Extra Curricula
The Register Forum (Editor-in-Chief), The Harvard Crimson (Intern), Club Med (President), Boston Youth Symphony (Principal Violist, Student Committee), Greater Boston Music Outreach (Founder, President), Girls Tennis (Varsity and JV Captain), Tae-Kwon-Do (2nd degree black belt, assistant instructor), Habitat for Humanity (Treasurer), Freshman Mentor Advisory Team, Club 4.
Favorite Class at CRLS
This is an incredibly difficult task, but I think I would have to go with computer science. My parents encouraged me to take a computer science course as both a freshman and a sophomore, and I refused until junior year because I thought I would hate it—I couldn’t have been more wrong. Computer science is a subject that involves a surprising range of skills, including problem-solving, organization, and perseverance. You learn to think about problems in a way that is very different from any other subject, breaking each one down to its core. It’s almost like a puzzle that comes together, slowly but surely. Once finished, looking at the product gives you so much satisfaction and pride! It’s an incredibly special experience that simply cannot be replicated.
Favorite Teacher
This is, again, incredibly difficult, as I’ve been lucky enough to have met countless incredible CRLS staff members. If I was forced to narrow it down, I’d have to say Mr. Jordan, Mr. McGlathery, and Ms. Giacchino. However, I also really want to give a huge shoutout to Ms. Mace, Mr. Matteo, Ms. Hansel, Ms. Otty, Mr. Nicholson, Ms. Hughes, and Ms. Hart.
Being in Mr. Jordan’s class opened up my eyes as to who I was, academically and not, beyond simple essays and exams. I became much more aware of myself and my own opinions—which I had previously assumed to simply not exist. There is a reason why, with every big step I took, I sent him an immediate email—even when he was halfway across the world. He lives for simply talking with his students without any external incentive. Mr. Jordan is a great teacher, but, more than that, he is a great mentor, listener, and friend.
Mr. McGlathery is one of the most caring and dedicated teachers I have ever witnessed. He would never dare let fatigue or aggravation get in the way of his teaching. What makes Mr. McGlathery stand out, however, is his dedication to each individual student. He will invest everything in order to help his students succeed. He stays for hours after school nearly every day, naturally and without any question.
Ms. Giacchino is unlike any other teacher that I have had. What makes her so notable is her interaction with her students. She treats them all as her equals, her friends. She comes into class with so much excitement, bringing the energy of the classroom up with her. She shares stories, she tells jokes, and she listens to students’ puns. Ms. Giacchino is much more than “just” a Latin teacher.
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?
Strangely, what I like most about CRLS is that I did not like every part of it. Just like most other students, I experienced tough times, and it was not all perfect. During my four years, I learned which people bring out the best in me, what things are worth stressing over, how to prioritize my wellbeing, and about being a better friend, student, daughter, and sister. I learned a lot about myself, and I’m incredibly glad that I was able to do so during this period. I feel much, much more prepared and ready to move forward with my life than I did in September of 2015. If high school is “perfect,” you’re doing it wrong.
What is something people unfamiliar with CRLS should know about the school? Why?
There are so many hidden treasures at this school that are often overlooked. We have countless electives that most other schools don’t teach. We have access to the incredibly resourceful Teen Health Center. We have some of the most artistic, intelligent, and caring community members. We have a preprofessional, career-oriented technical school. We have options to dual-enroll at one of the world’s greatest universities. These things are easy to take for granted but are so important to acknowledge
Advice to Incoming Freshmen
First, put in the extra effort to create lasting relationships with your teachers! Some of the strongest bonds I have made during high school has been with my teachers, and seeing them on a daily basis is one of the things I will miss most after graduating. Not only are they incredibly knowledgeable, but they are also caring, empathetic, nurturing, interesting, and actually quite funny. Go talk to them after class, during lunch, or before school—put in the effort to get to know them, and you’ve got a lifelong friend.
Second, just accept the fact early on that going up the five flights of stairs will never get easier, no matter how many times you do it.
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