Luna-Nefeli Valayannopoulos-Akrivou

Favorite subject at CRLS
History and Maths

Why is it your favorite subject?
History and foreign languages have been by far my favorite subjects at CRLS because of the rewarding learning both offered. Taking multiple history and politics classes at CRLS, I not only had the opportunity to perform high level research across subject areas but was also able to discover a passion that eventually evolved into my major. I also found that I was able to extrapolate my knowledge from CRLS history classes to different mediums like Model UN. 

At CRLS, the foreign language department has allowed me to continue expanding my passion of language-learning. Not only was taking Spanish with Profe Sucheck and Profe Hernandez and Chinese with Jing Laoshi an extremely rewarding experience, it also lent me an interest (or immersed me) in the cultures of different Spanish and Chinese-speaking countries. 

Favorite CRLS Staff Person
Mr. Kreuser & Mr. Porreca, Ms. Watson, Dr. Lam, Ms. Chu, Mr. McGlathery

What makes that staff person so special?
I owe great thanks to Mr. Kreuser and Mr. Porreca not just for their top-notch impersonation of the Lord of Flies character but also for reading my college essay a multitudinous number of times. In all seriousness, Mr. Kreuser and Mr. Porreca are a dynamic duo whose mix of enthusiasm and humor make for a surprisingly enjoyable English 9 class. Highly-recommend creating some sort of inside joke with them, they will cherish it until the end of your senior year. 

Ms. Watson continuously supported me in her math class and encouraged me to continue pursuing math in the future. Not only does Ms. Watson celebrate all her students' successes but she also acknowledges students' needs and helps them develop into critical mathematicians. 

It is largely thanks to Dr. Lam's classes that I chose to pursue a study in international relations in college. Dr. Lam is not only able to impressively fit the entire world's history in a single semester but she is also able to target specific skills for her students to practice and work on. Through countless debates impersonating leaders from authoritarian countries, or mock trials putting Ghenghis Khan on trial I found Dr. Lam’s classes to be extremely rewarding and fascinating 

Although I was never a fan of STEM classes, Ms. Chu's class and teaching style changed this for me. Ms. Chu is an incredibly understanding and supportive teacher who is willing to answer an unfathomable number of questions. Moreover, she is extremely patient with her students and understanding of different needs. 

Mr. McGlathery is an energetic and extremely positive teacher who is sure to make you love computer science even if you find yourself having no interest in the subject. Not only is Mr. McGlathery is an extremely supportive and caring teacher, he also knows how to best cater to his different students' needs. He will explain complex topics using fun and easy-to-understand analogies and will always never miss a chance for some small talk with his students! 

Additionally, I would like to sincerely thank in no particular order a series of teachers who have helped me grow and developed over the past four years: Ms. Gonzalez, Profe Sucheck, Profe Hernandez, Jing Laoshi, Ms. Giordano, Ms. Read, Ms. Yvette Jackson.

Extracurricular activities, clubs, school-related activities
Model United Nations (President), Sustainable Development Club (President), Percussion Ensemble (Technical Director), Register Forum (Around School Editor + Managing Editor), Varsity Sailing Team (Captain), Project Green Plate (Co-Founder), Science Research & Mentoring Porgram

What were some of the out-of-school time (O.S.T) programs that you participated in anytime between grades 6-12?
Cambridge Youth Council, Science Club for Girls, Athena Council

How did being enrolled in any O.S.T. program(s) contribute to your success both in and out of high school? 
Being part of the CYC, Science Club for Girls, and the Athena Council, I was able to more closely work with the community in solving some of the most pressing issues. Working in CYC I learned the importance of community input and sustainable problem solving. Working with the Science Club for Girls and the Athena Council I was able to participate in initiatives to uplift women. All in all, these programs allowed me to gain further experience in public policy-making which I hope to continue to pursue in the future.

What did you like most about CRLS? Why?
CRLS is a school that has a myriad of different opportunities to offer for students with many varying interests. Whether it be through the RSTA technical school or its partnership with Harvard University, CRLS offers students with a top-notch education offered in few public high schools around the country.

What is something people unfamiliar with CRLS should know about the school? Why?
CRLS creates an extremely welcoming community that fosters student-staff relations. CRLS staff are not only extremely supportive but also compassionate and caring. At CRLS, you will often find students spending lunch with their favorite teachers, completely missing work, asking for extra guidance, or simply catching up on the latest drama.

What advice would you give incoming freshmen about CRLS?
Have fun with it! 
1. Take classes that interest you -- Even if most of your friends are not in said class you will always meet new people with similar interests as you. 
2. Talk to your teachers -- Teachers are always happy to talk to their students so try to create a strong relationship with your teachers. Not only will this make it easier on you if you ever need to ask for extra help or an extension, but you will already have a couple of individuals secured to write you your college recommendation letters. 
3. Think about college but do not obsess over it -- Do not spend all of high school taking classes, signing up to specific events, and partaking in activities just for the sake of getting into college. Instead, try everything out your freshman year and see what suits you best. 

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