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For the past month, I have been working on a simple AI project to create a school assistant to help me stay on top of my grades. Working through problems that high school couldn't help me with, I began looking to the industry for a mentor. I have decided I am going to contact the legend himself, Don Teal. Though, I am reading this article that talks about how he has mentored students from Stanford and Oxford Academy, one of the top high schools in California, I'm still going to try. I attend a Title 1 school which means we qualify for extra funding because a majority of our students are free and reduced lunches. The love for my school is strong because we are like a big family. I am, however, jealous of some of the other schools further away that have engineering academies within their schools. Our school bought our first 3D printer last week, but for around here that's not trendy as the best schools had them three years ago.
This morning, I crafted an email to send to Don to let him know I was coming by to say hello. I thought showing up would be the best plan. I think I will figure out when he is usually mentoring and pop in like I am suppose to be there and maybe he will let me stay. I will report back after I have visited and let you know the results.
~
Yesterday, I mustered up the courage to visit Don's office. He had two groups of students in there from the top high schools in California. They were working on some advanced AI projects for a national competition. I knew right away that I could help with their project as I had been learning about that early this week. Don walked up to me when I entered and asked if I went to Oxford Academy. I said I didn't and told him where I went and what my aspirations were. I was expecting him at least tell me to come by later. However, his interest and demeanour changed after I told him where I went to school. He explained that he only mentors the students from top schools. In that moment my heart sunk, my idol wouldn't accept me because of where I came from.
I know I should have been furious, but I focused in and let it fuel me. I will continue to read his research and watch his tech talks. Everyday, I will grow my knowledge and in a year or two return. He will not be able to ignore my skill if I can out wit his best student.
Author Note:
I wanted to retell when Eklavya went to ask Drona to train him. "Drona said, "Are not the Bhils highwaymen and cattle-lifters? It would be a sin, indeed, to impart unto one of them great knowledge in the use of weapons."" Drona would train him because wasn't of high enough status. At the time he had been training the Pandavas and Kauravas. This didn't slow down Eklavya he continued to learn and train under a clay statue of Drona. I wanted to resemble this with Don being Drona. Drona was known as one of the most powerful warriors and best teachers in the world. Don was known for his skills in AI. The student in my story sought to be mentored by him yet was denied because of where he lived and went to school.
Bibliography:
Mahabharata: Ekalavya. Indian Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie (1913). [400 words]
This morning, I crafted an email to send to Don to let him know I was coming by to say hello. I thought showing up would be the best plan. I think I will figure out when he is usually mentoring and pop in like I am suppose to be there and maybe he will let me stay. I will report back after I have visited and let you know the results.
~
Yesterday, I mustered up the courage to visit Don's office. He had two groups of students in there from the top high schools in California. They were working on some advanced AI projects for a national competition. I knew right away that I could help with their project as I had been learning about that early this week. Don walked up to me when I entered and asked if I went to Oxford Academy. I said I didn't and told him where I went and what my aspirations were. I was expecting him at least tell me to come by later. However, his interest and demeanour changed after I told him where I went to school. He explained that he only mentors the students from top schools. In that moment my heart sunk, my idol wouldn't accept me because of where I came from.
I know I should have been furious, but I focused in and let it fuel me. I will continue to read his research and watch his tech talks. Everyday, I will grow my knowledge and in a year or two return. He will not be able to ignore my skill if I can out wit his best student.
Author Note:
I wanted to retell when Eklavya went to ask Drona to train him. "Drona said, "Are not the Bhils highwaymen and cattle-lifters? It would be a sin, indeed, to impart unto one of them great knowledge in the use of weapons."" Drona would train him because wasn't of high enough status. At the time he had been training the Pandavas and Kauravas. This didn't slow down Eklavya he continued to learn and train under a clay statue of Drona. I wanted to resemble this with Don being Drona. Drona was known as one of the most powerful warriors and best teachers in the world. Don was known for his skills in AI. The student in my story sought to be mentored by him yet was denied because of where he lived and went to school.
Bibliography:
Mahabharata: Ekalavya. Indian Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie (1913). [400 words]
Hi Josh, I need to do the groups, so just count this as the Week 11 story and take your time with it!
ReplyDeleteHello Josh, you are the type of person who is always ahead of the curve. Hardly did I find a person who keeps challenging and growing. Do not let this small frustration beat you! I know you will not give up.
ReplyDeleteI hope I will be like you since my first CS course will begin in next spring semester. My current goal is to become top 5% students in the US.