Extra Curricula
Astrophysics Club, K-pop Club, CTF Club, Fencing
Favorite Class at CRLS
Computer Science. Even though I have not been able to take that many computer science courses at the high school, it is still the subject that engages me the most. I like how the AP Computer Science (A and Principles) classes use a project-based system because this allows me to build my critical thinking skills while also creating an end product that I can be very proud of. It is very fun to work on these projects and it is especially satisfying when you fix a bug in your code that had been bothering you for hours and you finally pass all of the unit tests.
Favorite Teacher
Ms. Zhaurova. I really appreciated her methodology to teaching. She gave us a lot of independence to learn by ourselves but, was also super happy to explain anything if we were confused about a question or a concept. She was very serious about getting us prepared for the AP test, but we also had a lot of fun in class with really cool, seemingly off-topic experiments and labs. She pushed me to pursue higher level science and academics, introduced me to out of school research opportunities, and she was one of the teachers to write me a college recommendation, even though she taught me during my freshman and sophomore years.
What are some of the out-of-school time (OST) programs that you participated in between grades 6 - 12?
None
How did being enrolled in any OST program(s) contribute to your success in and out of high school?
N/A
What did you like most about CRLS? Why?
I really appreciate the amount of opportunity that is available at CRLS. Being a public school, it is pretty astounding just how much you can do both on and off campus, from the incredible variety of classes that you can take to all of the opportunities that are provided by institutions like Harvard, MIT, and other companies in the local area.
What is something people unfamiliar with CRLS should know about the school? Why?
CRLS is a school where you can pursue any of your interests, no matter what it is. If you like acting or singing we have an incredible visual and performing arts department. If you are into athletics we offer a huge number of varsity sports. If you like the competitive nature of school we have clubs like Science Team that you can join. You don't even necessarily have to stick to one path: there are a huge number of students who do a wide variety of different activities that you might just not see at some other schools.
Advice to Incoming Freshmen
Don't be afraid to challenge yourself. I think most people are capable of taking classes that they don't think they can do at first. CRLS is a large enough school such that there are classes that fit into almost anything anyone could be interested in. Take the opportunity while you still have the time to explore what you might be passionate in for the future. But also don't slack off. I have many friends who regret not trying that hard their freshman year because the grades you get are permanent and they will matter for college, and it won't get any easier as you get closer to graduation.
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