Sam Kulliver Portfolio 2016

Sam Kulliver

Portfolio 2016

Cover Letter Dear Mrs. Hart, I am writing in response to your ad seeking a Content Editor at The Shadow yearbook. Your job posting states that you are looking for an organized, detail oriented, problem solver, which describes me perfectly.

I am very organized and have a personable attitude which makes me a great candidate for this position. I take ownership of projects I am given, and am a creative problem solver.

Additionally I am exceptional in: Assisting in all areas of the yearbook Keeping a fun, yet organized environment Providing exceptional input on all aspects of the yearbook Researching for new ideas that can bring the book to life I have worked for a past publication for over a year, and have assisted over 30 members of the publication. This has provided valuable knowledge that I will be able to bring to this position.

Working at The Shadow yearbook would allow me to implement my skills into the publication and allow me to further my skills.

I appreciate you taking the time to read my cover letter. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely, Sam Kulliver

Sam Kulliver

29235 N. 43rd Street / Cave Creek, 85331 / 480-309-3024 / samkull101@yahoo.com Summary:

I am organized, detail oriented, and driven person

Work Experience: LIT Boys and Gils Club. 3975 E. Lockwood Dr. Phoenix, AZ 85050 May 2015 - Aug 2015 I assisted the staff in all areas of the club. Planned events for the kids to make sure that they were both educational and enjoyable. WOrked with computers to crate presenations. Sold and made food for the kids. Responsible for cleaning all areas of the club.

Education: Cactus Shadows High School, 5802 E. Dove Valley Rd, Cave Creek AZ 85331

Additional Info: -Fluent in Spanish -Volunteered for Birthday Dreams, Special Olympics, National Kidney Foundation, and more -Studied Hebrew for four years -Great Computer Skills

Resume

Self-Analytical Essay

Over the past year I have gotten the opportunity to really look back on what has happened. After reviewing my past evaluation I realized that I have learned a lot more than before. This past year has changed my life in so many ways that I can not even explain. All together I have done three main stories, three mods, and completed the index. This past semester was a bit rocky but I managed to get through it without to many scratches. I was able to work with my amazing team and work out any issues that occurred. Overall this past year has been a success.

This past semester I really tried to put my best foot forward. I tried to come up with the best possible ideas that can make the book different and even more exceptional. Although I wish that I would have helped my team leader out a bit more when it came down to designing a page. I always made sure that I made my deadline so that it was easier for everyone. Even though deadlines were quite stressful, I still made an effort to complete everything to the best of my ability. Overall the deadlines were not that horrific.

This semester working with my team was up and down.

There was a lot of stress this semester and it got to my team a little bit. But overall I had an amazing team to work with and we were able to complete everything with a smile on our face. Different from last semester is that this semester we all know how the other works and how to work to our strengths to get our projects done. The only issue we had was when we were unable to get pictures for a few mods, but in the end we figured out a solution. I was extremely dedicated to my team this semester.

This year I feel that everyone could have done a better job at advertising. Myself included in this because I did not really promote as much as I could have. I did help promote yearbook palooza however by putting up flyers and talking with my friends to get them to come to the event. I was also in charge of making the shirts to help promote palooza. Although I believe that next year we should do a better to promote palooza and as well as the yearbook so more people will buy the book.

This semester I was especially dedicated to completing this book. I was at school till 11:30 one night helping complete the book. I was at every deadline night helping with as much as I could. Last semester I was not as aware of what was going on in the book, but this semester I was able to design more and help out more around the class.

With all these skills I believe that I will be a big asset to the team next year in yearbook. I will be able to voice my opinion better now understanding fully how the class works. I have better organizational skills and work better on a computer which will help me immensely in the year to come. Reflecting on the past year has taught me a lot, and I look forward to the upcoming year.

Cont.

Reflection #1

Looking back at all the work that I did and at my old reflection I put a lot of thought into what I feel is my best over all work for the whole year. In the first semester I said that my more significant piece of work was my story about Bailey Brown. But this semester I realized that I wrote an even better story.

