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Kailash Nakagawa

Kailash Nakagawa
Elementary School: Haggerty, Amigos, Vassal Lane Upper School
College: Stanford University
Major: Engineering Physics, with a minor in Music
Career Aspiration: Principal Investigator in an Engineering Research Lab

Extra Curricula
FIRST Robotics, World Jazz Ensemble, Concert Band, Internships, Tennis, Mentoring 

Favorite Class at CRLS
Although I've loved science and engineering at CRLS, music has changed me the most. I was first introduced to jazz and was taught to improvise in Jazz Workshop, and I haven't stopped singing solos in the shower ever since. I am so thankful I discovered my musical passion here, and that I could explore it with the extraordinarily talented musicians at CRLS through World Jazz and other ensembles.

Favorite Teacher
Marlin Kann. Even though Mr. Kann and I often joke about our mutual hatred, I really respect him and enjoy our long conversations. Mr. Kann has put up with me for four years in Community Meeting, plus another whole year as my history teacher. His passion for history is contagious, his discussions inside and outside of class are very interesting and thought provoking, and he genuinely cares about all of his students and will go out of his way to help them out and push them forward. (Don't tell him I said any of this, though!)

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 love the people at CRLS. They are so diverse in their passions and backgrounds, and have so many unique and beautiful stories to share. They have opened my mind to countless new perspectives and have taught me who I want to be.

What is something people unfamiliar with CRLS should know about the school? Why? 
You have to think hard to try and come up with a club that we don't have. Whatever your passion may be, you'll likely find at least a few people who are interested in it too.

Advice to Incoming Freshmen
Use CRLS to explore your passions. Even if they are obscure or uncommon, be proactive and find classes that can help you learn more, and maybe even do an independent study or an internship to dive even deeper. Often, Harvard has classes that you can take in more obscure subjects than CRLS offers, so keep an eye on their course catalog. It's not just limited to STEM classes or humanities classes, there are a ton of art classes as well! Form a good relationship with your guidance counselor and your deans, and they will help you find all sorts opportunities you would never find on your own.

And if you don't know what you're passionate about yet, this is the time to find out. Never be afraid to try out a new club or class because none of your friends are doing it or if you don't think you belong; you never know when you might find your calling.

Don't do everything just to try to get into college or because you think it will look good on your transcript. Be genuine to yourself, but don't limit yourself because you don't think you are. And if you're unsure if something is fit for you, ask upperclassmen about their experiences. Good luck on your next four years, and I hope they are amazing!

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