Alex Brunelle

Reflection on my Year at Beacon

I am completing this alternative portfolio because I am not in an art. This is due to having

to make up a lot of credits, because last year, towards the end of the year, there was a crisis at

home and when that happens everything else goes on halt. So I failed a couple of classes. It is

also both my first AND my last year here at Beacon, and so that may be a factor as to why I am

not in an art.

This year has been very difficult for me. There were extenuating circumstances that

made it impossible to do my best in school. There was a point in time where I would rarely show

up, and if I did, I would not do much or pay much attention, even falling asleep in class at times.I

have had to make things up for the entire second semester. Since then, I have made up mostly

everything and have gotten past the crisis. I have grown as a student and as a person.

It is due to the incredible kindness, generosity, and understanding of my teachers here

at Beacon that I am still even in school. They have bent over backwards to accommodate for

me, and I will forever be grateful to them for that. This school truly cares about its students. It is

very obvious. At one point it all became too much and I wanted to drop out. Instead, a plan was

made where I would only have three classes and two study blocks- in which I could do make up

work, homework, or I could use it to calm down from anxiety.

All in all, Beacon has changed me for the better. The kindness and sense of acceptance,

family, and understanding has affected me and made a permanent impact on my life. They

helped me graduate even though I was going through so much, and as a result I was not put

into an art major. And that is why I am completing this alternative portfolio.