Civic Mirror not only teaches students about their political, legal, and economic systems, but – almost more importantly – it provides them with opportunities to learn important life-lessons that don’t come without personal challenge.
In this submission, Demi Yoshida, a 12th Grade Senior Capstone student from Punahou School in Honolulu, Hawaii, reflects on some of the big lessons she learned from participating in Civic Mirror this summer. Her insights are phenomenal.
I know I should’ve been more mature but I felt greatly uncomfortable approaching the government for needs and services. I was thankful to have a few other friends in the government who could put in my opinions and such, but it wasn’t the same as directly putting my voice in. I know this whole ‘uncomfortable connection’ thing is kind of irrelevant to this reflection, but I just thought I’d put it out there.
When I saw the class members, I did freak out and I was about to switch because of these three people. I freaked out even more when I realized I had to actually interact with them through the Civic Mirror (which is part of the reason why I kind of detested it). But it’s funny how now I am thankful that I didn’t switch classes. I think I learned more this summer about life than I have in all my years of schooling. While I didn’t like the Civic Mirror because of the forced connections, limitations, and partial failure towards the
end to meet my objectives, I am thankful for it now looking back.This game taught me that in life, you’re going to have to deal with people who you have bad histories with. It’s not a matter of avoiding those people, but how you learn to deal with these tricky situations. While I was really shy and soft-spoken in this game (I can promise you I am really not), I feel as if I am a stronger and brighter person from enduring the awkwardness. The people in this room did affect my participation democratically, and I wish I could say they didn’t. I should’ve been smart enough to separate the social aspect from the learning/grade aspect of the Civic Mirror. When I lost for senate, I should’ve rebounded and should’ve not been afraid. And though it does make me sick to keep saying ‘I Should’ve and I wanted to,’ I know now in the future that I won’t let others get in the way of my goals. This is by far the most important concept I have taken out of the Civic Mirror, and I am grateful for it.
I also think that this is a realy neat thing to play.
I just seem to think of it as a game it is veary cool to play it is a fun educational thing.
But I think of it more as a game.