Oliver

Graduation Year: 2013
Middle School: The Crowden School
College: Oberlin College
Home Town: Oakland
Biggest difference between middle school and high school: The biggest immediate difference was not moving from class to class with the same people (when your entire grade is 18 people, that's what happens). The change that everyone experiences, though, is an immediate and noticeable change in the level of trust that is placed in students to do the right thing and to use their time wisely. Nobody is going to tell you that you must go to study hall at College Prep, nor will anyone tell you what you must do with your free time. That is the change that really sticks, once the logistical differences become second nature. At College Prep, you are entrusted with the burden of your own education, and while there is help available, you get to make the decisions and do what you think is right.

Why I chose College Prep: I really liked the atmosphere of unpretentious intellectuality. I was also really enticed by the level of the academics, but in the end, the real reason I chose College Prep was the feeling that I could be exactly who I was and do exactly what I wanted to do without fear of being looked down on for being too smart, too nerdy, or too anything else. (Also, like a few others, I have driven past College Prep every day for the last 10 years, so that helped my decision a lot). 

Why I'm glad I chose College Prep:
 I'm really glad I chose College Prep because of the fun I have at school every day. On a typical day, I find myself really enjoying my classes, and not necessarily just the ones that are easy. US History, for example, was difficult but fun. Spending my break listening to an assembly or hanging out with friends, then hanging out and perhaps playing some music during lunch just puts the icing on the cake. I'm also really glad to be a part of a community that is so accepting and so unabashedly intellectual, where I really feel like I have the ability to do and be whatever I want and the support to achieve in any area that I choose.

Favorite place on campus:
 I'm going to cheat on this one: I actually have two favorite places, and you'll see why in a minute. My favorite place to go on my own is a particular set of desks in the library. There are a few desks that look out across the main walkway to the library, with big windows onto a deck that overlooks a beautiful set of trees and then finally the auditorium. These desks are my favorite place in the entire school to sit and do work. I love being able to see what's going on outside, and I absolutely love the view, but in combination with the wonderful atmosphere of the library, it's just incredible.

My favorite place to be with other people is the school's Auditorium. As a participant in 4 different disciplines of the school's Arts program (Drama Tech, Vocal Music, Instrumental Music, and Drama, for those curious), I spend a lot of time in the hub of the school's performing arts. I really like the Auditorium because of its versatility (with the help of Visual Art, Music, and Drama Tech, the space can go from a gallery to a performance hall in less than a week) and also because of all the terrific memories I've made there. From eating bagels on a break from a rainy day of set building, to singing a solo in the musical, from playing violin in the school's orchestra to leading the Advanced Vocal Ensemble in an arrangement I wrote, there is no place in the school that has had more meaning for me.

Campus involvement: I've been involved in a lot of things on campus. I've played soccer and been in a musical, and I'm currently involved in Drama Tech, the ITS Crew (students providing technology support), the Advanced Vocal Ensemble (AVE for short), and many facets of the school's instrumental music program. For me, I think the best part about being in all these extracurriculars is the experiences I've had in them. How else would you be able to help shape the school's social media policy, run sound for two dance shows in a row, and have your own arrangements performed for the entire school? Every single extracurricular activity that I've done has added something meaningful to my College Prep experience, and it's the experiences from these so-called "extras" that I'll cherish longest.

Favorite class:
 My favorite class to date is my junior year Biology class with Dr. C(ampodonico). While I'm not much of a biology guy, Dr. C made the class really fun and I'll never forget some of the ridiculous discussions and projects that went on in class. Oh, and I learned more than I ever thought I could about biology, which was nice as well. 

Favorite thing about College Prep:
 My favorite thing about College Prep is without a doubt the people. Students, faculty, and staff all combine to make College Prep a vibrant, expressive community where everybody can be whoever they want to be. And the discussions are incredible. I don't know of anywhere else where you can find people comparing the physics of time travel in Star Trek, Harry Potter, and a few other places sitting next to a bunch of people playing Starcraft while their friends try to shush them so they can just finish their math homework. Students and faculty are also friends and collaborators. I feel very comfortable talking to all the teachers at the school, regardless of whether I've been in class with them or not. It's really the people and their dedication to intellectual excellence, but not at the expense of having a good time, that makes College Prep the place that it is.

Favorite College Prep memory:
 One time during my sophomore year, I was sitting doing homework during my free period on the Music Lawn watching Adarsha (Class of 2011) running around being insane (as he usually is) when science teacher Jeff Sensabaugh happened to be walking by. Jeff proceeded to pick Adarsha up (pretty easy because he's not too big) and carry him over to a large trash can before placing him in it (feet down and with Adarsha's complete consent). While most people might think this is a pretty weird favorite memory, this is my favorite because it exemplifies the relationships built at College Prep. There aren't many schools where that is an ok thing to do, and I'm glad that at College Prep we're open enough with each other that anything is ok. Even if it is putting someone in a trash can.

Coolest (spring/summer/winter) break experience:
 The coolest summer break experience I've ever had actually happened the summer before I started at College Prep. My boy scout troop went on a canoe trek to the Boundary Waters between Minnesota and Ontario, Canada, for a week. My crew and I were out in the wilderness, almost completely alone, for a whole week, paddling all day and then stopping along the side of a lake to camp at night. The experience of being in such perfect wilderness, so out of touch with people, was remarkable and totally wonderful and I really hope I get to do it again.

Favorite character from a movie/book/television series:
 Anton Chekov as portrayed in the most recent Star Trek film. I wish I could say there's some deep reason why I like him, but mostly I just like the fact that he's terrifically intelligent and has a great accent. 
Three unusual things about myself:
  1. I am fascinated with transit systems and schedules and am often chastised for focusing more on the busses passing by than the people I'm with.
  2. I consider Friday the 13th to be a lucky day rather than a day of bad luck.
  3. I was born on the same day of the month as my father and his younger brother.
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mens conscia recti

a mind aware of what is right