All-Time Greatest Panel
The All Time Greatest Panel was a debate in response to President Obama's 2015 State of the Union Address from the perspectives of some of the most prominent figures from across American History. Each student had to argue for or against the President's claims based on their character's beliefs and philosophies.
The moment that summarized the project to me was when I delivered my opening statement. It was composed of so much more research than it let up, was only 2 minutes long, and there were no true responses to the statement. I think I contributed a serious commitment to staying in character during this project, as well as professionalism and a focus on the views of my character over my own. The achievement I am most proud of from this project was the delivery of my Opening Statement. When I had completed writing it, I was truly proud of it, and after the panel discussion, one of the teachers that sat in on our debate came up to me and personally congratulated me on my statement. It felt really good to receive that type of recognition for the effort I put into writing that 2 minute speech. I think the biggest lesson I learned from this project was to look at history with a more critical, and less arrogant, lens. People from across history fought for what they believed was right, and in their time society may have believed something we believe to be wrong, correct. I am not saying that we should remove blame from those that deserve it, but we should also reflect on the beliefs and ideals instead of just the individuals.