William Bonney

Professor Walker
College 1
December 5, 2014
Speaker Event: Brando Skyhorse
1) Who is in attendance? What are they doing?
The entire pathways program is in attendance, which is a surplus of 2000 students to watch
the at this point notorious Brando Skyhorse. In addition there are also several teachers,
success coaches, and faculty memebrs. Everyone is waiting for Skyhorese to present a
Capstone type presentation to add closure to the class and provide some insight into the novel
Madonnas of Echo Park. The goal of this event is to add closure to the semester long
endeavor of reading and analyzing Madonnas.
2) How does this event connect to the larger picture of our class?
The event connected to the larger picture of our class by trying to instill values of empathy,
acceptance, and growth. The speaker aimed to enlighten the audience to the benefits of
always trying our best and not being deterred but instead working harder to obtain our goals.
Also he detailed how not feeling empathetic or standing up for others is weakness and
demonstrated profound cowardice. His intention was to try and show how to be better people
and consequently provide more good for the world. The most important aspect that he
touched upon was that sometimes you have to make sacrifices to get ahead in life and that
you always have room to grow and improve.

3) What are some of the speakers most important points?

One of the most important points the speaker touched upon was the necessity of having a
growth mindset. He said that it is inevitable that we should feel unable to do what is set
before and this is an opportunity to grow and excel. We should utilize every moment as a
chance to grow and not be discouraged by adversity. Furthermore he says we should be
sympathetic to the plights of others because we do not know what kind of struggles that they
are dealing with. Also that rather than judge them we should spend time with them and try to
develop a perception of who they are and forge a real organic connection with the individual.
The speaker believes that the world is plagued with ignorance and misunderstanding each
other and that everyone would benefit immensely from getting to know one another.
4) Some quotable quotes (try to catch them word-for-word!):
When you ignore someone elses suffering then you are being a coward
This is one of the few messages that stuck with me. I completely agree with this sentiment
because it has become to easy for all of us to just ignore the pain and suffering of other
individuals and it takes true courage to stand up for those who can not for themselves.
The authors not is a lie
After I learned of the fictitious nature of the Authors not I was very disheartened by all of this
because it to me completely invalidated the entire premise the book was based on. Furthermore
even in works of fiction it is still customary for the authors note or preface to be factual
otherwise it would be better attributed as a prologue.
I went to Stanford and didnt expect it to be hard
I do not know how you can conceivably be admitted to Stanford University, which has one of the
most selective admissions processes and not think you would be challenged in college. It just

doesnt make an iota of sense to me that a seemingly intelligent man be so ignorant in this
regard.
I had the shooting to add something to the plot
This highlights how some of the deeper meanings we tried to ascertain from the plot were really
just arbitrary decisions to add substance to the story.
5) What is your biggest take-away from this experience? How will what you have heard/learned
change how you think or act?
My biggest take away from this event was to be more accepting of others and less
judgmental. We are all here on Earth with a different path and different preferences and therefore
allow others to do as they please as long as it does not come to any adverse effect to another
individual. Also something the really stuck with me was that it is an innately human aspect to fail
sometimes in life and that it is inescapable. Also that rather than be discouraged from failing that
we all view it as an opportunity to learn and grow from the encounter because that is the true
essence of maturity.