Volleyball is life

Volleyball is a well known sport and has been played in almost every country.  I consider volleyball as my favorite sport. I play as one of the qualifiers and although I might not be the best, I am very determined to give it my all. I became so fond of volleyball, that I was inspire to create my high school's volleyball team. Along with the help of my team members I was able to make this a reality.Volleyball has had an impact on me since day one. It has helped me to be more dedicated and determined even outside of the court. 


Not only do I run practices in my high school, but I also participate in a another volleyball team named the NYC Starlings. NYC Starlings, is a national team that has many clubs from California to New York. According to Starlings.org, "Beginning with a single inner-city San Diego team in 1996, today Starlings Volleyball Clubs, USA is the largest junior volleyball club in the nation ─ serving some 3,000 girls in over 50 clubs across America". As my Coach Vargas once said, "No one is turned back", meaning that everyone who joins this club has a guaranteed spot in. The travel team goes to tournaments, representing NYC Starlings, nonetheless, advanced development is when you take your volleyball skills to another level. 

Older Jasmina

          

In the upcoming years, I view myself as a successful woman that has completed high school and college. The next five years contain a great number of treasures that will effect my future. For instance, graduating high school, let alone graduating college, is going to be a sad yet again happy achievement in my life. Leaving friends that I had for four years behind and starting a new chapter in life by transitioning into college is going to be an obstacle that I will be sure to overcome to ensure the successful life I plan to achieve. My mind is not completely set on a specific occupation, but I would like to pursue in the business or law field. I would want to become either a lawyer or a worker in the Fashion Marketing industry. Currently, I'm not in any internships but have been accepted to complete a internship program over the summer for a business company. To expand my knowledge and also to help me choose which field I want to major in, I would try out more internships as I grow older.

A great accomplishment

The international music, the culturally diverse dances, the loud applause from the vivid crowd, all of which is experienced at the annual The Young Women's Leadership of Women of Astoria's Multicultural Day. TYWLS of Astoria has a goal of introducing the world to our multiple nationalities in the small school. To pursue this goal, Multicultural Day came into the equation. I myself have first experienced the shoes of dancers because I was dancing a traditional song from my culture. My group of friends and I both danced an Albanian traditional dance called Shota and a Montenegrin dance called Uzicko Kolo.



As the jittery feelings left my body on the day of the show, was when I noticed that dancing my culture is something I'm proud of and want to keep doing. I recommend to everyone that if you ever have the chance to dance in front of a crowd, to do so. It really makes you a less shy person and changes your aspect for performing in public. Ever since that day, I have been more outgoing and willing to try new things. This year I plan on modeling in our annual Eco-Friendly Fashion show along with Multicultural Day dance again.

The best things in life are free!

Helping out the community is a big tradition in our school. To improve our community, there are many activities that range from volunteering in a homeless shelter to guiding an elderly person cross the street. Nonetheless, tutoring elementary students is something I do to support my neighborhood. Once a week for about two hours I assist elementary school students from grades one through five with their homework at the Boys and Girls Club. I've always had the desire to meet new people and it was my dream to tutor little kids. Since I was young, I have always been good with kids for the reason being that I have two younger siblings, and have helped my parents raise them.

My trigonometry teacher, was actually the one to present me with this volunteer work. He told my classmates and I that it was a great opportunity to meet important new people that could help you in the future. My goal in tutoring is that they leave everyday with the concept in mind that learning could be fun and educational at the same time. Aiding the elementary students helped me acknowledged that spreading education to the younger generation does not only amplify my resources but theirs as well.


Jasmina Lukolic by simplyjasminax3 on GoAnimate

                 

Life doesn't come easy

                       


Adjusting to an all girls school, was not really an obstacle, but rather a big change that I overcame. I entered The Young Women's Leadership School of Astoria in 2010 as a 9th grader in a recent established school. Before going to high school, I attended what would be considered a regular co-ed middle school. Unaware of the impact that the school would have on me, I still went and learned how to adapt to it. Nonetheless, as the years passed by, my knowledge expanded. Personally, I noticed that being in all girls school, is not really a huge difference from a co-ed school. Additionally, I managed to not let my shyness interfere with my creativity and participation in school. I now acknowledge that some risks should be taken in order to make accomplishments and stand out as an individual.

Inspiration is key

Inspiration is what helps strive a person to go that extra step. Some role models that have encouraged me are my parents. Being born and raised in New York City, gives me endless number of opportunities that I can acquire. You can expect to be exposed to various people who are willing to inspire you. However, the only real mentors I will always have are my parents. They have managed to be there for me through thick and thin. 

My parents being born and raised in Montenegro, a country in Europe, came to America on their own at the age of 17. Experiencing this made them realize that life was not easy and that hard work is necessary. Having this in mind, I recognize that what I consider as my personal struggles can always be fixable. It is up to me to find possible solutions. 

Back home in Montenegro, they barely had any support from their parents. Now they strive to give me all the support that I need. This helps me aim for an even better lifestyle. Nonetheless, inspiration can blossom in almost everyone with a certain role model, and in my case it happens to be my parents. They have a profound influence on my goals and I will forever be grateful for that.

                     

As days go by like brittle leaves being blown away by the gentle air, life moves quickly, and frankly, life goes by in a blink of an eye. In order to keep track of these endless memories I have created this blog, that will be based on what Tennessee Williams once said, "Life is all memory, expect for the one present that goes by you so quickly you hardly catch it going." After all, blogs are created to reflect on the past and the impact it has had on who we are today. In this blog we will go through the crazy journey that got me to the  place that I am gratefully in, which is being a high school student that will be attending college real soon. Nonetheless, with the transitioning from high school to college life it brings many anxious feelings. I am also frightened of the upcoming changes that colleges will offer. My main goal is to pursue a career that will be something that I really want to do, and to be frank, I'm interested in almost every job! However, one thing I'm completely sure about is that I want to go to Hofstra or Pace University. What I strongly believe is that I will attend one of these well-known universities. Although I have some fears and worries, I know that my motivation will take me far.