My most significant piece of work has to be my story on the kids who are going into the military. This was a story that was not only extremely difficult to put together but it was also an amazing learning experience.

When I began writing this story I will not lie when I say I did not want to write it. Finding people to interview was extremely difficult and frustrating. At first the story was a complete mess, I had no plan for it and almost through it together without thinking much of it. With no motivation I had no reason to really do it. But after interviewing the people, I really learned a lot and understood how amazing the story could be.

The reason I enjoy this story more than the last is because this is someone’s future and I was able to tell someone’s story and how they plan to live their lives. I think it is able to really tell a wonderful story. It allows the reader to see what other kids are planning to do with their lives, and since this people are doing such courageous things, it might just motivate another student to do something wonderful with their lives.

In the end I believe that this is my best work from this year. Even though I believe that all my work is wonderful and should be shared with the world.

I do think that this is by far my best piece in the yearbook. It shows people’s dreams and let’s their classmates read about their futures. I believe that my writing has also progressed since starting at the beginning of the year.

THEY WANT YOU!

This LINE DEFINES OUTER EDGE OF 1 PICA

MANY STUDENTS KNOW early on what they want to do after they graduate from high school. Some students, such as Cade Foster, a junior, and Anna Ford, a senior, have decided to go into the military. From very early stages in their life, these two have known what they have wanted to do with their lives.

“I have always been passionate about the military, ever since I was in elementary school. But I became very interested in the Navy when I learned about the Navy’s mission and how it operates on a global scale,” said Foster.

Their goal is to be able to protect their country and protect all that they can.

“It has been something I have wanted to do for years, and though it is definitely not the easiest lifestyle, it is all worth it,” said Ford.

Both students wish to participate in different branches of the military. Foster is training to be a part of the Navy, while Ford is training to be in the Marines. Both of them are very passionate about their dreams and are working every day in order to achieve their goals.

“Freedom and safety are some of the most valuable things we have, and being able to be a part of something that helps protect those rights for your friends and family is the best job I could ask for,” said Ford.

These aspiring heroes have known what they have wanted to do, and are following their dreams to the fullest extent.

“I am looking forward to being able to serve my

DOUBLE DUTY

WITH a military career in their future, students discuss their ambitions for after high school

country, while at the same time doing what I am passionate about and living my dream,” said Foster.

Both of them go through intense workouts in order to maintain the physical requirements to

TWIRLER and softball player, Rachel Rodriguez is a double threat

achieve their goals. Both Foster and Ford have been working for years in order to achieve their goals and have both been very successful thus far. Story by samuel kulliver and photo by nicole neri

story by kimberly paoli

1. How long have you been doing softball?

1. How long have you been doing twirling?

“Since I was seven, so that would be nine years.”

“12 years”

2. What made you want to

2. What made you want to start doing softball?

start twirling?

“I wasn’t very good at dance or gymnastics, so this was my closest choice.”

“My brother was playing baseball at the time”

3. How often do you have practice?

3. How often do you practice twirling?

“We practice everyday after school and have a game at least once a week.”

“I practice every morning in the gym. Also, I have team practice Monday and Thursday after school.”

4. What is the most dangerous thing that can happen while playing softball?

4. What is the most

dangerous thing you have done in twirling?

“I’ve tried to do a high toss walk over, but I messed up and fell on my head.”

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9 20 Even Page

photo by kate rosenbaum

photo by kimberly paoli

“I have missed a pop fly and it hit me in the face.”

PASSIONATE

Job # 16423

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If I could pick any piece of work that still needs work. It would have to still be my mod about Stuco during Homecoming. I looked back at it and it could still be so much better than it actually is. Overall I feel that the concept was smart but it could have been much cleaner and done better. It was one of my stories that felt more of a rush in order to meet deadline. Many things about this story could be changed. However I did learn a lot from this spread that allowed me to grow and see what works for me and what does not.

