Academic Excellence Reflection by Fernando Morett (’13)

The following speech was delivered by Fernando Morett (’13) at morning assembly on February 22, 2012 as a reflection on the Grad at Grad characteristic: Academically Excellent

I’d like to start by pointing something out. Academic excellence means a lot more than just getting good grades and doing well in school. Being academically excellent means developing our knowledge and abilities to the greatest extent every day -- in school and in every aspect of our lives, as we become men and women for others. Today I’m here to share some of my stories and experiences regarding the Grad at Grad characteristic of becoming more academically excellent.

A student who is becoming more academically excellent is developing a curiosity to explore ideas and issues. When I was in the seventh grade I used to wonder (and I’m sure that many kids still wonder the same thing) why in the world was I learning algebra.

It had no use! The numbers and variables seemed pointless and boring. I honestly didn’t like math at all; I was bad at it too. By the 9th grade, I had come to the point of realizing that I had to learn algebra; there was no way out of it and I had to deal with that fact. At the beginning of this year I really wasn’t looking forward to Algebra 2. I was expecting another dull math year. The class started a bit boring, but then we got into new things I had never heard about: linear programming, functions, and more complex things. I began to pick up a little interest, but I still didn’t know the use of all the concepts we were studying in class. So one day I decided to figure it out. I approached my teacher and I asked, “What are these piecewise functions for?” I could tell he was glad I asked him that. He explained to me that these functions apply in real situations in the business world; that they help calculate salaries and illustrate changes in income and other factors.

He then went on and told me how finance in companies is structured and how the stock market works. It was all, somehow, related to our course. This was the point when I realized that I actually liked algebra!

From then on, my perspective on the class was different. Now, I always raise my hand and ask, “What is the use of this?” and “How does it work in real life?” Math is no longer the same old boring concepts. It has become an interesting and fun class that

inspires my interest in business and finance. And all of this came about by simply by my being interested in learning something outside of the classroom. My curiosity to explore something new took me to a new level of knowledge and understanding. I’m really happy I talked to my teacher that day. I learned that going beyond academic requirements often brings good consequences.

A student who is becoming more academically excellent is growing in knowledge and understanding of his or her cultural heritage. When I lived in Mexico, I never really focused on my heritage. I mean, basically everyone had the same one. The clash and complexities of different cultures didn’t really exist. After finishing the 9th grade, I moved from Mexico to New York. It was a pretty big change. I came to Loyola not knowing what to expect. I was going to be exposed to a completely different environment where the people and the school were going to be entirely different. Everything turned out ok though. I quickly made friends and adapted to the school. But the only big difference was that I was different. I didn’t have the same background as everyone else anymore. I was one of only a few people who shared the same Mexican heritage. This new experience of meeting and being around people from different places made me realize the importance of my own culture, and everything that it has to offer. I began to deeply appreciate being Mexican; something I had never done before. I see my heritage now as something that says who I am, as something that defines me, as something that makes me different in a special way. My heritage is now an important part of my life, and I’m glad it is.

A student who is becoming more academically excellent is developing problemsolving skills. There are many problems to be solved in the world. Last year, on the January Camden trip, I was faced with one of those problems. My group and I were walking around the streets of Philadelphia going into peoples’ homes asking what they needed so we could bring it to them – things like clothing or food. After our day’s work the supervisor of the organization we were working with, who had been guiding us all day, mentioned that there was an apartment he had been trying to go to but hadn’t because he could not communicate with the man who lived there. The apartment belonged to a man from El Salvador, who did not speak any English. It was a pretty

complicated situation, but I knew I could help. I told the supervisor that I speak Spanish and that I would gladly go with him to the man’s house. So we went to the apartment and the man let us into his home. I could tell he was pretty confused about what was going on. He wasn’t really sure why we were there. When I began to speak to him in his own language, he smiled and felt comfortable. I told him we were there to help him; to bring him the food he needed; to support him. He was extremely excited. He couldn’t believe the surprise. I then translated the terms of the organization and the paperwork that was required to him. He agreed, and in less than half an hour, we brought him his food. When we left, he simply said, with a huge smile, “Muchas gracias”. All of us have unique talents, and we are faced with different problems every single day. That day, I knew that I had used my knowledge and abilities to solve a problem; to make someone troubled happy in a very special way. It was a great feeling.

A student who is becoming more academically excellent is beginning to develop that critical consciousness which enables one better to analyze issues facing men and women and evaluate these issues from the standpoint of a man and woman for others.

Here at Loyola, I’ve had many opportunities to work with the less fortunate through Christian Service. I’ve been on a couple of service trips and I’ve served at different worksites. All of this service I have done has taken me out of the bubble that we live in and has exposed me to the problems that strike our world today. My interactions with the less fortunate have made me realize how lucky I am to attend a great school, to have a home – things that many people will never have access to. Through all of this service, I have developed a consciousness to understand and analyze what’s going on in the world.

I have also taken a standpoint. A standpoint of a man for others, of serving, of applying my talents, my knowledge and everything I learn everyday to make things better in any way that I possibly can. For a Loyola student this is academic excellence. Following St. Ignatius’ Magis to give more, and to do more, for others.