Yerson Padilla Anthony Borrero 1101-028 Final Reflection Letter As I reflect back from the beginning to the end

of this semester, I must say that I am so proud of myself. Knowing my past; being a first generation college student, from a single parent household, also as an immigrant the odds were stacked against me. My mother gave up everything to help me get where I am today. I try to honor her sacrifice, by trying my best to do what I do. And coming to college is no exception. I have always heard that college is immensely different from high school. College is more demanding and rigorous from what I had heard. Therefore on the first day of class I remember not really knowing what to expect from Mr. B. and his English class. I know for a fact that I was very nervous and excited at the same time. I remember the first few weeks of classes were very interesting. We talked about literacy and what it meant to us, and what else it can also mean. Before taking this class I just thought being literate was being able to read and write. Or in terms of being literate and illiterate. I never realized that literacy could mean something more before taking this class. I have found out that it is more than just being able to pick up a book, and simply reading it. Its the way in which we are able to share ideas, messages, and any other means of perspective that can be interpreted. With literacy came the literary sponsors. I had to think about whom I deemed as a literary sponsor. I choose people who inspired me. For example Harvey Milk, and the President Barack Obama. People who started from nothing and defied the

odds to become something great, they are people whom I could look up to and say if they did it then why cant I. I think a literacy sponsor can be a person, a book, a place, and a life event that has impacted your view of literacy. I can now say that Mr. B. has served as a literacy sponsor. English 1101 has made a everlasting affect on my literacy. As the semester moved along many papers were written, and many interesting discussions were brought about in class, alongside many projects. The single project that sparked interest in me the most was the Multi-Modal Literacy Narrative Project. With the MMLNP I was able to venture out and observe a community in which I had interest. I was able to explore literacy in a way I never thought I would. In a Queer and open way. It gave a voice for the UNC Charlotte group PRIDE. Sadly the semester is now over, so I would like to give thanks to the help from Mr. B. for helping me grow as a writer. I can see the growth I have made throughout this semester. From the very beginning expecting the worst, to now viewing literacy in a new light. Without the help of Mr. B. I dont think my ways of thinking would have changed. My way of seeing the world would have never of been changed.