I chose this piece again because I believe it was my weakest story/mod.

Their was really no depth to it and it felt super rushed. I could not think of a single thing to do for it, so a Madlib was the only thing I could think of. My other mods and stories felt like I put a lot more time into them and this one was just kind of forced. I think that next year if a story comes up like this and I am in charge of it, that I will think of a more creative way to pursue the story instead of just settling for something simple.

If I had the chance to improve this piece of work, their are a few things that I would do to improve it. First, I would rethink the process of how this story should have gone. Second, I would try to get a more interesting story about what happened, the one I got was kind of bland. However I basically settled with what she gave me and went with it. Content wise, it was not the greatest but overall I still think that it turned out fine. Creating the mad lib was an exciting and tedious experience that was also very annoying.

My overall feeling towards the piece is just bland. I don’t particularly hate it, but in no way do I love it. It was extremely lazy on my part and can be worked on.

Now I sound like I am hating on myself, but I am not. I just feel as though that I can do much better and I think that my other work shows of this. This is my laziest work that could be worked on. Next year I believe that I will be able to come up with some new and exciting ways to create stories and mods that will be exciting for everyone.

Reflection #2

ACT FAST

JUNIORS and seniors discuss the difficulties of studying for the ACT’s and the SAT’s for studying for the tests. It is difficult to prepare for these tests, but either going to Starbucks with some friends or locking the door and studying for hours does not matter, students need to find a way to study.

The amount of stress these tests give students keeps them on their toes by continuing to keep them busy. The tests come right in the middle of school, while all the homework assignments, quizzes, and tests continue so everyone remains even more stressed out.

“I need a quiet place to study so I probably study in my room, alone,” said Gregory Burgess, a senior. story

This LINE DEFINES OUTER EDGE OF 1 PICA

STUDYING FOR THE SATS AND ACTS is a huge, time consuming commitment that most juniors and seniors make. These challenging tests come around once a year and evaluate everything students have learned throughout their academic career.

Students taking the tests begin preparing as soon as possible.

“I began studying a month before the test and I studied probably an hour every two or three days of the week,” said senior Liza Murray.

Before beginning to study, falcon students go out and buy either an SAT or ACT study book.

Just the sight of this thick book scares most students away, but it is a must have

by emily watkins

Alysa Velez, 12, photo by emma kritzstein

HOMECOMING IS

(adjective)

HOMECOMING Mad Lib told by Kailey McAnn, a sophomore Homecoming is an absolutely and

(adjective)

(adjective)

and

(adjective)

. Although when you are a part of

(noun)

experience. It is also

(adjective)

, it is one of the

best things you will ever experience. Unplugged was a unique experience because students got to work the

(noun)

(verb)

100

BUSY

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100 Even Page

bands and their fellow classmates, and

, but overall it is an

(adjective)

experience.

(noun)

story by samuel kulliver

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Reflection #3

I am one to admit that I personally think that I am awful at taking photos. I do not think that it is my forte, although I really do enjoy it. I think it really shows an artistic perspective. This past semester and year all together, I really got to grow on how I take my photos. Sure they are not the best, but I believe that I have shown growth. If I had to choose one photo that I believe is my best photo for the whole year, it would have to be the photo that I took of Julia Smutny reading the newspaper. Last semester I said that I believe my best picture was of the bus driver, but looking back at it, that photo was not as spectacular as I remember.

The photo of Julia reading the newspaper captures a lot of emotion. It shows her interest in the newspaper, which is typically forgotten in our school (sadly). It shows that a wonderful publication is being appreciated for what it is meant to be. The emotion is really what draws me to this picture. Sure it is not a person diving off a diving board, or a mid-air jump. But it shows a girl, appreciating something wonderful. And I feel like that is extremely important.

One thing I enjoy about this photo is that since she is more off to the side, it leaves room for a story on the left. Which is exactly what happened in the book, so that makes me happy. I also enjoy the fact that I was able to get her entire face into the photo and you can tell what she is doing. The photo is framed pretty well and the focus of the picture is obvious. It is the girl and what she is doing. Plain and simple.

