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Grace Austin

Grace Austin
Elementary School: Graham and Parks
College: Brown University
Major: Environmental Studies, Anthropology
Career Aspiration: Undecided

Extra Curricula
Student Government, UNICEF, Model UN, Lacrosse, Diving

Favorite Class at CRLS
History. History addresses a multitude of issues from different places and fields, so it is fun to see how information in other classes connects to the content I have learned in my history classes. I have a hard time picking one subject because my favorite learning experiences are when multiple disciplines connect and intertwine simultaneously. It amplifies the relevance and purpose for learning.

Favorite Teacher
This is a tricky question because there are so many staff members with different roles who have made my experience as a student here the best it can be.

Yemisi and Sandy in the main office continuously greet every person who walks into the Main Office, no matter how urgent or ridiculous a question, with enthusiasm, helpful resources, and laughs. I always love having to do something there because of them!

One of my most impactful teachers has been Dr. Lam. I had her for World History my senior year and she transformed my understanding of the world by broadening the timeline we need to look at to authentically understand history. And by analyzing important stories and developments that are too often brushed aside in our current education system. I not only learned how to search for more perspectives, analyze more critically, and attack history in a fun and applicable way, but I also gained more knowledge about aspects of history that are just super cool. I now think more critically about our world because of her. She is also just a funny person who will make you want to have conversations about history and connect random facts to relevant aspects of history.

Shoutout to the right side first floor arts building hallway. Passing Mr. Dua, then Mr. MacLaury, and finally Ms. Cesario’s room has always been a great journey. They are consistently there to support students and create a welcoming environment for our community.

Also, if you want someone to brighten your day, head to Learning Community R and talk to Berhan.

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 like that people aren’t afraid to address issues that matter. There is a lot of courage in terms of addressing social justice issues within our school and in the greater community, which adds an unconventional element to the school day that challenges our learning and makes us think more critically. I also love going to any type of CRLS student event because it is awesome to see the variety of talent and community within our school population.

What is something people unfamiliar with CRLS should know about the school? Why? 
I think the students here are extremely impressive and a force to be reckoned with. We have addressed local, national, and global issues without letting age be a barrier. This comes from our genuine interest, curiosity, and critical thinking. I am definitely excited to see what people in my grade and the grades to come do throughout life. I think that growing up in Cambridge fosters an environment for strong, thoughtful, and courageous individuals.

Advice to Incoming Freshmen
My advice would be to focus on what you find genuinely interesting and try your best to evaluate expectations for yourself. Understanding what you are capable of will create a lot of opportunities that may not be available if you allow others to dictate what you can do. It can be easy to feel safe and enroll in classes or pick extracurriculars your friends are in, but pick what you want to dedicate your own time to.

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