Name: Nina

Graduation Year: 2029

Middle School: The Hamlin School

Hometown: San Francisco

Campus Involvement: I am on the swim team, which has been a great way to make friends across grade levels. I am a member of SWIRL, which is College Prep's affinity space for mixed -race students, and Green Team, one of College Prep's environmental clubs. I also do public forum debate, which has been a really fun way to meet new friends and learn how to better articulate myself, research, and stay updated with current events.

What is the biggest difference between middle school and high school? I think the biggest difference between middle and high school is the independence. In middle school, my schedule was set for me, but in high school, I am given a lot more flexibility with how I spend my time at school. We are given the freedom to leave campus, and we are given complete control of how we use our resources (teachers, counselors, advisors) and our free periods.

What is your favorite thing about College Prep? The community. Everyone, both teachers and students, wants to help each other succeed, which makes College Prep such a supportive and kind environment.

What is your favorite character from a movie/book/television series? Gertrude Ederle from the documentary Young Woman and the Sea. She was the first woman to swim the English Channel, beating the men's record by over 2 hours. I find her story so inspiring because she defied societal expectations for women at that time, proving both her coaches and the world wrong.