Jaedon Ballou

Jaedon Ballou
Elementary School: Tobin Montessori School
Upper School: Vassal Lane Upper School
Upcoming Plans: Harvard College
Area of Study/Interest: Applied Mathematics
Career Aspiration: Not sure


Favorite subject at CRLS
Math

Why is it your favorite subject?
I have really enjoyed all of the math courses I've taken and teachers I've had at CRLS. My teachers all pushed and challenged me to deepen my mathematical knowledge, and I also benefited from having great classmates to solve problems with. 

Favorite CRLS Staff Person
Dr. Lam

What makes that staff person so special?
World and Comp Gov with Dr. Lam were two of my favorite classes in high school even though I am generally more STEM-minded. I always looked forward to her class, and I learned a ton and had a lot of fun doing so across my two semesters with her. She challenged me to think more holistically about history and government beyond just the facts and figures, which has improved my perspective on the world around me.

Extracurricular activities, clubs, school-related activities
Baseball, Falcon Band, Big Band Jazz Ensemble

What were some of the out-of-school time (O.S.T) programs that you participated in anytime between grades 6-12?
I volunteered at my church mentoring middle schoolers throughout my time in high school.

How did being enrolled in any O.S.T. program(s) contribute to your success both in and out of high school? 
Working with my church's middle school youth group allowed me to grow my leadership skills and emphasized to me the importance of relationships both in school, church, and elsewhere.

What did you like most about CRLS? Why?
I really enjoyed the flexibility that CRLS offers. I was able to take classes and arrange my schedule in a way that allowed me to maximize my learning, something that is often much more difficult to do at other schools. Through things like being able to take Harvard Extension School classes and allowing students to take AP courses from early on, CRLS gives students the opportunity to push themselves in order to reach their full potential.

What is something people unfamiliar with CRLS should know about the school? Why?
There is truly something for everyone at CRLS; you just need to find it. There are many great opportunities for all interests, from RSTA to the arts or anything in between. Because the scope is so broad, you might need to look for those opportunities yourself, but once you do you'll be very glad you did.

What advice would you give incoming freshmen about CRLS?
Find what you're passionate about and stick with it. It's easy to get caught up in trying to do every club and extracurricular, but your time will be much better spent if you focus on the things that really excite and inspire you. Don't sweat it; it's just high school.

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