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Reflections Carina Zamora Planning our Women's empowerment conference was an interesting experience. Personally I've never really liked group projects, yet this one was something different. Working with my group was amazing. The planning process was somewhat complicated since we all have different personalities and likes or dislikes. Yet, this is something I really liked about our group. We could all give our honest opinions on things and not be judged for it, instead we would receive feedback or more suggestions. I am very glad I joined this group and met new people. I find it interesting how the purpose of our conference was to bring empowerment and unity between the girls in our campus but it brought our own team closer as well. Before this project not all of us really knew each other but with time we all got closer and shared our ideas to make this event happen. Christina Braco As the project developed, I became more and more certain that this projected was going to need a lot of hard work put in. At the beginning of the project we had listed everything we were going to need, but as the project progressed, I found out there was so much more things that we needed. Something I would have done differently would have been to begin on finalizing everything more sooner because it felt a bit rushed, but no matter what we still did a great job. The conference came out perfect. Emily Uribe Having been part of the GBLA team was something new for me, I went in not really knowing what was ahead probably like others. I feel that we all learned together as a team as we went; not only about the project itself, but about each other. Prior to having joined the team, I wasn’t really close to most of the girls in the group, but over time I was able to bond and connect and appreciate that I had the chance to get to know them better. Together we not only built a connection amongst ourselves, but also worked hard to pull together our women's conference which would ultimately bring together so many other young women. If I could go back and redo the process there are a few things I would change in terms of my time management, however for it being our first time doing something like this I think we did amazing, and we can only continue to grow and better ourselves. Linda Revelo I think it’s safe to say that the experiences we have had while in GBLA have been a part of a learning process. Personally, I have always been inspired by other women and felt that there was a need of recognition for the hard work that many of us do; especially as a part of the youth. Through this opportunity, I have managed to not only learn more about the women in our community, but learn more about myself. I think that overall, that has been one of the best take aways and for that I am grateful. If I could have changed something about our conference, it would have been to open the conference to a broader audience. A broader audience could have meant our message was carried farther, but as it is, I believe the impact we left with the girls that attended reached the positive effect we intended. Jennifer Gonzalez As a shy person I never would have thought I would be able to bond with my team mates so well. I am so glad to have joined Girls Build LA, I have met some of the nicest people and was able to work with them. I am proud of my team and I for our hard work and dedication planning out the women's empowerment conference. I enjoyed hosting the conference with the rest of the GBLA team, it was my first time doing something I never expected to do so well. I am happy GBLA made me be more involved with my school and have the chance to meet new people. I would not change anything to the conference because being the first generation of GBLA at PUC eCALS means a lot to me. I think we did a great job as the first year of Girls Build LA hosting this conference. I am hope to see this tradition continue at our school and grow each year. Merie Mesa Being part of GBLA was a fun experience. Working with the girls was something new and exciting. An interesting thing of being part of this group was that I have always feared public speaking. Yet, for our women's conference I took on a new challenge. My partners and I had to run the conference and speak in front of the audience. Even though it was tough in a sense, I am proud of our accomplishment and our initiative to take on new challenges. Mileydi Elas Joining GBLA was probably one of the best decisions I ever made. Going into the group I was really excited and nervous at the same time. This was because I didn't really know all of the people in the group but now our whole group has become really close and formed a close relationship that I really appreciate. Project wise I always knew it was going to be difficult but I didn't know how difficult until the date was getting closer and we were all busy with school work. But I really think we tried our best to meet whenever we could even if some days it had to be without a couple people. In the end I think the women's conference really helped the girls at our school relax and make at least one new friend. I now see some of the girls at school wearing our shirts and that makes me really happy and proves to me that our group really made a change in their lives immediately making me wonder why I was nervous to join the room. In all, our GBLA has definitely been a great experience and I wouldn't change it for the world.