Fernando Atencio-Herrera

Elementary School	King Open
Upper School	Cambridge Street Upper School
Upcoming Plans	American University
Area of Study/Interest	Applied Mathematics
Career Aspiration	Lawyer and or Diplomat

Favorite subject at CRLS
History and English

Why is it your favorite subject?
I’ve always been interested in history and writing since I was little, and they were some of the first subjects I would learn about on my own outside of school. At CRLS, I loved finally being able to study world history, politics, and global issues in detail through classes like AP World History, Comp Gov, and other amazing courses like Modern Global Conflicts. I’ve always felt that schools focus heavily on American history, so being able to learn about different regions, political systems, and international conflicts was really meaningful to me and helped shape my interest in international relations and public policy. I also still enjoyed the classes that taught American history, like APUSH and Gov, because of the amazing teachers. I loved English because it gave me the opportunity to improve as a writer, express ideas creatively, and analyze deeper themes.

Favorite CRLS Staff Person
Dr. Lam, Ms. Serkin, Ms.B/ Mr. Roldan, Ms. Gonzalez

What makes that staff person so special?
Dr. Lam:
Dr. Lam had one of the deepest impacts on my experience at CRLS. Her classes were genuinely the highlight of my day, and I always looked forward to going because of how intellectually engaging and meaningful they were. She pushed me to think critically about the world, politics, history, and current events in a way that made me grow tremendously as both a student and a person. I always appreciated how I could talk to her about anything, whether it was global conflicts, academia, or even the NFL. One thing I’ll always remember is her infamous chin-grab while thoughtfully listening as students spoke, followed by a “tell me more,” which always pushed discussions deeper. I’ll also always remember the “breath in, breath out, good luck” before tests, which, funnily enough, somehow always made everyone a little more nervous. Those small moments became such memorable parts of her classroom. Her end-of-semester speeches and perspective on the world resonated with me deeply and helped add to how I think about learning, purpose, and my future. Most importantly, she made me feel heard and helped me become much more confident in my own voice and ideas.

Ms. Serkin:
Ms. Serkin completely changed the way I viewed STEM classes and my own abilities within them. Before her class, science was never something I naturally enjoyed or felt confident in, but through her patience and encouragement, she made chemistry something I genuinely looked forward to learning. I still remember going in early, morning after morning, for extra help, and she never made me feel like a burden or incapable. She constantly encouraged me to keep trying and pushed me to believe in myself academically. Beyond academics, her kindness stood out so much. Whether it was having tea ready when I or anyone else in our amazing sophomore-year chemistry class wasn’t feeling well or simply creating such a warm and welcoming classroom environment, she made students feel cared for as people, not just students.

Ms. B:
Ms. B was such an important support system for me throughout high school, especially during the college process. After being switched back to her from Mr. Roldan, she really got to see how much I grew and matured over time. She was always there to answer questions, guide me through stressful decisions, and reassure me during one of the most overwhelming periods of my life. What made her especially meaningful was how genuinely caring and invested she was in helping me succeed. She consistently advocated for me, listened to me, and made me feel supported throughout the entire process. Her guidance and encouragement helped me feel more confident in myself and my future.

Mr. Roldan:
Mr. Roldan had such a meaningful impact on both me and my family throughout high school. Since he worked with both my sister and me, he really got to see our growth over the years and became someone our family trusted deeply. Even after I switched counselors senior year, he still continued to support me, check in on me, and help whenever he could, which meant a lot.

Ms. Gonzalez:
Ms. Gonzalez, aka Brenda, had a classroom that was one of the places where I always felt most at home. I deeply appreciated the connection we shared through our Latino culture and experiences, and there was something incredibly comforting about feeling understood in that way within a school environment. Even small conversations or moments in class created a strong sense of familiarity and belonging for me. Beyond that, she helped me grow tremendously as a writer and thinker while always maintaining such a warm, supportive, and welcoming classroom environment. She made students feel valued not only academically but personally, and that sense of care and connection meant a lot to me throughout high school.

Little Note:
And of course, thank you to Berhan, the true hero of LC R, for always keeping everything running while somehow managing all of our chaos, absences, and endless emails with humor, patience, and kindness."

Extracurricular activities, clubs, school-related activities
At CRLS: Boys Volleyball,  Yearbook Club, National Honor Society, school/community service activities.  Out of CRLS: Transition House volunteer, City Council Campaign Canvassing, International/multilingual summer camp counselor, Food service jobs.

What were some of the out-of-school time (O.S.T) programs that you participated in anytime between grades 6-12?
Frisoli Youth Center, Moore Youth Center, and Moses Youth Center.

How did being enrolled in any O.S.T. program(s) contribute to your success both in and out of high school? 
It showed me early on the opportunities and resources young people have through Cambridge, along with making many important friendships and relationships.

What did you like most about CRLS? Why?
What I loved most about CRLS was the people. The school truly felt like a melting pot of so many different cultures, backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences, and I think that diversity is what makes CRLS such a special place. I learned just as much from my peers and conversations outside the classroom as I did inside of it.

I also feel incredibly grateful for the amazing teachers and staff I had throughout my four years. So many of them genuinely cared about students not just academically, but personally as well. They pushed me to grow intellectually, supported me during difficult moments, and helped shape who I am today. The relationships I built with teachers, counselors, coaches, and staff are something I’ll always value.

What is something people unfamiliar with CRLS should know about the school? Why?
One thing people unfamiliar with CRLS should know is that the relationships you build there truly matter. Some of the most meaningful parts of my experience came from the connections I made not just with teachers and friends, but with everyone in the building, from counselors and deans to clerks, coaches, cafeteria workers, custodians, and security guards. CRLS is such a large and diverse school that it can feel overwhelming at first, but once you start getting to know people, it begins to feel much smaller and more personal.

I think a big part of what makes CRLS special is the community and the people who make up that community. My advice to anyone there is to talk to people, build relationships, and appreciate everyone around you because you never realize how much those everyday interactions and connections will mean until you look back on them years later.

What advice would you give incoming freshmen about CRLS?
The advice I would give incoming freshmen, and honestly my younger self, is that how you start high school is not how you have to end it. If things feel difficult at first, if you feel lost, quiet, overwhelmed, or like you haven’t found your place yet, don’t lose hope. High school is a period of growth, and people change so much over those four years.

Don’t be afraid to take risks. Take the hard class even if you’re intimidated, join the club even if you don’t know anyone, try out for the team, apply for the scholarship or internship, send the email, ask the question, and put yourself out there. You might fail at some things, and that’s completely normal, but keep trying anyway. Some of the best opportunities, friendships, and experiences in my life came from moments where I was uncomfortable or unsure of myself but decided to try regardless.

I think CRLS rewards people who are willing to be curious, involved, and open to new experiences. Most importantly, don’t limit yourself or decide too early what kind of person you are. The version of yourself that graduates will probably surprise you.

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