principle to creating the visions of others, such as when working on Homecoming events collaboratively with the Sophomore class. Either way, I put forward my best effort in hopes that the students will have the best experience they could possibly have.