Personally I believe that this photo is much better than the bus driver. Not that that photo is terrible, I just think that this one is much better. It shows a student’s perspective of something else that is at school. And that is what the yearbook is about, what the students are doing and how they are feeling. That is why I think that this photo is the best I have taken all year. Next year I believe that I will be able to do much better and work on my photography even more.

Reflection #4

This semester I really tried to lend a hand and step up and help everyone in the class. I tried to not just sit around in class, I always wanted to be working on something since the book was so close to being done. The first semester I was very timid because I did not know how everything was going to play out and how everything worked. However after winter break I had a good handle on what was going down. After that I really tried to help everyone.

This semester I really had to crack down on the index. Even though there were so many mistakes and I hate myself for that. I got extremely busy with that, and I had to maintain my other duties on my team as well. I was at school till 11:30 for one late night helping out finish the book. Balancing the index with my team duties was a bit of a struggle but I think I was able to balance them pretty equally.

Late nights I was almost always one of the last people there. I stayed forever because their was always something to work on and I did not just want to sit around and do nothing while other people were getting stuff done. I also (not going to lie) wanted to look better than some of the other students to make myself stand out and show that I am super dedicated to this publication.

Overall I am excited to be more involved in the book next year. I am excited to actually have a voice and voice my opinion because I do not like keeping my mouth shut. I will finally get to fully commit to the class and show that I love yearbook and I will work even harder than this year. Even though being a team leader was obviously not my first choice, I am going to make the best of it and make sure that my team and I succeed and be better than everyone else. :)

What a year this has been. I learned a lot about myself and how I function when it comes to deadlines. Sure it was not easy but I powered through like a champ. I think my weaknesses really showed this past year. One of my major problems was that I bring myself down all the time. With my theme project, the whole time I was telling myself how much I hated it, even though it got a lot of good feedback. I tend to think that everything I do is never good enough. It is mainly because I try to compare myself to people have been in the class before or someone that is amazing at design, and that just throws me off completely.

I learned a lot from these situations. I learned that I need to stop comparing myself to others. I need to focus on my own work and make it the best as it can be. I have to be original with my design and my work in general. One problem with me is that I know this but still think that everything can be better even though it is probably pretty good to begin with.

In the future I think I just need to slap myself and realize that I am able to design and do my own work and it will turn out great no matter what. If these problems arise again I will just remind myself of how awesome I am (to sound as unselfish as possible). I believe that in the future I will do much better and will really be able to work through my issues of comparison.

Overall I handled the situation pretty ok. My theme project was alright and I think I just beat myself up to much. In the future I know that I will be able to do a much better job. I believe that once I stop beating myself up, I will be able to freely do what I want and let my creativity soar.

Reflection #5

Reflection #5

Reflection #6

Everyone has something or someone that is tearing them down. Everyone has a weakness and it’s because we are human. Thinking about this topic really made me have to think about who I am as a person and figure out my weakness (journalism wise or else I would get an F on this). Journalism is a very high stress and competitive occupation. Like everyone else I to have a weakness when it comes to the subject of journalism. My weakness is design.

I believe that my weakness is design because I lack a lot of creativity that most designers have. It is difficult for me to think of something that might look well. The idea of having to pick color combinations, figuring out what works and what doesn’t work, just stresses me out. Even though I do rather enjoy the aspect of design and working with others to create something beautiful, it is a rather difficult job for me.

One of the things that scares me is that I could be working on something and putting all my time and dedication into something, and then someone could just say it is complete and utter trash. The fear factor is definitely a big problem when I think about the design world.

Next year I hope that I will get a lot of chances to design which will help open me up to feedback. I will have to realize that life isn’t going to just hand you what you want and you need to work for it. I will work on designing and figure out what I like and how I like to do things.

Deadline #4

Deadline #5