Lizzy

Graduation Year: 2015
Middle School: The Seven Hills School
College:
Home Town:
 Lafayette
Biggest differences between middle school and high school: First, the size. The school campus is much bigger, and the number of students has increased. But the class sizes are still small enough for good discussion and individual attention. Second, the homework. I am still getting used to it, but the homework is doable. I can still have a life while passing my classes. Third, the freedom. I can roam around campus during breaks and my free period, choose my elective, and hang out with whomever I want. The differences are definitely positive.

Why I chose College Prep: I wanted an environment bigger than my middle school (which was really small)  but not overwhelmingly huge. When I visited College Prep, I saw how people were genuinely nice to each other and how the teachers were really engaged in their classes. Everyone was eager to learn, and I could tell that this wasn't a place where you would be made fun of for actually doing homework.

Why I'm glad I chose College Prep: College Prep has turned out to be the perfect fit for me. As strange as it may sound, I look forward to going to school each day. I love that you can have an interesting and funny conversation with anyone you see on campus, whether it's a teacher you've never had a class with or a freshman you just met. The homey appearance of the campus perfectly represents the familial atmosphere of College Prep.

Favorite place on campus: My favorite spot is definitely the darkroom. Not only is it amazing that our school actually has its own fully-functioning darkroom, but it also has turned out to be a great place to relax. While I enlarge and develop my prints for photography class, I can relax and reflect in the dark space or chat with other photographers developing their photos. 

Campus involvement: My main activities are tutoring, Yearbook, and softball. I tutor with the Partners program, which is organized by College Prep, and through it I teach Oakland Unified middle school students throughout the school year and during the summer as well. I always look forward to my weekly tutoring session with the fun and crazy Westlake Middle School students! Yearbook is another activity I love. We meet twice a week to put together the current year's volume, and we are in the process of making a really great book. I'm excited to be co-editor next year! I also joined the softball team this past year, and it has been a real highlight. I highly recommend any team sport as a way to have fun, make friends, and learn a skill!

Favorite class: My favorite class has been Economics. The teacher, Ms. Gumbert, kept it interesting with funny examples and game-like simulations, all while teaching practical, not just theoretical, principles. I feel like I can have an adult conversation about the economy now that I know what IPO, SEC, and P/E mean. We used a really great online textbook that had a built-in note-taking tool and that wrote customized review questions based on past quizzes.

Favorite College Prep memory: My favorite memories are all from College Prep's annual Snow Trip. For the duration of the two day trip, my friends and I sang songs, baked cookies, and just talked in our own condo in Bear Valley. I'm not a skier myself, so for me class trips like this are time to spend with friends.

Coolest (spring/summer/winter) break experience: My favorite experiences (I can't just pick one!) are definitely my travels to other countries. The food and culture in Italy were amazing. I also loved Costa Rica's culture; the people are all so friendly, and it was fun to use some of the Spanish I've learned at school. I hope to someday travel to Morocco and Iceland!

Favorite character from a movie/book/television series: Saul Berenson from Homeland because he is not only a disciplined and talented CIA agent but also a giving friend and mentor.

Three unusual things about myself:
  1. I am a twin.
  2. I have never had braces.
  3. I've never eaten a hamburger.
Back

mens conscia recti

a mind aware of what is right