Senior Stories: Jasmine, Running Without Errors
Jasmine is a 5-time LA Marathon finisher hailing from Sun Valley Magnet. The Pioneers’ team captain earned the SRLA Scholarship, which will be used to continue her academics at Syracuse University, where she will major in Computer Science.
I often tell my friends that I feel like I get imposter syndrome every time I walk out of my first and fourth period classes. It feels as though everyone in these classes knows what they are doing, except for me. My first and fourth periods are AP Computer Science A (Java) and Honors App Development, respectively. A lot of days I walk out feeling as though every bit of juice in my brain has been squeezed right out; but the days that I walk out knowing I was able to solve a problem make it all worth it, and I would not have the perseverance for these classes had I not joined SRLA.
Jasmine posing with her medals after completing the 2023 Los Angeles Marathon.
The computer science pathway at my school has challenged me in a way that no other class I have ever taken has. In Java, the lessons we learn are not like in other classes where you can flashcard the facts for a test. The curriculum requires my understanding of its fundamentals in order for me to be able to implement what I learn into my projects. We are currently working on our Zork game, and every person’s game is unique, as we each designed it ourselves. As a result, it is impossible to simply copy off of someone, and this project has almost broken my brain a few times. It is not very different in App Development, except that in App Development we work on a group project for the entire semester. This means that my work contributes to the grade and ultimately the success of my teammates. Again, there are days that I feel like I spend the period just staring at the screen. Days like these, I feel like I should not be in these classes. I definitely had days like in earlier seasons of SRLA. I was running more miles than I ever had before and wasn’t sure if I was cut out for it. It was difficult, but I had my teammates and leaders to push me to keep going, and I am so grateful that they did.
All it takes is one success, whether it be crossing the finish line at a race, or even just being able to press “Run” without error messages returning, for me to remember how much I love what I do. Knowing that I was able to accomplish something I set my mind to, like running a marathon, along with all the hard work it took not only me but also my teammates to get there, makes the endless practices worthwhile. In computer science, I see how my teacher implements our curriculum into his own life for lesson planning, excel, etc., and I know that I want to be like him. I see the rooms I designed come to life in our group project, and I know that I want to pursue this field. This year, I applied to university to pursue Computer Science in hopes of continuing to work like I do in these classes and SRLA. Having the opportunity to make my ideas come to life and work with a team that can support me is what I want as a career.
“All it takes is one success, whether it be crossing the finish line at a race, or even just being able to press “Run” without error messages returning, for me to remember how much I love what I do.”
I know that feeling like an imposter will not go away, especially when taking higher level courses in a male dominated field. What I do know is that seeing my perseverance reward myself and others, like in events for SRLA and running code without errors in class, is the rewarding feeling that keeps me going.
SRLA was the first real sport I participated in. I grew up participating in almost every performing art, like ballet, tap, gymnastics, and ice skating, but these extracurriculars were mostly for fun. That does not mean that SRLA is not fun, but SRLA was my first extracurricular to really challenge me both physically and mentally. As a result, I looked to my teammates and leaders to get through it, and I am so grateful to have had such a supportive team to get me through the last five seasons. I feel that SRLA has made me a leader, and I would not be the same without it.
SRLA brought me out of my shell in middle school and gave me a platform to practice collaborative leadership. Running is not easy, let alone running a marathon. The value of support in running is indefinite, and SRLA taught me to not be afraid to use my voice to support others. In middle school, I was afraid to show my support for certain things because I was scared I would look “weird” or that I wouldn’t look “cool.” Now, I make it a goal to make sure that my teammates hear me screaming and cheering them on while they are running. If anything, I feel weird toning down my support.
There is a reason our SRLA leaders are called leaders. Coaching on the sidelines is one thing, but leading by example is a whole other level to be recognized. Seeing my leaders push themselves during some of our harder runs has shown me how one does not need to prove that they are a leader, it is clear in their actions. I now apply this thinking to all aspects of my life. Whether it be in clubs at school or in other sports, leading by example is the way I go.
Throughout my five seasons with SRLA, I have learned the lessons I will carry with me even beyond high school. The interactions I had with my teammates and leaders have made me confident that I am ready for life after graduation.
