Claudia Dyer

Extra Curricula
Soccer, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Club 4, Freshman Mentoring, Environmental Action Club, Cambridge Youth Lacrosse Volunteer Coach

Favorite Class at CRLS
SA tough call between math and history — both have been instrumental in shaping my academic experience at Rindge. Coming into high school, I thought of myself as a math person and the CRLS Math Department certainly offered enough classes for me to take full advantage of that. The six teachers I had pushed me to always learn more and be confident in my understanding of the material. Mr. Patterson, in particular, encouraged me to learn from and teach my classmates, and that level of collaboration is something I loved having in calculus.

Junior year, I stepped outside my norm and signed up for Ms. Otty’s Modern World and Dr. Lam’s Comp Gov, figuring I could take two classes and complete my history requirements. Little did I know that these courses would completely revolutionize my approach to learning and change how I see the world. Sure, I learned facts, but also how to think critically and question existing systems. The Math and History Departments at Rindge are to be applauded, and I’d seriously recommend exploring both.

Favorite Teacher
I’ve met and had the pleasure of taking classes with a number of outstanding teachers at CRLS, but I have to highlight the one and only Dr. Eva Lam for this one.

Dr. Lam’s AP Comparative Government class turned me into a kid that liked history. I’m not sure I’ll ever have a teacher as organized and disciplined as she is. She took a potentially mundane political science course and made something compelling and exciting out of it. Her lectures are compact, full of witty humor, and teach far more than anyone realizes in the moment. Both Comp Gov and World History taught me to see the world through a critical lens that emphasizes the human experience, something I might not have done naturally. In World History, she brought our attention to the pieces of history that are often overlooked, even though there was barely enough time to cover all the material. I would highly recommend taking at least AP Comp Gov or AP World History, preferably both. And if you are ever in need of an escape, drop by 2317 to doodle on her whiteboard.

To thank just a few of the other incredible teachers I’ve had:

• Ms. Stomberg, for igniting my passion for Environmental Science.
• Mr. Patterson, for showing me I’m capable of understanding far more complex concepts than I realized.
• Ms. Otty, for teaching me to question the world around me and always bringing a smile to class.
• Coach Manning, for believing in me since day one.
• Coach Read, for laughing with me through 7 (almost 8) seasons.
• And Mr. McGlathery, for being there to talk me through every assignment, even remotely.

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?
For all that I loved my classes, sports were probably the best thing I participated in at CRLS. Whether I was playing or cheering on some other team, sports always felt like a place where I could come together with my classmates. Oddly enough, I’m grateful to have had far more losing seasons than winning ones. I might not have made the varsity roster at a more competitive school, and yet Rindge gave me that opportunity, even if I wasn’t the best girl on the field. Few of my teammates were ever cut. My teams were generally welcoming and supportive of newcomers. Even the toughest losses taught me to pick myself up and keep fighting. I learned to be a team player and leader and I met some amazing people along the way. If you can, play a sport. It’s worth the pain of conditioning.

What is something people unfamiliar with CRLS should know about the school? Why? 
There are only two staircases to the fifth floor (one red, one light blue, both closest to the front of the building). You don't really need to know the numbers and colors of the zones — I still don't get why the two zones on the fourth and fifth floors are 1 and 4. Just find a reliable way between your classes and you'll be all set.

Advice to Incoming Freshmen
A couple pieces of advice: Try something new, seek out the opportunities you desire, and plan ahead when you can. Rindge has so much to offer — especially in the way of sports and clubs — and I would really recommend going to Club Day or trying out for a freshman sports team. If there’s not a club yet for what you’re most interested in, start one! The resources are available and the staff are here to support you. One word to the wise: maybe don’t sign up for multiple clubs that meet at the same time like I did.

On the theme of timing, I’d advise having some way to keep track of your work and what club meetings, practices, events, etc. you have going on during the week. As tacky as a planner may seem, I found that it’s much easier to get work done if you know how much to do when.

Finally, take a deep breath and enjoy the next four years! They’ll go by faster than you’d expect…

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