Elena Serpas

Favorite subject at CRLS
History

Why is it your favorite subject?
The history teachers I know craft their lessons with so much care. They prepare us with the political-cultural context to see the larger picture behind social injustices students are experiencing and picking up on. They also challenge us to act on these issues, with many CRLS history classes focusing on community engagement and civics projects.

Favorite CRLS Staff Person
Ms. Sandoval and Dr. Breyer

What makes that staff person so special?
Ms. Sandoval – When I had Ms. Sandoval for AP Government, I loved her caring, funny personality and dedication to ensuring that every student leaves her class with a clear understanding of how our government works. When I became Ms. Sandoval’s TA for Critical Issues in U.S. History, I saw her dedication behind the scenes. As a required course, Critical Issues brings together CRLS students from many different backgrounds to critically examine U.S. history. Ms. Sandoval understands how powerful that is and carefully balances developmental guidelines with student needs and her expertise on which parts of history are often missing in classrooms.

Dr. Breyer – Dr. Breyer is devoted to her students and making sure everybody feels like they can succeed in her class. She has stayed after school with me and countless others explaining tricky statistical concepts and filling in pandemic-related content gaps in math. She is quick to answer questions about projects and open to providing specific feedback on your work if you ask. Between Dr. Breyer's guided lectures and daily problem sets, I felt I had everything I needed to thrive in math class.

Extracurricular activities, clubs, school-related activities
Club 4, Intersectional Feminism Club, and Glocal Challenge 

What were some of the out-of-school time (O.S.T) programs that you participated in anytime between grades 6-12?
Planned Parenthood Get Real Teen Council, Fair Share for Massachusetts (Yes on 1) Campaign, Governor’s Council to Address Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence (RESPECTfully Campaign), Boston Women’s Fund (Youth in Transformative Philanthropy Program), and National Organization for Women, Massachusetts.

How did being enrolled in any O.S.T. program(s) contribute to your success both in and out of high school? 
These programs gave me platforms, technical support, and encouragement from incredible activists to start working on issues I care about, like consent education and tax equity. For each program I participated in, I can point to a specific person who took the time to teach me into their work. I’m very grateful for those mentors.

What did you like most about CRLS? Why?
There’s a lot of student organizing here, and I think that’s awesome. People act on their passions; you see that whether someone’s organizing a BSU desk, improv show, jazz gig, or sports fundraiser.

What is something people unfamiliar with CRLS should know about the school? Why?
A big thing at CRLS is advocating for yourself and learning how to ask people for support when you need it. If you have questions about extracurricular offerings or if you’re taking the right classes, ask them! And if you don’t know who to ask or how to phrase your message, you can try talking to your guidance counselor or a teacher you trust.

What advice would you give incoming freshmen about CRLS?
Know the resources available to you as a CRLS student and spread those resources far and wide!

Do you need a job or internship? The Youth Employment Center has an entire database of open positions close to you. They even offered to help me make a resume and submit job applications.

Applying to colleges and want help with essays? The Cambridge School Volunteers paired me with a devoted mentor who spent hours with me brainstorming and revising essays for all the schools on my list. The essay help was so high-quality, so personalized – I couldn’t believe it was free and available to all of us.

The list goes on! Want to explore a topic you care about but need structure? Maybe you can talk to Ms. FitzGerald about doing an in-school graduation project or senior internship. Have a reproductive or sexual health need? The Teen Health Center is here for you, with services that can be free and confidential.

If there is something you need, whether about school or jobs or college or life, think about if there is a CRLS or City of Cambridge staff member who helps others in your situation every day. There is professional support here for you, often just an email away. 

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