Passionate, driveN, innovator
“Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.”
- George Bernard Shaw
Hi, I’m Livia. Thank you for viewing my portfolio.
I am 14 years old, live in Jersey City, and I have been at Hamilton Park Montessori School for 12 years. My hobbies include baking, reading, art, science, and boxing. I like helping people as well as trying new things. I’m excited to go to high school because of all the new experiences and people I will meet.
Academic Pursuits
Our middle school program includes Interdisciplinary Studies where we examine unit themes through project work, ELA/Humanities, Math, Science, STEM and Spanish as well as community service.
Below are a few photos of some of my favorite moments at school including:
Science lab experiments
Human anatomy research
A Civil Rights skit we presented in Civics
Fundraising campaign for education benefitting Ukrainian refugees in Jersey City
“Mix it Up!” moments— the class my friend and I teach for 1st - 3rd graders in our After School Program.
PBL (Project-Based Learning) Unit on “VOICE”
My friend and I chose to explore how sound travels underwater.
Inspirational Figures Presentation
In Spanish class last year, we did a project on presenting some inspirational public figures. My friend and I researched Sally Ride. It was great working as a team.
Newspaper Club
Below is our first-ever School Newspaper (Issue #2) from last year. I joined the club this year and we are gearing up to print our biggest issue ever— a 400% increase in the number of articles we had from last year.
Passion Project
Address is a nonprofit organization that is working to help transform shipping containers into homes for those who are struggling with homelessness in our community.
Homeless shelters aren't always the best option, though for some, there may not be any other options. This is why I created Address. I am the chief innovator and founder of this organization.
Leadership
I teach a class called “Mix it Up!”. Something I've always enjoyed is baking. I like to try and make stuff that is more challenging as well as bake with my friends. A friend of mine has a passion for teaching and we thought it would be a good match. We teach 1st-3rd graders every Friday and work on our lesson plan over the week. I really enjoy the class and I think it taught me to be more responsible.
Community Service
I believe in the power of community. I live in one of the most diverse cities in our country which is very inspiring, so I want to do my part to be a good steward and a good role model.
My peers and I have cleaned up the neighborhood, spent time playing games with, singing for and reading to the elderly in the local Eldercare Facility, among other great projects like packing lunches or personal care kits for those struggling with homelessness in our community. One of the most recent service projects was raising money for Ukrainian refugees. My friends and I can be seen on the roof of our school, where we were interviewed by a local reporter about our efforts. It was a fun day to celebrate our contributions to the lives of others.
Jersey City Youth Foundation
I am currently volunteering
at the Youth Foundation of Jersey City. The foundation works to give educational, cultural, recreational, and high quality community for Jersey City youth. Every year the foundation adopts a school to give school supplies to, as well as food and other needed items. They donated computers during COVID-19 and have donation boxes around Jersey City. I am happy to have the opportunity to volunteer and hopefully I can be an intern soon.
The Arts
In summer of 2020 I was walking around my neighborhood. I saw a festival. It was an art festival that the city hosted to make the area a little brighter. I ended up being really interested and talking to some people there. I now paint as a hobby in my free time as well as work with the Jersey City Mural Arts program.
First Lego League Robotics
I’ve competed in a couple of Robotics competitions prior to the pandemic. I learned a lot about teamwork and perseverance.
More School Projects
Civics
This was a fun group project during our Civics studies last year.
Family and Friends
I love to spend time with my family and friends. I’ve known many of my friends for over a decade. I am blessed to have them in my life. I also look forward to making new friends in High School.
Thank you for viewing my portfolio.