Strengths and Self-Reflection

Maddie, a co-chair in Lux Project, and her mentee Ava, an eighth grader at Lincoln Christian Middle School, have decided to spend this semester reflecting on the question, “Who is Ava?” In the spirit of this self-reflection, Maddie and Ava took some time to explore how they live out each of their strengths. Together, they ripped images out of magazines that symbolized how they utilize their strengths and created a collage. For example, Ava found an image of a chameleon and recognized how she, like a chameleon, is able to adapt to most situations. Although they both knew their strengths, it was valuable to reflect on how their strengths impacted their daily lives and the relationships in their lives. It is also very rewarding for Ava to see all of her strengths in one place. 

This reflection activity has inspired other members of the Lux Project to complete similar strengths-based projects. 

POSITIVELY INFLUENCING THE COMMUNITY

The outstanding one on one from the week of fall break goes out to Samuel and Kiyan from Child’s project.  Samuel met with Kiyan and they brainstormed ideas on where they could impact local Lincoln by filling people’s buckets.  Samuel and Kiyan decided to write positive messages on sticky notes and spread them throughout Schmick’s grocery store. This was such a great bucket filling activity to make people’s days.  Samuel said, “This has got to be one of my favorite one-on-ones with Kiyan so far.  He absolutely loved applying this concept!”  Way to go Samuel and Kiyan!!!

 

Scenarios on a Snow Day

Hello NHRIers!!!!

Ready for our newest OOOOOTW?

This week we are so proud and excited to highlight SC, Abbey Patera and her JC, Lauren of Clifton! Abbey was unable to make it to the Clifton retreat and so she took the initiative to talk with Lauren about the retreat lesson plan beforehand to make the most out of a mutual snow day! They touched on many NHRI concepts such as affirmations, self-concept, bucket filling, and even how they can see a disconnect between those positive motivators in a bully’s actions. But the coolest part of all was that they solidified the one on one topics by using “middle school ‘what would you do if…’ scenarios”! Abbey said, “it was really cool to see Lauren’s maturity and kindness show through this week as she thought of ways to deal with each situation; even in ways that I didn’t think of!” It sounds like there was a whole lot of sharing and learning from both sides. Great job facilitating such a strong message this week, Abbey! We all have a lot to learn from listening to one another’s perceptive and sharing our own; especially when it comes from vulnerable places.

Coffee Convos at Crescent Moon!

This week’s OOOOOTW goes to… *drumroll*… Trevor and Eric! The two of them recently went to Crescent Moon coffee shop and their love for coffee shops just so happens to be one of their first hot buttons learned about each other! As the end of high school nears, it can be hard to escape the dreaded “senioritis” and Eric is no exception as he’s getting excited for college and what’s to come but his SC Trevor has made it a point to make sure that Eric still get’s the most out of his senior year and is able to reinvest in the Lincoln High Community. Trevor had Eric come up with a list of all of the lessons & gifts that he has received from his multiple organizations and over the course of the next few weeks, they are going to pick an organization that has given something to him and find a way to reinvest in it! Eric has already gotten a jump start on the activity gathering the freshman of StuCo together to help them organize a project to give back to the school and is serving an advisor to them! Can’t wait to see where this goes Trevor and Eric!

Ice Cream Conversations with Jake and Brody

This week’s OOOOOTW (outstanding one on one of the week) goes out to Jake and Brody from Junior project! Two weeks ago they challenged each other to come up with 10 questions that they wanted to know about each other, as well as three things they wanted to do for one on ones this semester! This week’s one on one? Ice cream at Dairy Queen! Jake said that “the ice cream was cold but the conversation that followed was fire”. He was impressed with the thought process that Brody put into his questions. His questions spanned from what kind of leadership style he embodied, to people that had influenced his life positively. This fostered a great conversation about difference makers in their lives and their styles of leadership. They were also able to take their one on one ideas and plan for the upcoming semester! Great job Jake and Brody!

Puzzle Time With Stacie and Mimi

Stacie and her junior counselor Mimi are being recognized as this week’s outstanding one on one. Stacie brought a glow in the dark puzzle for her and Mimi to complete during their one on one because it would take the role of a stimulus situation. One of Mimi’s top strength’s is achiever, and the puzzle stimulated this talent. Stacie’s puzzle was actually 1000 pieces, and although Mimi’s diligence would allow her to finish a challenge such as the puzzle, in terms of not giving up, it made most sense to do one of Mimi’s smaller puzzles for time’s sake. They both agreed this would make best use of their time together. After the smaller puzzle was complete, they watched some videos on Mimi’s specific Gallup strengths. They discussed places in Mimi’s life where they can see her talents being utilized. In addition, they spent some time at the end simply talking about life. They both stated they had a great time together, especially sharing their puzzle strategies with each other.

Celebrating the Karen New Year

Our first post of the new year, how exciting!!

Ba Moo and senior counselor Erika Swenson from LDP spent a fun and eye-opening night at Lincoln High. Ba invited Erika to a festival held at the high school to celebrate her Thai heritage, and the Karen new year. At the event, a tour was given of the high school, traditional dances and songs of various Karen groups from Nebraska were performed, and Erika was given the chance to learn more about her JC’s culture and traditions.

Erika states that she was able to spend time asking Ba about her culture, how it affected her identity, and how she felt that their practices are different from American culture. Ba said, “Through this event, Erika was able to see more of where I came from and we were able to bond through this shared experience. I really appreciated that Erika was so open-minded, and we had an amazing time.” What a great way to build strong relationships, increase awareness of  cultures, and grow closer as a JC and SC pair!

 

“It really opened up doors for some great conversation! I enjoyed the event, and am very glad she invited me to go to the festival with her!” -Erika

 

Keep it up ladies!

Letters to Mattie (& Addison)

Our newest one on one of the week is ADDISON PAULEY & HER JC, MATTIE! Addison structured a wonderful one on one this past week that focused on vulnerability. During their meeting in the week prior they both wrote letters to one another that they then opened this week! How neat! On top of that, they met at Addison’s house where Addison mentioned that she felt Mattie, “got to know her and see her life a little bit more” by being so intimate in a space with her! Addison- thank you for opening your home and your mind to Mattie; we are sure that you facilitated a moment in your relationship neither of you will forget!

Treats and Trust with Morgan and Ava

Morgan, a junior in NHRI, created a fun activity with her JC, Ava this week. Morgan used each m&m colored candy to represent a question to get to know each other better. Some examples of questions are “How did you help someone this week?” and “What makes you a leader?” This is a great idea to dive deeper with your JC in a fun way that is engaging. Some of Ava’s friends and family joined in for the activity which allowed Morgan to build trust with those in Ava’s life as well as see Ava interact with others. And to conclude a fun activity, everyone got to enjoy some delicious candy!

Complex Concepts with Kai and Vinny

Vinny Malene and his JC Kai were able to get into really intentional conversation this week! Vinny even described it as “literally the best one-on-one we’ve ever had”! Vinny set up a stimulus situation to facilitate another conversation on a psychological concept. Kai then set up a whole conversation about where he sees himself applying strengths when interacting with others. Kai magically tied this into the Generation Effect and Halo Effect, a super impressive connection! Vinny was able to give him real time feedback on what he did well and how to improve. P.S. a note from Vinny – look up the generation effect and your mind will be blown.